Today, the group started with a 10 a.m. bus ride over to the Gardens by the Bay. With the incredible Marina Bay Sands property in the background, the group explored all that this unique area has to offer. First, we took the elevator up the Super Tree Observatory & OCBC Skyway. A couple of nights prior, the group was able to experience a light show displayed on the very platforms we were now walking on. The Skyway provided incredible views of the city of Singapore, its large shipping ports, and of course, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino.
After the walk around the OCBC Skyway, the group had a nice break from the 95-degree Singaporean heat inside of the Conservatory Flower Dome. Luckily, it was consistently air conditioned at 65-degrees and took roughly 45 minutes to walk through. The Conservatory Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world with incredible displays of flowers and plants from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions. After the break for air conditioning, the group continued making its way through Gardens by the Bay stopping next at the conservatory Cloud Forest. The forest is an attraction surrounded by mist. There are bundles of diverse vegetation and hidden floral gems. As cool as the forest was, this experience actually ended with an even more exciting twist. The interactive 4D Life of a Dragonfly experience provided the group with a Disney-esque vibe to end the time of the Gardens. As part of the 4D video, the audience got the sensation they were dragonflies flying through the property of the Gardens by the Bay.
As great as our time was in the morning, an even better afternoon was planned back on our home soil at the United States Embassy.
The United States Embassy was perhaps the most informative and engaging meeting we had to date. Our group was welcomed into the front gates of what seemed like an impenetrable fortress. After passing through all security checkpoints, we took our seats in a large meeting room. Three Embassy Employees, Vice Counsel Patrick Cho, Economic policy director Eva Leone, and the Defense Attaché were in attendance. Each of these State Department employees offered a lot of insight.
They each gave introductions about their pasts, interests, and what it is like to work at the U.S. Embassy. Several students asked questions to the Marine Attaché in regard to security of an embassy and military engagement across southeast Asia. We learned a lot about the strong relationship between Singapore’s military and the military of the United States. We also were informed about the United States military’s ability to be anywhere in the world within 3 days, with a sizable strike force. The most questions were posed to Ms. Leone. We asked engaging questions about how the Trade War with China has affected the region and what economic policies have encouraged the 4500 U.S. companies to do business in Singapore.
Overall, it was a full day of learning and activity. At the end of the day we felt like we had seen beautiful places, along with learning a lot about the global operations of the State Department. We cannot wait to see what our following days hold.
Ben Seegel & Henry Collins
business and culture of the pacific rim 