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I feel attracted to visiting a place that is similar to what's shown in the video. The video shows a place with water that was clear enough that it was possible to see the dolphins swimming underneath it and when comparing that to the waters in Singapore, I would prefer to be in a place with water quality like what was shown. The water in Singapore has and likely will never seem as clear as what was shown in the video and it always seemed to have a certain level of murkiness to it which is due to the dirt or impurities which makes my curious mind look to experiencing crystal clear azure waters at least one time, even if it has little to no contrast in terms of how it feels. This clear water would also look marvelous in a photo which my fidgety hands would ultimately end up accomplishing as I do end up finding myself doing so subconsciously on multiple occasions where I thought the panoramic scenery around me seemed to be of verisimilitude

Another thing shown in the video is the dolphins in the water. I always desired to get up close to friendly aquatic animals and play with them with dolphins being the first animal on the list as they do not have the reputation of being one of the friendliest marine animals. As we have very little chance to get as close to the aquatic animals in Singapore, the prospect to get close to touch or observe animals like dolphins is not an opportunity that I would want to give up.

Although, I do know of a few people that would give up this rare opportunity as they have motion sickness and the water shown in the video seems kind of jerky. The choppy waters would, without a doubt in my mind, trigger their motion sickness and cause their experience to be that of them trying hard not to yak over the boat rather than a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience to get close to animals like dolphins and look through the clear waters. Although it does seem quite bleak for them as they would probably thoroughly enjoy the experience if they did not have motion sickness as severe as they do have.

To conclude, I do wish to visit such a place at least once in my life to enjoy the crystal clear waters and the close proximity to creatures such as dolphins as I would not be able to enjoy such things in Singapore.

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1)State your Parents’ stand: yes or no. Include your (reason) Point #1– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link. *

2)State your Friends’ stand: yes or no. Include your (reason) Point #2– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link *

*Include your own Personal experience (current or past) using 5W1H whenever possible

3) Next, talk about the general consensus: Would parents or teenagers generally share the same views? Give reasons (P) + EEEL **Link to what is happening in the recent news!

4) Restate your point: Therefore, my parents / friends… agree / disagree that...and end off with personal reflection, predictions for future etc

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1)State your stand: yes or no (answer the Qn directly first)

2)State your (reason) Point #1– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link *

3)State your (reason) Point #2– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link *

4)Provide alternative POV: However, others may argue that…(PEEEL)

5)*Always include your own Personal experience (current or past) using 5W1H, talk about what happened after the experience. Did it change your outlook or perspective on the issue or theme? Did it make you change something about yourself?
6) Repeat your Stand. End off with prediction for the future, moral lesson, takeaways (values you have learnt)

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Yu Heng, Wan Lin, Jin Ren, Chu Xuan, Torance? Ming Ye

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Yu Heng, Wan Lin, Jin Ren, Chu Xuan, Torance? Ming Ye

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Travelling around the world is probably one of life’s greatest pleasures but one that many of us will never fully accomplish. That is why we should appreciate the time we manage to fork out in other countries. There are so many things to explore when setting foot on foreign land, the vast differences between countries makes me want to see every site to see. Just last year was my visit to Beijing and a tour around the Nothern Part of China. It was a memorable experience that I wish to relive over and over again. That experience leaves me wondering what other marvelous sites there is to behold in other parts of the world and I think I managed to make a list of what I would most like to see on a vacation.

When it comes to travelling to a new destination, making a trip down to the heritage site to find out more about the cultures, history and general style of the country is something I would enjoy and reap the most benefit out of it as history student. Let’s revisit my most recent travel trip as an example. In the midst of my visit to Beijing. I visited the Forbidden City of Beijing with my family to discover more about the world largest’s imperial palace’s rich history. It was and still is quite a marvelous site to take in fully. The pure dynasty architectural look of the buildings with stunning dark red and gold was breathtaking. Through my visit to the site, I also picked up some interesting facts about the Forbidden City of Beijing. I learnt that even the design of the Forbidden City's huge roofs held deep cultural significance. The roofs of the Forbidden City symbolize the highest point in the social hierarchy signaling the building where the emperor lived and the origin name of Forbidden City came about as the imperial guards guard strictly outside the palace to ensure the royal family’s safety, prohibiting any intruders with malicious intentions from entering the palace as they might pose threats against the royal family’s safety. Therefore, this is how the Forbidden City derived it’s name. These facts amazed me beyond belief and the further I went on the more I learnt about dynasty traditions and the meaning of what each architectural carving was made to represent. The whole thing felt like a movie set. When I visit other countries, I wish to find such a blend of amazing sites and scenery mixed with the culture and history once more to not only gain some insightful knowledge but also a memorable experience.

Besides visiting the heritage sites, visiting other famous landmarks not having much historical significance in the country is also something I would indulge myself in. Though I have not been to France, every knows the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is also known as Iron lady, it is one of the monument I would enjoy visiting if I visit France. A brief introduction about Eiffel Tower, it is one of the few very iconic landmarks in the world and it is recognised for it’s distinguished architecture and is visited by nearly 7 million tourists every year. Though it is quite popular, it was only built in 1887 which makes it not as rich in history as other sites in Paris like the Cathedral De Notre-Dame in 1163 and the Palace of Versailles in 1661. But even so, If given the opportunity to visit France, Paris I would fly to the France just to visit the Eiffel Tower just to pose with the tower and take a nice memorable photographs with the tower to mark my visit. Observational decks is also one of the driven factors that increases the popularity of the landmark and I would also definitely visit the observational decks, enjoying the spectacular bird eye view from above. Sometimes, instead of wanting to learn about the culture and history, I might just want to see some popular tourist attractions instead and see if they really are as remarkable as they seem.

Last but not least, if I were to visit a new country, I would be delighted to visit amusement parks that have a central theme such as movies. As an adventurous person by nature, themepark would be the best attraction site to entertain me and entertain my family. For example, a few years ago before the pandemic, my family and I also travelled to Hong Kong a few years back just for the themepark - Hong Kong Disneyland. There were many magical attractions such as the Mystic Manor, Garden of Wonders etc. Not only did I find joy in the process, my bond with my family also grew deeper. There are also things that you might be able to purchase in other countries. Like when I visited China, I managed to get some authentic herbal tea leaves harvested fresh from a farm and my mother even bought some traditional tea sets.

In summary these are the few things I would enjoy when visiting a new country, visiting heritage site, tourng famous landmarks and exploring themeparks. Hopefully, in the future, I can continue to travel to different countries to visit their well known attractions sites,heritage site and themeparks and spend fruitful time there. The world is small beyond compare to the universe but I cannot ever hope to fully grasp and enjoy everything it has to offer.

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In my opinion, tourism is good for a country as it can be a source of revenue for a country. A country can increase the number of people entering singapore which can increase employment and sales for goods and services. Once such example is Singapore where tourism is one of the major industry and contributor to the Singaporean economy. One of Singapore's two Intergrated resorts, the Marina Bay Sands which has facilities for tourists such as hotels, casinos and restaurants that is estimated to have created 35,000 jobs and and a revenue of US$848 million according to its parent company.  The Tourism industry makes up at least two percent of Singapore's diverse economy.

Tourism offers great opportunities for emerging economies and developing countries. It creates jobs, strengthens the local economy, contributes to local infrastructure development and can help to conserve the natural environment and cultural assets and traditions, and to reduce poverty and inequality.Moreover , Singaporeans largely benefited from overseas visitors. Tourism helped to promote cultural diversity, a sense of cleanliness, and a feeling of pride in Singapore. It also helped improve various infrastructural facilities and quality of services in general.

However, some people may argue that tourism causes destruction of habitats. For examole, Egypt's Red Sea is a major diving and snorkelling distination for around 1.2million visitors annually. This causes habitats of coral reefs and exotic fish to be damaged as well as swimmers seen collecting shells or corals as souvenirs. With tourists, more popular tourist sites will be overwhelmed with visitors during busy times of the year, like during the school holidays as they may accidentally damage properties or collect items they are not suppose to. Hence, this may destroy habitats and disturb wildlifes, as their homes could be destroyed by visitors who do not follow the rules and regulations.

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Is tourism good or bad? I agree that tourism is a good for a country.

firstly, one of the biggest pros of tourism is economic, bringing in the money. Secondly, Tourism is responsible for generating many different jobs within a country and the number of business opportunities that open for the local people, thus being a hugely positive influence on the economy.  Tourism accounts for about 10% of employment worldwide, both directly and indirectly. Benefits can extend to a local economy, and broader, country-wide economy as well. Tourism also brings in foreign investment. An example is the Disneyland in Shanghai.  This US franchise targets not only the Chinese, but also attracts the foreign tourists who visit China.

Tour operators, hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment facilities all see an immediate influx in business from tourism. This then leads to them seeking more employees, giving more opportunities to the locals of each country.  There are also tourism adjacent jobs like the local retail and transportation industries that also benefit from the presence of tourists.

In countries where employment rates are low, tourism can add valuable jobs, and contribute to economic growth. For example, tourism represents about 38% of the Maldives’ GDP.

According to UNWTO’s executive director, Zoritsa Urosevich, tourism has been the sector hit hardest by Covid-19 and, while countries such as China were able to switch to domestic tourism, smaller nations such as Fiji, where tourism represents between 40% and 70% of GDP, fared far worse. The pandemic put an estimated 120m tourism jobs at risk.

However, it can cause dilution of local customs and heritage. Identity, culture, and values of a place can be lost when tourism becomes the major activity of an area. Tourism oriented commercial activities can overwhelm an area. Local culture festivals and religious rituals are sometimes modified to meet the demands and expectations of tourists. Authenticity and significance of cultural events are reduced because of commercialisation.

Due to covid-19, it had led the world to realise the importance of tourism. Without tourism, the economics of a country would drop. Because of that, there would not be further economic benefit or improvement for the country causing them to be less developed. On the other hand, with tourism, it helps with the mental wellbeing of citizens. With tourism, it can lead people to relieve themself and get out of their hectic life. Because of that tourism has led to so much benefit to people around them. It can be to the individual standpoint or a bigger picture of the government standpoint. Therefor I agree tourism is a good thing for the country.

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In my opinion, tourism is bad for a country due to several reasons.
Firstly, tourism negatively affect the environment. Tourism is an industry prone to overconsumption, which consequently produces a substantial amount of waste and pollution. Touring requires travelling for a period of time and since travelling by vehicles produces carbon dioxide emissions which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. For example, according to experts, tourism causes about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The exponential increase in tourists resulted in increased congestion. Tourism usually happens when a person desire to visit a popular destination, and since it is a popular destination, many people would also desire to visit it. Hence, there will be an abundance of tourists lingering around that destination. By getting to the destination, they have to use transportation. Transportation requires fossil fuels which are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions. Not only does tourism contribute to global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, but also littering. When tourists visit a place, they tend to bring items such as plastic bottles, food wrappers and others. Hence when there isn’t any available trash bins nearby, most of them will conveniently dispose their items at places such as the ocean. Therefore the ocean will be heavily polluted with disposable items. The presence of these harmful items may lead to marine animals to eat these items and eventually die. The marine life will be in danger when there is a constant supply of tourists visiting. For example, a huge source of ocean pollution comes from cruise ships. These ships, which are a popular vacation choice for many, dump a lot of waste into the ocean every year. Keeping this in mind, the accumulation of trash in the ocean will keep piling up, and eventually the ecosystem will be endangered. Hence, by travelling and littering, tourism will negatively affect the environment.

2) Secondly, tourism raise the cost of living for locals in a country. Tourists increase demand for basic services such as hotels, transportation, food and clothes, which will often cause aggregate demand to escalate and price hikes that negatively impact local residents, whose income does not increase proportionately. For example,Thailand’s rising prices is the continuous influx of new tourists, which is fuelling economic growth and creating more opportunities for local businesses. According to official data from the country’s department of tourism, the number of foreigners visiting Thailand broke 35 million for the first time in 2017, nearly 3 million more than the previous year, and more than triple the 10.87 million visitors in 2002.
Inevitably, as more business comes through the door, the cost of visiting major attractions on the popular tourist route is creeping up. For example, the entrance fee to Bangkok’s Grand Palace has doubled from 250 baht to 500 baht in ten years. It’s also a lot more crowded these days, too. Plus, Tourism pumps money into the local economy, driving up rents on nearby commercial businesses and possible increases property taxes for the local municipalities and school districts. This in turn resulting to the locals having to pay more for the entrance fees, as a result of tourism. Hence tourism increases the costs of living for locals in a country.

3] However, some may beg to differ that tourism brings about benefits to a country, for example, promoting its local culture and making new friends. By travelling to different countries local attractions, tourists are able to learn and experience what the local culture is like. In addition, it raises a countries’ culture as more individuals will have knowledge of it, and even share their learning experience to their friends or families. For example, there was once my cousin went to Malacca, Malaysia and learnt about the Peranakan culture they have there, which is famous for their cuisine. Cuisine such as rempah, babi pongteh, beef rendang and nonya kueh. There are also other activities in the culture like embroidery and beadwork. As the saying goes, “you will never know if you dont try”. My cousin signed up for a Peranakan culture course, which teaches tourists how to cook local cuisine, do embroidery and beadwork. While learning the local Peranakan cultures, my cousin made new friends with the locals, strengthening racial harmony and embracing openess to understand more about other peoples culture and appreciating it. Hence some people feel that tourism does bring benefits to the country.

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I feel that tourism is beneficial to the country.

The tourism industry offers many employment opportunities such as hotels, souvenirs shops and tour agencies. Some jobs are directly linked to the tourism industry, such as being travel agents and tour guides. While others jobs are indirectly linked to the tourism industry such as being taxi drivers and shop owners. For example, In 2011, UNWTO estimated that about 235 million people were employed in the tourism industry. It accounts for around 6-8% of jobs in the world.

Secondly, infrastructure and facilities development is also a factor that benefits the country. Tourism cannot develop and would not be able to operate on a large scale without sufficient infrastructure and appropriate facilities such as airports, roads and electricity. When building infrastructure, there is employment for local workers as many workers are needed during the construction process. Local industries are boosted because local materials may be used to construct
the infrastructure. For example, roads link airports, cities and tourist sites which allow tourists access to local attractions with ease.

Some may argue that tourism can also lead to dilution of local customs and heritage. Identity, culture and values of a place can be lost when tourism becomes a major activity of an area. Tourism-oriented commercial activities, like travel agencies, can overwhelm an area. Local cultural festivals and religious rituals are sometimes modified to meet the demands and expectations of tourists. Dancers deliberately pose for tourist photographs. Rituals are shortened to fit into itinerary of tourists and repeated several times a day. Authenticity and significance of cultural events are reduced because of
Commercialisation. For example, tourists pay entrance fees at Long Neck village to see the Long Neck Woman of Changmai Tribe. Some of these tourists treat the women as exhibits.

However, tourism can also protect the local customs and heritage of a country. Preserved and restored sites are more attractive to tourists.
This benefits the local population by enhancing their sense of history and by building a sense of belonging to their community. For example, tourism revenue can fund the preservation and restoration of cultural
Heritage sites, such as Angkor Wat.

In conclusion, tourism is more beneficial than harmful to a country as tourism can both benefit the economy and infrastructure of a country and in some cases preserve heritage sites.

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Zi Xuan, Kar Chun, Nawfal, Shanice, Gopika

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Zi Xuan, Kar Chun, Nawfal, Shanice, Gopika

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Many people have varying interests to what they would like to do in different countries. Personally, I am interested in the natural scenery, historical and cultural sites and the culinary delights of each country.

Many people might think that countries historical sites are all about boring history of the country, but to me I feel that it is a way to broaden my understanding about the country. I enjoy knowing about the historical sites of countries as they provide  me a fascinating glimpse into the past and allows me to connect with the different cultures in the country. Exploring the sites gives me an opportunity to witness the remnants of the ancient civilizations and the achievements they have made. The historical significance of each site and the stories they tell intrigues me. Many historical sites are renowned for their architectural beauty, intricate craftsmanship, or grandeur. One example of a historical site is the Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto, Japan. Kiyomizu-dera temple was founded in 778 dating back to over 1250 years. History books and literature shows how many people enjoyed visiting the temple throughout its history. It is shocking to see that a structure of such historical significance that was built over 125 decades is still standing strong despite the number of times it was destroyed and rebuilt. When I visited Japan, I was not able to visit the temple due to time constraints but it definitely is one of the places in my bucket list due to its scenic views as well. Ultimately, visiting historical sites has broadened my perspective and through these experiences I gained a profound understanding of the country, its people and the journey through time.

Other than the historical aspects of countries, the cultural aspect of food is a fundamental part of culinary exploration while traveling overseas and I am sure many can agree with me on that. Food is not just a basic thing. It is deeply intertwined with a society's traditions. Exploring local cuisines can provide a wind into a culture’s heritage, customs and a way of life.  Whenever I travel to different countries I make it a necessity to try out the large array of foods from the country. For instance, In 2019, when my family and I went to Kyoto, we went to a small street, called Uji. This street is filled with cultural goodies that are made of matcha, their speciality. Some may think that when everything is made out of matcha it tends to taste bad. But in actual fact, the food was delectable. As we walked down the street filled with sweet and salty varieties of matcha flavoured food, we managed to see chefs performing their skills in front of a massive crowd, doing handmade noodles. The experience was truly memorable and if I were to travel again, I would love to go back to Uji street. Moreover, culinary traditions are often passed down through generations, preserving and celebrating a society's history and cultural heritage. Exploring the cultural aspect of food is also a rich and rewarding way to experience the depth and diversity of a destination's culture.

Another interest I have to fulfill whenever I visit another country is to enjoy the natural beauty of each country as it is a different sight from one that I am used to seeing in Singapore. The sheer grandeur of landscapes, ranging from majestic mountains to serene beaches and dense forests, captivates the senses and instills a sense of wonder. Taking in the different natural beauty of each country allows me to forget about everything, take a break from reality and recharge my spirits. An example of a natural beauty would be the cherry blossoms in Japan. For instance, although cherry blossoms bloom in many countries, my parents and I always make it a point to visit Japan in March as that is when a specific cherry blossom called the Kawaza-zakura blooms. These blossoms are a stronger shade of pink as compared to the common blossom, yoshino cherry. Whenever we visit, we would always bring a picnic mat and have a picnic under the Kawaza-zakura trees, enjoying the view and cherishing our time there. Ultimately, encountering natural beauty abroad allows me to reconnect with the Earth, find inspiration, and gain a renewed sense of harmony with the natural world.

All in all, I may differ my preferences on what to do in different countries but taking in the scenic beauty, eating the long range of food and learning about the history and cultural of the country would by my top most priority in my bucket list.

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jayden, rui en, lixuan, yang xuan, wei kiat 

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jayden, rui en, lixuan, yang xuan, wei kiat 

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I am not a frequent traveller. Therefore, when I do decide to travel, I always strive to make the best out of these trips, and I do so by painstakingly planning my itinerary so that I can appreciate the beauties of these countries to the fullest.

Firstly, visiting new countries around the globe provides me with the opportunity to appreciate their cultures and heritage. To be very frank, it is evident that other countries definitely have richer historical records as compared to Singapore, and some easy examples would be China or Japan. Singapore is most known for its multi-racial community consisting of a colourful mixture of cultural practices from various races and ethnicities, while the nature of  other countries are of a more single-race. Take Japan, for example. Majority of its population are native Japanese, and foreigners aren’t all as welcome in Japan as they are in Singapore. Hence, the cultures and practices there would definitely be more interesting and centralised as compared to back home in Singapore, and I would be more captivated to explore these aspects when visiting other countries through visiting iconic landmarks in every corner of the world - the mighty Mount Fuji in Japan, the  Eiffel Tower in Paris, or the Great Wall of China in well, China.

Another feature of travelling I find pleasure in is trying out the different local cuisines unique to every country I visit. While the food in Singapore is good, it lacks the richness or freshness that I crave for. That’s also why I am always eager to taste the authentic cuisines that various countries may present to me. For example, my trip to Italy last year during the June holidays counted as a memorable experience to me in the view of enjoying the local cuisine there. Upon arriving in Italy, I immediately set out to immerse myself in the country’s culinary pleasantries and as expected, it did not disappoint me in the slightest. Gelato storefronts displayed glorious mountains of bright flavours, and I knew I could not pass up the opportunity to taste the famous delicacy, which I had heard so much about from my friends and family back in Singapore. The second I licked the top of my gelato ice cream, I was blown away by the smooth and creamy texture complimented by the sweet sprinkles and nut toppings. This was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Italy that I would never forget. That said, visiting other countries definitely allows me more insights into delectables around the world!

Last but not least, travelling provides me with the rare chance to experience all four seasons. Having lived in Singapore throughout my life, us locals are rid of opportunities to savor constantly changing weather conditions around us. If you were to ask a Singaporean about the seasons we experience in Singapore, they would tell you one thing : Summer. Summer, Summer, and once again, Summer. Globally, Singapore is known to be a tropical island cum metropolitan city, with a frequent mixture of both. The only time we ever really get to change out of our regular tee shirts and shorts proves to be unexpected - if we’re lucky, rainy seasons in Singapore could last up to a month, at most. Most of the time, however, we are stuck in the sweltering heat and the fiery Singapore spirit. Therefore, when Singaporeans travel to other countries around the globe for vacations, a large majority of the population tend to choose to go when it is any season OTHER than summer - spring, when beautiful sakuras blossom in Korea and Japan. Autumn, where beautiful reddish- brown coloured leaves fall to the ground. Or winter, where the chilly breeze makes us look like smoke-spitting dragons whenever we exhale. My personal favourite of all the seasons is Winter, whereby I finally get to whip out my thick jackets and warm scarfs, bundle myself up in them and walk through the peaceful streets of a foreign land.

In a nutshell, the idea of travelling definitely piques my interest because it enables me to explore and appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of the world around us, and it also brings people from all walks of life together on the same path while we admire how far our world has come.

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Paige, Claris, Hannah, Isabella, Claris 

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Paige, Claris, Hannah, Isabella, Claris 

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For me, visiting new countries has always piqued my interest! Be it through the various cultural experiences, sightseeing famous infrastructures or even just getting away from my hectic and busy lifestyle.

Personally, I've been to various different countries such as America, China, and Vietnam, all of which have an extravagant and unique way of living, differing from that of Singapore. There are numerous cultural differences that I get to indulge in and learn more about. For example, the most important thing on my list is definitely the food. In Singapore, it is inevitably true that we have a multicultural population that is widespread. With different cuisines and dishes unique to Singapore, ranging from Hainanese Chicken Rice, Chili Crab, and Char Kway Teow.

For example, my father is Chinese Vietnamese and has introduced to me a wide incredible range of unique Vietnamese. In Vietnam, one can find the healthiest, freshest, and most insanely delicious food! Previously, in Ho Chi Minh City, I got to eat plenty of good and hearty food that I till now still fondly remember- The steaming hot bowl of pho is just to die for, the Banh Mi that I absolutely love, due to its baguette-like bread, packed with a plentiful amount of vegetables and meat. We even learned how to make our own fresh spring rolls by hand! One of the most savoring cravings is Vietnamese coffee, which is infused with deep and aromatic coffee beans with a strong amount of caffeine that can keep you awake for hours. It is no doubt that there are Vietnamese restaurants located here in Singapore, but truth be told, these Vietnam dishes cannot be replicated in any other way.  I cannot wait to plan for the next trip at the end of the year!

Something that is always on the top of my itinerary, will have to be sightseeing places or attractions. For instance, China, which is widely known for its famous heritage sight, The Great Wall Of China, France, which is known for its jaw-dropping Eiffel Tower, and Hong Kong, known for its Hong Kong Disneyland! Many people want to visit these places of interest and have this mindset of 'YOLO', meaning you only live once. Why not travel to all these different places and experience attractions that capture your attention to make memories with your loved ones?

Finally, what I would enjoy most about visiting another country is having the time to wind down and relax, especially when I am away from my packed school activities and CCA commitments, it is the perfect escape from all these worries and stress. Traveling is also full of surprises and it takes me away from my usual mundane routines and would allow me to be exposed to new stimuli overseas.

In short,  I would have different reasons as to why I enjoy traveling to another country, however being exposed to new cultural differences and present-day food cultures, as well as touring around to famous buildings, would stay at the top of my bucket list when traveling.

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Sarah, Cai Jun, Cherlyn, Charlotte, Isaac

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Sarah, Cai Jun, Cherlyn, Charlotte, Isaac

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For me, I’ve traveled to many places since I was young, and I often would want to do lots of things only for my parents to have totally different plans. The things I want to do differ depending on where I want to go, but there are three things that will always be on the list.

The first, and my favorite, is learning about the way of life of the people there- their traditions, culture, and history. I for one have lots of fun learning about people’s culture firsthand, and sometimes even indulging myself in it for a more personal experience. A few years ago I was fortunate enough to visit Warsaw with my whole family, although my father didn’t really have fond memories of the trips as he was there for business, so when we traveled around the country it was just my mother, my sister, and I. There was this one day when we attended a Slavic festival called Ivana Kupala Night and we were taught how to dance some of the traditional slavic dances. Some of them included forming a slavic circle with other locals and tourists around a huge bonfire, and the famous Slavic Squat Dance that originated from the Cossacks of Ukraine. It was allegedly the hardest traditional dance in the world, and involves a person kicking while squating. I managed to catch the gist of it, just not squating as low as the locals would. Throughout the whole festival, I found Polish culture to be fun and fascinating, while my younger sister felt the exact opposite, and often just sat out of the activities my mother and I participated in.

Looking at sceneries and views is something else that I love doing when traveling to a new place. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be landscapes all the time- I enjoy viewing places with historical or cultural significance too. Temples, shrines, monuments and so on attract me because of the value they hold. There is a connection with the history and heritage of the country whenever I visit such places. But my most interesting experience was also my most dangerous: it was my visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. The DMZ lies on the Korean War armistice line between the two Koreas, and personally I find its name pretty ironic as the DMZ is said to be the most heavily militarized places on Earth. Its name comes from the restrictions imposed on both Koreas on the quantity of troops can be in that area, and what type of weapons are allowed there. It’s open to tourists, and I was quite fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of it. There were many rules in place for us, among them was that we should silently observe, and not make any sudden hand gestures like waving as Northern soldiers might perceive it as a sign of aggression. It was pretty risky and scary- 7 year-old me was sweating heavily and clinging on to my mother the whole time.

Another thing I love doing when traveling is getting off the internet to reconnect with reality. I'd power off my phone as I go for a hike at a national park or a walk around town. I mean, can you imagine paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars to visit another country just to be on your phone all the time! Every country, every city and every place has its own beauty that I feel should be treasured if visited. And that’s my parent’s perspective too. Whenever we travel, my parents would make a conscience effort to maximize our fruitfulness there. It’s not everyday that you visit another country!

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Visiting a new country is something very exciting for me as I get to experience life in another part of the world. There are often countless things to experience in a new country that makes picking one I want to do the most very difficult. However, if I had to choose one, it would be witnessing the seasonal scenery in cities like Kyoto, Japan.

Firstly, Kyoto is known for their cherry blossoms during spring which is late March to late April.The petals are coloured with a soothing pink gradient which is not only fetching but also makes you feel relaxed as you admire it. On top of being eye candy, the beautiful pink also complements the light blue sky. Sadly, since Singapore only has summer, having to spend a fortune to get a sight of the yearly scenery is inevitable. Sometime during October to December, the leaves will start to turn into an gorgeous array of colours like auburn, orange and yellow. Even though I have never had the chance to witness autumn before, I have, on many occassions, had the satisfaction of stepping on fallen leaves or taking pictures with eye catching floras. The yearn to experience Autumn has made visiting Kyoto all the more appealing.Winter then takes place during late December to March, when the temperature drops. Delicate snowflakes descend from the sky, blanketing the landscape in a pristine white cloak, transforming the city into a serene winter wonderland. A stunning winter scene that adds a magical touch to its already captivating beauty. The layers of snow create a soft, hushed atmosphere that adds a sense of tranquility to the surroundings.

Another must try for me is the local food. Some street food that is unique to the country. For example, in the street markets of Japan, taiyaki is a common sight. Taiyaki is for those with a sweet tooth, its a fish-shaped waffle filled with red bean paste, custard, or chocolate. A delectable treat that is commonly eaten as a snack or dessert throughout the year in Japan. However, there are a few occasions and seasons when taiyaki consumption may be more prevalent, like during the colder months, particularly in autumn and winter. The warm, freshly cooked taiyaki with its sweet filling is a delightful treat to enjoy during chilly weather. I am also inclined to try more common foods like sushi, soba and udon. Sure, these can be found in Singapore, but I'm positive nothing beats the ones made right in Japan.

Finally, a must do when travelling to other countries, shopping. Other countries may offer a wider range of products that are not commonly found in Singapore. Local markets and specialised stores in different countries often have unique items, traditional handicrafts, and local specialties that can provide a more diverse and exciting shopping experience. For example, I've heard tales told by my classmates who visited Japan about their famous 100¥ store. That's only about one Singapore dollar! The 100¥ store also offers a wide range of quality products for a considerably cheaper price. As most products in Singapore are imported from other countries, the selling price will be more costly. In some countries, particularly those with lower living costs or a more competitive retail market, I can find find goods at lower prices compared to Singapore. Furthermore, certain countries have a culture of bargaining, allowing shoppers to negotiate prices and potentially get better deals, which can be an enjoyable and cost-saving experience.

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Visiting a new country is always a riveting experience for me. Every part of the trip is enjoyable to me, though these are the ones that really stand out.

Of course, the food is the most exciting part of any trip for most people and it certainly holds true for me. Being a foodie myself, the first thing I would usually do when I arrive at a foreign country is to indulge myself in the local cuisine and stuff my mouth with delights that I would not have been exposed to otherwise. While yes, travelling for food is a common reason among Singaporeans, I take it to another level. Instead of just tasting the food and saying "Wow, that's good!", I would actually try to uncover the secrets behind the meal. I would observe the local chefs and their craft, and although they usually move in such a fury that their movements all blend into one solid motion, I try to remember everything I can. By experiencing not just the taste of the food, but also taking away the techniques and methods used by the local culinary masters, the trip becomes one that is worthwhile.

Another reason is to experience the different landscapes of the world. In Singapore, the land is urban and developed as far as the eye can see. Even in our nature reserves, you can always find a McDonald's outlet or something that resembles the modern conveniences of today's world. However, there are untouched corners of the world that have not seen the light of modern technological advancement and differ significantly from the hustle and bustle of the city life in Singapore. This break from the familiarity of daily life is reason enough for most people to travel overseas. Hokkaido's lavender fields is one prime example. I still remember the first time I laid my eyes on the endless purple sea of lavender flowers fluttering gently in the Hokkaido winter breeze. The pristine beauty of this natural display of wonder had me spellbound and ignited in me a primordial desire for raw, untouched nature. Who would've thought a beautiful landscape would ever be so emotional.

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Positive:
1: Spending generates revenue for the government
- E.g. Opening of the casinos in Singapore to attract tourists

2: Employment opportunities for locals created by the tourism industry
- E.g. Working in the casinos, tour agencies, hotels, tourist attractions etc.

Negative:
1: Increased cost of living for locals caused by artificial inflation due to the higher spending power of tourists

2: Disrespecting local cultures and minorities

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1)State your stand: yes or no (answer the Qn directly first)

2)State your (reason) Point #1– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link

3)State your (reason) Point #2– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link

4)Provide alternative POV: However, others may argue that…(PEEEL)

5)Next, talk about your own Personal experience (current or past) using 5W1H, talk about what happened after the experience. Did it change your outlook or perspective on the issue or theme? Did it make you change something about yourself?

6)Restate your point: Therefore, I agree / disagree that...and end off with personal reflection, predictions for future etc