As I sat in Changi Airport in Singapore waiting for my flight back home, the words “I can’t believe it” echoed in my head. I relived the past few weeks in my mind, scrolling through my camera roll: the busy streets of Singapore, the heat that wrapped around me the moment I stepped outside, the laughter of friends I didn’t know I’d make — but now ones I will keep forever — the farewell.
I remembered all the moments I was scared, the times I wanted to stay quiet or hold back, and how every single time I said yes instead, something unforgettable happened.
This summer abroad wasn’t just about taking classes or exploring a new city. It was about growing in ways I never expected.
Making Decisions, Even When I Was Unsure
Before I arrived in Singapore, I had dozens of questions. What if I didn’t make friends? What if I felt out of place? What if I didn’t like it? What if I wasn’t ready for something this big — being 9,000 miles away from home, all on my own, in a country I had only seen on a screen?
But then, when I touched down, there was no turning back. Every day became a series of decisions. No one was going to tell me what to do or how to feel. I had to choose: to step outside my dorm and meet new people or stay in the comfort of solitude. To open up to people I’d just met or keep my walls up to feel safe. To explore the city or let fear hold me back.
I was also one of the youngest students in the program, just finishing my first year, and I often found myself surrounded by older students with more life and college experiences. I chose to learn from them. Watching how they carried themselves, asked questions, navigated friendships, and shared advice helped me grow. There was one person in particular whose confidence inspired me, and their openness reminded me that I had something to offer too, even if I was still figuring it all out.
Some of those choices were small, like taking the MRT alone to meet up with new friends at Haji Lane or trying a new dish I wasn’t sure I would like. Others felt bigger, like deciding to ride a roller coaster despite being afraid of heights, striking up a deep conversation I was scared to start, or staying out late in the city with friends and soaking up the night I knew I would never get back.
At the time, I didn’t realize how much power those decisions held. Each one slowly shaped the kind of experience I was going to have. The more I chose to engage — even when I was uncertain — the more I began to grow. I learned to trust myself better. To navigate unfamiliar places with curiosity instead of hesitation. To decide who I wanted to be, not just what I wanted to do.
The Moment That Changed Me
If I had to point to one moment that captured everything this trip meant to me, it would be the night of our farewell event. I didn’t plan on doing anything this meaningful when I first came to Singapore. But when I learned they needed volunteers for the farewell event, I felt compelled to speak up. I wasn’t sure why. I decided to sign up for a solo. A few days later, I auditioned, and they asked if I’d also consider doing a duet — if I could find someone.
That’s when I thought of Bri.
We had only interacted twice before. The first time was brief — we met through mutual friends during lunch at a canteen. The second was more memorable. A friend had invited me to join them for karaoke, and Bri was there too. She didn’t sing for most of the night; she just watched and played the tambourine. But then I queued up a song that I love to karaoke, Best Part by Daniel Caesar. And to my surprise, she started to sing — even though she’d said all night she couldn’t.
It took a lot of convincing, though. She was hesitant, nervous, and unsure — just like I was. But eventually, she said yes, even though she was scared. The night before the farewell event, we stayed up singing and practicing until 2 a.m. It was chaotic, hilarious, and somehow incredibly calming. We were both nervous but knowing we wouldn’t be alone made it easier.
When the farewell event came, I had trouble getting the timing down for my solo, so I decided at the last minute to listen to the song while singing over the instrumental during my performance. I finally got through my solo. Next was the finale — our duet. I was so nervous from my solo that I was still shaking as it was introduced, but once the music started playing and we started singing, everything fell into place.
It wasn’t just about performing — it was about trust, connection, and stepping into the unknown together.
The applause after felt surreal, but what I carry most from that night is the quiet confidence that comes from doing something vulnerable and bringing someone with you in that moment. It reminded me that growth isn’t always solo. Sometimes, it’s shared.
The People Who Made It Feel Like Home
No matter how incredible a place is, it’s always the people for me who make it unforgettable. I didn’t know what kind of relationships I would make coming into this experience. I was halfway around the world, younger than most of the group, and unsure if I’d find my place. But I did. And that made all the difference.
Luke, Himi, Cammie, and Emma weren’t just people I met on my first day at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). They became part of the reason Singapore started to feel like home. From casual canteen lunches to late-night dorm chats, spontaneous outings, and inside jokes we couldn’t stop saying, these friendships were honest, laid-back, and real.
Some days, it felt like we had known each other for years. We laughed until our faces hurt, shared quiet moments on long train rides, and supported each other through difficult times. I felt seen, accepted, and cared for, and that allowed me to open up in ways I didn’t expect.
What stood out the most was how deeply everyone embraced the experience. We all came from different backgrounds, majors, and stages in life, but somehow, we clicked. Maybe it was the mix of laughter, openness, and late-night conversations that stitched us together. Whatever it was, it turned strangers into people I now can’t imagine not knowing. Maybe it wasn’t the place at all — maybe it was just them — but whatever it was, I’m grateful for it.
Looking back, I realized I wasn’t the only one growing. We were all facing our own challenges. Watching the people around me take those leaps made the experience even more meaningful. It felt like we were all pushing each other to become braver versions of ourselves.
Making the Most of Every Moment
If there’s one thing I realized in Singapore, it’s how quickly time can pass when every day feels new. With just about a month abroad, I knew I didn’t want to waste a single moment.
Some of my favorite memories weren’t the significant, planned events but the little, everyday ones. Eating chicken rice and satay at the Maxwell hawker with friends, laughing so hard in the dorms that we lost track of time, catching the MRT and watching the city fly by, watching the fireworks by the bay, or even sitting together after class, swapping stories. Even an unexpected trip to Indonesia became a memory I’ll carry with me forever.
It didn’t matter whether we were exploring the city or simply relaxing in the dorm; each moment felt unique in its own way. What might have seemed ordinary for me back home became unforgettable here, just because I allowed myself to be fully in it.
Looking back, I’m glad I chose to lean into the experience instead of holding back. Because those small moments—the ones that didn’t seem like much at the time—are the ones I miss the most now.
I Grew Here
As I think back on my time in Singapore, I can’t help but remember how unsure I felt at the start. I didn’t know what to expect, and I had no idea how much it would change me. But every choice I made —from stepping into new friendships to performing at the farewell —shaped me into someone braver, more open, and more confident than when I arrived.
Singapore gave me sights and experiences I’ll never forget — but it’s the people I met who made it truly life-changing.
I didn’t grow up here in Singapore, but I definitely grew here.
This trip taught me that growth doesn’t always happen in big, dramatic ways. Sometimes, it’s in the small decisions: Who you sit with at lunch, what you say when someone invites you along, or whether you let fear keep you quiet or take a chance instead. And the best part was realizing that the lessons I was learning about stepping into discomfort and choosing growth were starting to rub off on the people around me, too.
Leaving was more challenging than I expected, but I know the memories and the growth I found in Singapore will stay with me forever.
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying abroad, it would be this: Don’t wait to feel ready. You may be scared, and that’s okay. Do it anyway — because you’ll come home with more than just memories. You’ll come home with a version of yourself you didn’t know was waiting.
You don’t have to be fearless to grow; you just have to be willing.
This post was contributed by Landon Escobedo, a Global Ambassador for Summer 2025. Landon is a sophomore studying abroad in the GEM Trailblazer Summer Program at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore
