Building bridges of friendship
Evita, who hails from Taiwan and works at the information desk at Singapore’s Changi International Airport, has discovered that Singaporeans have a remarkable understanding of Taiwan. For instance, news about Taiwan is frequently reported in Singaporean newspapers, and young people are very knowledgeable about Taiwan’s presidents. It really seems as if the entire country cares about Taiwan. Yet people in Taiwan have very little understanding of Singapore. In response, she has launched a YouTube channel.
Speaking in Taiwanese, Evita leads her fans on tours through Singaporean produce markets or delves into differences between the two nations’ customs. In other videos she conducts street interviews, quizzing Singaporean college students on the multiple meanings of Chinese words, or asking them to vote for their favorite Taiwanese variety show. In still other videos she shares her experiences of working or renting a place in Singapore. Her lively manner has attracted many fans.
With its high salaries and cosmopolitanism, Singapore interests many Taiwanese, and many of Evita’s Internet fans ask her advice about coming to Singapore to work. Evita, who studied in Australia, notes that in this respect Singapore is different from easygoing Australia. Those thinking they can come and find a job for a working holiday often end up discouraged. Anyone coming to work in Singapore needs to have signed a contract with their employer. Evita advises these inquirers to clearly think about their employment goals and peruse Singaporean employment websites to gain an understanding of prevailing salaries. Otherwise companies can use loopholes to exploit foreign workers.
Evita explains that her work at the airport’s traveler information center is a bit like doing public relations for the airport: She greets visitors and guides them around the airport. Every day in Singapore she meets people with different cultures, languages and backgrounds. Apart from strengthening her English, it has given her a broader, more international perspective.
The culture of Singapore’s ethnic Chinese, as well as the nation’s culinary diversity, cleanliness and safety, all make people from Taiwan feel at home. Taiwan and Singapore are similar in many ways, but each also has its own outstanding features. It’s no wonder that Francis Liang describes Singapore as a “home away from home.”
Singapore’s buildings demonstrate a variety of architectural styles that provide striking backdrops for street photography. Visitors can’t help but pull out their cameras and start clicking.
Tan Chee Lay, who studied in Taiwan, says that Taiwan’s literature, educational system, and creativity have deeply informed his own writing back in Singapore.
Beyond its flourishing economy and cosmopolitanism, Singapore has rich cultural charms just waiting for visitors to uncover them.
Singapore is an extremely green city with tree-lined streets made for strolling. (photo by Jimmy Lin)
Evita’s lively YouTube videos have helped to reduce the distance between Singapore and Taiwan, promoting mutual understanding.
Singapore is an excellent base from which to enter Southeast-Asian markets. It can serve as an important partner for Taiwan in its economic relations with ASEAN.