The Singaporean Saga
On Tuesday, I got a rejection letter from the National University of Singapore. Not an offer for another course, as it is usually done, or waitlisted. Outright rejection. But before I could swirl done the deep recesses of depression, I got a phone call from a Johore number - from SMU (they have a Johore office? They have that many Malaysian students?) - to arrange an telephone interview with a professor from the School of Economics and Social Science.
Heh, bangga a bit - interviewed you know. And then the next day, at 9:45pm, I got the telephone call from this certain Prof. Ong who spoke with a thick foreign accent (well, he didn’t puntuate his sentences with -lah, he’s definitely not Singaporean). So speaking of -lah’s, I tried my best not to say that suffix, as with -mah, -kua, and other things that make my grandmother think she has a Cantonese grandchild - instead what came out was ‘-le-’ or ‘-ahh’. I managed to stay away from Manglish/Singlish words - that I’m proud of.
My job did help a bit in the interview - the official title is “Volunteer Helper” (getting paid to volunteer… fine, it is a stipend. But still). He asked me about it, and asked about homeschooling (though I beg to differ whether or not the centre practices homeschooling). Moving on from there, he asked me about my plans - I told him I want to become an economist and pursue postgraduate studies in Economics, preferably research on monetary systems. I went on to say how I have read up a lot on that subject.
He then promptly asked me, “What is the biggest economic problem facing Malaysia”. I would have answered, “Indians”, but I gave a more PC answer of “Inflation, for the inflation rate last month was 4.8″. He then asked how to solve it. I wanted to say mengehadkan money supply - lost for words, I immediately said, “ease”. Stupid me, why didn’t I study in English - the better translation would be “restrict”. I corrected myself after what seem like three century’s worth of a pause, and then went on to say something about decreasing duties and taxes on consumer goods (which is a better answer; inflation last month was cost-push).
I thought I was done for. Until yesterday just before I left work, I saw this in my email account (yes, I surf more than I work):
Letter of Offer : Singapore Management University Bachelor of Science (Economics) programme - REX (X##XXX####)
Dear REX (X##XXX####)
Congratulations! We are delighted to offer you admission to SMU’s Bachelor of Science (Economics) programme at our School of Economics and Social Sciences for the Academic Year 2006-07.
This opportunity to study at SMU is a privilege we offer only to applicants of high calibre as the competition to gain admission gets more intense each year. Our record shows that only one in nine applicants gets selected.
SMU is the first to offer a holistic approach to economics education in this part of the world. The School’s innovative and interactive pedagogical approach and her high standard of teaching excellence are the cornerstones for a stimulating and vigorous learning environment. You will receive strong theoretical foundations from highly qualified professors from the world’s top schools and most up-to-date developments and practices from leaders in the forefront of the industry.
Today, the standard or discipline-specific approach is no longer adequate in resolving profound and compelling issues. Ours is a creative and highly relevant curriculum with real-world content that encompasses the arts as well as science, technology and entrepreneurship. You will also have opportunities for international exchanges and study missions. And as an elite SMU student, you have the option to pursue a double degree or a second major in any of our other courses in your second year at SMU if you perform well in your first year. You can look forward to an exceptional learning experience, one that will shape your abilities and talents, and give you the edge on graduation. The SMU Edge!
You have up to 5 June 2006 to accept our offer of a place at SMU. You may accept our offer online at www.smu.edu.sg
Heh. But I have less than a month not only which university to study in, but which country to live in. If I study in Singapore, unless I want to give up the 80% tuition subsidy, I’m bonded to work in Singapore for three years.
But didn’t Edmund Smith say not to go to Singapore? I don’t know, I think an letter of offer for my first choice from Southeast Asia most selective Economics school while outright rejections elsewhere might be a sign. Plus, KL is as liberal as Singapore, if not significantly more (I have many ASEAN Scholar friends, they all would agree). I currently know as much as 15 (or 16 if that “men’s private massage and sauna” shoplot I saw in SS2, Petaling Jaya is, well, just that). I can date other gays - it just never have been my fancy. And my favourite cruising spot - public toilets - is a little out of the question in Singapore.
As for family, my grandfather made the (pigheaded, stupid) choice of staying on the Johore side of the causeway during the Singapore-Malaysia split. I have extensive amounts of family in Singapore and Johore, so while there isn’t an immediate family to restrict and control me, there is an extended family that is just as controlling. So I don’t think I would turn into a hedonistic pro-gay living a life worthy of Queer As Folk in Singapore - quite unlikely.
Singapore sounds good. God, what do you think?