Singapore Experience: Traveling

Grilling our caught fish on the boat with our host family!

Singapore has been the perfect home base for traveling to nearby countries in Southeast Asia! One of my favorite experiences was my trip to Southern Vietnam over my spring break. While my roommates and I frequently stay in hostels to save costs, we decided that the small quaint town of Hoi An would be the perfect place to try a homestay experience with a local family. Upon arrival, we were greeted by our extremely kind and caring host family in the countryside outside of Hoi An. The experience was eye opening to say the least; our host mom was quick to show us the agricultural practices of the countryside, introduce us to her extended family, and teach us how to prepare local delights for eating. Unlike staying in a hostel, I really liked this experience because it allowed me to get to know a local family, learn about their traditions, and their culture. While there are many beautiful hotels and accommodations in the more developed town of Hoi An, it was interesting to see the contrast of how a local family lives, the type of meals they eat, and the way their home looks. I learned that many traditional Vietnamese homes devote an entire room in their house to an altar for prayer and worship for their ancestors. Frequently, I would see our host family praying in this room during the morning and evening hours, along with the many food offerings that they would bring to the altar. One of my most memorable experiences from my homestay was discovering the process of homemade ‘banana wine’ and also, an evening on my host family’s fishing boat, where we learned how to fish and then grill our own caught fish directly on the boat! It was refreshing to spend four days through the eyes of locals, rather than tourist agencies. Through this experience, I gained an immense appreciation and desire to get to know locals every time I travel to a new country because I have found that I always learn the most from them.