11th May 1998: Monday, 4:00a.m. Singapore time. While my friends were lying in their beds, smiling in their dreams at the excitement that this public holiday would bring them, I was on my way to the all-compulsory student-attachment program, reporting for work. The weather was cool and the environment, foreign. I was in Christchurch, New Zealand. Soon, I reached the unobtrusive 2-storey building with a huge sign that says "Goldsmith Fox PFK Chartered Accountants". Trying to remember the Do's and Don'ts for first day employees, I tried to get my way around. I was introduced to my supervisor who was a pleasant New Zealand-born Chinese. The moring breezed through with introductions, simple tasks, and lots of explanations to give this new apprentice a guiding hand. I was met by Kate, Phil, Michael, Kevin, more Michael, Chris, Linda, Roger, more Chris... There were all the different names that a 2-storey building can ever contain. Even now, I can't remember all the names attached to the different faces.

The offices are old, testified by the cupboards well polished by grazing of hurried hands on the wood to retrieve the files. The faded colors of the carpet on the much-trodeen round are signs of the long history behind the four walls. However, the cluster of files belie the warm affection that is shown by the people at work. At every corner lies a friendly face and a ready smile. There are just so many friends to make. The confusing structure of the office serves as a "maze" for newcomers like myself to be lost in. The many similar doors and numerous walls that connect to the different rooms were a challenge to conquer.

Somehow the first day went by and soon a week and now the end of it. I must say, it was a great learning experience to be working a totally different culture with different attitudes and working behavior. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly chatter among colleagues provide a wonderful working environment to be in. There is always something to look forward to at Goldsmith. There's the mid-year Barn Dance, the early morning breakfast with your team, the regular Friday morning tea of sandwiches, muffins, scones, pastries and fruits, the last-Friday-of-the-month drinks session of juices, beers and cocktails and the tea breaksare signs of the strong interactive bonds between partners and employees in the company. In addition, there are the soft drinks and titbits dispenser machines, the biscuits in the cookie-tin, the yogurt in the fridge, the milk, hot chocolate, tea and coffee to ensure that you are never hungry. A well-fed employee is a well-satisfied employee.

At work, there is always something interesting to do. It could be a training session, a boardroom meeting, a friend to talk to, announcements to keep track of, or just financial statements to prepare. Each day just passes by so quickly. What's amazing is the magnitude of freedom for you to do your work. There's no bossy supervisor breathing down your neck, checking on you, and spying at the corner. The trust and the respect given to each other's work proves the professionalism and competency of each accountant at work. The constant free flow of discussion and communication to keep up-to-date of the latest happenings ensure that everyone is at their tip-top condition to perform. what's most important is the patience and the willingness to teach in the people at workthatis most striking in my mind. It doesn't matter if you are taking a little longer to understand, or you require explanations over and over again; if you are sincere in learning, they are tireless in explaining. That's the kind of supervisor every student attache needs.

Out of work, there is something new at every sight. The abundance of land in New Zealand, the lack of skyscrapers allow clear visions of the sky and the mountains beyond the city. When the sun sets, it is a sight to behold. In the night comes the cool weather and the twinkling stars above that shines so brightly. During the weekends, there is always someplace to go to. The nearby towns that offer thermal reserves, cruises to sight dolphins, mountain trekking, river-rafting, mini-karts racing, ski resorts and all the activities that in land-scarce Singapore would be hard-found. Though there is not much nightlife in quiet Christchurch, that ensures sufficient rest for the following day's activities. The simple lifestyle of the New Zealanders provides a refreshing change of the fast-paced lifestyle of Singapore's city-dwellers.

All in all, it was a worthwhile trip. Never mind that the flight is 9 hours long or the homesickness that you will naturally experience; you will come out of it a different person.