Đặng Quỳnh Châu (Chau), a cohort three Fellow from the 2024 National Young Leaders Fellowship (NYLF) describes the programme’s five-day induction week, likening it to setting sail on a boat that marks her first international trip toward personal growth and discovery. Her initial feelings of uncertainty during the beginning of this nine-month programme were quickly replaced by excitement as she realised the wisdom gained from this experience would be invaluable in continuing to create a tangible and long-lasting impact for the deaf community back in her home country, Vietnam.

Key Takeaways:

1. Taking a leap of faith despite our fears, is the first step to interesting life experiences!
2. If we want to lead well, we need to establish trust amongst our team.
3. Collaborating with like-minded individuals can lead to great outcomes.

Read on to learn more about her initial thoughts on this programme as a Fellow.

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Bon Voyage, Chau!

“Bon voyage, Chau!”, my friends said to me, when they found out I was accepted to the National Young Leaders Fellowship (NYLF) 2024 in Singapore. I would go through five days of NYLF Induction Week, which felt like I was setting sail on a ship created by a dream, to enable change for the deaf community in Vietnam, a community I have been working with throughout high school.

Despite this being my first ‘sail’ – my first ever trip abroad – the pure excitement for what was to come felt bigger than my worries. For all my life, I didn’t know anyone that had ever set foot on a plane. For my family, flying on a plane symbolises a type of wealth and success that we never thought we could reach. My mother used to tell me: “Work hard, so that you can one day get on a plane, and see the world.” Before I departed Vietnam, I received encouraging support from the Halogen team. My fears cast aside, I felt ready for my first-ever destination abroad – Singapore, here I come! 

On the plane, I was sitting quietly in the passenger seat, which was strangely the most exciting moment of my life so far. Outside the window, patches of cotton-like white clouds highlight a cerulean sky, and vast paddy fields filled the ground. I thought to myself, “I did it. I got on a plane and I’m seeing the world out there.”

We Set Sail: Collaborating Before Finding Solutions

NYLF Induction week begins, and so does my sailing journey. My ‘ship’ had an incredibly diverse and inspiring crew, with ‘sailors’ from Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia. We named our ship “Hope,” because each of us brought an inspiring mission for our communities. Some were passionate about tackling mental health issues, while others championed for girls to excel in STEM education. Their dedication amazed me. 

I met a fellow ‘sailor’ called Nieve, who wanted to help improve the life skills and education of underprivileged children in Singapore. From our interactions, I realised our journey was going to be focused on collaboration, not just finding solutions. By working together, we can amplify each other’s efforts, creating positive ripple effects across our communities.

Evenings we spent with Fellows from across the ASEAN countries and Singapore were most memorable. We asked each other about our different languages, cultures, and perspectives on social issues. From that moment, I knew that I would never have to set sail alone, and that there would be friends by my side, to navigate the rough waters with me. 

Ship Docks At The Kampung Kampus Port: 

Challenging My Understanding Of Sustainability

On day four, my ship visited the “Kampung Kampus” port, Singapore’s first nature-led learning campus with the Ground-Up Initiative. Wandering around the campus, I heard of plans to recycle an old MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) train into a classroom. I doubted the idea, because building a new classroom seemed far cheaper! My understanding of sustainability was challenged – I realised it wasn’t just a concept, it’s a lived experience. The upfront costs might be higher, but the long-term benefits outweigh the initial investment. The recycled train wouldn’t simply be a classroom; it would be a testament to the ingenuity of repurposing, a tangible tool for educating future generations on how we can build a more sustainable world. This profoundly impacted me, and I’m determined to make significant changes in my consumption habits moving forward. 

How Do We Navigate The Waters Together?

After five days of induction week, I felt as though I had undergone rigorous training from professional captains, preparing me for future challenges at sea. Besides practical experience and theoretical knowledge, one of the most difficult aspects of leadership is retaining the energy of our team. Do we know our ultimate goal before setting sail, can we navigate the waters and weather the storms together? I’ve learnt that it is vital to create trust amongst our ‘sailors’, by spending quality time with them and making sure they don’t get burnt out, and that they have faith in the process.

Exploring Singapore: Everything Felt Like A Dream

My experience in Singapore was, in a word, exotic. Besides insightful plenaries and learnings, my ship also explored other parts of Singapore. The day I landed, Changi Airport was already an experience in itself. It was the best airport I’ve ever seen, you can only imagine how overwhelmed I felt at that moment. The Halogen Team brought us to visit Chinatown – where Halogen’s office is located, and other interesting places such as Google Singapore Office, Marina Bay, Orchard Road, and Geylang – which gave me different perspectives of life here. I even got to take the MRT, which is the subway here! It may sound ridiculous, but it was an incredible experience.

One of the most memorable parts of the trip for me was when all of the Fellows sat under the Supertree Grove at Gardens By The Bay in the evening, enjoying its magical night lights and music. For a moment, I felt as though I was within the stars. Everything felt like a dream. 

No Matter The Storms Ahead, We Are Ready

Thank you, Halogen, for choosing me to be a part of NYLF 2024 and giving me the most unique experience. To me, NYLF is like a lighthouse, sending its light out to sea, and guiding ships along their way. After returning to Vietnam, I am excited to bring to life my idea of a virtual sign language interpreter. I’m also looking forward to spending more time with the deaf community to understand their needs. I don’t know what we will face ahead – a big storm or strong waves, but I know with the guidance of NYLF, and support from other fellows, we can survive the choppy waters and eventually bring good to society. 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” – Mark Twain

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Learn more about the National Young Leaders Fellowship at halogen.sg/mentorship-incubation/nylf.