A collection of texts tackling a variety of world issues, all told from my perspective, from social justice issues to simple observations from my daily life. They are written in a semi-formal tone as though I was having a conversation with the reader. These reviews are carefully selected for this portfolio specifically; more are posted on my blog.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM TAKING A TWITTER BREAK
I enjoy being on Twitter. Of all the social media sites that I’m on, I found it relatively easy to navigate and use. Connecting with people is one of the simplest things to do on it; I’ve made so many online friends just by replying to threads on a whim. But like every social media site, and most everything in life, there’s always a dark side. If you’re an avid Twitter user like myself, you may have heard of the phrase “Twitter is becoming more like Tumblr” being thrown around on the timeline. There’s a bit to unpack here. The long and short of it is that Tumblr started out as a microblogging site where people can share their art, opinions, and whatever else, and it was interactive and meme-tastic in a way that no other social media site was. During its heydays, there was a shift in the way people interacted with each other. They began arguing with each other over the smallest disagreements, even over things that they bonded over like fandom-related content. Political division thrived, sometimes to extremes. No matter where I looked, there was always a hivemind. Things were extremely black and white; there seemed to be no room for critical thinking.
This is what Twitter is rapidly becoming.
Of course, this isn’t fully the respective sites’ fault (whilst the higher ups don’t necessarily encourage this behaviour somewhat, they’re not taking active measures to curb them either). You’re shaped by the content you surround yourself with. It doesn’t matter if your social media account is a public or a private one, it should be a safe space for you. If you don’t want negativity on your timeline, you have every right to purge them in any way you see fit—mute certain keywords or even block users. In turn, you can engage with more positive content—I shared things that made me happy like puppies and #relatable viral videos that made me chuckle. Before I decided to take this break, this is what I’d done. It worked, but it wasn’t effective, as the nature of the site allowed for negativity to slip through the cracks and find its way back to me. So I fell back into this terrible cycle over and over.
There was a part of me that was scared of leaving Twitter. I didn’t want to miss out on some quality jokes, news stories, and personal updates from my mutuals. It’s why I hesitated in doing so for so long. In hindsight, it’s rather silly. It’s not like I have no other ways of getting updates from people. I didn’t cut out other social media sites like Facebook and Instagram because I use them less frequently. If anything, those two sites combined were less stress-inducing than Twitter because the algorithm decided that all I wanted to see on them were harmless, culture-related memes—pop or otherwise.
I found myself, surprisingly, not missing being on Twitter. I thought I was going to, but the feeling never came. It was tempting, sure, to go back and check what goes on the timeline once in a while, but I never did.
Overall, it was a much-needed break. In a way, I was almost better off without it. Within those forty days, alongside being stuck in self-isolation, I busied myself doing more productive, self-improvement things like honing down on learning two languages (Mandarin and Korean) and restarting my photography Instagram (feel free to follow!), amongst other side projects. I came across multiple online courses on subjects that I’ve been meaning to dip my toes in for years, like psychology and computer science. I still make time for other forms of entertainment, of course, like YouTube and finally giving podcasts a shot.
There were moments where I wished I could share my progress online or share a funny anecdote—Twitter is often where I get the most engagement when it comes to these kinds of updates—but I told myself to wait. It’s not like my jokes are time-sensitive. My problem with this new routine is that, as excited as I was to do everything all at once, I had to be careful to manage my time between everything and not to spread myself out too thin. On the bright side, I’d gladly contend with this problem any day than deal with all the mental erosion that comes with being on the so-called hellsite.
It was a relief to finally have that vice off of me (my phone battery also silently thanked me). It’s been a bit over a week since Lent ended and I’ve been released from Twitter jail, but I’ve been keeping it as far from my reach as possible. As in, I used to have Twitter smack dab in the middle of my home screen (it’s one of the first apps I see when I unlock my phone) but I’ve now left it amongst all my other apps where I’d have to scroll all the way down to find it. Its place on the home screen has been replaced with the WordPress mobile app. I’ll also try not to check it first thing in the morning, like I used to do, and give myself a chance to wake up before I get hit by a train of (mis)information.
I recommend this to those of you who find Twitter, or any social media, overwhelming and have had a negative impact on your mental health. You don’t have to cut it out for as long as I did. You could try going without it for a week and check back on how you feel. Then you can always go for longer and slowly that “tolerance” will start building up. In an almost purely digital age, this is one way of taking back control of your life.
This is what Twitter is rapidly becoming.
Of course, this isn’t fully the respective sites’ fault (whilst the higher ups don’t necessarily encourage this behaviour somewhat, they’re not taking active measures to curb them either). You’re shaped by the content you surround yourself with. It doesn’t matter if your social media account is a public or a private one, it should be a safe space for you. If you don’t want negativity on your timeline, you have every right to purge them in any way you see fit—mute certain keywords or even block users. In turn, you can engage with more positive content—I shared things that made me happy like puppies and #relatable viral videos that made me chuckle. Before I decided to take this break, this is what I’d done. It worked, but it wasn’t effective, as the nature of the site allowed for negativity to slip through the cracks and find its way back to me. So I fell back into this terrible cycle over and over.
There was a part of me that was scared of leaving Twitter. I didn’t want to miss out on some quality jokes, news stories, and personal updates from my mutuals. It’s why I hesitated in doing so for so long. In hindsight, it’s rather silly. It’s not like I have no other ways of getting updates from people. I didn’t cut out other social media sites like Facebook and Instagram because I use them less frequently. If anything, those two sites combined were less stress-inducing than Twitter because the algorithm decided that all I wanted to see on them were harmless, culture-related memes—pop or otherwise.
I found myself, surprisingly, not missing being on Twitter. I thought I was going to, but the feeling never came. It was tempting, sure, to go back and check what goes on the timeline once in a while, but I never did.
Overall, it was a much-needed break. In a way, I was almost better off without it. Within those forty days, alongside being stuck in self-isolation, I busied myself doing more productive, self-improvement things like honing down on learning two languages (Mandarin and Korean) and restarting my photography Instagram (feel free to follow!), amongst other side projects. I came across multiple online courses on subjects that I’ve been meaning to dip my toes in for years, like psychology and computer science. I still make time for other forms of entertainment, of course, like YouTube and finally giving podcasts a shot.
There were moments where I wished I could share my progress online or share a funny anecdote—Twitter is often where I get the most engagement when it comes to these kinds of updates—but I told myself to wait. It’s not like my jokes are time-sensitive. My problem with this new routine is that, as excited as I was to do everything all at once, I had to be careful to manage my time between everything and not to spread myself out too thin. On the bright side, I’d gladly contend with this problem any day than deal with all the mental erosion that comes with being on the so-called hellsite.
It was a relief to finally have that vice off of me (my phone battery also silently thanked me). It’s been a bit over a week since Lent ended and I’ve been released from Twitter jail, but I’ve been keeping it as far from my reach as possible. As in, I used to have Twitter smack dab in the middle of my home screen (it’s one of the first apps I see when I unlock my phone) but I’ve now left it amongst all my other apps where I’d have to scroll all the way down to find it. Its place on the home screen has been replaced with the WordPress mobile app. I’ll also try not to check it first thing in the morning, like I used to do, and give myself a chance to wake up before I get hit by a train of (mis)information.
I recommend this to those of you who find Twitter, or any social media, overwhelming and have had a negative impact on your mental health. You don’t have to cut it out for as long as I did. You could try going without it for a week and check back on how you feel. Then you can always go for longer and slowly that “tolerance” will start building up. In an almost purely digital age, this is one way of taking back control of your life.
AN AMATEUR'S GUIDE TO TRAVELLING SOLO
I recently came back from a week-long holiday in Singapore. As the title suggests, I’m not a seasoned traveller by any means, but I’ve had my share of globetrotting before. I’ve also been to Singapore numerous times in the past. However, during those times, a) I was almost always with my family or entrusted to a capable adult (I wasn’t mature enough for solo travel then), b) I let my dad or said adult do all the planning and the mapping of all the places, and c) it’s also been two to three years since I last set foot there. Though nothing much has changed in the Lion City, the prospect of being in a different country with different cultural standards by yourself is, to say the least, quite intimidating.
It took me a while to get into the swing of things, but in those six days, I’ve managed to pick up some tips and tricks (combined with a bit of travelling knowledge that I knew previously) that not only reduced the chances of me cacking myself but also made this trip a lot more enjoyable and well worth it, and so I’d share them with you all on here:
It took me a while to get into the swing of things, but in those six days, I’ve managed to pick up some tips and tricks (combined with a bit of travelling knowledge that I knew previously) that not only reduced the chances of me cacking myself but also made this trip a lot more enjoyable and well worth it, and so I’d share them with you all on here:
SAFETY FIRST
An upside to travelling solo is freedom. You can plan your day however you like and change it whenever you want. You decide when you want to call it a day. You don’t have to plan around anybody or wait for anyone. You can make as many decisions as you want without any compromises. You can even take this chance as some downtime, reorganise yourself, and just relax for a bit.
But it also goes without saying that being on your own means that you’re responsible for your own well-being. With no one to watch your back, you’re going to be more vulnerable to multiple perils, from scam artists to even your own health. There are quite a few things you need to prepare and look out for in this one, so I’ve put it in bullet point form for your convenience:
- Carry some kind of identification with you, like your passport. And by that, I mean the actual thing as some places won’t accept copies of your ID. You may not always need it, but it’s good to have it around just in case.
- Having said that, always make copies of your passport, credit/debit cards, medical information, and other important documents. For even more safekeeping, scan them and send them to yourself by email as a backup. Make sure that they’re all, including the originals, in order.
- Don’t have your eyes glued to your map, schedule, or phone while you’re on the go; check it before leaving your hotel/station/bus stop/etc. If you don’t, not only will you not be focused on your surroundings but it will also make you stand out as a tourist, making you an easy target for scammers and their ilk.
- Be sure to check your belongings before leaving any establishment and public transport, most importantly any documents you may have on you, your phone, keys, and wallet.
- Never leave your phone or your wallet in your back pocket. It’s like you’re asking for it to be stolen. Keep it in your front pocket or in a bag/purse.
- Don’t store all your cash and/or cards in one wallet. Keep some extra, or the rest of it, somewhere separate and safe.
- Keep to open public places, especially if it’s dark out, and walk like you know where you’re going (even if you don’t).
- Learn the language. Or at the very least, familiarise yourself with it and learn some phrases like how to ask for directions.
- By observing the locals, you can pick up their mannerisms, common phrases, see how they go about certain things, and mimic them (but find out why they’re doing that, or at least have an idea, before doing it yourself, otherwise you’ll just look like a massive idiot and you’ll stick out even more). But the best thing about this tip is that it applies to anything, not just travelling.
- Check-in with friends and/or family every day. Leave them a copy of your itinerary, tell them if you’ve made any changes to your plans, and always let them know you’re alright at the end of the day.
An upside to travelling solo is freedom. You can plan your day however you like and change it whenever you want. You decide when you want to call it a day. You don’t have to plan around anybody or wait for anyone. You can make as many decisions as you want without any compromises. You can even take this chance as some downtime, reorganise yourself, and just relax for a bit.
But it also goes without saying that being on your own means that you’re responsible for your own well-being. With no one to watch your back, you’re going to be more vulnerable to multiple perils, from scam artists to even your own health. There are quite a few things you need to prepare and look out for in this one, so I’ve put it in bullet point form for your convenience:
- Carry some kind of identification with you, like your passport. And by that, I mean the actual thing as some places won’t accept copies of your ID. You may not always need it, but it’s good to have it around just in case.
- Having said that, always make copies of your passport, credit/debit cards, medical information, and other important documents. For even more safekeeping, scan them and send them to yourself by email as a backup. Make sure that they’re all, including the originals, in order.
- Don’t have your eyes glued to your map, schedule, or phone while you’re on the go; check it before leaving your hotel/station/bus stop/etc. If you don’t, not only will you not be focused on your surroundings but it will also make you stand out as a tourist, making you an easy target for scammers and their ilk.
- Be sure to check your belongings before leaving any establishment and public transport, most importantly any documents you may have on you, your phone, keys, and wallet.
- Never leave your phone or your wallet in your back pocket. It’s like you’re asking for it to be stolen. Keep it in your front pocket or in a bag/purse.
- Don’t store all your cash and/or cards in one wallet. Keep some extra, or the rest of it, somewhere separate and safe.
- Keep to open public places, especially if it’s dark out, and walk like you know where you’re going (even if you don’t).
- Learn the language. Or at the very least, familiarise yourself with it and learn some phrases like how to ask for directions.
- By observing the locals, you can pick up their mannerisms, common phrases, see how they go about certain things, and mimic them (but find out why they’re doing that, or at least have an idea, before doing it yourself, otherwise you’ll just look like a massive idiot and you’ll stick out even more). But the best thing about this tip is that it applies to anything, not just travelling.
- Check-in with friends and/or family every day. Leave them a copy of your itinerary, tell them if you’ve made any changes to your plans, and always let them know you’re alright at the end of the day.
RESEARCH IS YOUR BEST FRIEND
Two points I want to make for this. Number one, always do your research before and during the trip. Don’t just look up ‘Top Places to Visit in [insert place of choice here]’, make an itinerary, and that’s that. Check the weather forecast and pack suitably. Look up what’s considered proper and not like in terms of clothes, local customs (like tipping, for example), which areas are safe and which aren’t, etc. Of course, a lot of these things you can pick up as you go along, but it’s good to have an idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
Number two, it is so, so, so important to have data on your phone. Seriously, I cannot tell you the number of times Google Maps has saved my butt on this trip because I’ve already lost count. Because of this (also because roaming can cause your phone bills to skyrocket), the first thing I do the minute I land in wherever is to purchase a SIM card. Now I don’t know a lot about SIM cards, and which carriers in different places provide what kinds of services and how much they cost overall, so I can’t say much about it. But always double-check with your itinerary, do your research, and purchase one that’ll fit your needs best.
Two points I want to make for this. Number one, always do your research before and during the trip. Don’t just look up ‘Top Places to Visit in [insert place of choice here]’, make an itinerary, and that’s that. Check the weather forecast and pack suitably. Look up what’s considered proper and not like in terms of clothes, local customs (like tipping, for example), which areas are safe and which aren’t, etc. Of course, a lot of these things you can pick up as you go along, but it’s good to have an idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
Number two, it is so, so, so important to have data on your phone. Seriously, I cannot tell you the number of times Google Maps has saved my butt on this trip because I’ve already lost count. Because of this (also because roaming can cause your phone bills to skyrocket), the first thing I do the minute I land in wherever is to purchase a SIM card. Now I don’t know a lot about SIM cards, and which carriers in different places provide what kinds of services and how much they cost overall, so I can’t say much about it. But always double-check with your itinerary, do your research, and purchase one that’ll fit your needs best.
PACK NICE CLOTHES
This is more of a personal preference than anything. I’m someone who feels the need to always look my best, no matter the situation. But I wasn’t in the right mindset while I was packing for this trip because I’ve only been relegated the role of babysitter and I was also quite nervous about the whole thing. So, packing light, all I brought with me were several t-shirts and shorts. And while those did suffice, being surrounded by smartly-dressed people made me realise that I’d made a huge mistake with my packing choices. Somehow, it didn’t occur to me that Singapore is one of the world’s most modern and expensive cities in the world, so it would make sense that the people would dress this way. But it also meant that I felt like a hobo every time I stood next to anyone. It wasn’t a great feeling.
But again, this is just a personal preference. If you prefer to go down the t-shirt and shorts route (or leggings; they are comfortable and practical as all hell), by all means go for it. If you’re keen on making good impressions on people you’ll probably never meet again in your life, then go do that. If it’s possible (and if you want), pack clothes that can be worn twice in a row to save space in your suitcase (for your convenience and for souvenirs).
Bottom line is, dress in whichever clothes you’ll feel most comfortable in, but be sure to look up which ones are acceptable and which ones are a big no-no. Don’t forget to make sure that it’s weather/climate appropriate and always, always, bring some spare (this goes for underwear, as well.)
This is more of a personal preference than anything. I’m someone who feels the need to always look my best, no matter the situation. But I wasn’t in the right mindset while I was packing for this trip because I’ve only been relegated the role of babysitter and I was also quite nervous about the whole thing. So, packing light, all I brought with me were several t-shirts and shorts. And while those did suffice, being surrounded by smartly-dressed people made me realise that I’d made a huge mistake with my packing choices. Somehow, it didn’t occur to me that Singapore is one of the world’s most modern and expensive cities in the world, so it would make sense that the people would dress this way. But it also meant that I felt like a hobo every time I stood next to anyone. It wasn’t a great feeling.
But again, this is just a personal preference. If you prefer to go down the t-shirt and shorts route (or leggings; they are comfortable and practical as all hell), by all means go for it. If you’re keen on making good impressions on people you’ll probably never meet again in your life, then go do that. If it’s possible (and if you want), pack clothes that can be worn twice in a row to save space in your suitcase (for your convenience and for souvenirs).
Bottom line is, dress in whichever clothes you’ll feel most comfortable in, but be sure to look up which ones are acceptable and which ones are a big no-no. Don’t forget to make sure that it’s weather/climate appropriate and always, always, bring some spare (this goes for underwear, as well.)
ALWAYS HAVE SMALL CHANGE
Not everybody will have access to a credit or debit card while travelling, and even then not all establishments will accept card payments. So having some cash will definitely come in handy. But don’t let all of it come in the form fifty or hundred dollar (or whatever currency) bills. It’s a lot more convenient for everyone (and some things, like top-up machines) involved if you have small change at hand. However, if you find yourself only owning fifty and hundred dollar bills, then you have to find a way to break it up, even if it means getting a weird look from the cashier when you pay for a bag of Doritos with a fifty-dollar bill.
Not everybody will have access to a credit or debit card while travelling, and even then not all establishments will accept card payments. So having some cash will definitely come in handy. But don’t let all of it come in the form fifty or hundred dollar (or whatever currency) bills. It’s a lot more convenient for everyone (and some things, like top-up machines) involved if you have small change at hand. However, if you find yourself only owning fifty and hundred dollar bills, then you have to find a way to break it up, even if it means getting a weird look from the cashier when you pay for a bag of Doritos with a fifty-dollar bill.
FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT
And by that, I mean buses and subway trains. Because if there’s anything I learnt it’s that taxis everywhere are expensive as heck. You’re also more liable to trickery with taxi drivers as a) they can take the longer route to get to your destination if they learn that you’re a tourist, and b) there is the potential for kidnapping to extortion.
I’m not condemning all taxi drivers—of course, there are honest ones out there—but the risk is there and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
But yes, when it comes to transport, I always go for buses and subways as it is more open and you can easily blend in with other commuters. Of course, they have their own risks, such as crowdedness during peak time (literally the worst), the possibility of missing your stop, there’s still the potential of thievery, etc.. But when there are more people about, the risk of getting scammed and coerced into doing something hazardous or potentially life-threatening is lessened somewhat. Furthermore, buses and trains always have a set route (unless there are external circumstances like road construction) and they often provide timetables and maps for both the route and the general area of their respective stop locations. However, if you’re looking for something healthier and even more cost-efficient, then…
And by that, I mean buses and subway trains. Because if there’s anything I learnt it’s that taxis everywhere are expensive as heck. You’re also more liable to trickery with taxi drivers as a) they can take the longer route to get to your destination if they learn that you’re a tourist, and b) there is the potential for kidnapping to extortion.
I’m not condemning all taxi drivers—of course, there are honest ones out there—but the risk is there and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
But yes, when it comes to transport, I always go for buses and subways as it is more open and you can easily blend in with other commuters. Of course, they have their own risks, such as crowdedness during peak time (literally the worst), the possibility of missing your stop, there’s still the potential of thievery, etc.. But when there are more people about, the risk of getting scammed and coerced into doing something hazardous or potentially life-threatening is lessened somewhat. Furthermore, buses and trains always have a set route (unless there are external circumstances like road construction) and they often provide timetables and maps for both the route and the general area of their respective stop locations. However, if you’re looking for something healthier and even more cost-efficient, then…
WALK PLACES
When it comes to travelling, there is nothing I love more than plugging in some music and exploring the city, countryside, wherever, to my heart’s content. In fact, I’d pick walking over public transport any day—given that wherever I’m going isn’t too far away. Of course, I’ll have Google Maps on me, but often times when I’m free-roaming I wander off from the designated path. Roaming around on foot also gives me a chance to get a feel of my surroundings firsthand. I’m still my own personal bubble, yet at the same time I’m immersed and the travelling experience feels a lot more intimate and exhilarating.
But that’s only one of the benefits. I should think that this is one of the more obvious ones, but it’s also good exercise. Walking doesn’t require you to have lots of stamina and endurance to accomplish. Besides, you can always rest a bit or hop on a bus back if you exhaust yourself. You can also take better pictures when you’re not hurtling at 50/mph on a crowded bus. And you’ll often find “hidden” things within your locality or run into the occasional quirky individual.
When it comes to travelling, there is nothing I love more than plugging in some music and exploring the city, countryside, wherever, to my heart’s content. In fact, I’d pick walking over public transport any day—given that wherever I’m going isn’t too far away. Of course, I’ll have Google Maps on me, but often times when I’m free-roaming I wander off from the designated path. Roaming around on foot also gives me a chance to get a feel of my surroundings firsthand. I’m still my own personal bubble, yet at the same time I’m immersed and the travelling experience feels a lot more intimate and exhilarating.
But that’s only one of the benefits. I should think that this is one of the more obvious ones, but it’s also good exercise. Walking doesn’t require you to have lots of stamina and endurance to accomplish. Besides, you can always rest a bit or hop on a bus back if you exhaust yourself. You can also take better pictures when you’re not hurtling at 50/mph on a crowded bus. And you’ll often find “hidden” things within your locality or run into the occasional quirky individual.
ALWAYS PLAN YOUR LAST DAY
Always plan your last day (yes, this deserves to be said twice in succession) because it is arguably the most important day of your holiday. You do not want to be stressing yourself mad rushing to the airport only to find out that you’ve missed your flight (or with any luck, it’s delayed. Still, you wouldn’t want to give yourself an unnecessary heart attack.) Pack everything the night before. Make sure all your documents are in order. Triple-check your flight time and give yourself enough time to be at the airport (I recommend two to three hours before your boarding time) so you can put airport security behind you sooner (because, as we all know, airport security is no joke; that, in itself, is already stressful enough.)
Lastly, and I cannot stress this enough, never throw anything an airport security person gives you when you arrive the first time because you might actually need it to fly back home. Trust me.
Always plan your last day (yes, this deserves to be said twice in succession) because it is arguably the most important day of your holiday. You do not want to be stressing yourself mad rushing to the airport only to find out that you’ve missed your flight (or with any luck, it’s delayed. Still, you wouldn’t want to give yourself an unnecessary heart attack.) Pack everything the night before. Make sure all your documents are in order. Triple-check your flight time and give yourself enough time to be at the airport (I recommend two to three hours before your boarding time) so you can put airport security behind you sooner (because, as we all know, airport security is no joke; that, in itself, is already stressful enough.)
Lastly, and I cannot stress this enough, never throw anything an airport security person gives you when you arrive the first time because you might actually need it to fly back home. Trust me.
STUDYING ABROAD: A SURVIVAL GUIDE
I was an international student whilst I studied in the UK. I’m from Indonesia, which meant that I am sixteen hours away from home on a plane. So that might give you a rough idea of just how far I’ve literally had to come just to get to where I am today. The culture shock was real—it’s possibly one of the realest thing one will ever have to deal with as an international student. The transport’s different, the way of life, you’re miles and miles away from home, the food, everything.
I remember coming in to campus for the first time for fresher’s week and I just thought “holy shit, what have I gotten myself into?” I have never felt so scared and nervous in my life. I didn’t know where anything was, I knew no one, and I wanted to run away. Like if a car or a train were to hit me at that moment, I would not complain. But eventually I met people, both from my courses and outside of it, I found myself doing things that I never thought I’d ever have the chance to, and it was amazing.
Of course, not everything has been smooth sailing, as with everything in life. I hit many bumps and made too many mistakes, but I surivived and that’s why I’m here writing this guide:
1. You’re going to get a lot of questions and comments about your international status. A lot of them are going to be repetitive and, while the attention is nice at first, it’s going to quickly become annoying and at some point you’re going to feel like punching someone in the face because of them. Don’t actually do that. Eventually, these questions will come to pass so the best way to go about it is to suck it up and deal with it for the time being.
2. Embrace the culture you’re stuck with, no matter how ridiculous or weird you think their way of life is. At least, some aspects of it.
3. I found that imitation is the best way to go about anything. Literally, though. If you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing or how to go about anything because different cultures and shit, just look at the person next to you—or anyone nearby—and see what they’re doing. Then pray that you won’t look too much like an idiot.
4. Get involved with the university. Join societies, volunteering programs, career opportunities, and befriend second and third year students (or, heck, post-graduates if you come across them). That way when you reach second year and beyond, you’ll already have connections.
5. As with everything in life, when in doubt, just wing it.
6. Get to know your new hometown a little better. Visit all the tourist-y places or explore the more hidden areas. It probably has a lot more to offer than you think.
7. Bring your ID with you at all times—you never know when you’re going to need it or when people are going to ask for it.
8. You’re going to feel homesick, some days more than others. But that’s why Skype and group chats exist. You will also find that people love talking about how far away they are from home—even if it’s only a five-hour drive or train ride away. Don’t say anything about how you have to travel by plane to even see your loved ones. It’s not a competition. Missing someone is a perfectly normal thing to feel, no matter how far away they are.
9. Always prioritise yourself before others—self-care and all that. Always give it your best shot, but don’t push yourself over your limit. You don’t have to force yourself to go out if you don’t want to. If you can’t attend a lecture because of your health, explain to whoever’s leading it what’s up. Ask for help when you need it—no one’s going to think you’re weak or stupid for doing so. Because at the end of the day, the only person who’ll be there for you is you.
10. You’re going to be alright. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; there are people out there—be it in university, your friends—who are more than willing to help you. Give yourself a break every once in a while. And if you find yourself being overwhelmed, just breathe.
I remember coming in to campus for the first time for fresher’s week and I just thought “holy shit, what have I gotten myself into?” I have never felt so scared and nervous in my life. I didn’t know where anything was, I knew no one, and I wanted to run away. Like if a car or a train were to hit me at that moment, I would not complain. But eventually I met people, both from my courses and outside of it, I found myself doing things that I never thought I’d ever have the chance to, and it was amazing.
Of course, not everything has been smooth sailing, as with everything in life. I hit many bumps and made too many mistakes, but I surivived and that’s why I’m here writing this guide:
1. You’re going to get a lot of questions and comments about your international status. A lot of them are going to be repetitive and, while the attention is nice at first, it’s going to quickly become annoying and at some point you’re going to feel like punching someone in the face because of them. Don’t actually do that. Eventually, these questions will come to pass so the best way to go about it is to suck it up and deal with it for the time being.
2. Embrace the culture you’re stuck with, no matter how ridiculous or weird you think their way of life is. At least, some aspects of it.
3. I found that imitation is the best way to go about anything. Literally, though. If you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing or how to go about anything because different cultures and shit, just look at the person next to you—or anyone nearby—and see what they’re doing. Then pray that you won’t look too much like an idiot.
4. Get involved with the university. Join societies, volunteering programs, career opportunities, and befriend second and third year students (or, heck, post-graduates if you come across them). That way when you reach second year and beyond, you’ll already have connections.
5. As with everything in life, when in doubt, just wing it.
6. Get to know your new hometown a little better. Visit all the tourist-y places or explore the more hidden areas. It probably has a lot more to offer than you think.
7. Bring your ID with you at all times—you never know when you’re going to need it or when people are going to ask for it.
8. You’re going to feel homesick, some days more than others. But that’s why Skype and group chats exist. You will also find that people love talking about how far away they are from home—even if it’s only a five-hour drive or train ride away. Don’t say anything about how you have to travel by plane to even see your loved ones. It’s not a competition. Missing someone is a perfectly normal thing to feel, no matter how far away they are.
9. Always prioritise yourself before others—self-care and all that. Always give it your best shot, but don’t push yourself over your limit. You don’t have to force yourself to go out if you don’t want to. If you can’t attend a lecture because of your health, explain to whoever’s leading it what’s up. Ask for help when you need it—no one’s going to think you’re weak or stupid for doing so. Because at the end of the day, the only person who’ll be there for you is you.
10. You’re going to be alright. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; there are people out there—be it in university, your friends—who are more than willing to help you. Give yourself a break every once in a while. And if you find yourself being overwhelmed, just breathe.
ON WRITING ABOUT PEOPLE UNLIKE YOURSELF
As part of the creative writing course in my university, every week we’ll have a guest speaker come and talk about what they’ve published and how they’ve gotten to where they are now. One of these speakers, a cishet white woman (this is important), wrote a book about the coming out of a cis white gay boy. I can’t remember if she mentioned anything about research or cross-referencing her work with people of the gay community. However, she did say—and I remember this moment vividly—that she was a tomboy growing up and had numerous cis-male (she didn’t call them cis but I knew right away that that was what she meant) friends, therefore she feels that she’s qualified to write about the life experiences of a gay boy.
A few points I want to mention before we get to the meat of things.
First of all, what?
Secondly, an acquaintance/friend of mine (who identifies as one of the acronyms in the LGBTQ+ spectrum, though I’m not entirely sure which) actually read the book and told me that it was one of the most homophobic and transphobic pile of garbage they’ve ever read. So there’s that.
And thirdly, this particular issue has been going round my head for a while now and so I want to pose this question:
A few points I want to mention before we get to the meat of things.
First of all, what?
Secondly, an acquaintance/friend of mine (who identifies as one of the acronyms in the LGBTQ+ spectrum, though I’m not entirely sure which) actually read the book and told me that it was one of the most homophobic and transphobic pile of garbage they’ve ever read. So there’s that.
And thirdly, this particular issue has been going round my head for a while now and so I want to pose this question:
‘To what extent are people allowed to write about characters who are unlike themselves?’
This question isn’t limited to white people writing about people of colour or straight people writing about characters who identify as one of the acronyms on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. I’m referring to everyone who is looking to diversify their writing in any way possible, myself included.
A common argument that comes up when talking about representation goes along the line of “I have friends/hang around people who are [insert oppressed group here]. I can write about them.” Yes, but just because you spend a lot of time around said group doesn’t mean you should. I can see where people are coming from with this, but one thing that needs to be understood is that they’re benefitting from someone else’s experience. Their respective experiences are disparate to begin with because while they can sympathise with the oppressed group, they can never truly know or understand.
So part of me thinks we should leave the writing of these characters to the people who identify as such. After all, ‘write what you know.’ They ought to know best because they live that life, right?
I think that saying has become rather irrelevant, in a way, in this day and age. There’s no reason for us to think of things this way because we now have technology advanced enough for us to communicate with people all across the globe as well as access information at the touch of a screen.
But then there are times when even what you know may not always be true to others who are also, to an extent, like you. I’ll use myself as an example. I’m Indonesian, born and raised. I am of Chinese descent and was raised as a Catholic in a country where 88% of the population is Muslim. I went to an International school all my life. Growing up, I spoke mostly English and was constantly exposed to Western and Western-inspired media—most of which are American. I’ve never lived anywhere else until I left for the UK to pursue higher education.
These are the things I know best because that has been my lifestyle for as long as I can remember. My experience as an Indonesian will vastly differ from another Indonesian who’ve never had any of my privileges. Personal history, as well as cultural background, affects what a person does and how they behave, from small things such as what they eat to their views towards religion, politics, justice, death, and everything else in between.
So just as there is more than one kind of Indonesian, there is definitely more than one right way to write about them. This applies to every group of people you want to write about. Every experience will differ from one person to the next. You just need to pick a route and stick with it to make things a bit easier for yourself. One way you can go about this is to find common ground with these various experiences to tie everything together, something that most people can identify with no matter their background.
(In case you were wondering what the common ground is for Indonesians, it’s Indomie.)
Another argument I know of, which I strongly identify with, is fear. Fear of getting the facts wrong goes hand in hand with the fear of offending people and getting slammed for it. It’s affected how I behave around people both in real life and online. The world we live in is a fast-paced one. People hardly leave room for error or to learn and grow from your mistakes. One wrong move and you’re immediately labelled as ignorant and other rude and negative labels. If you have a Tumblr account, then you’d know how this is such an unfortunately common issue.
But this doesn’t mean you should abandon any interest in diversifying your writing and stay within your comfort zone. We’re fortunate enough to be living a world where information is available at the touch of our fingertips. Research will become your best friend when it comes to writing (and any other activity, really) because not only is it essential to get everything as accurate and authentic as possible, it’s also been proven that when you dedicated your time to it, it really does pay off.
Everyone is allowed to write about whatever they want. It could be something they already know or it could be about something completely new and different to them. We’re fortunate enough to be living in a world where storytelling is considered a limitless source of not only entertainment but also an effective method of spreading information. No matter what or who you decide to write about, research is always key. Read as much as you can, as diversely as you can. Leave your assumptions at the door, know your boundaries, and check your privilege. Explore every possibility but also consider the implication your story will have on others. There is no checklist or guideline on how to make sure people won’t get offended by your work, but just remember to always be mindful and respectful when discussing other cultures that aren’t your own.
A common argument that comes up when talking about representation goes along the line of “I have friends/hang around people who are [insert oppressed group here]. I can write about them.” Yes, but just because you spend a lot of time around said group doesn’t mean you should. I can see where people are coming from with this, but one thing that needs to be understood is that they’re benefitting from someone else’s experience. Their respective experiences are disparate to begin with because while they can sympathise with the oppressed group, they can never truly know or understand.
So part of me thinks we should leave the writing of these characters to the people who identify as such. After all, ‘write what you know.’ They ought to know best because they live that life, right?
I think that saying has become rather irrelevant, in a way, in this day and age. There’s no reason for us to think of things this way because we now have technology advanced enough for us to communicate with people all across the globe as well as access information at the touch of a screen.
But then there are times when even what you know may not always be true to others who are also, to an extent, like you. I’ll use myself as an example. I’m Indonesian, born and raised. I am of Chinese descent and was raised as a Catholic in a country where 88% of the population is Muslim. I went to an International school all my life. Growing up, I spoke mostly English and was constantly exposed to Western and Western-inspired media—most of which are American. I’ve never lived anywhere else until I left for the UK to pursue higher education.
These are the things I know best because that has been my lifestyle for as long as I can remember. My experience as an Indonesian will vastly differ from another Indonesian who’ve never had any of my privileges. Personal history, as well as cultural background, affects what a person does and how they behave, from small things such as what they eat to their views towards religion, politics, justice, death, and everything else in between.
So just as there is more than one kind of Indonesian, there is definitely more than one right way to write about them. This applies to every group of people you want to write about. Every experience will differ from one person to the next. You just need to pick a route and stick with it to make things a bit easier for yourself. One way you can go about this is to find common ground with these various experiences to tie everything together, something that most people can identify with no matter their background.
(In case you were wondering what the common ground is for Indonesians, it’s Indomie.)
Another argument I know of, which I strongly identify with, is fear. Fear of getting the facts wrong goes hand in hand with the fear of offending people and getting slammed for it. It’s affected how I behave around people both in real life and online. The world we live in is a fast-paced one. People hardly leave room for error or to learn and grow from your mistakes. One wrong move and you’re immediately labelled as ignorant and other rude and negative labels. If you have a Tumblr account, then you’d know how this is such an unfortunately common issue.
But this doesn’t mean you should abandon any interest in diversifying your writing and stay within your comfort zone. We’re fortunate enough to be living a world where information is available at the touch of our fingertips. Research will become your best friend when it comes to writing (and any other activity, really) because not only is it essential to get everything as accurate and authentic as possible, it’s also been proven that when you dedicated your time to it, it really does pay off.
Everyone is allowed to write about whatever they want. It could be something they already know or it could be about something completely new and different to them. We’re fortunate enough to be living in a world where storytelling is considered a limitless source of not only entertainment but also an effective method of spreading information. No matter what or who you decide to write about, research is always key. Read as much as you can, as diversely as you can. Leave your assumptions at the door, know your boundaries, and check your privilege. Explore every possibility but also consider the implication your story will have on others. There is no checklist or guideline on how to make sure people won’t get offended by your work, but just remember to always be mindful and respectful when discussing other cultures that aren’t your own.