POST TRIP

Reflections

Through this camp, I learnt more about sustainability and the UNSDGs. This allowed me to truly see the how the connections between partnership among all countries will help to achieve the UNSDGs. Given the chance, I would definitely wish to further expand my knowledge about the UNSDGs together with the students I met during my journey in Japan.

This camp was a great experience where I got to meet new people and learn from different cultures. Spending three days on a ship was exciting and gave me a fresh perspective on life at sea. The week was a perfect mix of having fun and learning new things.

This trip has taught me many things. For example, it taught be how to socialise with people from different backgrounds who speaks different languages and also it taught me how to operate engine. It was also the first time I knew a hybrid ship existed as I have never been taught about it in school. The trip also helped me experience an unforgettable experience where I was able to live onboard a ship, live in a dormitory and best part is that there were friends made along the way. Friends from there are the best friends I have ever made although it's only been a short 7 days, the friends we made will last forever.

On the first day, I had regrets and second thoughts on coming on this trip. But after everything, I only wish that the camp had been longer than it was. I met many great people and formed connections with the other international students. Overall, it was a great experience that I would want to relive again, and I cannot wait to revisit Japan and meet my new friends!

This camp has been extremely memorable for me. I have made so many new friends from different backgrounds. The ship training gave me insights to my future as a deck officer as well as a better perspective on what goes on in the engine room and engine control room. I learned a lot more about UNSDGs and how different countries are working towards these goals. I truly appreciate everyone who has made this trip possible, and I would love to go again! 

We are all very grateful for this opportunity. Thank you, Oshima Kosen!!

DAY 8 (flying back 🛫🛬)

 Home Sweet Home

We arrived back in Singapore after the long flight and amazing adventures we embarked on in Oshima Kosen, Japan. Farewell everybody!

DAY 7

Walk to Lawson!

Good morning!! It's the last day. I'm going to miss all my friends, so I (archana) decided to write everyone notes. I wanted to give everyone a little something too, so I went down to Lawson, the local convenient store, one last time with my friend, Marin. On the way back from Lawson, we saw our Taiwanese and Filipino friends cycling together, what a wholesome scene!!

Farewell Oshima Kosen Campus!!

We're all packed and ready to leave. We will always remember all the memories and experiences we had here in Oshima Kosen and with all our friends!! Thank you, Ian, for helping us load our luggage onto the bus

Kintai-kyo Bridge 

We took a bus to Iwakuni to visit the Kintai-kyo bridge! There were 4 tour guides to teach us about the significance of the bridge and the Iwakuni Castle, which we visited as well. Ian decided to take a dip in the cold, refreshing Nishiki river. He was all soaked after!!😆

On the way to the cable car!

We went through the park and saw many significant statues and buildings.

 Iwakuni Castle

The journey to Iwakuni Castle was long and tiring. We took a cable car up the mountain and had to track through some woods. It was so scenic! There were many katanas from the olden days on displayed in it and there was a binocular on the highest floor for sight-seeing. Here are some of the brilliant views we were fortunate to see in real life!!

Lunch!!

Our last meal together... This meant a lot to us!! We went to a Iwakuni specials place in the park, it was very cozy.  

FAREWELL💓

As the Global Camp came to an end, we said goodbye to the friends we've made. We bid farewell to our Japanese, Taiwanese and the Filipino friends. Many emotions were felt throughout the farewell. Till we meet again everyone!

DAY 6

Lecture on SDGs (Partnership)

This lecture was the most memorable for me (archana) because the lecture was conducted in Japanese. The Japanese students were tasked to translate the lecture to us. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to put into practice the English they had learned. On the first they, many of them shared that one thing they want to accomplish during this is trip is to improve their English. The lecture was more about the history of Japan and some of their historical figures and their significance.

Final Presentation on SDGs!

We were given some time to prepare slides to present on sustainability in Singapore, Japan and in SMA. I worked with the Japanese students to learn more about sustainability in Japan. This made me realise that Singapore and Japan have adopted similar measures such as a ban on plastic straws and a charge for plastic bags when purchasing goods in supermarkets. I also learned a lot more about what Philippines and Taiwan is doing to reach their target SDGs.

Our Japanese friends presenting confidently in English!! good job guys!

We ended our presentation by reciting the SP Green Pledge!!

Certificate Presentation

We received our awards and certificates! Afterwards we had a very fun photo taking with everybody!! It was a great session as all these photos stays as great memories😍

Tour of Oshima City Malls

At Youme Town Yanai, my friends and I went to a local donut shop. I got the mochi donut and custard puff which were so delicious, or in Japanese, Oishi!! I also tried their bubble tea, a favorite of mine. After, we also got some Baskin Robbins ice-cream!! it was so good, Ian got two scoops😋

We also visited a big supermarket, Mr. Max Yanai-Shop.

     

DAY 5

Rise and shine!!

We started our day with some light stretches and exercises. These helped wake us up and prepare us for the day ahead. The view was so beautiful!!

Leaving Hatsukaichi

This time, my group (archana) was in the navigation bridge. We started off by learning to tie simple knots such as the bowline knot and some hitches. I learned about these in practical at Poly Marina and I got to demonstrate how to tie a bowline. I also learned a trick to tie a bowline in just two steps!! which is very useful and handy.

After, I was lucky to go down to the anchoring station and see how ships heave their anchors. I recorded the whole thing!! I got to see in real life, the things I learned in Ship Knowledge at SMA, such as the different angles of the anchor chain and different parts of the anchoring station. 

Miyajima!

When we reached Miyajima where we were greeted by kawaii DEERS!!! There were so many of them and it was so amusing to see them roaming freely around the park😆. We took a group picture with the Itsukushima Shrine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, then we were free to walk around. I was talking to my Japanese friends, and they recommended the momiji manju (a fried dessert) and grilled oysters, so I gave those a try. We also got our fortunes told!! We shook a box and a stick with a number would come out, there were drawers with corresponding numbers which had notes with fortunes inside. As we continued on the path, there was a bridge where we had to tie the pieces of paper. I tied mine right next to my friends from Japan. 

            

Learning about Electric Propulsion Ships

We got to go on a tour around the engine room to look out for all the parts we learned about in the lecture. 

      

Disembarking the Oshima Maru Vessel

after two days of sailing around Japan, we finally arrived back to Oshima!! bye-bye Oshima Maru

In my opinion, sailing on the Oshima Maru has been a surreal experience. It gave me an insight into my future in sailing. I appreciate the deck and engine crew for prioritising our learning and safety. I will forever remember my first time steering an actual moving vessel!! Thank you, Oshima Maru!