Member Spotlight

Getting to Know Our Members Beyond the Usual Chitchat

by Helena A. Cochrane

Hilary North Scheler

Hilary was on the fence; she was not sure she wanted to uproot her young kids from their comfortable suburban life outside New York City, but her husband John’s work opportunity in Singapore was very appealing. Covid restrictions led to delays and uncertainty, and some reluctance. But then, encouragement from another expat mom with three kids who lived nearby in NYC tipped the scales. Hilary, John and their children Max (8) Amy and Annie (5) arrived in July 2021, coped with quarantine, school placement, work from home, and the entire litany. Hilary says she would do it again. For her kids, this opportunity to live in another country has been terrific. A neuroscientist by training, Hilary may be analyzing this transition from the inside.

Hilary North Scheler

What have you enjoyed more about Singapore than you thought you would? What has been the most pleasant surprise? What have you struggled with that you didn’t expect to be challenging?

I love the weather! Sometimes it can be a bit too hot, but I love never needing a jacket and being able to plan outdoor activities year round. Coming from the Northeast US, I thought I’d miss the seasons more. Not yet! On the other hand, Covid safeguards have been a big challenge, but then again, I’m really, really bad at following rules.

Have you tried something new in Singapore?

The weather and having a helper here have allowed me to play tennis and go swimming, which I haven’t otherwise

done since before having kids. Through that, I meet new people and enjoy the outdoors.

Do you have any Singaporean friends? How do you think they have helped you adapt?

We’ve made friends in our building, through the kids, and through the American Club. We’re finding Singapore to be a friendly and social place. We have a handful of local friends through the preschool and my husband’s company. They have bent over backwards both to help us feel at home and to find everything we needed when getting settled.

John, Hilary, Amy, Max and Annie

What life lesson have you learned during your time in Singapore?

My mom was an Army brat who grew up in the Middle East. She encouraged me to take this on, to give this expat experience to my kids. She urged me to take the plunge and do something out of my comfort zone – move 10,000 miles away with three kids during a global pandemic!

What item in your Singapore home makes you feel the most settled?

My iPhone! All of my friends and family are just a text message or FaceTime call away, at least in the morning and late at night.

Did you live in a large city or in the country before you came to Singapore? What do you think of living in the city?

We feel at ease in a big city but we love escaping to the parks and nature reserves here. I appreciate the vegetation in Singapore... around the city, in everyone’s homes, and in the phenomenal gardens. Any decorating we’ve done in our apartment is with many plants. I’ll miss this greenery so much whenever we go back home.

What do you miss from home and can't find here?

Deodorant? When I ran out of what I brought, I only found a weird organic spray and an aloe vera crystal. Husband had to bring some back for me from his last trip home!

Have you unpacked all the boxes from your move?

We didn’t bring any! We flew with just duffel bags. It’s been so nice to have no stuff and no clutter- just the basics.

What is your favorite Singapore holiday to celebrate?

We embraced Chinese New Year. The kids enjoyed making tiger lanterns and exploring Chinatown amidst the festivities.

Since moving from Philadelphia in 2018, Helena has been active with AWA's Walking with Women, Writers' Group and International Choir as well as with Urban Sketchers of Singapore.