Singapore Chinese Girls' School Model United Nations, or SCMUN, remains the annually highly-anticipated overseas conference for the DGS Model United Nations delegation. In the academic year 2017-2018, 10 representatives from the MUN team from S2-S4 had the privilege of travelling to Singapore for cultural exchange during a 3-day conference from 14^th to 16^th March, 2018.

We were ably led by our teacher-in-charge, Miss S.A. Lee, to whom we are grateful for the guidance and care she accorded. We arrived in Singapore late in the afternoon on 13^th March. In the evening before the start of the conference, we were given a chance to taste Singapore’s famed finger foods before returning to our hotels to prepare for the conference in the coming days.

Singapore is known as a country where "East meets West", comprising of multiple cultures including Malay, South Asian, East Asian, and Western influences. We had the chance to experience that for ourselves, when we observed the diversity of the delegates seated alongside us in the councils. Though it took a little while to adjust to the differences in accents, appearances as well as linguistic styles, the Diocesans soon mingled with their fellow delegates, partnering with various representatives as they began to plan for future speeches. Perhaps it was due to the Singaporeans' warm culture of acceptance of racial diversity that our girls were able to easily fit in and work with different delegates, despite coming from an overseas school. Their mutual respect for others, willingness to accept different opinions, as well as their easygoing and friendly nature is surely something that we can learn from and bring back to Hong Kong, integrating it as part of our culture.

Undoubtedly the most challenging yet exciting part of our trip was the Youth Conference itself. We faced many unforeseen challenges and were pressed to react and adapt accordingly. For all, this was our first time attending an overseas conference, and we experienced quite a culture shock when debating against delegates from Singapore when compared to delegates back home in Hong Kong. We observed that they were of an extremely high calibre and eager to share their intellectual opinions. As a result, we had to find multiple ways to express our ideas alongside them. Though it took multiple attempts for us to learn to communicate a point in a way that gathered the attention of the council, in the end, most of us were able to make our voices heard and express our own opinions whilst taking into account each others' points of views. By improving our skills in tactics and through rapid adaptation, we have no doubt enhanced our abilities not only as MUN delegates, but also as agreeable young women who are ready to work with different people in the future.

This trip was made especially unforgettable due to the bonds and friendships, built not only with our schoolmates within the delegation, but also with our international delegates who willingly helped and taught each other in times of need. One delegate from Malaysia, especially, has offered help to one of us, proudly claiming that "us overseas delegates must stick together". This unique camaraderie between two girls who barely knew each other was truly eye-opening for our delegates. Not only that, bonds have been strengthened within our own team as well. Through joint late-night preparations, and helping each other to carry luggage in and out of the tour bus, and encouraging each other to stick together on nightly excursions, we have come to better understand and look out for each other, creating memories that will remain for a long time.

Our deepest gratitude goes to Ms. Diane Hu, representative of Singapore Chinese Girls' School, who helped us settle at SCGS and welcomed us to Singapore with her exemplary hospitality. We thank the SCGS student Secretariats and Directors for organising such a challenging and engaging conference. Moreover, we must thank Miss Ahuja, our teacher-in-charge, for making the necessary arrangements possible for us to travel to Singapore and partake in this wonderful opportunity, and Miss Lee for chaperoning us and making the experience a fun and safe one for us. Lastly, thanks must be given to Mrs. Lau for her continuous support of the DGS MUN team and granting us the opportunity to broaden our horizons overseas.

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