Goodbye Tassie and Hello AI!

Sunrise at Friendly Beaches, Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania.

AI and Tasmania have many things in common, at least for me. It's not the weather, it's not the geographical location, it's not the food, it's not the culture, it's not the landscape either, and it's not even the people.

It's about everything! Yes, everything I see, everything I touch, everything I smell, everything I hear, and everything I think about, is new. New can be an uncomfortable word to some people. It would mean making changes, re-adapting, refocusing, relearning, redefining, reworking, revamping, redesigning, restarting. This is a fleeting territory where individuals would not inhabit permanently. Jean Piaget described this learning process as equilibration. It is an attempt to bring about a state of equilibrium between a person's cognitive structures and his/her external world. Equilibration involves both assimilation and accommodation.

Horseshoe Falls, Mt Field National Park, Tasmania.

I remember last year how I was thrown into a completely different culture and environment. Well, I wasn't exactly thrown in but I made a conscious decision to study abroad. I had waited for that moment for a very long time. However, after a week in Tassie, I felt like I wanted to go home. I must admit it wasn't easy for me to adapt, as everything was entirely new, foreign and different. That experience was very much like a fish taken out of water! Added to that unfamiliar and strange setting, I was affected by culture shock!

St Columba Falls, Tasmania.

As I scrutinized my new environment, I started to realize how good home was and how fortunate I was that Singapore was my home. The MRT trains and buses, which I had always perceived as being inconvenient and overpriced, immediately became efficient and cost-effective. The Singapore weather that I always complained about as hot and humid turned out to be ideal! The hot & spicy Asian food that I took for granted because it was easily available suddenly became the food that I yearned for! This experience had truly impacted me in a big way and it re-orientated my perception of Singapore. However more importantly, this experience had transformed my thinking, and reignited my love for Singapore, and Singaporeans.

If my experience of Tassie was like fish out of water, AI is more like a boy walking into a toyshop. I was amazed with the school culture and environment. I witnessed how orderly and attentive students were during flag-raising and assembly. They look pleased and displayed a positive outlook.

In the past, I seldom had the opportunity to discuss pedagogy critically with my fellow colleagues on a regular basis. AI created that platform where teachers meet once a week to address pedagogy, content and assessment. I find that session useful and I feel that it assists me to sharpen my focus and resolves some of the key issues pertaining to art pedagogy. I likened AI to a door that leads to many other hidden doors of opportunities.

As I take this journey, I am constantly reminded of my role as an educator. This is not just a job but a career that will touch lives and transforms people.

I look forward to another pleasant journey!