The chance to work in Hong Kong was truly a godsend.
I remember sitting on the plane in nervous anticipation: What was work going to be like? What were my colleagues like? Would I be able to communicate with them in Mandarin and English? My worries were absolutely unfounded. DBS was a terrific place to work in.
Upon arrival, my supervisor, Amy, gave me an insight as to what I would be doing over the next 8 weeks. I was given a timetable within which I was rotated to different departments every fortnight.
This work by rotation basis gave me the opportunity to see the workings of the various departments. I was lucky to have been given the chance to help out with their daily activities. My colleagues were extremely helpful, always brimming with enthusiasm, always willing to make time to guide this little lost soul in her work. As I couldn’t understand a word of Cantonese, my colleagues and I had to resort to writing in Chinese characters during times of desperation. Their patience was simply admirable. It was really the people in DBS that made life there so enjoyable.
My colleagues were such gracious hosts, taking me around every weekend to see, taste and feel the wonders of Hong Kong and inviting me to their homes for dinner. Indeed Hong Kong is an amazing place. So different yet so similar to Singapore. The variety there is astounding, the pace of life fast and exciting. Life is never dull and there’s always something to do, something to try. An eventful 8 weeks indeed. I sat through their food scares: chicken, fish and pork, their first election after the Handover, their first black rainstorm of the year and the first anniversary of the Handover, all in one breath.
Apart from being in the good hands of my colleagues, I was also privileged to have met up with Consul General of the Republic of Singapore, Mr. Chan Heng Wing during my last week in Hong Kong.
To say that I had a good time in Hong Kong would be an understatement. No words would be able to describe the fond feelings that I have developed for Hong Kong and her people albeit I was there only for a short time.
I can still recall the first glimpse of Hong Kong that I caught from the centre seat of the plane and the thought that flashed through my mind: What a beautiful place!