The Buffalo Horn #6 (Fall 2018)

THE BUFFALO HORN fall 2018 ~ issue 06

the travel issue

contents FOREWORD

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MEET THE TEAM

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READY FOR CAMP ALDERRÖK

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BOUND TO BE CRAZY

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The faces behind the magazine An SIM-UB Freshmen Orientation Camp (Fall ’18) Recap The UB Bound Experience

HOW TO BE A SUSTAINABLE STUDENT

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KEEPING UP

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TALES OF DECEPTION

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THE ALLURE OF TRAVEL

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UB IN JB

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BESIDES BALI... WHERE CAN WE GO?

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WINTER NEAR THE EQUATOR

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A GLIMPSE OF KYOTO

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CHANGING PERSPECTIVES

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THE SPIRIT OF TRAVEL

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TRAVELING THROUGH FILMS

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EAR GOTTA LISTEN TO THESE

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Being an eco-friendly student with Professor Allison Shaw with Professor Zachary Carr with UB alumna Cherie Sim Adventures in Johor Bahru

Uncovering Indonesia’s hidden gems A Korea & Japan travelog A Kyoto Photo Diary

Exploring Ipoh with brand new eyes

In the pursuit of the true meaning of travel Films that magically transport you into their worlds 10 albums you’re missing out on

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letters from...

FOREWORD

Kevin McKelvey, Resident Director, SIM-UB Programs: A college classmate once invited me for Thanksgiving dinner at his family’s place in Maine (where they say, “you can’t get there from here”). They were right — I got hopelessly lost. Finally, I arrived well after the family had finished eating. Pitying me, my classmate’s mother made me a cup of tea. The brand was famous for its pithy sayings printed on the tag. Mine read: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”

Katie Fassbinder, Assistant Resident Director, SIM-UB Programs: I once read somewhere “wherever you go, there you are” and wanted to get that tattooed. It struck a chord with me that after 40 countries and a decade of studying, working, and traveling overseas that no matter where I go — I’m stuck with myself. Best to learn to enjoy your own companionship if you haven’t already. Especially if you’ve got a 30-hour journey home like mine.

Kenneth Tan, President, SIM-UB Student Council 2018: Hi UB, What an eventful year it has been! Throughout 2018, UBSC has rolled out tons of events (UBubble Soccer, UBmooving, UB Carnival, etc.), and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the school staff, UBSC members, and all those special individuals who had given their support!

As the year approaches a close, the long-awaited holidays are almost here too, and it’s time to travel! To me, travel translates to a time of rest and relaxation. So, hopefully, may this issue of The Buffalo Horn serve as every inspiration you need to sate your wanderlust desires! :)

Trish Kaur, ½ Director of Publications, SIM-UB Student Council 2018: Hey there fellow UB-ians!

It’s been an eventful 2018 with you guys and as it comes to a close, The Buffalo Horn releases its sixth issue. Get ready to be whisked away into the spirit of traveling.

Once again, what a stellar effort from the publications crew for putting together this magazine. It would never have been possible without them. I’d also like to thank all of you guys for supporting us in this journey. Stay awesome!

Chia Eu Jinn, ½ Director of Publications, SIM-UB Student Council 2018: Hey hey people, it’s ya boi. Happy fall semester to all! It’s been a pleasure to be on this journey with everyone thus far. As we all set our sights on our assignment and final exams these coming months, let’s not forget the well-deserved holidays that await us at the end of the road. Our new edition is all about the holidays awaiting us, so soak up the details and get planning for your rewarded holidays and ponder the Spirit of Travel (good read by the way, on page 36). Bon Voyage!

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designers

ASHWINI THANABALAN

directors of publications

meet the team

CHIA EU JINN

TRISH KAUR

SOFILIA ZAIDEE

IFFAH DURRAH KAJAI

SNG LER JUN

ANGUS TAN

lead designer

lead writer

~

STEVEN CHEE

web developer

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BELICIA SUN

MEET THE TEAM

BENJAMIN SEETOH

DIYANAH MOHD KASSIM

CASIA CHEW

CHERYL POH

writers

CHIN JUN JIE

ALVIN HO

NICKSON ONG

PRANAMMEKA SATHYA

MABEL YEO

SHANE ANG

TRICIA LIM

ALEX TAN

ROSEANN GOH

ANDREA LOH

CINDY YONG

RACHEL FONG

contributing writers ELIJAH ELLIOTT VALENCIA QUAH

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FOC

READY

FOR CA M P ALDERRö K Words by Ra ch e l F on g & C in d y Yo n g

T

he time has come for UB’s third and final Freshmen Orientation Camp (FOC) for 2018! From 20th–21st August, freshies embarked on a journey to Sembawang Camp Challenge to face the wrath of the Vikings and battle it out with the various houses and teams. With the endless cheers, dances, and icebreaker games to hype up the campers, the once awkward freshies started forging friendships, sharing laughter, and creating their very first memories with SIM-UB. The first night eventually drew to a close and it was time for SIM-UB’s camp tradition: the night walk. The screening of spinechilling horror films, such as Conjuring 2 and Dead Silence, definitely built the tension amongst freshies as they leave, one Orientation Group (OG) after another, to conquer their fears in the dark. The freshies braved through the asylums and graveyards to retrieve missing clues, piece them together, and solve the puzzle — who stole the great sword of Alderrök? Shrieking nuns covered in “blood”, insane doctors, evil laughters, and horrifying screams were common throughout the chilly night.

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“I REALLY ENJOYED THE CAMP, ESPECIALLY THE NIGHT WALK BECAUSE OTHER THAN IT BEING SCARY, A LOT OF WORK WENT INTO THE PLANNING, ACTING, AND EXECUTION WHICH MADE ME APPRECIATE IT A LOT MORE.” – Chloe Teo (freshie from vordin)

FOC “HAVING BEEN THROUGH 10 CAMPS FROM THE EYES OF A FRESHIE TO A DIRECTOR, I CAN TRULY SAY THAT EVERY CAMP IS UNIQUE. FOC FALL 2018 WILL BE ETCHED IN MY MIND AS IT IS MY LAST UB ORIENTATION CAMP. I’M HONORED TO HAVE WORKED WITH A DELICATE GROUP, ESPECIALLY MY HOUSE’S OGLs AND ALSO MY ENTHUSIASTIC BUNCH OF FRESHIES. ALWAYS EMBRACE EVERY SINGLE MOMENT, BECAUSE EVERY CAMP IS DIFFERENT AND SPECIAL.” – Keith Lim (house master of halja)

Time flies when you’re having fun, leaving many wishing for another night. The last day of camp saw a series of games and an Amazing Race battled out by warriors from all houses. Skits were prepared by each team for the Game Masters (GM) and OG Leaders as the second night drew near, alongside a mandatory house cheer-off.

Before all good things came to a close, the freshies were treated yet again to another dance performance by the amazing Organizing Committee who had spent their time preparing and practicing over the Summer semester.

The awards for Best Freshie were given to Nicoy Lee from Magnus, Ang Jia Wen from Skadee, Muhammad Syafiq from Vordin, and Denise See from Halja. The Best House Cheer was awarded to Skadee, while Halja emerged as the Champion House.

Although the FOC Fall 2018 journey has ended, it has also marked the start of many new-found friendships and, of course, brand new challenges all freshies would probably face as they begin their college life at SIM-UB.

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UB BOUND

Bound

TO BE CRAZY

Wo rds & P h o t o s b y V al e n c i a Qu ah “Some people never go crazy; what truly horrible lives they must lead.”

— Charles Bukowski

I

think crazy gets a bad name. Conventionally, crazy connotes instability, sizeable phenomena, and even some degrees of wildness. But it’s not to say that any of these characteristics are bad. I believe life is often created and molded through these moments, and that was exactly how UB Bound is to me.

Throughout my UB Bound journey, I was thoroughly blessed with an amazing family of friends, two Singaporeans (Natasha and Felix) and an exchange student from UK (Melina) who lived down the hall. Of course, it didn’t start out wholesome from the get-go and this was one of the first crazy things that happened. Now imagine three Singaporeans attempting to check into their dorms early, with no clue whatsoever how to navigate our Minecraftlooking dorm complex, in the beautiful mid-winter gusts with their lives’ worth of suitcases. We looked ridiculous. And it was perhaps so that Aquila, a well-meaning cleaner, walked us to our room with CRAZY energy, settled us in, and introduced us to a friend down the hallway. By another stroke of crazy, my extroverted buddies and I decided from then on that we should always just go to Walmart together, cook dinner together, stroll into our Orientation sessions late with style, have dance, gym, and martial arts sessions all at once in our common lounge, and INVOLVE THE WHOLE FLOOR. Trust me, it’s crazy.

We learned and grew together.

I never liked cooking, so I learned to assist Mel and Nat. Felix didn’t know how to laundry, so she learned what shouldn’t go into the dryers. Mel learned that her footsteps are more like floatsteps and she’ll scare the hell out of us when she enters a room without speaking. Nat and I learned to do the dishes before *coughs* somebody gets mad. It was a whole process and we got frustrated — even passive-aggressive sometimes (c’mon, we’re all girls, haha), but more importantly, we learned to be adults and a family who’d watch out for one another, protect and respect spaces, be vulnerable and open to new experiences and people we meet.

As a highly introverted cat-human who is used to solo traveling, the constant interactions with this bunch felt absolutely crazy.

I mean, we literally see one another every minute of the day, apart from lesson times and shower times, there. We were inseparable. This was something I never thought I, of all people, would enjoy. Yet now, as I’m writing this, alone in my apartment, I miss hearing the screams, the laughter, the clatter of dishes, and the rustling of clothes.

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So crazy number 1: Finding a family and community halfway across the world The next crazy thing was the crazy amount of things to do, all the time.

I quote Mel: “It feels like from the moment we landed in Buffalo, we never stopped moving?” The truth is, we didn’t want to stop.

There was always something going on somewhere: Health and wellness week, Escape Room sessions, therapy dogs, basketball games, job fairs, silent disco, dorm events, birthday celebrations, festival celebrations, ski trips, concerts, shows. Not only was there a constant number of activities, they were so diverse and so inclusive that there would definitely be something for anyone. Additionally, the main difference between events here and back home is that people actually participate in them! UB has a phenomenal spirit and since most of these events are free, undergrads flood them.

What’s more, clubs and societies host events too, and the best way to make friends and learn more about the American culture is to befriend Americans! By the end of our Spring semester, our little four-women family grew to about 20 with people from all around: our entire floor, people we met and connected with from various clubs and societies, and friends of friends! We learned about America and told them about Singapore! We did hotpot sessions and BBQs, but more often than not, we were running all around, doing anything and everything.

UB BOUND (Clubs I’m in now: Amnesty International, BRIDGES – International Students’ Network, Buffalo Undergraduate Consulting Group, Entrepreneurship Club, Improv Theater Club, oSTEM, Outdoor Adventure Club, Singapore Student Association, UB Advocates for Girls’ Education, Undergraduate Society of Feminists, United Nations Student Association, Women in Management; Visit: sa.buffalo.edu to look at the full list!)

You are far from home, in a land you only know from TV screens and movie theaters, without your family and friends to pick up after you, and having to create the best five months you can possibly have. As much as my little family and housing arrangement mishap was the greatest blessing in disguise that could’ve happened, it all came down to personal choice when I participated in these activities and events.

Crazy number 2: Boundless energy and time to participate in EVERYTHING! Of course, as students, we also had to commit to studying and this was another kind of insanity. In Singapore, we have six majors to choose from, and 12 to 15 credits would feel like too much. In Buffalo, there are 121 departments, each with major and minor options, and most students do about 16 to 18 credits per semester (about 6 to 8 classes) (Check out available courses/ modules here: catalog.buffalo.edu). You are literally spoiled for choice! Evidently, being the overachiever and indecisive person I am, I decided to do 23 credits. The thing is, I have never enjoyed myself more because I was not able to concentrate on finishing my major requirements, but also take up a bunch of courses that I was interested in (i.e. Intro to Law, Education and Social Policy, Intro to Music Theory, YOGA, Grief and Loss).

What’s more, the home campus’ tuition is a flat fee with 12 or more credits (i.e. I pay the same amount doing 12 credits and 23 credits)! There are also research opportunities and internships on campus that you can potentially participate in.

Crazy number 3: Killing myself slowly with 23 credits Was it crazy? Yes. Would I do it again? Yes. There were definitely moments where I felt burned out having so many things going on all the time, but it is also through these experiences that I learned my own limits and how to properly take care of myself. I am an avid advocate of solo travel, and in certain ways, coming to Buffalo is its own form of solo traveling.

When you travel solo and as we all kind of did in our own capacity (Nat, Felix, Mel, and I all found our own niches), you learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, to deal with the scary feeling of being completely alone, of being disconnected from home, of not having a plan. You learn to be okay with yourself and your thoughts, you learn who you are without the people who made up your whole life, you learn what self-care looks like, or you will when your body tells you otherwise, you learn to push yourself out of your comfort zone and stretch your horizons, you learn how little and how much time changes things. You learn to appreciate unexpected kindness from strangers, to grow through struggle, to push yourself and always go beyond, and finding greater, more beautiful things and people. Or you don’t. The best part about traveling out and living abroad is that you get the agency to chart however your X number of days or months will turn out and that incredible freedom is a chance you don’t get all too often.

As for me, I resisted change, but eventually I accepted it. And now, I’m sitting here back in Buffalo, with a kitten on my lap, a relationship that is another crazy story on its own, plans to work and start a career here, and the possibility of achieving that and much more.

Is this all crazy? Yes. But, “some people never go crazy; what truly horrible lives they must lead” indeed.

I challenge you to be crazy at least once in your life; trust me, it will change your life.

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B E I N G E C O - F R I E N D LY

HOW TO BE A: Words b y Pran ammeka S ath ya

W

ith sustainability becoming a hot topic, many of us already know a few ways we can “go green”, but we’re students — we’re broke, and honestly, we don’t really have the time. Whenever we think of being eco-friendly, we tend to start thinking about all the effort it would take.

But here’s the thing! Being an environmentally responsible student doesn’t have to be difficult. Some small changes here and there can add up to a significant part of a bigger cause. Here are six ways you can be a more sustainable student without breaking your back and wallet:

3. BUY LESS, BORROW MORE

1. BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE TO SCHOOL Bringing our own reusable water bottles to lectures instead of buying a bottle of mineral water helps us reduce the amount of plastic we dispose of every day. If you do need to buy single-use plastic bottles, why not try reusing these bottles and recycling them too?

Small steps like these can have a big impact altogether!

2. TAKE NOTES E L E C T R O N I C A L LY I love Muji notebooks. Getting fresh notebooks for new semesters and writing “Spring 2019” with fancy brush pens really get me going, but do we really need them? With most of our classes being electronically focused, having our notes typed will help us save money on buying notebooks and flashcards, and reduce paper waste too.

Learn the right way to recycle at zerowastesg.com!

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Clothes aside, we should only buy what we really need. There are loads of options to rent, borrow or even electronically download items. If you have the option, choose borrowing over buying.

6. CHECK OUT LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS Singapore’s a small place, but it has a (bigger than you’d expect) green community all into their own thing!

Bored on a weekend afternoon?

There’s always an event or two going around town.

4. RECYCLE! Recycling a single aluminum can save enough energy to power a TV for three hours. Yes, recycling can make a big impact! However, most of us are doing it wrong, and end up contaminating the entire recycling bins.

We all have that one friend whose fashion sense is always on point. Since you have access to some of the trendiest accessories and apparel, why buy new clothes when you can mooch off of them? And you know what’s even better? Why not try convincing them to swap some of theirs with yours?

5. DON’T USE PLASTIC STRAWS You’re an adult. Do you really need a straw? Sip your drink like the university level intellectual that you are. If you really can’t do without a straw (bubble tea fans, I feel you), you can easily get your own bamboo or stainless steel straw to reuse with every drink.

LepakInSG is a one-stop calendar for environmental events around Singapore.

Other groups you can consider checking out include ACRES, Love MacRitchie, The Herpetological Society of Singapore, and Nature Society (Singapore).

You can find our resident environmental club Eco-SIM on Instagram at @eco_ sim_ and on Facebook at @EcoSIMClub!

UB TEACHING

K E E PING UP W I T H

Alli son Shaw

Words by Al vi n Ho

A

long with many residential professors from the main campus in New York, Professor Allison Shaw arrived in Singapore during Summer ’18, where she taught COM 231: Principles of Persuasion in SIM-UB. While six weeks is a short time for one to get to know a person, Professor Shaw’s bubbly personality tells a lot about her. I had the privilege to sit down and chat with Professor Shaw right before she flew back to New York. Interestingly, what started as a typical interview question involving her typical day in school, our conversation eventually morphed into something enthralling, one filled with snippets of her past travel adventures.

What inspired you to take up the role of a college professor?

In terms of teaching, what is one life goal/motto you follow and encourage students to have?

Well, I love learning. Gaining new skills and challenging myself are just some of the things I really enjoy. Not necessarily only from textbooks, but from all sorts of different things! I think that’s one of the reasons why I wanted to be a professor because I want to get other people excited about learning as well!

Depending on the class, I have kinda like different life goals and objectives. In the US, I’ve taught Interpersonal Communication and that’s a class for a lot of freshmen and transfer students to UB, so I do teach them to manage their own time and schedule right.

Can you describe a typical day in your life as a professor?

It varies quite a bit, depending on the classes I have. Besides giving lessons, professors in UB tend to do a lot of research. For me, the first thing I do in the morning is to check and reply my emails, it also includes prepping your lectures if they are not already done.

I would remain after class for some consultation sessions with the students and right after that, I would head back to the office or home to “crash out”! Thankfully, giving lectures has become second nature to me and I recover fast the day after.

In Persuasion classes in Singapore, my goal is to get people to become critical thinkers, who would stop and think about the reasons behind engaging in certain behaviors. Overall, I want the students to be able to stop and think, “Why did I just say yes to that request?” or “Why am I always doing this?”

So, now on to a slightly more fun topic… We will be talking about traveling! Do you enjoy traveling?

YES! I LOVE traveling! I feel that as I got older, I’ve noticed that I no longer appreciate certain aspects of traveling as much as I did when I was younger. Back then, I would be full of energy, my body wouldn’t be falling apart, and it was easier surviving jet lag.

Now, there are some things that I can’t possibly do anymore. BUT, traveling to me is a really great way to meet people and it’s a good way for self-reflection.

Photos courtesy of Allison Shaw

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UB TEACHING

Wow! So, from your travels, what is one particularly memorable moment you have experienced whilst traveling?

There are so many! Different countries, different moments. But one of the most memorable moments happened in Israel! It is not a very common tourist destination, especially among Americans but I heard it’s a really awesome country to visit.

In Israel, there is this brick on a wall, which many locals believed Jesus touched before his crucifixion, when he stopped to rest while carrying the cross! Others go there to touch that brick so that they can feel connected to Jesus, so it was more of a religious experience for them.

For me, it felt like I was connected to humanity, touching a spot millions of people have touched as well. It was really cool, especially for an interpersonal scholar to see and feel something that virtually “connects” so many people. So, I think that for me that was my really significant travel moment that I will never forget!

Many people believe that traveling broadens your perspective, and whoever accompanies you is one of the most important things. So, who is your best travel companion?

My husband is definitely my best travel companion, and I know that probably sounds super clichéd. We have been traveling together ever since we first started dating. During some of our adventures together, such as our hiking and camping trips, we were really pushed to our limits. So, I believe that whoever accompanies you is really important and can help make you stronger.

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My husband is definitely my best friend and the only person I will ever need to travel with for the rest of my life. Both of us have a good sense of adventure, we’re both pretty easy-going, and we both look at the world in awe. We always try to get our friends to travel with us, but none of them want to. I think it’s because we like to rough it a little bit more than others do at our age: we still backpack through Europe like we are 23, but in reality, we’re 36 years old! We think that this is when the adventures begin, so he’s definitely my best travel companion by far.

What is one interesting travel story you and your husband embarked on together?

On our honeymoon, we were really lucky we got a month off after we finished school and before starting our jobs, so we decided to spend that month traveling. We lived out in a car for around three weeks all over US and we drove from Zion National Park to the Grand Canyon!

Back in 2012, the GPS technology wasn’t great. We found ourselves in the middle of nowhere one day, and our GPS was telling us to drive into a desert-like area that had no roads: it was nothing but a sandy and gravelly pathway.

I was driving when we “bottomed out”. I turned the jeep around, and somehow, I managed to get ourselves stuck in a sandpit! My husband was shouting, “What are we going to do?!” He was panicking and I was trying keeping my cool. So, I said, “Give me the poop shovel.” It’s basically a shovel we use to hide our poop; it was only about 6 inches long, so it took us a while to dig the wheels out with it.

UB TEACHING Fortunately, two trucks came out of nowhere and the drivers helped us. After 30 minutes, we managed to get the jeep out of the ditch. When my husband and I got back into the car, he had already calmed down but it was my turn to panic. I was like, “We almost died in the desert!” If the drivers did not turn up, we would not have survived.

Looking back, that was kind of fun and we still laugh about it occasionally.

So, do you have any special traveling hacks that you vouch for?

It depends on the trip! I’m a hyper-organized person, so I have different spreadsheets for different types of trips. These spreadsheets contain a list of the things to be packed which I keep accessible in Google Drive. So, one life hack is to make yourself a checklist and keep it updated!

For camping trips, my husband and I keep everything in…

Tupperware containers! I use two—one for toiletries and cleaning products, and another to keep food. Replenish everything after you return from your trip, so keep a look-out for essentials, such as batteries or sunscreen.

I also keep foreign currencies of US$20 value from every country as spare cash as it helps during emergencies. One example is, when I get there and need to take a cab. This also means that I have a few US$100 worth of random currencies in my little money bag!

What is one tip for female students who want to travel solo? Would you recommend them to trust their gut in foreign lands?

Honestly, I have not traveled anywhere really unsafe.

But, I would have to say that when women travel by themselves, they should be educated about where they are going and what they are doing, because there are different safety issues in different countries. We should know where our embassy is, and to inform trusted others of your itinerary when you are headed overseas.

At the same time, there are a lot of cultural variations in different countries. Some people might think that certain actions can be seen as aggressive or scary, but it is actually due to the differences in culture and they don’t intend it to be threatening.

I feel that social media makes it really convenient to keep an eye on people! Once when I was backpacking, I would have to pay to use an Internet café to check my emails and check in with my loved ones. But now, we can use Facebook and Instagram to keep them updated!

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UB TEACHING

So, where are you off to next?

Hmmm‌ Australia two years from now. However, my husband and I are thinking of traveling somewhere else during Christmas! Both of us would love to spend Christmas in the Middle East; This is usually when nobody goes overseas during that period. Last year, we left for Israel on the Eve and spent Christmas night in Paris, which was wonderful!

Interestingly, when we were in the Middle East, no one was celebrating Christmas, as though it was just another day. It felt so unique!

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A final question! What advice would you give students who are saving up to travel?

That’s a great question! When I was in graduate school, I was making very little money. My husband and I wanted to pay for our own wedding and our monthlong honeymoon. In order to save money, we decided to stop eating out. If anyone of us recommended to eat out, we would call the other out, and place the money we would otherwise spend into our savings.

If we had to make an exception, we would go somewhere inexpensive and share a meal. That would mean $15 saved, and the other $5 into food.

Being thrifty this way turned it into a game, and I personally feel this will help motivate you into saving more money.

UB TEACHING

Tales of Deception Wo r d s b y S n g Ler J un

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or many college students, Summer is a time to let loose and relax. In SIM-UB, the hustle continues as most undergraduates begin embarking on a 12-week short semester. Intensive (and disheartening) as it may seem, SIM-UB’s Summer semester is nothing short of fun.

In Summer ’18, Professor Zachary Carr was one of the many guest lecturers who left the UB main campus for Singapore to teach.

For those who were taught under him, many would agree that Professor Zachary is a man of many things: a doctoral candidate of UB, a specialist in reading faces, and a freelance jazz singer.

Sitting down with him, Professor Zachary sheds light on his class (COM 205: Research Methods), the prospect of a Communication major, and his travel muses.

What can students look forward to in your class?

Students in my class can look forward to understanding how we, as communication scholars or researchers, conduct research. In my class, I like to draw the parallels between the real world and how it matters, what we see in our everyday lives.

What is the number one thing you advocate students to do when they take up your course?

Try. Put in effort and come for classes. That’s all I ask. I don’t agree with the idea that grades are the end-all, or that our GPA matters most. Don’t get me wrong, however, GPA certainly matters but my goal is for students to walk away with something they can apply in real life. If I don’t achieve that, I’ve failed as a teacher. So, try. That’s my currency.

Why go into Communication?

Communication? Why Deception?

Why

Non-verbal

Communication, in general, I think, has become one of the most applicable majors for undergraduates right now. Not only from a social scientific standpoint of study, but from a professional standpoint. If you have a Communication degree, you can do so much more. You can do public relations or go into writing. More importantly, you can get a job in so many fields. I guess that was how I started out. I really wanted to get a job then.

Photo courtesy of University at Buffalo

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UB TEACHING

We all lie

“

because it keeps our society fine, and I can’t think of a cooler topic to study than that.”

— Professor Zachary Carr on his choice of specializations

The reason why I chose researching Non-verbal Communication and Deception was largely due to my childhood. I had a rough childhood. There is someone in my family who is an outstanding liar. When I was younger, he could be so nasty of an individual to my family, yet still fool everyone else there. I was so fascinated by it. I eventually heard of Dr Paul Ekman’s work and Dr Mark Frank’s work, and I was continually fascinated.

But also, everybody lies. I could go around asking, “Hey, how are you doing?” You’d likely say, “I’m fine,” but you are not always fine, right? Everybody lies, and it is not malicious always. We all lie because it keeps our society fine, and I can’t think of a cooler topic to study than that.

You mentioned how you are a pro at detecting lies from body languages, especially through facial expressions. How much of that skillset have you applied in real life?

When I first started learning how to understand facial expressions, the amount of information I was getting was so much that I would go on dates and I would be reading my dates’ facial expressions. I would pry and ask about topics they weren’t ready to talk about yet. So, I ended up having a lot of dates go bad in the first couple of years because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.

Do you like traveling? How do you travel?

The reason why I love traveling is very different. Whenever I travel, I never stay in the big city; I love staying in the suburb.

I want to see how each neighborhood functions, how each town does things differently, what the local food is like, and what their take on things is. Everyone likes making fun of me for that.

When it comes to crafting your travel itinerary, what do you look for while you research?

I look for the cultural aspect of the country.

Whenever I visit a city, I’d always make it a point to look at the local theater scene. I want to see how local actors interpret things.

When I was here in Singapore, I managed to catch a play here.

For me, watching the performers, being in an Asian context, interpreting certain themes in English — it was so amazing.

They did a marvelous job. There were little nuances, even in the emotions and how they portrayed the characters differently, from what I would expect the Americans would portray in a similar play.

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I make it a point to go and see how different places represent the arts. I’d visit museums, local music scenes, and plays. Everyone has a unique interpretation on things no matter where you will go.

What is the worst travel hack that you have tried or heard?

I don’t like getting travel advice from anyone because I feel like no one gives good advice. I prefer relying on my experiences and what I logically would predict would happen. Everyone told that when I came here, I would suffer from jet lag on my first week, but that wasn’t the case — it was only until the second week when I lost my sh*t. No one told me that and no one prepared me for that. I felt like death.

Tips on saving money?

Cooking at home saves me so much money. Buy your groceries and plan out your meals. If you want to eat out, which is often expensive, force yourself to walk to the nearest supermarket and get the freshest food you need.

What were some culturally inappropriate blunders you made while you were here?

Oh, this happened in class. I said, “10 to 6” and you guys had no idea what I was talking about; I meant 5.50pm. Another instance was that someone actually told me the wrong way to hail a taxi here. That person said that in Singapore, I’m supposed to hail a taxi with my hands pointed down. When I tried it, the professor I was with went, “What are you doing?” It was so embarrassing.

But as it turns out, hailing a taxi is supposed to be the same everywhere. I vowed to never make the same mistake again.

Have you told a sad, sob story to get additional discounts on a pair of socks or anything?

No, but I did tell a sob story when I lost my wallet in Las Vegas. I was starving, and I had no money. So, I went up to the shop and told them that I was all alone, lost my wallet, could not find my family, had not eaten for four days (it was a lie), and I asked for a sandwich to eat. The shopkeepers gave it to me. That was six to seven years ago, and I was on vacation.

Wrapping up, would you mind sharing some traveling tips?

Do your research. Be prepared. Read up on the articles on what people have written about the area. I didn’t know what a hawker center was until I read it up. Read as much as you can, so that when you leave the plane, you’d be feeling as if you have been to this new location before. A lot of people do that, but often in a very limited way. They’d be Googling up “Where are the best places to eat” and that’s it.

Never be afraid to ask questions. Ask so many questions. You’ll run into situations and you need to ask somebody. You might be afraid of the cultural differences and stereotypes, but if they speak English, you’ll know you’d be okay. There might be some communication barrier, but at the end of the day, the locals are often always able to help you.

ASK ALUMNI

The Allure of Travel Wo r d s b y S n g Ler J un

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ASK ALUMNI

F

rom witnessing the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season in Japan to catching a glimpse of the aurora borealis in Norway, SIM-UB alumna Cherie Sim leads a life that leaves many green with envy. In 2016, together with local travel blogger and current boyfriend, Hendric Tay (better known as Pohtecktoes), she co-founded The Travel Intern, a Singapore-based online travel publication offering aspiring content creators the internship of a lifetime — to get paid while traveling around the world.

I managed to catch up with the 27-year-old globetrotter in her newly established office along Jalan Kilang, and she spilled the beans about her college life, The Travel Intern, and the many takeaways traveling has provided.

What was your biggest takeaway from UB? No one owes you a living, and it’s your responsibility to determine how colorful your life in school could be.

Going to UB straight out of secondary school was a big leap for me back then. If I could turn back time, I’d love to have been more proactive in planning out my time in UB. There are always opportunities available and students should seek them out.

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ASK ALUMNI What was your favorite class? Why? I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite, but the most memorable was Public Speaking. I was deathly uncomfortable with public speaking, but we had to do a speech every week! Our American professor was also pretty brutal with the feedback, so the course really pushed me out of my comfort zone. Surviving that with an A- was something I least expected.

Tell me The Travel Intern story!

After graduating from SIM-UB in 2012, I worked for four years straight in the same company. Feeling jaded, I decided to quit and took up a 3-month Yoga Teacher course in India. Hendric joined me for the first two weeks.

Despite thinking we were considerably open-minded, experiencing India for just two weeks changed all the stereotypes and perceptions we once had. That’s when we realized traveling makes us interns of the world, because there’s always something to learn on the road.

LEFT: Rowing a boat down the Ganga River in Varanasi, India BELOW: Cherie Sim (left) with her boyfriend and fellow co-founder, Hendric Tay (right), on a trip to Iceland in 2016 Photos courtesy of Cherie Sim

Initially, Hendric and I wanted to bring people on adventures and find ways to create content that would help people discover how travel can broaden minds. Today, we have six batches of interns and three full-timers who all share a passion for traveling.

What was one memorable experience you have had when you toured with The Travel Intern?

It was my first time traveling with the interns without Hendric.

We were on board the Sunrise Izumo, an overnight train from Osaka to Tokyo in eight hours, which passes Mount Fuji at sunrise.

We had set an alarm to wake up at 5am to view the sunrise, and headed straight back to rest right after catching it.

We had forgotten to set a second alarm, so when I woke up, I heard the announcement that we would be arriving in Tokyo soon. I panicked, for we had yet to pack our gear, but somehow I managed to collect them in time. Unfortunately, when I went into the train once more to check, the train doors closed and I was locked inside.

One of the interns ran to the front to get the train conductor for help, but he did not understand English. I think an elderly couple saw the situation and assisted us. I wanted to thank them after the ordeal, but they had disappeared into the crowd by the time I made it out.

What does The Travel Intern mean to you?

Everything! Okay, something more grounded, TTI is a community more than anything — a belief that travel truly is one of the best teachers, and that we’re gaining real-life experiences when we travel. That’s why we’re all interns of the world!

What does Travel mean to you?

Travel helps me to see things in a different light. You’d start to realize what you have isn’t a given in many countries. At the same time, you appreciate having the luxury to experience the beautiful places you won’t get to see back home. You’d start to see the grander scheme of things and realize how fortunate you really are.

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ASK ALUMNI

“Travel helps me see things in a different light.

You’d start to realize what you have isn’t a given in many countries while at the same time, appreciate having the luxury to experience the beautiful places you won’t get to see back home.”

Photo by Sng Ler Jun

It’s tough juggling between work and travel. While most assume you are living the high life, this profession is far from that. In fact, there is a lot going on behind the scenes. Would you mind sharing what some of those works are, and how you managed to do it?

Besides liaising with clients, making sure the payroll is in place, and ensuring that the right person is assigned to do the job, the actual content creation is the bulk of it all. I mean, the less you’ve prepared on the trip, the more you need to scramble when you’re back. We try to get as much preparation done before the trip and more parts assembled during the trip itself.

It’s a struggle to balance it all, but at the end of the day, it always helps to remember that this is more-fun work and not less-fun travel. When you look at it that way, the work that goes into content creation doesn’t seem so bad. One day, when your memories of these times aren’t as vivid, you can look back at the scraps of memory left as an article or a video, and reminisce about the experience of these adventures.

Tell me more about this “less-fun travel and morefun work”.

It’s a lot more tiring than the usual holidays people take: we wake up at dawn, chase trains, buses and ferries, struggle with bad weather and worry about capturing a place in its best light. When we’re traveling to gather content for a client, we can’t just rely on happenstance. Other than planning down to the minute, there’s also a lot of scrambling for Plan Bs.

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Once, we were sent to the Maldives during the monsoon season, but had been told the rains were usually passing. Yet out of those six days, it poured on five full days! When we got that one window of opportunity, we went into overdrive to make last-minute plans happen. In the end, 90% of the footage came from that one halfday. We were so close to giving up!

Solo traveling is a trend that has been gaining traction in recent years. What are your thoughts on it, and what are some tips – besides detailed planning and saving up – for anyone planning to embark on one?

You don’t need a midlife crisis or a life-changing moment to spur you onto a soul-searching solo trip. You’ll eventually realize you’re more independent and open to different experiences and people when you’re alone.

For me, the best thing about being able to travel solo is you no longer need to rely on a companion to experience the adventures you want to. For those who are curious, a short weekend getaway in Southeast Asia can be a great taste test as to whether you would enjoy it.

Finally, what are some travel hacks you personally vouch for?

Stay in hostels. They’re the best way to save money and meet likeminded travelers! Walk when you can — not only do you save money on transport, you get to see a lot more too. Finally, get out of the city.

My favorite part about any trip is when we get to travel out of the main city, because that usually means more outdoor experiences, less crowds, and more opportunities to live in the moment.

UB IN JB

UB in JB

Wo rds by C a s i a C h e w & Ch e r y l P o h

S

ay your final paper — or class — ends at 10.30am. You’re restless, but don’t want to head home just yet. The notion of a quick getaway seems appealing, so why not take a day trip to Johor Bahru? All it takes is hopping onto buses 52/61/75/184 from SIM HQ (bus stop ID: 12091), then transferring to buses 170/170A three stops away at Shell Kiosk (bus stop ID: 42071) to get there!

Here’s a little guide on café-hopping around Jalan Dhoby and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, only a 10-minute walk from immigration and customs.

Tried and tested by the Publications team, it’s like spending an afternoon at Haji Lane, sans exorbitant prices and the adjacent modernity of Bugis. Although we recognize it’s not easy trying to hit up every café on this list, one can always try to test the limits of their stomach space!

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UB IN JB

GETTING THERE P r o t i p : B u y a r e t u r n t r a i n t i c k e t ( R M 5) in advance at the KTM counter for a 5-minute ride back to Singapore 1. Cross the ov e rhe a d brid g e ov e r J a la n Tun Abd ul R a za k 2. Turn le ft to g o to City Sq ua re (turning right goes to KOMTAR JBCC) 3. You should se e Un iq lo on L e v e l 3 4. G o to L e v e l 1 5. E xit the ma ll n e a r M cD on a ld ’s 6. Turn le ft a n d wa lk a lon g J a la n Won g Ah Fook 7. Cross the roa d (J a la n Won g Ah Fook ) 8. Cross the longkang 9. Follow the ma p to g e t to the ca fÊ s!

A shabby-chic interior brightly lit by natural lighting, The Replacement should be your go-to for a luxurious, affordable, and picture-worthy brunch on a sunny afternoon.

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the replacement

FLOWERS IN THE WINDOW

Flowers in the Window is an understatement — let’s talk split-level greenhouse furnished with the old and the new, the bold and the quiet; a whimsical café with a touch of rustic element. Loved it.

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UB IN JB

R o o s t, r e c y c l e d & repurposed café From soulful comfort food to healthy fitspo diets, Roost Café’ s menu and an amalgamation of upcycled and eclectic décor completely won us over — Instaworthy, checked

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UB IN JB

Unlike its neighboring shophouses, Bev C charmed us with its natural rugged beauty, a welcoming environment that’s short of a fireplace away to an amazing homely experience.

B E Vv Cc ’ Aa Ff Ee

A place you come to shop, and fill your belly — a timeless and versatile café that resonates a warm and cheery vibe, with a studio apartment up in the attic. What’s not to love?

P. S . I f you l i k e w h a t w e ’r e w e ar i n g , y o u c an g e t y o u r o wn UB sh irts at th e n ext me rch a n di s e s a l e o r f r o m th e S IM - U B w e b si te ( s i m u b s c . c om) too!

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UB IN JB

Oo Tt Hh Ee Rr Ss Tt Oo Rr Ee Ss Tt Oo Cc Hh Ee Cc Kk Oo Uu Tt Chaiwalla & Co. Container Café A container café with al fresco seating amongst tropical foliage where you can get yourself an iced milk tea to cool down in the sweltering heat. The teas are aromatic, well-balanced, and go well with their array of toppings like pearls and coffee jelly. Our favorite: Thai iced milk tea with grass jelly!

Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory A traditional bakery selling buns and banana cakes fresh out of wood-fired ovens. Moist, sweet and fluffy, these banana cakes are only RM5 (< S$2) for five slices! Here’s the catch: you have to be prepared to queue.

Restoran Hua Mui Hua Mui’s Hainanese chicken chop is like no other; talk about the satisfying crunch on the outside and the mouthwatering tenderness of the chicken on the inside. Fried to perfection, we’d say this is divine.

Restoran Sekee In this old-school coffee shop where Ah Hua Kway Teow lies, you’ll find hearty bowls of Teochew-style rice noodles, piled with kidney and liver, that are cooked over charcoal stoves here. A great place for some comfort food if café grub isn’t your cup of tea.

Shakespeare Milkshakes Cronuts are so 2013. Croffles — croissant waffles, if you’re wondering — are what you should be sinking your teeth into this year. With an eclectic menu selection, featuring milkshakes (duh), waffles, and soft serves, there is something for everyone here.

TIP, The Ice-Cream Project Watch as your hand-crafted ice-cream materializes right before your eyes with liquid nitrogen, then pop out front for a go at the swing to relive your childhood as you savour the sub-zero treat.

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I N D O N E S I Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H I D D E N G E M S

Words & Ph otos b y Tric ia Lim

BESIDES BALI... WHERE CAN WE GO? A L om b ok > G i l i I s l a nd s > Nu sa Isl ands It iner ar y

LOMBOK Literally beside Bali, and better known as the island where Mount Rinjani resides, is the beautiful island of Lombok. What many donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about Lombok is that it is a quieter alternative to Bali, and home to countless beautiful waterfalls and beaches. Due to the nature of our itinerary, we decided to take an international flight to Bali (2.5 hours) and change to a domestic flight to Lombok (30 minutes).

Waterfalls Situated at the foot of Mount Rinjani are two majestic waterfalls, one after the other. The first and more accessible waterfall, Sendang Gile, is two-tiered and a short walk from the main road through dirt paths.

The second waterfall, Tiu Kelep, is for adventurous nature lovers who are up for a bit of a challenge. We recommend hiring a local guide because the journey there requires a fair bit of trekking through unmarked trails and crossing fast flowing streams. When crossing these streams, remember to hold onto your slippers tight. I almost lost mine!

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I N D O N E S I A’ S H I D D E N G E M S Beaches

Lombok to Gili Islands

Having gone beach-hopping along three different beaches, namely Kuta Beach, Selong Belanak Beach, and Mawun Beach, you’d come to realize that the beaches here are a sight to behold — one of them where mountains meet water!

The boat departs from Lombok to Gili Trawangan from two different places (Senggigi and Bangsal Harbor), each taking approximately 30 minutes. We recommend taking a small ferry instead of a local boat because even though the journey may be a short one, the waves are relatively stronger en route, and your safety should be a priority.

While we are all familiar with the Kuta Beach in Bali, there is another one in Lombok unique for its bead-like sand and emerald green waters. There are also interesting rock formations, very much like the ones you’d see in Bali.

Additionally, the sand at the beaches in Lombok glisten in the sun along with the waters and are (according to my local driver) said to be mixed with ashes from Mount Rinjani!

LOMBOK > GILI ISLANDS Just northwest of Lombok, Gili Trawangan is a small island with a circumference of only 6.5km, the biggest of the 3 Gili Islands. There are no motorized vehicles on the island and most tourists get around on bicycles or Cidomos* (horse-drawn carriag). Despite gaining popularity on Instagram solely for the ocean swing, there’s so much more to the island than being Instagrammable!

This includes the multiple beautiful diving spots surrounding the island. * When in Lombok, travel down to Lombok’s main city to grab a Cidomo ride at a cheaper price!

Beaches, everywhere Being on such a small island gives you the luxury of being perpetually by the beach. We recommend you hop onto a bike in your swimwear, explore the circumference of the island and take a dip wherever your heart calls you to.

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Sea turtles One of the main reasons you should visit Gili Trawangan is the rare opportunity to snorkel together with sea turtles. With an abundance of “turtle spots” around the island, this activity was definitely the highlight of my trip, and could be the highlight of yours too! Then again, if you take the time to look, these sea turtles can be spotted pretty much everywhere.

Underwater statue Island-hopping to Gili Meno and Gili Air is another fun thing to do because it allows you to explore the beautiful underwater life while feeding cute fishes!

Not forgetting the hauntingly beautiful statue and shipwreck you get to see underwater, which are tourist favorites.

I N D O N E S I A’ S H I D D E N G E M S Nightlife

Gili Trawangan to Nusa Islands

Unlike the other two islands, Gili Trawangan gets only brighter as the sun sets. With a robust nightlife, you’ll hear cans of beer fizz open and see party people owning the dance floors right past dinner time.

Compared to the previous boat rides, this ride to Nusa Lembongan is a longer 2-3 hour journey across the open ocean so gear up for a bumpy ride and prepare some motion sickness pills. I traveled with BlueWater Express and they had some ready for us at the counter!

Manta rays Photo by Journey Era

GILI ISLANDS > NUSA ISLANDS

Nusa Ceningan’s Blue Lagoon

Most visited of the lot, the Nusa Islands are just a stone’s throw away from Bali. Many Bali lovers often take a day trip to explore these islands, but what fun is there in rushing? The popular destinations that most visitors rush through in a day consist of:

Diving “Diving? But, I don’t have a diving license!” might be what you’re thinking, but guess what? You don’t need one. After all, people without diving licenses can sign up for an introductory dive course and experience swimming alongside manta rays and other marine creatures.

01 NUSA PENIDA’S KELINGKING BEACH, BROKEN BEACH, AND ANGEL’S BILLABONG 02 NUSA LEMBONGAN’S DEVIL’S TEAR 03 NUSA CENINGAN’S BLUE LAGOON AND YELLOW BRIDGE

We spaced them all out, one island a day, and spent the remainder of our time chilling in a resort pool.

A little run-through — we spent half a day in the pool of Legend Diving Center* learning the basic skills and sign languages that will allow the instructor to guide us through the dive while underwater. Mastering diving within that few hours is not easy, but fret not, the instructor will help you through with every step of the dive.

We saw manta rays, blue spotted stingrays, hundreds of colorful fishes, and gorgeous corals; just like a scene in Finding Nemo. * Legend Diving Center was the dive center of our own choosing and we really enjoyed our time with them, so if you’re unsure of who to dive with, we highly recommend them!

Getting back

Nusa Penida’s Kelingking Beach (aka T-rex Island)

Our ferry back to Sanur, Bali was included in our resort booking so we had nothing to worry about. We do suggest booking a night flight back home to give yourself a little buffer time in case of any hiccups or delays. It took approximately 30 minutes before we were back in Bali.

A good tip is to drop off your luggage with the staff at Potato Head Beach Club so you can roam freely until you leave for the airport.

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WINTER TRAVELOG

WINTER NEAR THE EQUATOR Words by An drea Lo h Photos by An dre a Lo h & Tr i c i a L i m

T

“

he world is your oyster” is something that we’ve all hoped for. In reality, we can hardly have all the vacations we want. For instance, you might have thought about going on a world tour to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, but later concluded that it is too hefty a cost.

That makes short getaways better substitutes, but how would you decide where exactly to go?

Perhaps you’re looking to visit the most popular destination or perhaps you seek to take in the best landscapes and savor the most delicious food. If your purpose of traveling resonates with the aforementioned points, we’ve got the perfect destinations (not too far away from Singapore) for you this winter!

Approximately 2,500 miles away from the equator lies two of the most enchanting winter spots of Asia — Busan, South Korea, and Kyushu, Japan.

BUSAN , SOUTH KOREA

Busan is a seaside town boasting a plethora of beaches, seaports, hot springs and more. The city is a chilled-out version of the populated Seoul, but still holds treasures aplenty waiting to be explored. Some of the top attractions of Busan, such as Jagalchi Fish Market and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, can be visited all year round, but there are also certain experiences that are unique to winter.

Here are some of them:

(Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu) The Busan Christmas Tree Festival, an annual winter event features an 18-meter tree of wishes, embellished with eye-catching Christmas lights. The festival also comprises various street performances, and caroling contests open to visitors. Why not give it a go, especially if you can converse in Korean? Otherwise, go ahead and sing our classic Christmas songs in English — it would be something special for the locals!

(Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu) Visiting the beach in winter sounds like a strange idea, but the Busan Sunrise Festival on New Year’s Eve might be able to change your mind! Every year, locals and visitors flock to the beach to bid farewell to the year’s last sunset and welcome the new year’s sunrise — a whole different experience compared to our Marina Bay countdowns. As with every celebratory event, you’ll love the beautiful firework display to ring in the New Year!

(U-dong, Haeundae-gu) To escape the biting cold of winter, why not check out Shinsegae Department Store, the holder of the Guinness World Record for the largest departmental store in the world.

Apart from the usual sections you’ll find at a regular departmental store, the building also houses a spa, an indoor ice-skating rink, and an impressive 60-tee driving range!

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WINTER TRAVELOG

KYUSHU , JAPAN

Kyushu, the third largest of the four main islands of Japan is located southwest of Honshu (central Japan). It is Japan’s hidden gem — a Zenfilled haven complete with fresh cuisine and lush nature. One would have thought that skiing is usually limited to the Tōhoku region or in Hokkaido, but the mountainous region of Kyushu makes it a great place for winter sports. From the multicultural metropolis of Fukuoka to the smoldering volcanic island of Sakurajima, the vibrant oasis has much to offer during the winter season. Here are our top picks:

(Beppu, Oita Prefecture) Beppu Onsen Village is a quaint resort littered with modern hot spring accommodations and traditional public bathhouses. The most famous hot springs are its Jigoku, which are incredibly hot, sulfurous mud pools emitting bubbles in vivid colors. Don’t be frightened by the heat though, you’ll definitely appreciate it when the air temperature is -5°C. (Ichikawa, Sage Prefecture) Skiing is probably an uncommon hobby for those living in the sweltering heat of Singapore, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying it out! The Tenzan Snow Resort is one of the best places to get started. Equipped with slopes for both beginners and veterans, greenhorns can take up skiing or snowboarding lessons too.

(Hirado, Nagasaki Prefecture) The annual Hirado Hirame (Flounder) Festival in winter is extremely popular amongst tourists. Flounder is well-known amongst beauty enthusiasts for their high content of vitamins, minerals, and collagen while being relatively low in fat. Why not give it a try the way the locals do? The versatile flounder flesh makes delicious sashimi, shabu shabu, sushi, ochazuke, and more.

(Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture) If you love Fukuoka-style ramen like the ones served by the ramen chain Ippudo, the area directly facing the Naka River is where all the action happens. A long line of yatai (small ramen stalls) lures those passing by into eating some of the best ramen in the prefecture at affordable prices. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck, plus the satisfaction of drinking hot soup when it’s freezing cold outside.

(Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture) Spend a night in the Floating Capsule Hotel, a two-story glass dome that travels across a 6 km stretch of water during the night. Guests will be taken to an island adventure resort named Huis Ten Bosch that recreates a Dutch town.

In winter, the world’s biggest illumination event “The Kingdom of Light” will feature approximately 13 million lights, bound to take your breath away. No wonder it has been named the number one winter illumination in Japan for five years in a row!

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KYOTO TALES

A GLIMPSE OF

Kyoto Wo rds & P h o t os by S n g L e r J u n

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U

nlike generations of yesteryears who send and fervently collect postcards of their travel, sometimes with almost illegible scribbles of “wish you were here”s the millennial generation expresses a similar inclination to share their travel escapades, but on social media instead.

Being in the same demographic, I too, have a penchant for representing my life in photographs on Instagram.

In the realm of Instagram where only the appeal of the visual language matters, evident from the posts of specially curated outfits to the meticulously arranged flat lays of food, it isn’t surprising when millennials also use Instagram as a catalog to sieve out their next travel destination.

Yet as much as self-narcissism speaks for itself on the feeds of most millennials’ Instagram, I found myself wondering one day: Is there a need for so much selfvanity? On a trip I made to the former imperial capital of Japan earlier this year, I found my answer.

KYOTO TALES

Awash with remnants of her former glory — think Shinto Shrines, well-preserved palaces, and Buddhist temples — Kyoto never fails to captivate with her seasonal transitions and rustic charm. In many ways, she is different from anywhere else in the world.

For every first-time visitor to Kyoto, there is this invigorating sense of freedom, a crisp in the air, and a certain zen vibe that overcomes them. In a world where moments are transient and fleeting, and where warm conversations and exchanges are scarse, Kyoto reminds them to slow down and live in the moment.

I’d be lying if I said I did not jump on the populist mantra, “If it isn’t on the ‘gram, it didn’t happen”, but I think there is always something to take away from any trip. For me, I hope many who viewed my photographs would feel the same sense of tranquillity that had me spellbound on my first trip to Kyoto, and perhaps be reminded to slow down and take life’s experiences in stride.

Kyoto is bound to haunt you. She has a way of imprinting herself onto your soul and altering your beliefs. In doing so, she alters your very existence to aspire to fit into every facet of Japan’s personality.

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EXPLORING IPOH

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EXPLORING IPOH

changing perspectives Wo rds & P h o t o b y S h an e A n g

“

W

ho would even go to Ipoh? When you’re in Malaysia, you should be visiting Penang or Kuala Lumpur instead,” scoffed a fellow classmate of mine.

It was 2009, and the highly anticipated June holidays were just around the corner. While my peers boasted about their travel plans to other continents, I became the target of ridicule for “only” going to Ipoh, a city generally unloved by them. Back then, I never understood my parents’ love for Ipoh, a place I grew to detest. After all, Ipoh had always been a barren land to 12-year-old me; going with expectations to visit theme parks or circuses was a sure-fire way to be let down.

Fast forward to 2018, Ipoh has climbed up the ranks to become a recognized name in the Malaysian tourism industry, alongside popular destinations like Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The once sleepy village has since experienced a revitalizing change with the formation of its New Town, seeing a surge in hipster cafés and alluring street art. Of course, there is also the Old Town retaining its historical buildings and architecture. Both are nestled adjacent to each other, granting travelers the unique experience of seamlessly transitioning between the old and the new. Seemingly worlds apart, something they have in common is the aesthetic of the “hipster” culture, i.e. the visually appealing design and style the younger generation seek to fulfill their social media needs.

On top of its sights, Ipoh’s smells are also what draws visitors to the city. Ranked as one of the top three coffee spots in Asia on Lonely Planet, Ipoh’s traditional white coffee remains a favorite for both locals and visitors alike. There is also a wide array of food, such as the flavorful gai si hor fun (shredded chicken noodles) and egg custard pudding, of which they’re my favorite Ipoh dishes. With more cafés popping up, travelers can expect the culinary scene here to blossom even further, offering not just traditional Ipoh cuisine, but also fusion multicultural dishes that can cater to more palates.

Somehow, my perception of Ipoh has since taken a turn for the better as I age. While the city’s revamp and food continue to play a part in evolving its character, the relaxed pace of life and light-hearted people are what I appreciate most. Compared to the hectic lifestyle we have in Singapore, Ipoh offers a laid-back and picturesque environment to attain some peace and serenity. This is something I would not have cherished as a child, but craved as I grew older.

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THE SPIRIT OF TRAVEL Wo rds & P h o t os by Ni c k so n On g

“

W

anderlust” is a cliché dished out in every travel magazine, blog or social media platform. Many would associate it with “adventure”, “faraway” or “vacation”. In reality, it is often hard to grasp the idea of the word itself. Of course, this is not an article to seek out linguistic origins, but rather, to rediscover the idea of traveling in a generation of fads and social media.

Just the other day, I was having a conversation about traveling with a few close friends. Most of the topics revolved around fancy Parisian cafés, mouthwatering Korean delicacies, and exotic vacation spots that the Kardashians were spotted in last summer. As our conversation unfolded, it seemed to conjure a fantasy of distant lands. We scroll through Instagram geotags, Google obscure temples in Thailand, and turn vacation plans into an international game of capture the flag — marked by the number of stamps on our passports. A big question then arose: Why do we even travel?

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Human’s desire to explore and discover distant lands dates back to classical antiquity, when Greco-Romans would move across cities to where their summer villas were. Following the advancement of transportation, the Grand Tour in the 1600’s popularized leisure travel as young European aristocrats flocked to great European cities such as Paris, Venice, and Rome to expand knowledge in the literature and arts. Today, following a few clicks on the computer, we can arrive within hours at a destination 16,000 km away; one might argue that travel is almost taken for granted. The advancement of technology enhances not only the speed of traveling, but also the purpose of it — morphing map parchments into square grids existing within a black screen.

When I was 13, my parents brought me on a tour group to Beijing, China. I had no knowledge about the places we were visiting, just 85 percent euphoria and 15 percent fear. Armed only with cameras, and without a platform to share the snapshots while in China, we were cut off from our loved ones back home.

THE SPIRIT OF TRAVEL

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THE SPIRIT OF TRAVEL

Upon our return, we took to printing photographs from the trip and uploading albums onto Facebook to complement our Beijing tales over gatherings for months — recounting our experiences of the food, scenery and culture. That was probably the “Golden Age” of traveling, when traveling was thought as a rare and luxurious experience.

Don’t get me wrong — I am not instigating a crusade to boycott technological gimmicks but rather, take a respite from it; a blank space for you to synthesize some thoughts you may already have.

No one is interested in your stories now — they are all over your social media feed, discussed, chewed, and digested by every one of your virtual friends. Who prints pictures anymore? You have a free unlimited online album waiting to be filled. Our travel experiences are now

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marked by a wide array of online reviews on TripAdvisor, sample itineraries on travel “blogs”, and travel videos fueled by sponsors and capitalist ideologies. You may be wondering: is a convenient and streamlined experience a truly authentic one? Have I been going on an adventure that is replicated and shared over a thousand times? Or is it one that only I (and probably a few like-minded others) know of?

Perhaps, it is time that we rethink the purpose of traveling. We can also be realistic here — no one is planning to move to somewhere for good; when we travel, we are seeking meaningful experiences as a transient visitor, hoping to be fortified by the knowledge in which travel encapsulates. However, my recent trip to India has painted a sordid picture of the tourism industry and how the public have been influenced to submit to a grander agenda — profits. I was given looks of awe,

THE SPIRIT OF TRAVEL

There is a saying that goes “You will never be ready for India but India will always be ready for you”. Indeed, travel is never safe. Travel is not always about taking good pictures. Rather, travel is about experience. My decision to visit India was to experience something different, something raw and entirely out of the world.

As you plan your next winter adventure, you may find this article as an antithesis to most travel content you find everywhere. However, this issue of The Buffalo Horn seeks not to provide you with content that has been refashioned millions of time online, but rather, an alternative take on traveling that allows you, as a reader, to travel and learn with us through the pages — discovering the true spirit of traveling.

disdain, and mostly disgust when I announced that I was traveling to India. The reactions I received represented the amount of clout to which technology possesses in terms of influencing “popular” travel destinations, with India being an “unpopular” one. Contrary to what people see — the fog of poverty and chaos, India actually houses one of the oldest civilizations with cultural, archaeological discoveries, and the nicest people you would ever meet. I vividly recalled the first day when my mum and I waited anxiously at the airport for our local driver, whom I have only conversed through email exchanges and whom a stranger I have placed my complete trust in. Also, almost nothing is streamlined in India. There are no TripAdvisor reviews on the tastiest local cuisine that your driver’s wife prepares, limited Internet access, zero perfect estimates on traffic, and no one will ever return from India feeling privileged. Perhaps the beauty of traveling lies in the unknown — the thirst for unique experiences, the thrill of getting lost, and the sheer elation upon safely arriving at the next destination — where a new adventure awaits.

And often, it is the advancement of technology that kills this “unknown” — the drive that forces us to expand our horizons of knowledge and deepen our sense of connection to people who live, eat and express themselves differently from us. In fact, from the time you turn on the in-flight entertainment or put on your sleeping eye masks, you are already part of a streamlined experience. What makes your trip different?

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traveling through films.

We urge you to buckle up the seat belt for this section — you may now put on the headset as we take off with some films to inspire you for your next adventure.

Words by S h a n e An g & N i c k s o n On g

Roman Holiday (1953) “What the world needs is a return to sweetness and decency.”

They always say, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Nothing beats a classic black and white rom-com film set in The Eternal City — with backdrops of Vespa rides, Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna. Will Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) meet her one true love in the city of Rome?

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

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FILM Chungking Express (1996) “If memories could be canned, would they also have expiry dates?

If so, I hope they last for centuries.”

Chungking Express brings you on a virtual tour around Hong Kong as it follows the love stories of two policemen. The director of this film, Wong Kar Wai, needs no further introduction for his sleek cinematography and intricate stories. So, just sit back, relax and enjoy Hong Kong like you never did before.

Photo courtesy of Rolling Thunder Pictures

Frida (2002) “They thought I was a Surrealist, but I wasn’t. I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.”

Many have seen her art, but not her story. Frida Kahlo was also noted for her great contributions to Mexican art, politics and history. Based on true events and her personal biography, Frida tells a heartbreaking tale of Mexico’s most beloved artist.

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate Films

Lost in Translation (2003) “The more you know who you are and what you want, the less you let things upset you.”

Two complete strangers from America form an accidental friendship in the land of Tokyo which sets them venturing through the city in search of new adventures. This film not only captures the beauty of Tokyo, it may also inspire you to travel solo. Who knows, you may one day find yourself in the same situation as the leads, rediscovering yourself with an unexpected friend in a faraway land.

Photo courtesy of Focus Features

Eat, Pray, Love (2010) “The only thing more unthinkable than leaving was staying; the only thing more impossible than staying was leaving.”

Liz used to have everything a New York woman could dream of — marriage, home, and a successful career (or at least that was what she thought). After a painful divorce, she finds herself on a journey to India in a quest to seek out the meaning of life. An inspiring film for solo and female travelers, this is one movie you’d probably have heard of but haven’t really set time aside for.

Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

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MUSIC

EAR GOTTA LISTEN TO THESE Words by C a s i a C h ew & E l i j ah E l l i o tt

E

qual parts homegrown and international, this curated list offers a mix of EPs that could use more recognition. These bite-sized fixes are short enough to listen to in its entirety during your study intervals, and to relieve that itch in your ears.

HOMEGROWN STUFF Catflap (2017) Sobs Sobs creeps out of the bedroom pop woodwork with their signature pillow-wrapped mischief: it floats and settles lightly like young thighs under fresh bed sheets, coupled with warm hooks of past lovers. Catflap is full of the charm and nostalgia you ache to forget: speckled freckle-like with frontwoman Celine Autumn’s heady vocal antics that cling like childhood band-aids, then peels off with fleeting sentimentality.

Similar bands: Magic Potion, Camera Shy, VARSITY, soccer mommy Bento Set A (2017) F X T RT Bento Set A overflows with wholesome ear foods of sprightly math rock and youthful rhythms that run the same way you’d run from Woodlands to Yishun to return your partner’s earphones. This is why trendy kids will only have their tonkotsu ramen, your parents will never get why you prefer Nissin over cai png, but only you and your bae will get why Bento Set A tastes best when shared.

Similar bands: Secret Stuff, Alaska! Alaska!, I’m ok, meet me in montauk T e n T h o u s a n d Ye a r s E P ( 2 0 1 6 ) Long Live The Empire This EP is the only on-screen romance you care about, but never pans out. The self-branded “absurdist rock” quintet hits the 30-minute mark with their melodic embodiment of toska: jagged guitars, keen synth, and solid drums all heavy with despair and self-redemption dragging you through the shrapnel of broken relationships, before settling into quiet oceanic acceptance. A cathartic listen while chilling with your inner demons.

Similar bands: Dowsing, JANK, play lounge, Colourblind L a t e To T h e Pa r t y ( 2 0 1 8 ) Xingfoo&Roy Seldom do we, or anyone we know, open up our inner turmoil. Xingfoo&Roy does this with their latest EP: a tonal shift from harder head-to-the-ground melodies of their previous album to ambient emo/math rock cigarette glow riffs cleanly blending into the band’s laments of lost conversations and blurry nights, with enamoured vocals and sober poignance of the genre.

Similar bands: Charmer, Dad Punchers, Glocca Morra, Mom Jeans.

Bad Memories (2017) Pessimist Pies Pessimist Pies is the band that haunts your mind when you wind up with an extraordinary stranger on an ordinary night. This EP dropped by emo duo Ryan and Yu Tong is steeped with simple acoustic sadness and haunting lyrics steadily distorted as each track progresses; a naturalistic blend of insomniac noise and calm sleep vibes.

Similar bands: downer girl, Cameron Boucher, Attic, frankie cosmos

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Photos courtesy of (from top to bottom) Sobs; FXTRT; Long Live The Empire; Xingfoo&Roy; Pessimist Pies

MUSIC

OTHER PLACES GROWN STUFF Wicked Bummer (2015) Crushes Wicked Bummer personifies the comfortable rift between hitting rock bottom and the morning after. Heavy with the quintessential punk angst of twinkly guitar riffs and hopeful despondent lyrics that both cut and comfort, this is the epitome of gentle anxiety quietly curled up in 17 whole minutes, feeling blue and wondering which exact shade.

Similar bands: Modern Baseball, Free Throw, Guest House, Darkle

S u p e r c l e a n Vo l . I ( 2 0 1 7 ) The Marías The closest to a flux capacitor we’ll get in this lifetime: The Marías is a dimly-lit jazz lounge from the 70’s with all its evocative charm and none of its age. Fusing bits and pieces of neo soul and dream pop, the infectious grooves and sultry vocals replete in this EP exude a kind of intimate pining you’ll be hard-pressed to delve into.

Similar bands: Vansire, The Steve McQueens, Fog Lake, Cigarettes After Sex

Submarine (2011) A l e x Tu r n e r Like a paper boat meandering downstream, listing and rolling at each slight bend, this soundtrack flawlessly depicts the volatility and fragility of relationships in a way only Alex Turner can. Amidst the complex poetry, the parallels to the film and novel are reminders that paper will inevitably disintegrate in water.

Similar bands: Arctic Monkeys, Elliott Smith, Jake Lazovick, Clairo

SALES EP (2014) SALES Soft leisurely drones over fun rhythms, there’s a raw simplicity that reminds you of cycling in a park with the wind in your hair and nothing on your mind. It’s not to say the unique and charming sound of SALES do not bring about a sense of melancholy that you can’t seem to shake off.

Similar bands: The Dø, TV Girl, Elbows, Summer Salt

No Drum and Bass in the Jazz Room (2014) Clever Girl Clever Girl invokes old memories with fresh new sunshiny math melodies and jazz instrumental hooks: a warm mixture of the cute and dorky to the mature and wholesomely uplifting. This EP floats you across a breathtaking soundscape from a midnight stroll to sailing a yacht towards distant unknown horizons. This is, metaphysically, where it’s at.

Similar bands: Murphy Radio, Covet, Jr. Clooney, tide/edit

Photos courtesy of (from top to bottom) Crushes; Superclean Records; Domino; SALES; Clever Girl

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