The lessons Singaporeans can take from travelling
Travel is one of the best teachers. (But only if you want to learn). DISCLAIMER: BROUGHT TO YOU BY DBS VISA DEBIT CARD. DO NOT PROCEED IF SPONSORED CONTENT OFFENDS YOU.
DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DBS VISA DEBIT CARD, THAT LETS YOU PAY IN UP TO 11 FOREIGN CURRENCIES WITH NO FOREIGN EXCHANGE FEES.
Singaporeans travel a lot, and it makes absolute sense.
We’re a small country, smaller than many major cities worldwide. That means there are only so many activities you can do here before they lose their novelty.
We also have the world’s strongest passport. And at the moment, the SGD has also become ridiculously strong; giving us formidable spending power overseas.
That said, very often, travelling is reduced to checking off tourist attractions on a list. As a Singaporean, I also think it’s often a missed opportunity to broaden your horizons.
Why? I’d argue that more than any other country in the world, Singaporeans need to be more exposed to the realities of what is happening around the world.
Here’s what we can gain from interacting with locals and understanding different cultures and ways of life the next time we venture beyond our shores.
Travelling can challenge your assumptions
We all grow up with assumptions on what is the ‘best way’ to live life.
Go to university.
Work in a big company or government job.
Accumulate as much wealth as possible during your life, and pass it on to your children.
These truisms can serve as guideposts that help us navigate through life’s complexities, but they can also become limitations that stifle individual growth and broader societal progress.
Here’s another example: In Singapore, we often give white-collar jobs a lot of prestige; while perceiving blue-collar work as less prestigious or meaningful.
The assumption is the former is superior to the latter.
That said, if you visit Australia, you’ll see that many blue-collar jobs such as mining, construction, and skilled trades often command a high level of respect. Wages are high too.
The societal value placed on these jobs is quite different, challenging the notion that white-collar jobs are inherently more valuable or prestigious.
Why this matters:
Understanding these nuances can offer Singaporeans—and indeed anyone—a more balanced perspective on work, success, and societal values.
It challenges the idea that there’s only one “right” path or one “best” way to live. You start to consider a broader range of possibilities for personal and societal fulfilment.
In the long term, that is really important for your well-being.
Travelling can give you perspective on your personal challenges
It’s easy to idealise life in a new city when you’re a tourist for a few days. But when you get the chance to speak to locals you meet in your travels, you’ll find that we share a lot in common.
Think HDB prices are getting out of hand? In most major cities like Hong Kong and New York, young people cannot afford to live in the neighbourhoods where they grew up.
Feeling like your wage hasn’t kept up with inflation? In countries like Japan, annual average salaries have stagnated since the 1990s. The same is true for many European countries too.
Unhappy you can’t withdraw your CPF monies? Well, most pension systems have strict limitations on when you can access your money to ensure long-term viability.
Turns out, many ‘uniquely Singapore’ problems are faced by millions worldwide. We’re not saying this to invalidate your feelings or frustrations, but rather, to realise that these issues that many people are struggling with are universal.
Why does this matter?
Bread and butter issues are a source of unhappiness for a lot of people. But if you understand that these are not problems exclusive to your country, you’re more likely to spend less time being bitter.
And more time doing what you can to change your circumstances.
Acknowledging that these are universal problems also opens the door to studying and adopting solutions from around the world.
Travelling lets you see that our quality of life is not to be taken for granted
If you have ever visited the smaller cities or rural parts of Japan, you’d see many abandoned schools, factories or infrastructure projects. Many of them were built at a time when Japan had a booming economy; people were hopeful.
In the heydays of the 80s and 90s, it was unimaginable that the country might face the economic woes it does today.
If anything, it’s a poignant reminder for Singapore that the good times don’t last forever. The strong passport, currency and economic opportunities are all things we should not take for granted.
Separately, at the same time on a recent trip to Vietnam, I was taken aback at how hungry their youth were.
Many of them were willing to learn new skills, and languages, and go abroad in pursuit of a better future. Inevitably, some of them will go on to compete with Singaporeans for opportunities. Some of them as professionals in Singapore, others in the broader global job market.
Last but not least, travelling can help you realise you have options
Finally – and we know this elicits strong feelings – but Singaporeans have the freedom to explore and choose where they want to build their lives, whether it’s staying in Singapore or venturing overseas.
In other countries, it’s not unheard of for people to leave their hometowns to go elsewhere for opportunities – whether a job or starting a business. That’s how we get so many of our ASEAN neighbours working in Singapore.
But here’s the deal.
While many from neighbouring countries come to Singapore for better opportunities, Singaporeans tend to associate travelling with holidays, and often overlook the potential for career and personal growth abroad.
We think there’s a missed opportunity here. Yes, there’s no place like home. But there’s also merit in venturing beyond your comfort zone to acquire experience and life skills abroad.
For example: If you take charge of a regional or even international role, then having only a good understanding of the Singapore market is not going to cut it – having some overseas experience will put you in good stead.
Also, for better or worse, some careers, businesses or passions have limited potential in Singapore. If you want to pursue a blue-collar career, it might be better to relocate to countries like Australia.
Similarly, if you have a passion for agriculture, renewable energy production, or wildlife conservation, countries with more abundant natural resources and land might offer better opportunities.
Such careers are not impossible to have in Singapore, but the chances overseas are far more plentiful – and travelling will give you a glimpse of the opportunities available there.
Remember: The choice to stay or venture out is a personal one, but it’s a choice made richer by recognizing the wealth of opportunities that exist beyond Singapore’s shores.
Stay woke, salaryman.
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