On how the program has changed their perspective
“We were all wrong. India is beautiful in its own way…And a paradise of possibilities.”
- Chow Siew Wei, Singaporean, Engineering Science Program, Experience India 2009
“It was a great learning experience to work and live in India. It is truly a country full of opportunities which I did not fully grasp before.”
- Francois Bouchart, French, School of Computing, Experience India 2009
“Experience India has been a humbling experience. I got to see a very poor side of the world that I doubt many would ever get the chance to see. It also exposed me to the perspective that the immense Indian market presented a huge opportunity at the bottom of the pyramid where businesses could be conducted for less than one rupee.”
- Loh Chee Mun, Singaporean, Engineering Science Program, Experience India 2009
“After living and breathing India for over two months, my views about India have changed completely – that India is actually a country filled with hospitable people and business opportunities aplenty.”
- Lim Jiehui, Singaporean, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Experience India 2009
“In India, one gets the sense that anything is possible, it just takes some time and effort. Opportunities abound.”
- Lee Kang Hao, Singaporean, Life Sciences, Experience India 2009
“Experience India taught me to be more receptive towards diversity and that only by keeping an open mind and being willing to accept differences could I overcome the language and cultural barriers and work harmoniously with my Indian colleagues. All in, this program has given me one of the most enriching, beneficial and fruitful experiences in my undergraduate life.”
- Mak Yet Feng, Singaporean, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Experience India 2009
“My internship experience has changed my perception about the importance of entrepreneurship in an economy. As much as I have learnt about it in theories, I have gained a new perspective seeing it in action on the program.”
- Wong Hoi Lam Norma, Hong Kong, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Experience India 2009
“After going to India, I realized that India is unique in its own ways and to see the astounding success of the start-up company I have been working in encourages me to start a business in India/Singapore.”
- Sivagahmi Vasudeven, Singaporean, Business, Experience India 2009
“Ironically, participation on Experience India has opened my eyes to opportunities within my own country that I didn’t appreciate before: opportunities to create products for people at the bottom of the pyramid.”
- Sofia Tania, Indonesian, Computing, Experience India 2009
“I have learnt the importance of having the mentality that anything is possible.”
- Chua Thiam Hao, Singaporean, Economics, Experience India 2009
The program’s effectiveness in increasing interest in India and/or entrepreneurship
“To a large extent, the exposure from this program has made me more intrigued to be an entrepreneur and a boss of myself and my future.”
- Chow Siew Wei, Singaporean, Engineering Science Program, Experience India 2009
“I loved the culture and as India is developing very quickly, there should be some interesting and challenging work opportunities to seize in the years to come. You really could see opportunities everywhere”
- Francois Bouchart, French, School of Computing, Experience India 2009
“I would definitely want to go back to India. Knowing that I have survived Bangalore, I am ready to explore other nooks and crannies of India.”
- Loh Chee Mun, Singaporean, Engineering Science Program, Experience India 2009
“The program has increased my interest in entrepreneurship from being able to constantly interact with fellow students who are like-minded about starting or have already started businesses. And coming to India has made me more interested in this place. I’m starting to take a second look at Bollywood movies."
- Loh Chee Mun, Singaporean, Engineering Science Program, Experience India 2009
“I would definitely love to go back to India again. I like the fact that we can get things done there no matter what, which truly makes India a very interesting place to be in.”
- Lim Jiehui, Singaporean, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Experience India 2009
“Experience India allowed me to gain valuable entrepreneurial knowledge and mingle with locals to experience true Indian culture.”
- Lim Jiehui, Singaporean, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Experience India 2009
“My stint in India has confirmed my belief that there is a vast market and opportunities abound in India.”
- Lee Kang Hao, Singaporean, Life Sciences, Experience India 2009
“Experience India has really increased my interest in India. I love the Bollywood music, the auto rickshaws and the colorful Indian wear. My knowledge of India is still wanting and I would certainly want to spend more time reading up more about this culturally rich country. Gladly, this program has also enhanced my interest in entrepreneurship.”
- Mak Yet Feng, Singaporean, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Experience India 2009
“I am fascinated by the great diversity that India has to offer. I feel that two and a half months is hardly enough for me to have an appreciation of the India’s culture and there are a lot more about India especially in terms of history and religion that I would like to explore.”
- Wong Hoi Lam Norma, Hong Kong, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Experience India 2009
“Experience India has given me the confidence to further explore the possibility of both India and entrepreneurship as part of my future career.”
- Wong Hoi Lam Norma, Hong Kong, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Experience India 2009
“Experience India has increased my interest in India a lot! The locals are welcoming, fellow students are awesomely talented and have been constantly pushing themselves out of their comfort zones. The environment is diverse and beautiful and we did a good mix of many things – reading local books, travelling, interacting with locals, trying local cuisines, going to business conferences – it has been a really good experience.”
- Sofia Tania, Indonesian, Computing, Experience India 2009
“I was already in love with India to begin with. But with regards to entrepreneurship, it has taught me what it takes to be an entrepreneur and the risks involved.”
- Priscilla Ann Vincent, Singaporean, South Asian Studies, Experience India 2009
General comments on the experience in India
“Incredible India is not an overstatement at all. I’ve been there and lived through it. It’s fascinating, awesome and more importantly, educational and enriching.”
- Chow Siew Wei, Singaporean, Engineering Science Program, Experience India 2009
“Experience India enabled me to explore the diversity of India. It was a long road searching for the right mix but it was an awesome journey.”
- Edison Tsui Ka Wing, Hong Kong, School of Computing, Experience India 2009
“It was an excellent experience, one of the best summers I spent – interesting work, great friends, amazing travels…”
- Francois Bouchart, French, School of Computing, Experience India 2009
“Choosing Experience India is a decision which I made and never would regret. This truly remarkable experience has opened my mind and transformed me into a more matured individual. Now that I am back in Singapore, I value and appreciate the simple things around me that most of us take for granted in life. Thank you NOC for giving me such a wonderful and valuable India experience!”
- Lim Jiehui, Singaporean, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Experience India 2009
“India is not about coming out of my comfort zone. Rather it is like totally casting it away and entering an entirely new universe. My time in India was short but it’s like a shot of liquor – it packs quite a punch. The entire program was thought out with entrepreneurship in mind and the lessons that I have learnt, no classrooms or lectures can ever teach.”
- Lee Kang Hao, Singaporean, Life Sciences, Experience India 2009
“I really appreciate the team of participants selected for this program. The variety of talents, the synergy and the level of energy was great and I really enjoyed interacting with them. I have also learnt about teamwork.”
- Wong Hoi Lam Norma, Hong Kong, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Experience India 2009
“Submitting the application for Experience India was the best decision I have ever made. I have learnt a lot in terms of knowledge and appreciation of entrepreneurship and the culture of India as well as in terms of personal development. Life on the program was not very comfortable yet I feel there is no other way I could get the same sense of achievement at the end of each day having overcome all the small problems in getting the basic amenities in life.”
- Wong Hoi Lam Norma, Hong Kong, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Experience India 2009
“The whole experience was really good but if I had to name a few aspects, it would be staying and travelling with a group of adventurous people with such diverse interests and fortes. As for the India experience – Intensely Incredible, Amazingly Colorful.”
- Chua Thiam Hao, Singaporean, Economics, Experience India 2009
“Experience India is unique. You begin your journey full of uncertainty but end it with lots of knowledge and an experience that few will ever have.”
- Priscilla Ann Vincent, Singaporean, South Asian Studies, Experience India 2009
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