The End of My RA (Resident Assistant) Journey

It's the last night staying on-campus as an undergrad

I really don't want this to end

but life goes on

and I have to move on

My journey as an RA (Resident Assistant) in NUS Residences

(or normally called "hostels" by the general public)

was really a...

what do I call it?

Serendipitous adventure?

I do really believe in fate, sometimes (now even more)

(or what we believers in Christ say, "God's plan")

What happened was that

I first applied to be an RA when I was in Year 2 Sem 2

so that I could be on-board in Year 3 Sem 1 if I got selected

but it didn't happen.

Then only I figured out that applying to be an RA,

you really need to put some thought to craft your application form

so that you can convey your intention, motivation and aspiration

in serving the hostel community.

And fair enough,

after submitting a better-written application,

I got into the selection workshop,

where I did well enough to get on to the next round of interview by the staffs.

Even then I wasn't sure if my answers (during the role play) were what they were looking for,

or if I looked like a good fit to be a residential leader,

but I went through the whole process with a genuine heart,

and showed them how I usually cared for my friends (during role play),

and some thoughts about introducing new activities/programs,

then I left it all upon God.

Then the news came back

and I got selected!

I was even allocated to serve in my favorite hostel in NUS

(it was then still Ridge View Residences for its final semester, now RVRC).

Had I got selected earlier in the previous semester,

I might not have the chance to serve there,

let alone knowing one of my best leader/senior/brother/advisor in my journey,

Jiangwei *kudos and applause*

(who knows me like how my mum does *oops*)

RVR was a very short but enjoyable stint

lots of greenery and we got to share a cozy space+kitchen within our team

Semester ended

and due to the development of the hostel in turning into a residential college,

everyone was dispatched and allocated to new residences

but unfortunately

not me

For a period of time I kept asking

why why why???

*insert comic "WHY YOU LIDDAT ONE???"*

But then I got a chance to go China for a summer program

so it turned out that not being allocated was a good thing

so I didn't need to take leave from the hostel

And halfway during the course in China,

I was offered a position to my final destination in NUS,

UTOWN RESIDENCE

WOOHOOOOO!!!!!!

That was like,

struck lottery sia!!!

Kena employed again :D

Life in Utown Residence was good

(so good that I don't wanna graduate and just stay on LOL)

Nice place, nice people, nice programs

And the best thing?

I finally got to realize my proposal to introduce music program into the residence

Special thanks to another leader/senior/brother/advisor

*drum roll*

David She

for supporting me in all sorts of imaginable ways

(and for being my brother-like figure during my stint in UTR)

And all other fellow RAs in the team who have shown kindness to me

and showered me with love

(and of course not forgetting our RADs Mdm Usa, Ms Lin Jun, Dr Zakir and Prof Kim)

So far

I've taken home soooo much

(regardless friendships, lessons, experiences, etc)

from being an RA

Really thank OSA RL for giving out so much resources that I can tap on

those opportunities to join camps and workshops

to better equip ourselves

not only to serve the NUS community

but also onward to our next phase in life

The highlights would be

the two Residential Leaders Camps that I took part in (2016 and 2017).

Not only the programs/activities were interesting,

through reflection sessions, discussions and feedbacks,

they also shed light to me how I am as a person when it comes to interactions with others and also during decision making moments / when there's short of time,

which I didn't get the chance to know if it were not the camp

(because most of the time we are on auto-pilot and don't reflect as thoroughly).

It made me realize how imperfect I am and others too,

and how to accept, embrace and rectify our flaws.

It also let me met some people who although were not agreeable with me,

but still showed respect to my stand/views and appreciated my strengths/contributions,

and also many other like-minded people,

who are as kind as, or even kinder than, me *teehee*

May fate bring me back to this big family again

(or no? aiyah see how la!!!)

Nonetheless I will still keep in touch with the people I get to know through this journey...

Ciao!!!

(the three photos were from RL Camp 2016, east coast of Johor, which were from the draft that I was supposed to complete last year after the camp but other things in life held me up so in the end I wrote this combined post wrapping up my 1.5yr RA journey)