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Home is the tropical island of Singapore. Island of super-efficient Mass Rapid Transit trains, clean and green campaigns, paternalistic government and compulsory military service. Albeit criticisms about the education system, the unilateral parliamentary government and the strict laws; I am actually thankful for the education I am receiving, the Orchard road shopping belt, the low crime rate and economic stability. |
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| Home, like 85% of this island's dwellers, is one unit of the many ubiquitous high-rise apartments sanctioned by the government (Housing Development Board) since the early years of nation building in the 60s. |
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I received much of my formal education in the Rafflesian tradition. 4 years in Raffles Institution (RI) with a memorable term of boarding in the final year; 2 fantastic years in Raffles Junior College (RJC) where I made some of my closest friends. |
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| 1997 in
RI was a hectic year for me. Apart from studying, I also played a part in
the military band's 13th consecutive gold award in the Singapore Youth
Festival (SYF) central judging. There were also enjoyable times spent the in RI
boarding house and in Pulau Ubin during an Outward Bound Course. My subsequent 2 years at RJC saw the development of my interest in Chemistry. Being part of the school team for the 10th Singapore Chemistry Olympiad was a high point. However, a stint of research work in the Science Research Program under the National University of Singapore (NUS) convinced me that research is not my cup of tea. The RJC band also won the Top Junior College Band Award in the 1999 SYF central judging. We had an indelible band exchange program in Florida that year.
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And this is where I'm at right now. 22 years of age and 2 years till graduation. It's been a different 3 years in Medicine; having left behind the confines of structured schooling, I now do most of my learning in the local hospitals. | |||