Along the northeast of the United States are eight universities that enjoy a reputation for providing excellent education. They attract top students from all over the world who compete fiercely for admission. Known as the Ivy League, they have a combined history of nearly two thousand years.
We give you a glimpse of what life there is like, through the eyes of three TP alumni who are studying at or have graduated from these universities.
Why Yale?I chose the Yale School of Art because it is reputed to be the best in professional art education. Admission to the Master of Arts program, in particular, is one of the nation’s most stringent.What’s your most memorable experience whilst studying in Yale?Meeting and working with design luminaries like Michael Bierut, Karel Martens, Irma Boom, Julia Born, was a big thrill.Name 5 things you missed most about Singapore?The food, oh-gosh, the food…the sense of familiarity…conversing in my mother tongue…the well-oiled and systematic way of how things are run in Singapore…and right-hand drive.Studying in Connecticut, what were the 5 things you couldn’t live without?My I-pod for those runs in the summer, the veggie burritos, New England winter weather and the friends I made.What’s the one thing you wished you had brought from home, but didn’t?My mixtapes of 80’s Malay Rock classics, the familiar “Isabella” from famed group Search could have helped during those idea droughts.What’s your favourite hang-out whilst at Yale?The Korean deli down the road from Yale School of Art where I get my cheese and eggs sandwich fix.What do you think will keep you busy over, say, the next few years?Getting my newly-established boutique studio to the forefront of the local creative scene with works that are equally beautiful and engaging.Quick facts about TP’s Visual Communication courseHave you ever looked at an advertisement, a photograph or an illustration and thought that you could have done it better?If you’ve ever wondered if you’d be great at designing print or TV ads, packaging, typography, digital media and other print work, well, maybe you should stop wondering and explore this course. It’s for people who are different: out-of-the-box thinkers who dare go against the grain to make their passion for design an essential part of their lives. Find out more about the course, at www-des.tp.edu.sg.
What’s your most memorable experience whilst studying in Cornell?Ling Wei I think the most memorable experience I had was Slope Day. It ’s an annual day of celebration held at Cornell University during the last day of regular undergraduate classes. It was amazing to see almost the entire Cornell population on the slope. There was great music (they invited Drake this year), food stalls, game stalls etc. The atmosphere was awesome!What are the five things you miss about Singapore?Victoria•The local food (obviously – you can’t be a true blue Singaporean if you don’t miss the food) •My family (they’re my support system) •The hot and humid weather (yes, believe it – especially during those unimaginable snow storms in winter!) •Restaurant Week (that just happened from 22 to 28 March this year) •The convenient late-night hawker centre supper outings that I take for granted when I’m back home –especially when the midnight hunger strikes and it’s snowing out! Studying in New York, what are things you can’t live without?Ling Wei• My winter gear – thick coat, uggs, gloves, and ear muffs – because the weather is so cold here. • Friends • Old Tea House Bubble Tea near where I stay – reminds me of home, and it actually tastes pretty decent! • Camera – I want to capture my experience in the States. What’s your favourite hang-out in Ithaca, New York?Ling Wei Friends’ places! I love chilling out at Victoria’s place over food, or watching movies at my girl friends’ place. I’m barely in my own room.Victoria It depends on my mood. Hang-out venues aside, what’s more important to me are the food and company. A hearty meal shared with close friends; that’s my favourite right there. Other than study, what do you do in your free time?Ling Wei I travel! I think the best thing about studying in the States is that the country is so big and you have a lot of places to explore. I like planning for road trips. I think it kind of helps to motivate me because I have something to look forward to all the time. New York City is also a four-hour drive away, so I visit the city when I’m free for the weekend.Victoria Road trips around the US and Canada! And aside from that, I’m a self-confessed absolute foodie. I love cooking, baking, and exploring good grub with friends. We’re always planning the next meal – dinners, afternoon brunches, picnics, cheese – anything to titillate our taste buds and whet our appetites! (And I like how that is part of my learning too!) What are your plans for the future?Ling Wei I’m thinking of either going into hotel operations or hotel development. I hope that I can join the Four Seasons Hotels again (I previously interned at Four Seasons Hong Kong when I was studying at TP.)Victoria Things for me are still rather open-ended. That’s how I’d like to leave it for now. Looking really short-term, I’ll be doing an apprenticeship with Chef Jacques Torres at his chocolate factory/chocolaterie in New York City, as well as with Chef Boulud at his restaurant, Daniel. Quick Facts about TP’s Hospitality & Tourism courseThe Hospitality & Tourism course develops hospitality and tourism-related knowledge and core skills. Going beyond textbooks, it incorporates the latest innovations in both the tourism and hospitality industries by including real-life learning opportunities with industry in the curriculum.You will be armed with skills to work in virtually any service sector. Many of our graduates find jobs in hotels, clubs, resorts, airlines, tour operators, museums, national tourism organisations, events management, entertainment promotion, and exhibitions and conventions. Find out more about the course, at www-bus.tp.edu.sg. |
reads as ‘tease’.
