Helloooo...

Final video:

A.Write a narrative of how your idea developed. (Begin by giving some response to the 1stdance and games night)

I worked on this project with Peiyu and Amy. We decided to do a language exchange with them. We will teach them some basic words and they will teach us in their language.

During the first night, I was not interested and do not know how to communicate with them. However, during the first evening, we started with bonding games to warm up. Through the games and dances, I realized that they were friendly and easy to engage. However, they are at a young age and they had to come out to work to support their family. Working in Singapore, English, Singlish or Mandrain are required to interact with one another. Hence, we had decided to do simple language exchange with them such as “你好-hello” and etc. In addition, having language exchange I can also learn how their language pronounce and write.

B. What about our meet-ups and the conversations you had created the interest in the area you ended up researching? Use your documentation photos etc.. to explain this process.

During the first day, I noticed that they had put a board hanging outside a room stating English lesson. In addition, we had a night market walk with them. During the walked, I realized that we had a difficulty to understand each other language.

C. Discuss your exchange with the foreign workers.

It was heart warming to see that foreign workers are enjoying while learning. They feel fun and willing to learn another language. In addition, we can take the opportunity to chit chat with them and understand more them. Next time when they had difficult to express their feeling they can use other language to express their feelings. After the session, one of them wrote “爱 (love)” outside the room of the board and he shared to his friend also. It was happy to see them enjoying the process.

1. How did you initially see the foreign workers? Did you even consider their experience before our meet-ups?

I had the thinking that they came here to work and earn some money back for their family. Didn’t think much and know the reasons behind. After knowing them, I get to understand more about their stories behind. They willing to take the challenge also.

2. Along your journey what to, and when did you change your ideas/plans in response to what you learned/experienced or observed from contact with the foreign workers?

My ideas changed during the second day of interaction with them. We had separated into smaller group to have a better understanding with them. We can get to know more about their lives. One of them shared about their meal which prepared from the vendor. The vendor will prepare the food early, hence it the food will cold or spoilt easily. During the dinner time, I observed them, they will appreciate what food we ordered for them. However, we will still choose what food we want to eat. Therefore, it reminds me I should be content and cherish what I had in my lives now.

3. What new knowledge did you gain from the interaction with the foreign workers and the action you took executing your project?

I had a better understanding why they come to Singapore to work and earn for a living. They were called back to their family every day after work. To care and concern them even though they were tired after their long day work. We gave them to draw a DIY notebook, Shahin and Alalmiah drew their country flag while Soriful drew his friend and rural area. It could see that they missed their home and carefree life. They were friendly to approach and willing to learn new stuffs during their free time. Hence, I should cherish that I am able to study and stay in Singapore.

4. What did you gain or what are the strengths/weaknesses/ differences & responses to learning that does not follow the conventional path of lecture/ tutorial and studio practice: learning by creating experiences beyond the classroom? a. how did you feel about creating a project where there was no clear path to follow–where you had to develop a unique path?

I think it is a good opportunity to learn things beyond the conventional classroom method. We should learn and understand more about other people lives and attitude towards their living. If there is the opportunity, I will go back to healthserve to know more other foreign workers. I was feeling lost as there was no any objective to follow and we allow to choose our own topic we want to do. Anything can be an art. Hence, it is a way for us to use our immaginations and creatively to create the project and communication is important.

1. end~