CURRENT MISSION

Live life. Explore and understand humanity. Find my place in this world where I can contribute most.

ABOUT ME

I've quit my job and am embarking on my first-ever extended backpacking trip! I start from Hanoi, Vietnam and will end up in Nepal. If possible, I'd want to do wwoofing in Israel and a few other places.

I've been in community work for a few years. Worked with the marginalized community living in poverty in Singapore and kids from these families. As time went on, I realize that I don't know what I'm doing. I realize that I don't know much about poverty or social justice or what's the best thing to do for people. So, I've decided I should explore and understand more about humanity through traveling around Southeast and South Asia. I wonder if non-profit work has really been helpful. I wonder if people's needs are understood. I wonder if there're better ways to reach out to people, for them to lead a dignified life.

I care greatly about compassion and sincerity. I am not naive enough to think that this is the modus operandi of the whole world; but I believe that we are all capable of approaching the world with compassion and genuineness. In my life, I've been shown way more good from people than otherwise :)

To keep myself engaged in 'the scene', I volunteer at an organization involved in poverty issues in Singapore and the region. I also am crowdfunding, raising funds for a Nepali girl to finish her education up to high school. It doesn't cost much, but it will mean a great difference for her life.

I wish that more people care about this world and try to do a little bit to contribute to someone's life. I wish that it is easier for us not to get caught up with consumerism. I wish we can be freed from want, from fear of trouble, from excessive concern of self-interests. I wish there's less cynicism and judgment when it comes to helping. Because I don't think that NGOs can work in ways without making mistakes. If we don't fault the corporate world as harshly when that sector tend not to do with contributing towards social good, why do we want to make things so difficult for those who are just trying their best to help?

I believe that I'll learn a great deal as I set myself out on this short (well, 6 months isn't that long) journey. But I'm sure that I'll grow from the experiences and I might have a different view on things that I thought I knew about :)

PHILOSOPHY

Sincerity goes a long way. Treat people right.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm planning to meet people through CS events. Maybe I'll look for a host along the way too :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Met a few people through CS but have not hosted before.

I've met a few people from CS and they have been nice! It was great company, both when CSers come to Singapore and we meet and when I meet other CSers when I travel.

Interests

Social justice issues

Humanity

History-Politics

Other people's travel stories

Trying to learn more from fields that are outside my studies/work. I think the knowledge in these areas will help me gain a better perspective of inequality issues. E.g.) Finance, IT/coding/social media, economics.

• animals
• education
• meditation
• politics
• traveling
• socializing
• coding
• backpacking
• buddhist
• communications
• economics
• teaching
• history
• volunteering
• lakes
• mountains

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, India. Everything is foreign to me. The animals roaming free, the human beings going about their day-to-day lives, the 'oldness' of the town, the system in the midst of the chaos. I haven't seen anything yet, so I plan to return there :)

Nepal. The breathtaking mountains and big blue sky and the rocky terrain and the beautiful lakes! The immersion of Buddhism and Hinduism in the whole country. The women in Nepal. Friendly locals. The little village that I stayed in for just 2 days. A 10-day Vipassana meditation course. I need to return to Nepal.

Roadtrip in Tasmania, Australia. Tasmania is beautiful in summer/fall.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Singapore