The Buffalo Horn #3 (Spring 2017) by UBSC Publications

03 FOREWORD 04 MEET THE TEAM 06 WILL UB A SURVIVOR? 08 STUDENT WELFARE 10 UB TEACHING: IVAN SOH 12 CAREER CHAPTERS 14 SOCIAL CAUSES 15 UB INTERNING: SOLOMON FOO 16 UB TEACHING: BLAKE HENDRICKSON 17 UB TEACHING: KENTON B. ANDERSON 18 SUMMER ABROAD: UC BERKELEY 20 UB ALUMNI: JIA HAO GOH 21 START OR CLIMB 22 TV SHOWS 23 UB PLAYIN’ 24 STOPGAP 26 10 ALBUMS YOU’RE MISSING OUT ON 28 GASTRONOMICAL ADVENTURES 30 ASK MCKELVEY! 32 ANCHORED: UB DND 2016 34 FUTURES

Foreword

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FOREWORD

Dear Friends of UB, It is a pleasure to introduce this newest edition of The Buffalo Horn. Since launching our undergraduate program in Singapore in 2004, my colleagues and I have always been deeply impressed by the skill and initiative of our students. We are of course keenly aware of the academic achievements that we witness in our classrooms and the successes that our graduates enjoy once they enter the workforce or continue on to graduate studies. However, there is more to university life than coursework and career preparation. For this reason, we are particularly thankful for the activities of our student councils over the years, which have been vital in establishing and promoting a vibrant UB community life here at SIM. The Buffalo Horn is a tangible artefact that displays the diverse talents of our student body, our faculty, our alumni, and all of the wonderful things that take place in our unique international programme. On behalf of SIM-UB, I would like to thank the publications crew for all of their hard work in preparing this latest edition to reflect our community’s great accomplishments! Kevin F. McKelvey Resident Director SIM-UB Programmes

Greetings fellow Bulls! First of all, it is all thanks to the Publications Department that we are able to enjoy this awesome cover and content in The Buffalo Horn! In just a blink of an eye, we are already a quarter through 2017! Continuing on the motto of the 2016 EXCO, “For the students, by the students” remains central for the 2017 EXCO. That said, events and welfare packs will be planned and considered by the SIM-UB Student Council with our UB peers in mind! With the growing strength of the UB pride and culture here in SIM, we only plan to make it stronger. Look out for our new UB Sports apparel in Summer, where we could rock them together for our first and ever UB Sports Meet in Fall! Till the next issue, we hope you enjoy the The Buffalo Horn and look forward to the rest of the year! Marcus Ong President ‘17 UB Student Council

Aloha Bulls! First and foremost, thank you, readers, for supporting The Buffalo Horn! The Publications Department aims to create a united university front to move forward. As the Spring semester comes to an end, we can now reflect on the events in the past semester, professors we might have had, and classmates we might have met – all through The Buffalo Horn. A hearty thank you to the Publications crew for doing what I thought would be impossible- making a magazine in a month, alongside classes, presentations, projects, and reports among many others. Though it was a challenge, we charged ahead and are now proud to release the third issue of the magazine. Our gratitude extends to the students, faculty and alumni featured in this magazine, our club advisor Suzanne, and everyone who supported us through our journey. Pranammeka Sathya Director of Publications ‘17 UB Student Council

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Will UB A

SURVIVOR ? BY CHIA EU JINN

The year started off strong with the Spring Freshmen Orientation Camp, held on the 17th and 18th of January at Sarimbun Scouts Camp. The two-day one-night camp consisted of enjoyable team bonding games that forged new friendships. The theme of the camp freshmen had the chance to experience was “Apocalypse”. Set in an advanced and futuristic dystopian world, a mad scientist discovers the chemical compound for everlasting life. Rejected by the Board of Great Scientists to recognise his efforts, he released it in his fury. Unknowing that the chemical was flawed, it spread throughout the country, neurologically mutating almost everyone into ‘The Fallen’. The freshmen were sorted into 2 teams, Team Alpha and Team Omega. Alpha house, a group of science enthusiasts finding a cure for the ‘infection’, were Orientation Groups (OGs) Phoenix, Pegasus and Wyvern. Team Omega, a newly formed faction that believed the infection was caused by Team Alpha and wish to keep it for themselves while infecting Team Alpha were OGs: Siren, Kraken and Hydra. With these two teams pitted against each other, which one will rise as the victor? The first day of camp started with team bonding games that require the OGs to work as a team to complete a range of activities. Following that, orientation group leaders and housemasters also had good laughs while choreographing each steps of the mass dance to the freshmen. When night fell, Freshmen were invited to a memorable “The Fallen” themed night walk. The story follows the murder of the scientist’s assistant. To find out who the killer was, both teams had to go

through several stations with scare elements to piece together clues, find the killer and rule the world. Many screams and shrieks were heard throughout the night walk but everyone had a great time nonetheless! Everyone gathered around a campfire (because what camp would it be without one?) to end the first day of the camp with a mass friendship dance where many freshmen got to forge friendships and share moments with other OGs. The second day began early with friendly OG vs OG games. Both teams continued their house rivalry by competing at different game stations to gain the most points to win. Before the start of the games, a mass kinaesthetic session was conducted by game masters. Afterwards, everyone had a chance to play games like Captain Veggie, a modified game of Captain’s Ball. Instead of a ball, a single cabbage was used to score points until the cabbage had fully turned into a Brussel sprout. After the games were over, all freshmen were gathered in a sheltered area to cool down. In the final battle of the houses, OGs had to come up with creative and hilarious skits to win points. Even game masters got involved in the fun to entertain everyone. One of the highlights of the skits was an impromptu dance-off between houses with facilitators joining to liven up the atmosphere. The finale to wrap up the event was the mass dance that everyone painstakingly learnt the past day. To show their appreciation for all the hard work from the freshmen, facilitators performed a special facilitators dance for them.

Photos courtesy of Chia Xun Rong James and Beston Toh

“Despite all the media coverage and public scrutiny on universities’ orientation camps, UB Student Council still managed to put together a camp that fits the public’s guidelines and is engaging at the same time. Through the camp, Hydra has bonded through the games which tested our mental fortitude as well as our teamwork and communication skills. FOC allowed me to start my new chapter with a group of friends by my side.” Jun Zhe of Hydra Best Freshie

“UB’s Freshman Orientation Camp was a camp like no other, with a lot of effort being put into the itinerary and logistics, be it the station games, mass dance or even the immaculately-designed OG flags, and not forgetting the chartered buses. The theme ‘Apocalypse’ has captured the attention of many freshies, like myself, as we await what the facilitators had in store for us. Overall, the camp gave me the opportunity to forge new friendships with others, especially with my OG, Phoenix. Being with them made me have a sense of belonging to the group, with the activities such as the night games and mass dance further strengthening that relationship. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have been able to break out of my comfort zone then. It was a truly memorable camp which gave me a heads up before embarking on my university life. No experience could be better than the UB experience.” Harith of Phoenix Best Freshie

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“Hosting our first FOC of the year ever since taking office as Directors of Events was no easy feat. Fortunately, the turnout was extremely positive and hearing that the camp was a success from the freshmen places the cherry on top of a gruelling two months of planning and preparation. It is our magnificent team of facilitators that we are utterly grateful for – the OGLs’ undying dedication to their freshmen, the GMs’ fiery passion for bringing fun to the school, and not to forget, the precision and execution of the Organising Committee. Cheers to a very bright year ahead for UBSC and our students!” Keith Lim and Jeelian Leong Directors of Events

Photo courtesy of SIM-UB Student Council

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Student Welfare CONTRIBUTED BY THE SIM-UBSC WELFARE DEPARTMENT!

Merchandise Sale

The first Merchandise Sale of 2017 was held on the first week of Spring, and the support from the student body was extraordinary! Almost all designs were sold out and amongst the few, Facultees and Team UB T-shirts were the hot favourites. For those who missed out this time, not to worry! We’ll be stocking up again for Summer and will be adding new UB merchandise as well! Do look out for the new designs!

Welfare Week

Hey there! If you don’t already know, Welfare Week is happening NOW from the 4th to 6th April! It’s the place to be for chill-outs with friends and for us all to take a breather before finals. There are welfare packs (with snacks, stationery and vouchers!), nitro cold brew coffee and tea, gameshows, performances by our very own classmates at SIM-UB and even gold tattoos! Come join us as we all take a step back and relax!

Info Talk

The Welfare Department held our first Info Talk of 2017 on the 6th of February, and received overwhelming responses! Freshies got to know more about the UB programme as well any many useful tips and tricks from their seniors. Many doubts regarding all 6 majors offered were clarified. Meanwhile, the seniors who attended the talk benefited greatly from the students and alumni sharing their experiences about UB Bound and Summer Abroad. Special thanks to graduate Iskandar, and Renette for coming down to share their experiences. We hope to see you in our next Info Talk!

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UB Teaching:

IVAN SOH BY DARREN CHAN

arren Chan, from SIM-University at Buffalo (UB) Student Council spoke with Professor Ivan Soh, lecturer for MGG300: Career Planning and MGG150: Business & Society in spring and he shared some of his experiences as a UB lecturer and a consultant to more than 50 global companies.

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1. Tell me more about yourself and your hobbies. I am a retiree but I spell “retiree” without the “i” but with a “y” for it to be “retyree”. After 50 years of “benefiting” from society’s learning and earnings, it is the best time to retain the knowledge in society through teaching. The best way to give back is to pass my knowledge to students in the areas of career, personal well-being and academics. My hobbies include cooking, running, travelling and working on projects. A recent personal interest is the study of the pervasiveness of cultures in war-torn countries and how cultures have continued to shape these countries. My hobby is to look for quirky things or interesting ideas and document these for teaching. An interesting lesson that I learnt would be how even though wars sometimes attempt to destroy cultural artefacts, most cultures are still preserved after wars. 2. What interested you to teach MGG300 Career Planning and MGG150 Business & Society? When I was asked to teach MGG300 (Career Planning), I was reflecting on the “models” taught in local and US universities. I felt that there was a need to help students distinguish clearly between work, job and career, and get a job that best matches their competencies and preferences. This means that students will stand a better chance to succeed! Using the formula 25-25-25, where students spend their first 25 years “learning to earn” and the next 25 years on “earning and learning”, it is my hope that students will use their third 25 years to “retain-return-relearn and relieve.” By retaining knowledge and skills through coaching, mentoring or even teaching, students will be ensured the succession of the next generation of graduates with the right values and skills. In MGG150 (Business and Society), I was given the opportunity to teach in Spring 2015. It started off with just five students. They won me over in that UB is a great place to teach with their enthusiasm, participation and insight on how they view the world. We even went out for a company site visit to Komoco Motors for industry awareness. I decided to continue in 2016 where the class grew about five to six times which posed another challenge. Now, the class in 2017 has become more manageable and I hope the current cohort of students will be better equipped with broader perspectives and applying knowledge to real world scenarios. They should start with analysing published case studies first!

T H E B U F F A L O H O R N – S P R I N G 2 017 3. What are some skills that students learn by completing your modules? For Career Planning, besides being able to distinguish between work, job and career, they must be able to identify job-roles that match their competencies and personal preferences, and the industry they want to grow in. They will learn to also craft an authentic resume, customised to an employer of their choice. They will also be able to build a professional profile, clearly stating their inclinations and professional competencies. I believe UB students will be able to stand out from other universities. For Business & Society, students will develop skills in basic functional management, in particular, systems thinking, in which they will be able to see a holistic picture of challenges facing the firms in their case studies. They will understand what drives an organisation forward and to present their case findings professionally. 4. What advice can you give to students who are graduating? For graduating students, I wish them a good start in their career and to apply the knowledge they acquired during their undergraduate studies at SIM-UB. For students who have participated in my programmes, I am confident that they will be able to impress their employers through the value added knowledge that they possess. Students should definitely pursue a post-graduate degree and in the meantime, sign up and attend the many courses on SIMConnect to enhance their capabilities. A good example is the recent HR & Organisational Consulting interest group. It started as an initiative by UB students and is now a formalised career chapter with Career Connect at SIM.

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5. Aside from lecturing, I noticed that you have conducted some management consultancy workshops. What is the advantage of having basic consultancy skills? I spent a good part of my life working and sharing management ideas with organisations as a consultant in the public and private sectors. Currently I am a Skills Future Mentor with Spring Singapore and my role is to enhance SME’s talent development. I feel that having consultancy skills is a transferable asset that has allowed me to move along the corporate ladder. It gave me the ability to see myself as an internal consultant in a company and an external consultant to other organisations. These opportunities allowed me to travel to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Sweden, where I can impart these skills and learn from others. For students, being equipped with consultancy skills helps them to become an asset to the company. Other than working, students will look at ways to contribute to the well-being of the company and to solve problems for the company. Consulting skills help students ask the right questions, see potential problems that others cannot see, and identify solutions. 6. What are your pet peeves? (Laughs) Interesting question! My pet peeve is the number one killer disease in Singapore: “EXCUSETITIS”! This is where excuses are given in place of investing efforts and energy to learn. An overt behaviour is the attempt to multitask during a lecture. When a student is motivated, there are many opportunities such as in UB where the programme allows for consultation with the professors. I urge students to take advantage of this time and deepen their learning through connecting with their respective professors.

Photos courtesy of Ivan Soh

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CAREER CONNECT

Anggara Elizabeth Manurung, President of the HR & Organisational Consulting Career Chapter

Defining Career, New Chapters:

HR & Organisational Consulting Career Chapter BY DARREN CHAN

bridge can be used to describe the purpose of setting up the HR & Organisational Consulting Career Chapter which, initiated in December 2016. This career chapter is one of the 15 chapters available for students to join at the Career Development Office. Anggara Elizabeth Manurung, age 20, a second year Economics and Business Administration undergraduate is the president of this newly formed career chapter and four Executive Committee (ExCo) members. She likened the career chapter as a bridge between the industry, the institution and the student body. The aim of the HR & Organisational Consulting Career Chapter is to be a dynamic medium for likeminded students to interact, be empowered, be equipped and be career-ready in the working world. Since its initiation only a few months ago, this career chapter has organised a management consulting talk and a basic consulting skills workshop. Elizabeth also shared that she started the career chapter due to her keen interest in consulting and participating in case competitions. She said, “I spoke to my professor Ivan Soh, the Career Connect staff and my friends about the idea and they were very supportive, encouraging me to set up the chapter!” This career chapter aims to hold many training workshops through which its student members can have a platform to network with industry practitioners and get equipped with highly sought after skills, by helping them meet guest speakers, lecturers and even fellow students to share their insights on management consultancy. Elizabeth shared that she felt management consultancy spans across many industries and requires students to

be versatile in understanding them in short periods of time. She further said, “Management consultancy will help you navigate through the diversity in industries and equip a person with transferable skills that are needed in any industry.” This career chapter has experienced certain successes such as having a first introduction to consultancy training workshop conducted by Professor Ivan Soh, a UB instructor for MGG150 (Business and Society) and MGG300 (Career Planning). Recently, the chapter organised their first informative talk on management consultancy by external professionals. These opportunities enabled Elizabeth and her fellow ExCo members to go for an overseas case competition and clinched first place. She hopes that through this career chapter, more opportunities can be made available for students to participate in real world consulting cases with partner companies. Moving forward, Elizabeth hopes to see the career chapter continue to grow as a platform through which students can learn, practice and develop their skills through their training programmes, talks and workshops. “I hope to see our members from the chapter actually getting the internships that they have applied for, and the jobs that they desire” said Elizabeth, “As a community, we hope to inspire the births of new chapters for more industries in future.” The HR & Organisational Consulting Career Chapter is organising more workshops through April 2017. Do Like their Facebook page for more updates or email them at consultingchapter@sim.edu.sg for more information.

Photos courtesy of Andi Andana & Anggara Elizabeth Manurung

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CAREER CONNECT

Christopher Toh (center in photo), President of the NPO Career Chapter

Defining Career, New Chapters:

BY DARREN CHAN

Non-Profit Organisation Career Chapter (NPOCC)

mpacting the lives of the less fortunate children was the unforgettable experience that Christopher Toh, age 24, a final year Sociology undergraduate from the University at Buffalo (UB) had from his internship with a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) called ‘Save The Children’. Christopher is also the President of the NonProfit Organisation Career Chapter (NPOCC) since September 2016 with his five Executive Committee (ExCo) members. NPOCC was formed in August 2016 and consists of students guided by the Career Development Office of SIM GE. The office is actively providing opportunities for students to be able to source for internships and career opportunities with ease. Christopher shared that being part of the ExCo has helped him to pursue his interest in helping society by liaising with various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and NPOs. He said, “Establishing NPOCC will help SIM students gain more exposure to the work that NGOs do.” During his internship, Christopher also assisted with a campaign called “Children on the Move”. The campaign targets children and their communities who are in vulnerable situations and those facing human rights violations. His role was to support the NPO in researching for information to help these people. He shared that one of his memorable internship experiences was to be part of an emergency training earthquake simulation exercise. He said, “It was an exciting eye opener for me as an intern to see how an NPO would manage such situations by providing relief and assistance.” The benefits of being in NPOCC are for students to gain an understanding about the functions of a

Photos courtesy of Lew Yong Jun

NPO. NPOCC also participated in the SIMGE career festival in September 2016 and it was the chapter’s first milestone. Christopher said, “It was heartwarming to see that even before the career festival commenced, there were people trying to speak with two NGOs that the chapter had brought in – Save The Children and Bizlink Centre Singapore Ltd.” Adding on, he said, “I felt that students were interested to find out more about NGOs and even join their organisations.” As a new career chapter, NPOCC has faced challenges, such as many students not knowing much about NGOs. The chapter has been liaising with the NGOs to bring them in to talk and network with the students. Currently, NPOCC will be holding a panel discussion with Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) in June 2017. The organisation will be bringing in female speakers from different industries. NPOCC is encouraging students to take this opportunity to network with SCWO through the event. Aside from large scale events, NPOCC also organised a Lunar New Year visit in February 2016 for the elderly residents at Toa Payoh. It was an opportunity for new members to befriend the elderly and pass on festive greetings for the upcoming year. When asked about the future of NPOCC, Christopher said, “I hope NPOCC will be a community for like-minded students who are enthusiastic about advocating and championing social causes.” For updates on NPOCC, do Like the Career Chapters Facebook page or drop them an email at npocc@sim.edu.sg if you are keen to join!

SOCIAL CAUSES

BY DARREN CHAN

Bunny Wonderland

Currently, Mediacorp is in the process of relocating to their new premises at One-North, Buona Vista. A group of cat lovers and volunteers are caring for some street cats on Caldecott Hill where they are living. However, time is running out for them as the volunteers are actively finding homes for these cats as the premises at Andrew Road will be returned to the authorities soon. The group has been sterilising all the cats, attending to their basic needs, and preventing them from getting culled by complaints from the public. Some cats are still waiting for their forever homes and the volunteers will be organising a cat adoption drive soon. If you are interested to adopt a furry friend, do email them at caldecatts@gmail.com or Like their Facebook page to see how you can help to spread the awareness in finding these cats a loving, safe and permanent home that is not on the streets.

The group was set up by Ms Jackie Fangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion for animal welfare in November 2013. Their goal is to strive for responsible care and ownership for rabbits. Volunteers have been organising adoption drives for abandoned rabbits and to send them for veterinary treatment if required. The volunteers are looking for fosterers or adopters to help these rabbits, and interested parties can fill up their forms which are available through their Facebook page. Do Like their Facebook page for more updates or email them at bunnywonderlandsg@gmail.com if you are keen to help out in any way. No animals should be left behind as they deserve homes and loving owners who will care for them forever! Photo courtesy of Bunny Wonderland

Dakota Crescent is now home to around 30 abandoned pet cats and the 15 blocks of rental flats are due to be demolished soon. The group was formed in November 2016 and consists of animal volunteers who came together to help these cats find permanent homes. The cats are currently living in a high-risk area as they are fending for themselves amidst dangerous construction machinery. The group is looking for individuals to help these cats find suitable adopters and fosterers. They are appealing for sponsors who can help defray the costs of boarding these cats for medical treatments and sterilisation. The team also welcomes donations to contribute to defray the costs of providing pet food for these cats. If you are interested to contribute or offer a street cat a loving home, do email them at dakotaproject@yahoo.com.sg or Like their Facebook page for more updates. Do remember to adopt instead of buying from pet shops to give these street animals a home to call their own!

Save the Caldecatts

Photo courtesy of Save the Caldecatts

Dakota Cats Cry Out for Help

Photo courtesy of Bunny Wonderland

Photo courtesy of Save the Caldecatts

Photo courtesy of Dakota Cats Cry Out for Help

Photo courtesy of Ahbang Yang

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UB INTERNING

UB Interning: Solomon Foo

arren Chan from SIM-UBSC sat down with Solomon Foo, 23 from UB Business Administration to chat about his recent internship experience. He has previously interned at KPMG Singapore from December 2016 to February 2017 as a Management Consulting intern. Currently, Solomon is interning as an investment/corporate finance analyst at a global equity firm from February to May 2017. Solomon is also an active member of Toastmasters Club, Data Analytics Club, iCare and the HR Organisation & Consulting Career Chapter. 1) Why did you feel the need to do an internship? Being an intern helps us get exposed to a particular industry and mentally prepares you for a career in it in the long run. Internships are the start of a good career because they give us experience into the sector, thus bumping up our employability. Taking up internships has helped me gain a competitive advantage over my peers throughout the different universities in Singapore. I strongly recommend students to have a goal in mind in terms of what they want to achieve or learn, and complement their academics with a relevant internship. 2) How did you know about this internship opportunity? On entering university in Fall 2015 as an undergraduate, I realised the importance and value of an undergraduate program that allows for internships. After a few semesters, I mentioned to Professor Ivan Soh, my Career Planning instructor, that I was looking for an internship in the banking and finance industry. He linked me up with an ex-classmate of his who is the CEO of a global equity company. This was in line with what I was interested in. The firm was ready to take me in from February to May 2017. Good internship opportunities come down to networking and communication skills, which I learnt during MGG300 (Career Planning) and the Toastmasters Club. Photo courtesy of Solomon Foo

BY DARREN CHAN 3) What did you learn during your internships? At the global equity firm, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve mainly dealt with Asia-Pacific countries which are emerging markets. I gained technical skills such as Bloomberg Terminal and Capital IQ which are expensive financial technological tools that help source out different reports and produce financial data analysis reports. These programmes helped me learn about finance and accountancy from a realistic point of view rather than reading about it in a textbook. 4) What are the challenges you face in your current internship? The first would be time management, to juggle my internship and my academics in a smart way. Grades are important, but the firm is dealing with projects of high monetary value and have strict deadlines. Hence, my internship is during the day, and my mugging session is at night. Second, as an intern, I do hit roadblocks and have to wait for further instructions from senior analysts. Even a minute mistake can lead up to inaccuracy of five to seven digit sums! 5) What advice can you give to students who are thinking of doing an internship? My advice to students is to work smart, plan ahead and start early. Some firms start their application process close to a year before the commencement of the internship so students should choose a company and start applying at least six months in advance. Students could start with small firms first and move on to a decent firm in the future. Unless they make you buy coffee all day and fold paper aeroplanes in the afternoon, no firm is a bad firm as the experience itself gives you a competitive advantage. Do drop by the Career Connect Office at Blk B, Level 1 to enquire about various internship opportunities and career development guidance under the Project 1095 initiative.

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UB Teaching:

BLAKE

HENDRICKSON BY TANVEEN VOHRA

Tell us a bit about your background, what your hobbies were growing up, and where you went to university. I’m originally from Minnesota, and I went to the University of Minnesota. I then spent a couple of years teaching English in Europe. After this, I did my PhD in Argentina, from the FLACSO, Argentina. When I was in Argentina, I was a co-host for a radio programme. I think that when a fruit is in season, you should eat that fruit. So, I tend to do the sport which is ‘in season’. Growing up in Minnesota, I played baseball in the summer, American football in the fall, and basketball in the winter. In France, I lived in the Alps so I did a lot of snowboarding, and played a bit of rugby, and in Hawaii, I took up surfing. In Argentina, if you don’t play soccer, you’re just lost in conversation with people. We hear you’re really big on travelling, what are some of the most fascinating places you’ve been to? What type of places do you like to visit? I don’t identify myself as a traveller per se, but I like to live in other places. I lived in France for a year, so I visited some places nearby like, Marseille and Cassis. It was my first time away from the US, so it was my first time seeing something so different, maybe that’s why it’s etched in my brain. I lived in Spain for a year, and Argentina for five years. As a surfer, I like beaches with good surf, and I like finding a place with good people. For example, this past winter I went to Oaxaca, Mexico to visit a friend, and I stayed with him and we went to more of a, hippie kind of beach. That’s maybe more of my vibe than the ‘all-inclusive’ hotels in Cancun. Do you like sports? For me, sports isn’t just a physical activity but it’s social time as well. So I signed up for basketball so that I could socialise. Thursdays I play football like, 5 aside and afterwards, there’s some social time. Sunday I play 11 aside, and there’s social time.

FACULT Y Would you call yourself a foodie? Where is your favourite place to eat in Singapore? I wouldn’t identify as a foodie, but my favourite place to eat are the hawker centres. I would say my favourite one is the hawker centre in Old Airport Road. I started playing basketball at the Mountbatten Community Centre, where I play with the ‘veterans’, I’m the youngest guy there by several years. So we play and afterwards we go eat at the hawker centre in Old Airport Road. It’s the best fish head curry I’ve had, though my favourite there is the satay. Is Singapore the only place you’ve taught in? When I was finishing up university, I didn’t really know what to do next. So, my French professor told me about an opportunity in France. So I turned in my application with some reference letters. My first teaching gig was in France when I was 23. Then I taught English in Spain the following year to elementary kids. From there I went to teaching Communication in Hawaii, then I taught English in Mexico. After that I taught communication and English in Argentina. What made you want to teach in Singapore? When I was in Hawaii my professor talked about Singapore and how he comes here to teach every Summer, and how it’s a whole different world. So I had the Singapore’s Buffalo programme in my brain the whole time I was in Argentina! I’m vastly interested in the conception of communications that we have in the US. So this programme is a great way for me to teach that same kind of communication, in another country. I specialise in intercultural communications, but I’ve only experienced such a small part of the world. Singapore is in South East Asia so this is a good way for me to develop myself professionally and personally. What made you want to study communication? I went to university having no idea what I wanted to study. The introductory class, COM101 and a media studies class, made me want to study communications. My professor Michael Sunnafrank and the stories he told were the reasons I wanted to study communication. What is your favourite module to teach, and why? Well, I haven’t taught it here yet, so I don’t know how it’ll be, it’s Intercultural Communication. Mostly because it’s what I’ve done the most research in. I think it’s one thing to read something, learn it and then teach it. Once you’ve taught something, you know it really well. Another thing is to do research on something and then teach it. When you’re teaching something you’ve conducted research on, it just comes out.

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UB Teaching:

Tell us a bit about your background, what your hobbies were growing up, and where you went to university. I am from Omaha, Nebraska which is geographically right in the centre of the United States. I did my undergraduate from Creighton University, which is a private Jesuit school. I also did University of Nebraska for my masters, and I of course, attended other universities. My hobbies include gardening; I’m a gardener. I also build fountains wherever I am living.

B. ANDERSON

What made you want to teach communications? Four generations of my family that I know of, have been public speakers, missionaries, ministers, and teachers. When I was young my favourite uncle was a public speaker, and he travelled with Presidents. I could always tell I was a little bit like him, so I decided to do communications. I was a professional actor and director for both film and stage, so I was formerly in the arts side of communications, and now I’m in the science side of communications here at UB. I read a book back in the 80’s that said that you’re only using one side of your brain if you’re an artist, or if you’re a scientist. The trick is to use both sides of your brain, and I think that that’s very traditional. There’s a lot of precedent for that in history. The Indians, in fact, the Indus Valley civilisation’s ideas on body movements and dance that would lead to you integrating both sides of your brain was borrowed by the Ancient Greeks, who also taught similar exercises, which then moves into different types of musical elements which I then studied for my masters.

KENTON BY TANVEEN VOHRA

How come you decided to appropriate ‘surfer dude’ culture? Well, I really like Hawaii and would some day like to own a home there. I stopped over there on my way here, I was there for 2 weeks in January, so that’s where I bought some of the shirts. There’s about 16-18 of those. I also want to collect the Peranakan batik shirts that you see in places like Holland Village and some over in Arab Street, so I’m still waiting on the second batch of those shirts arriving. I would also like buy this other style of shirts with the same cut. I’ve seen them in Arab Street but would rather get them straight at the source, from Java. They are a whole different kind of batik, less intricate, so the patterns are bigger. The colours on these shirts are bolder as well, still subtle earth tones, but stronger blends. I’d like to own 15-20 of each of the three styles. So when I go back to Hawaii I can wear the Peranakan batik ones, when I’m in Buffalo I can wear the ones from Java, and in Singapore of course, the Hawaiian shirts.

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EXCHANGE

University of California, Berkeley BY LEE YING YING For Summer Abroad 2016, Renette Lee stepped out of her comfort zone and travelled to California to attend summer school at University of California, Berkeley.

magine yourself perched on a swing at the top of Berkeley Hills. The chilly Californian summer wind caresses your face; the sunset in the horizon melts the blue into a sea of warm, orange hues, bathing the city ahead of you in gold. This is what Californian dreams are made of. You have probably seen countless posters and collaterals about SIM Summer Abroad but you wouldn’t have thought much of them until you step out of your comfort zone to experience it for yourself. Those who have gone for Summer Abroad or UB Bound have never regretted it. Going for at least one overseas experience exposes you to invaluable experiences and challenges you out of your comfort zone. To the daredevil Renette, that was an experience of her lifetime. Renette took the plunge and went on a journey like no other to University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), located at the San Francisco Bay Area. Unlike the rest of California, the weather in Northern California is much colder. Renette advises, “just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you can wear slippers and shorts. It’s super cold so bring extra sweaters and long pants.”

Why UC Berkeley – how did you come to a decision? I wanted to try out how an authentic American education would be like. Also, to get more exposure to the US education system since I’m a University at Buffalo (UB) student. How did you feel one day before getting on the plane to California? Nerve-wracking! A week before flying off, I spent every single day having appointments with anybody and everybody possible. Twenty-four hours before my flight, I carried on with life as per normal. I only went for a swim and to the hawker centre to eat beehoon and drink soya bean because I knew I would miss it for two months. How is student life like? Student life is vibrant and amazing. Half of the summer school population are UC Berkeley students who were there to complete summer courses, like in UB. Students were very vocal and active, and everyone clamoured to speak up in class. There was a Black Lives Matter vigil day too. UC Berkeley is known for its student activism during the 1980s, which is still strong till this day. How was your accommodation? International house. Unlike normal school dormitories, international students can stay there all year round. I decided to pair with someone I didn’t know and I met my roommate who studies in Macau University. The International House had Coffee Hours in the grand hall every Wednesday, where groups of students would host coffee socials while talking about their country’s culture, like African or German Coffee Hours.

Photos courtesy of Renette Lee

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EXCHANGE

How was your weekly schedule? I took the courses Human Rights and Global Politics, and Special Topics in Gender and Women’s Studies. I had classes on Mondays to Thursdays. Human Rights was a 4-credit course, and it was very intensive – in just six weeks there were two quizzes, finals, and a research paper due. Gender Studies was a 3-credit course that comprised four 1000-word assignments. My friends and I would hit the library in between breaks. UC Berkeley has over 20 libraries so we went to a new one every week! If we were tired of studying, we would relax at the Memorial Glade. It’s a vast patch of grass and greenery that students chill on. Usually after classes we would head down to hilly San Francisco, artsy Oakland, or nearby state parks to explore the neighbourhood. What are your top three hiking trails? Yosemite National Park. I was there for a weekend (about USD300) and covered two hiking trails, but it wasn’t enough. It’s the most famous national park in the US. We stayed at a lodge so there were beds, although people who wanted the authentic experience stayed in tents. Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. I started out from the regional park behind my school and ended up walking around in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. My friends and I got lost and were really worried but we met a local hiking along, who offered to guide us through a shortcut. She gave us a lift in her car down to the housing estates. Big C Hike. It isn’t really a park but more of a small trail located on the fringe west of campus. It’s popular among Berkeley students because you get to see scenic views of San Francisco’s Bay Area, and Golden Gate Bridge from afar. I climb up the hill to watch sunsets and free concerts – I got to listen to Twenty One Pilots for free! There’s a giant swing at the Big C hike where you can almost literally swing off into the sunset.

What’s one of the most memorable thing you did during your summer abroad? Spontaneously backpacking to Los Angeles on my own after summer school ended. Besides visiting museums, going to Hollywood and walking around Downtown Los Angeles, I stayed at a hostel by Venice Beach, where I spent my time swimming, surfing, and skating. I made lots of friends from different countries too. Last December, I hosted a German friend I met at the hostel.

Top 5 things to do during summer in California: 1. Watch the sun go down at a roof with friends. There’s nothing like watching the sun set over the Bay Area on a summer night. 2. Strike conversations with your Uber drivers. Many of them have very different stories to tell. One of my drivers used to be a Gulf War veteran, another told me about US history and Asian immigrants. 3. Take long distance bus or train rides to nearby cities. I took a two-hour train and bus ride to Palo Alto (where Stanford University and Silicon Valley are!) and San Jose (tech city of California), where I spent the whole day exploring the southern side of Bay Area. 4. Visit museums, like the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco or UC Berkeley’s own museum. 5. Attend a pride parade!

Any advice for those who want to go to UC Berkeley? Put yourself out there and be willing to try new things. You just have to immerse yourself in the moment and try everything. Don’t be afraid to take chances because it will open up opportunities you would never have experienced. Finally, open your mind and learn from people because you never know what valuable memories they have to offer!

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UB ALUMNI

ASK ALUMNI:

GOH JIA HAO BY TANVEEN VOHRA Q: What are you doing right now? A: The last two years I’ve been doing my PhD in SMU, specialising in organisational psychology. As part of the curriculum, I have to take on some lecturing and teaching duties at the university. In the meantime, I’m doing an ad hoc job designing music programmes for children. Q: What made you choose psychology as your major? A: When I first started, I just really wanted a career where I got to work with people. Out of the options available, psychology resonated with me the most. I was able to learn about people’s behaviour and get a chance to interact with people. I was sort of convinced to go to UB because of the attractive curriculum based on projects. Q: You graduated with highest honours and a 3.9 GPA, how were you able to maintain such good academic standing? A: I guess what really helped me was that I was the one who chose it. I really was interested in what I was doing so I didn’t find it a chore to attend class and maintain a good GPA. Of course, something that really helped me was that while the lecture notes were important and so were the lecturers, whenever I saw new content, I would always research and go further in it when I got home just out of interest, so I’d end up knowing more about it than the textbook did. Additionally, the lecturers at UB really make you work for learning and not just results, so that really helped. Q: Was it difficult for you to maintain a good balance between school and social life? How did you overcome this? A: I was still very active in my CCAs and volunteering in the community. I guess the social life still goes on, but when it’s time to study you really do have to focus on just that, and set other things aside. It was mostly about good time management. I had very little sleep [laughs], so I had to sacrifice that. Mostly I just ran on 3-4 hours of sleep. You really do have to make tough decisions.

Q: Would you say that your education at SIM-UB prepared you for the workplace? A: After UB I went directly to a PhD programme, where I had to teach. The UB programme really helped me with the writing. Also, the other people in my programme from local universities had a hard time structuring their syllabus and presenting it in an interesting way. It was easier for me to present it in a way the students will accept and understand because of all the presentations I had to do in SIM-UB. I also think that for future jobs, good communication skills is the biggest asset of a UB student, giving us an edge over local students. Q: What are some of your hobbies? A: I’ve been playing the saxophone since my secondary school days. It’s something I play regularly, playing in bands and in ensembles. Of course, that translates a little into my job as well. I work with a local SME to create classes for children. My interest is in music, but I have this knowledge of psychology. So I combined both to come up with music classes based on developmental psychology, to help children develop multiple skills and learning abilities through music. Q: What would be your advice for current students at SIM-UB? A: I guess schooling days are the best time, but I would say that they should make use of their time to not only study but gain experiences as well. When you go into the job world, you’ll find that people want people who have experience. You can gain experience through ad hoc work, and through research opportunities within the university. All this adds up to work experience for a good first job. For example, I find myself applying for my first job to more senior or more highly coveted positions in the job market, because of all my years of experience while I was studying. I couldn’t have done that if I hadn’t started during my university times.

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BUSINESS

START OR CLIMB BY NICHOLAS CHOW

he modern world braced itself to leap over into a new millennium almost 17 years ago. As the clocks reset and the vast majority of people were looking on with fear and wondering if the Y2K bug would wreck havoc on the global information infrastructure, one important piece of data was overlooked by many. Since then, the world has successfully attained a global employment percentage of 61.5% due to its rapid technological advancements and expanding knowledge-bases. Luckily for us, new jobs are created on a daily basis. With the proper credentials, the occupational choices open to one are innumerable. One trend we can see in this technological age is a lot of small-scale high-impact corporations, often focusing on selling Software as a Service or disruption/innovation models, aka start-ups, entering the market. They are interwoven into the hitherto unchanged web of how business is done by traditional corporations and opening up job opportunities for those searching for alternative environments to contribute to. There are many articles comparing the two, but today, let us explore what it means for a fresh university graduate to choose one over the other.

Source: The Guardian, 80000Hours.org Photos courtesy of Pexels.com

Start-ups

Cool chic offices, office pets, and flexible work commitments are some among the numerous perks one can look forward to getting when working for a startup. Generation Y and Z workers place a high level of importance on maintaining a balanced social life, and the work culture of startups provides just that. A cornucopia of learning experiences is presented, ownership is at an all-time high, given that choices you make might alter the makeup of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policies to the foundation. For a university graduate, that would mean that if you execute well, it will give a positive boost to your resume. However, you might be working for less than your peers in the big firms. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a huge payoff when the start-up exits well or goes public, but do some due diligence beforehand. At the current market saturation of start-ups, a large majority of them do not make it past round two.

Large Firms

Rigid promotion structures, formal corporate etiquette, specialised training and a wide range of professional contacts entices plenty of fresh graduates to start the climb up the corporate ladder. Graduates looking to develop and hone the skills they learnt in university would be better suited working in a consistent, lower-pressure environment, with mentorship and constructive feedback offered by superiors in performance reviews. Do well, and you will be financially and positionally rewarded. Being a small fish in a big pool, the results of the whole firm working together to swim towards a common goal could reach an astounding scale. However, getting everyone to work together can be a major problem, i.e. office politics. Do look forward to a notably larger pay packet and making big decisions once you reach the upper rungs of the corporate ladder. However, diligence and hard work are necessary to reap the benefits of the system.

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TV SHOWS

TV SHOWS TO BINGE WATCH

BY ZACHARY SOH

Girl is kidnapped and trapped in an underground bunker by a doomsday cult leader, who tells her that the apocalypse is coming. She remains stuck there with three other women, only to be rescued 15 years later. The show follows the story of Kimmy Schmidt, now 29 years old, determined to adjust back to normal life. Utterly clueless about the modern world, Kimmy meets everything with wide-eyed curiosity and childlike enthusiasm. But she is a child in an adult’s body. From using outdated lingos, struggling with selfies, and saying things like “hash brown no filter”, Kimmy has a lot to learn – and the show seizes the opportunity to crack smart jokes about the 21st century. Along with her for the ride is her flamboyant actor-singer wannabe roommate, Titus Andromedon, her landlord, Lillian Kaushtupper, an eccentric elderly woman, and her boss, Jacqueline Voorhees, a rich but hilariously insecure and oblivious socialite. Given its unusual premise, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is light-hearted, goofy and charming – all at the same time.

Set in New York City, Brooklyn Nine-Nine revolves around a team of detectives. This police sitcom is an ensemble comedy, which means you can expect a clash of wildly different personalities and a lot of laughs. Amongst the crew is Jake Peralta, a skilled but childish cop, and his boss, Captain Ray Holt, a stern, no-nonsense supervisor. Other characters include Jake’s (over)eager sidekick Charles Boyle, Rosa Diaz, a mysterious and intense detective, and self-obsessed office assistant Gina Linetti, who dishes sassy GIF-worthy quotes at every turn. Throw in a couple of quirky criminals, ridiculous interrogations and a ‘will-they-won’t-they’ romance, and you get the comedic masterpiece that is Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

BoJack Horseman Back in the 90’s, he was the star of a wildly successful sitcom, and he had it all – the fame, money and looks. But fast forward twenty years later: The series has long ended, he’s gained weight and he drinks all day. He even watches DVDs of his old sitcom over and over again. This adult cartoon centres on BoJack Horseman, a washed-up Hollywood star who struggles to regain his relevance in a world full of younger, sexier celebrities. And yes, this show is set in a world where anthropomorphic animals live alongside with humans. But don’t underestimate how deep this show can get. As the series progresses, it explores deeper issues as BoJack navigates through romance, identity issues, self-doubt, and his various relationships with the people in his life who genuinely care for him, but who he seems to keep hurting over and over again – and he really screws up. A refreshing mix of dark humour and drama, BoJack Horseman is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.

Image courtesy of FOX

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Image courtesy of Netflix

get it – life is tough, and university is hard. After a long day in school, sometimes a good show is all you need. So here are three hilarious comedy shows on Netflix right now that you can watch, especially for those days when How To Get Away With Murder is a little too intense for a school night.

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GAMING

BY CASPER TAN

Image courtesy of Kurechii

Image courtesy of Devolver Digital

MOBILE EDITION

okémon Go is so 2016! Time for some new mobile games to make your phone great again! Our guest writer, our ex Editor-in-Chief has downloaded and tested over 9000 (an exaggeration) mobile games! Here are his picks for the best games for that long trip to school, or those short business meetings in the toilet…

Reigns ($4.48, iOS and Android): Postknight (Free, iOS and Android): Have you ever wanted to be two things at once, but society said no? Now you can! Live out your greatest fantasy of being a Postman & a Knight at the same time! From durians to a potion labelled “KABOOM”, Postknight’s motto of delivering anything to anywhere is true! This bitesized game is absolutely charming 8 with its adorable art style, great 10 soundtrack, and simple gameplay. Go forth and deliver!

Image courtesy of Oddboy, App Arcanum Limited

Image courtesy of Vile Monarch

Tinder for Kings! And Queens! Swipe left and right to guide your kingdom to victory or die trying! In Reigns, as ruler of the realm, you get to make all the important decisions for the kingdom. Stuff like building a church, rescuing a damsel from a dragon, raising prices of bread, all require your approval. But each decision has its consequences! Keep the balance between your wealth, military strength, popularity and holiness (?) or you will DIE! This simple card-based “choose your own adventure” game is quirky, fun and 9 simply ridiculous. Keep swiping to 10 discover dozens of endings and dozens of ways to die!

Jrump (Free): MAKE THE GALAXY GREAT AGAIN! The Donald has conquered Earth and is looking to expand his empire! Draw walls for Trump to jump on, avoid the bad hombres and jetpack-riding Democrats on the way up and reach for the stars! Listen to great soundbites from The Donald, dress him up in fabulous costumes and spin Donald’s Winning Wheel! A hilarious game based on a hilarious person, what could be better than this? In this era of alternative facts and fake news, 11 Jrump isn’t the game we deserve, but 10 it’s the game we need right now.

Oh…Sir! The Insult Simulator ($2.99, iOS and Android): Everyone needs this game. Learn the tips and tricks to craft the perfect insult! Piece together an insult from the words provided, avoid the grammar errors, drink tea and insult your opponent! The ruder the insult, the more damage your opponent takes! Oh…Sir! has full voice acting so you can hear your perfectly worded insults read out in a smooth British accent. It’s 10 hilarious to hear scathing insults being 10 articulated so perfectly, politely and with such… emotion.

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MUSIC

STOPGAP/GIG CULTURE BY CHRISTIAN SNG

#nowplaying – Tough Nut To Crack by Stopgap

hat more is there to be said about Indie/Surf Rock outfit Stopgap but that you can expect nothing less than an honest (albeit rather intoxicated) good time. We trace the quintet’s roots back to 2011, in which they have since graced a multitude of stages including that of the ever-so-iconic BayBeats Festival, and even international stages in India and Melbourne, Australia. The infectious blend of good ol’ surf rock riffs, groovy disco motifs, and that signature brand of intense energy has earned the band many achievements such as winning the Noise Singapore Award in 2013, and having tracks like ‘Nervous’ and ‘Crossing Swords’ from their full-length album, ‘Totems’ (2015) continually gaining hype and air-time on Singaporean radio. After two years of back to back adventure for the band (2015/2016), when asked what can be expected of 2017, here’s what the guys had to say: “In 2017 we plan to just sit back and sip on some Gin and Tonic. Or go to RK house for some teh. I kid, we’re currently writing more material and are aiming to start recording before 2017 comes to a close.” Stopgap is Adin Kindermann (Lead Vocalist), Lee Yew Jin and Calvin Phua (Guitars and Backup Vocalists), Grayson Seah (Bassist), and Eldad Leong (Drummer). Instagram: @stopgapband Facebook: www.facebook.com/stopgapband Spotify: Stopgap

Photos courtesy of Lenne Chai and Beng Hui Eu

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MUSIC

Live Music & Gig-Culture in Singapore

WITH ADIN KINDERMANN OF STOPGAP

There’s really nothing better than watching musicians at the top of their craft pour out their souls to their fans and listeners in a manner most heartfelt. Stopgap does exactly that, and so much more. It was such a privilege to watch passion, emotion, maturity, and genuine honesty transcend mere music – especially in such a level of energy and intensity. So, who better to ask about Live Music and Gig Culture but the guys who are at the top of this game here in the Lion City! Adin Kindermann, head honcho and lead vocalist of Stopgap answers some eye-opening questions on the state of live music in Singapore, shedding light on some things you might have never guessed about our gig scene. What is the state of live music/gig culture in Singapore? I think it’s pretty saturated at the moment, almost every weekend (or even the occasional weekday) you’d be able to find an original Singaporean music gig. The audience base is growing too I think, more and more people are showing up to gigs, having a full-house (given they’re not huge venues) are starting to become a normal thing. We need more mid-sized venues to accommodate our growing scene! Singaporean gig culture, then (when you first started gigging/when you first started attending gigs) versus now, how has it changed? The gigs that I go to now (compared to then) are different too so I don’t know if this is a fair representation. There are more people that show up to gigs, possibly due to better promo and gig-listing sites like Bandwagon (shout-out), I personally feel like there are more gigs of varying genres. There’s still the “usual” crowd though, play often enough and you’ll see the same faces at local shows, god bless their faces and souls.

With the sudden explosion in awareness and consumption of talent in the industry, do you feel that, as a scene, we are moving too fast (too many gigs, too little acts)? I don’t think that’s an issue, if we’re moving fast, that means there’s a demand. But in our case, it’s mostly our pop artists that are making new ground. They’re creating a new awareness for locally made music and the rest of us gotta get our asses up in that field of vision. We do see events organised with the same couple of acts again here and there, but that just means the performance opportunity is there, but there aren’t enough bands in the organisers’ field of vision. In my opinion, that is. Describe an amazing live show to me, as the performers, and as part of the audience. An amazing live show to me is all about sincerity. When you can tell the artist is putting out genuine emotion, putting themselves out there for the audience, the crowd responds – and when that happens, it’s magic. This is true both as a performer and as an audience member. Of course, booze helps and being part of the community helps, but at its core it’s all about that emotional/human connection. And there you have it, whether we have been aware of it or not, gig and music culture in Singapore has been evolving over the last decade, and even more rapidly so in the recent years. Slowly the stigma against locally brewed art is lifting as our society realises the crazy amount of talent that is literally overflowing from our little red dot. So what’re you waiting for, grab a loved one, grab a beer, and grab a spot at the next gig you find! GIG FINDERS: www.bandwagon.asia/ www.singaporegigs.com/

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MUSIC

Album art credit: Velvet Blue Music

Albums

You’re Missing Out On

Low Wishes (2013) Air Review

Ever wondered what dreams getting dashed in adolescence sound like? Here’s a sample. If it’s of any consolation, the verses are beautiful and the melodies are comforting, like a hug from a timetravelling future you.

BY ZACHARY SOH & CASIA CHEW

Album art credit: Polyvinyl Records

Faves: Rebel, H, My Automatic

Album art credit: V2 Records

Album art credit: Fat Possum

ook, we love the new Coldplay song as much as the next person. But when popular songs like that get old (and we all know how they get overplayed on radio), discovering new bands should be your next course of action. So here are 10 cool indie albums you can check out – ranging from catchy pop beats to garage rock, chill tunes to dance music. The best part? You don’t have to worry about hearing them on the radio five times a day (unless you play them on repeat yourself!).

The Year of Hibernation (2011)

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)

Being No One, Going Nowhere (2016)

Chill tunes accompanied by soft, echoey vocals – it’s like Youth Lagoon is serenading to you from another dimension. This album is perfect background music for when you’re studying, working on assignments, or just laying in bed on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

One catchy pop-rock song after another, with the exception of the break in the first half with the diegetic two-parter that opened and closed Sofia Coppola’s film, Somewhere. That’s what you get with this album by the French band who always write hooks you can’t help singing along to.

Adept at churning out dance music that aren’t utter gibberish, STRFKR is back with tunes that transport you to space. These tracks reflect their usual upbeat and euphoric style, after the slight detour to the beach that came with their super chill previous album, Miracle Mile.

Youth Lagoon

Faves: Cannons, 17, Daydream

Phoenix

Faves: 1901, Lasso, Rome, Armistice

STRFKR

Faves: Satellite, Never Ever, Open Your Eyes, Dark Days

MUSIC

Album art credit: Young Turks

Album art credit: Virgin Records

Album art credit: Moshi Moshi Records

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Portamento (2011)

Inside In/Inside Out (2006)

I See You (2017)

Portamento sounds like a dark cloud passing by, except that you’re the dark cloud and you’re optimistic about that fact. Despairing lyrics layered over cheerful notes, a kind of merry melancholy they seem to find effortless in conveying in their music.

This debut album didn’t receive as much attention as it should have, since Arctic Monkeys released theirs just a few days before The Kooks did. Like an underrated distant relative, they were overshadowed despite a string of impressive singles including She Moves In Her Own Way and Naïve.

Known for their intimate vocals and alluring pieces, The xx is back with a fresh, bolder vibe with their newly-released album, I See You – and it’s a gem. From selfdoubt to feelings of anxiety on the dancefloor, the track lyrics remain as emotional as they are poignant.

The xx

The Kooks

Faves: Book of Revelation, Days, Money

Faves: Replica, On Hold, Say Something Loving

Album art credit: Wolf Tone, Caroline International Harvest

Album art credit: Marathon Artists, House Anxiety, Milk! Records, Mom + Pop Music

Faves: Sofa Song, Eddie’s Gun, Matchbox

How To Be A Human Being (2016)

Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (2015)

A quintessential indie rock album, How To Be A Human Being is great for any occasion. Serving catchy beats, fun lyrics and groovy rhythms, this feel-good album is great as a midday pick-me-up (especially for those long breaks between classes that we all hate).

An all-round superb garage-rock album that guarantees a good time. Fusing solid rock beats, selfdeprecating musings and morbid humour, Courtney Barnett relates to all of us in that she is in love, depressed and cynical – and this album is just that.

Faves: Season 2 Episode 3, The Other Side of Paradise, Pork Soda

Fave: Elevator Operator, Pedestrian at Best, An Illustration of Loneliness (Sleepless in New York)

Glass Animals

Courtney Barnett

Album art credit: 4AD

The Drums

Art Angels (2015) Grimes

Not for the faint-hearted. This dizzying technopop album is funky and frankly, a little bit weird. But Grimes delivers in Art Angels with her unusual lyrics and refreshingly girly vocals, pushing the boundaries of pop music as we know it all at the same time. P.S. Watch her music videos. They are… quirky. Faves: Realiti, Kill V. Maim, Flesh Without Blood, Butterfly

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FOOD

Gastronomical U

BY ZACHARY SOH & CASIA CHEW

Adventures with Zac and

Casia

Bored of school food? So are we. Whether it’s post-class hunger pangs, a desperate need for a change of scenery, or boredom during those long breaks between classes, we got you. From Thai mookata to chicken rice, we’ve narrowed down four places in Clementi you can hop over to with your friends (and we’re not going to tell you to eat at AlAzhar like everyone else does). Don’t say bo jio!

Evertop Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice 354 Clementi Avenue 2 #01-259 S(120354)

Look, we get it – our school doesn’t have a chicken rice stall. But fret no more – for those days you just want your Singaporean comfort food fix, Evertop Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice satisfies. It is quick, simple and relatively affordable (a standard plate of chicken rice costs $4.80. They allow free soup refills!). The place has a wide range of chicken rice dishes – from your good old regular Hainanese chicken rice to more unique ones like Thai-style chicken rice. Plus, it is halal-certified!

Chai Ho Satay (财好沙爹) 448 Clementi Market & Food Centre 448 Clementi Avenue 3 #01-10 S(120448)

Despite its long queue, Chai Ho remains one of our go-to stalls for when we crave satays. Not only are they the cheapest in Singapore (probably) at only 42 cents per stick, the lovingly charred juicy bits of meat burst with flavours of an amazing marinade! For those who can’t imagine eating meat without fats, the pork satay is what you are looking for. If you prefer lean meat, the chicken satay is nothing short of perfect either. They come with heaps of peanut sauce to go with; it’s great for the spicyintolerant and it isn’t overly oily too, so dip away!

P.S. Head there before 7pm as they sell out quite early, and take note that they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

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FOOD

Ootoya Japanese Restaurant (大戸屋) The Clementi Mall 3155 Commonwealth Avenue West #03-53 S(129588)

Who doesn’t love a good hearty Japanese meal? Certainly not us, especially when you can get this good a quality at such a reasonable price! Tucked away in an obscure corner and overshadowed by the more prominent Starbucks, the modest façade is hardly representative of what they have to offer. From seasonal menus to comfort food and palatable desserts, Ootoya serves up without disappointment. It’s as if nothing you order can ever taste bad. We still find it hard to turn down the simple oyako don, a rice bowl topped with tender pieces of seared chicken and runny eggs that melt in our mouths in sync with the melting of our hearts. They seem to be understaffed, so service may not be as immediate as ideal, but they do exhibit the Japanese hospitality that harmonise with their interior décor. The cosy family restaurant has tatami seating if you fancy dining like the natives do. Now, we’ll let you in on a secret since you read The Buffalo Horn – they have a students & SAF special menu offering donburi and noodle sets for only $11.50! You can choose from three types of donburi and a hot/cold mini udon/soba, and they come with pickles, chawanmushi, a small dessert and free-flow tea. For less than $15, you’ll find yourself sated and in heaven. You’re welcome!

Happy Mookata Sunset Way 106 Clementi Street 12 #01-46 S(120106)

We love a good all-you-can-eat a la carte buffet. Conveniently located just three bus stops away from school, Happy Mookata boasts a wide variety of meats, mouth-watering fried food, and your standard steamboat ingredients like noodles, vegetables and crab sticks. But the restaurant is probably best known for its nacho cheese dip, which tastes amazing with their popcorn chicken and french fries. The service is great too – the food arrives quickly and the servers are attentive. There is also an ice-cream bar! Keep in mind that drinks are not part of the $25.90 nett per pax buffet (you don’t even get water). A glass of Thai Iced Milk Tea costs $2.50, and it’s pretty good. But not that good if you’re going to spend hours there because you’re going to get thirsty and order seconds. So come prepared with your own drinks! Also, if you’re like us and you hate that post-barbecue smell, request to sit at the outdoor area. You’ll thank us later. P.S. Mookata tastes especially good after completing a huge group project. Post-exam feasts are great too.

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ASK UB

! Y E V L E MCK BY NICHOLAS CHOW

Q: What are your comfort dishes in America and Singapore? A: In America, it’s Ted’s Hot Dogs – delicious charcoal-grilled hot dogs from Buffalo. In Singapore, there are many local dishes that I enjoy, but my favourite is kaya toast. Q: If you had a round-the-world ticket that allowed you to stop in five countries, which five would you choose and why? A: I would try to visit each continent or region of the world outside of my place of origin in North America. In Asia, I would visit Mongolia to experience the unique lifestyle and natural beauty; in Africa I would go to Tanzania to see the exotic wildlife; in South America I would visit Uruguay, which is said to have the best weather in the world; I would surely visit New Zealand; finally, I would like to revisit Ireland, from whence my ancestors immigrated to America. I had visited there over 30 years ago, but would like to see how it has changed since then. Q: Do you have any pets? A: No, but my wife has some lovely fishies. Q: What do you work towards in your free time? A: In my free time, I follow the news of football and college basketball from the U.S., and work on my dissertation. Q: What was the last gift you gave someone? A: I gave a gift certificate and matching T-shirts to my wife on Valentine’s Day.

Q: What is your favourite song from the 80’s? A: There are so many great songs from the 80’s that it’s hard to think of one in particular, but the song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (1985) by Tears for Fears always brings back fond memories of sunny summer days at the beach. Q: In eight words or less, prepare a sales pitch to entice UB students in Singapore to spend some time in the main campus. A: There is no substitute for international study experience. Q: Does UB have any plans for Singapore in the middle to long term? A: We are planning to stay here for many years to come and to continue building our reputation. Our UB brand has been in Singapore for over 20 years, and our undergraduate programmes have been running for 13. So we now have a robust alumni community that can help us leverage on our success so far. The quality of our graduates is what really makes us stand out in the Singapore educational landscape – but we have to work hard to make ourselves recognised amidst the local competition!

Photos courtesy of Kevin McKelvey

T H E B U F F A L O H O R N – S P R I N G 2 017 Q: As the world develops and more sophisticated software and Artificial Intelligence replaces human labour, do you think tertiary education will have as much weight 50 years down the road as it does now? A: Yes, and perhaps even more so. While computer technology and robots will no doubt take over many of the mundane tasks in the coming years, I think there will always be a demand for graduates who have keen critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For this reason, I expect that the liberal arts orientation toward education will become increasingly relevant, as a good liberal arts foundation can help students see across the boundaries of narrow academic “silos” to the “big picture”. In my opinion, this is one critical area where the human mind will likely maintain an advantage over AI for many years to come.

ASK UB

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to a student… …who has just joined our tightly knit UB family as a freshman? A: As quickly as possible, without delay or hesitation, force yourself out of your comfort zone and make every effort to participate actively in class. Preparation is key, so coming to class with your questions and comments will make it a lot easier. UB programmes are designed to help students excel by doing instead of listening, and class participation is a vital component of the process. The sooner you dive in, the farther along you’ll be by the time you graduate. …who is struggling halfway through their course? A: Straight away, approach the instructors during consultation hours. Although it may feel uncomfortable to seek help at first, instructors here are more than happy and willing to help. Again, participate in class to show the instructor that you care and are here to learn, and you’ll get participation points for it. The system is designed to help you. …who is graduating and looking for a job? A: Don’t wait until graduation to start looking for jobs. Make every use of your time while you are still in school to form relationships and make connections. Have self-confidence and capitalise on what you have learnt beyond the subject matter in your programme, such as presentation skills and the ability to work effectively on group projects. Also, MGG300 and COM317 are good skills courses that teach you how to build a good cover letter and resume, interview skills, and so on. Finally, take advantage of the services that are offered by SIM’s career development office. It’s a great place to start networking!

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ARCHIVE

SIM-UBSC Presents:

UB Dinner and Dance 2016 BY PRANAMMEKA SATHYA

he evening of November 25th, 2016 saw the end-of-year UB event hosted by SIM-UB Student Council (SIM-UBSC) – Anchored! Held at the Joyden Hall atop Bugis+, this nautical-themed Dinner and Dance (D&D) was organised by SIM-UBSC, who meticulously planned the entire event from start to end – the catering of an 8-course meal, nautical-inspired décor, audience-engaging games, filled goody bags, and an evening of performances and entertainment. The D&D followed a nautical theme, with many not only wearing suit-and-tie attire but others also coming dressed as sailors and pirates. After being ushered in, the evening kicked off to a great start with a welcome address by our Resident Director, Mr. Kevin McKelvey, sporting a jaunty yacht club jacket and an anchor-dotted polo. The hosts of the event, Beston Toh and Soniya Selvaraju, filled the room with smiles and laughter with light jokes, witty banter and smooth transitions between the performances and meals. The performances were by the finalists of UBTalented, a talent show held alongside Welfare Week where SIM-UB students could unleash their talents. Anchored saw a variety of performers on stage – singers, dancers, and even live bands! And all through a hearty 8-course Chinese meal. The audience comprised students, alumni and faculty alike, all connected through the warm atmosphere of the hall.

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“UB has and always will be a part of my life. But the end of year D&D just makes everything better, bringing students of all years back together, to celebrate a night for ourselves and our school. It just goes to show that the D&D is a wonderful opportunity for students like me, to give back to the community and to bond with my peers.”

Photos courtesy of ShutterGems

- Gabriel Seow, Attendee

“I was moved by how our UB students followed their dreams on stage in such spectacular and entertaining ways. They are innovative, clever, and talented! I was also impressed by how all the student volunteers worked to create an effortless flow to the evening and so lovingly supported each other during the event. They convinced me that the SIM-UB students are casing, communityminded, and good friends to each other.”

ARCHIVE

“It was a great feeling to be back for this year’s D&D as a participant and I am extremely proud of the Student Council for all their effort in once again making this event such a memorable one. It was truly a night to remember – where the student body and instructors could just let loose, dress up, and be their own bull-tiful selves.” - Natasha Tan, Attendee

“This year’s D&D was great! It was a really good opportunity for me to see my friends, which is really difficult now that most of us have already graduated and have started working. The student council really put a lot of hard work into it and they should be proud that it was such a massive success! Can’t wait for next year’s D&D.” - Lim Lianxin, Director of Events, SIM-UBSC (2015)

- Dr. Kenton Anderson, Professor

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COUNCIL

BY PRANAMMEKA SATHYA

oresight, Understanding, Teamwork, Unity, Resilience, Efficiency and Success – the principles by which the Student Council (SIM-UBSC) outline their tasks for the semester ahead, be it for organising events, looking out for student welfare, or printing The Buffalo Horn. This Spring semester saw the beginning of another chapter for SIM-UBSC for the year 2017, and it started off on a strong note with the inaugural Council Leadership Camp! FUTURES, a two-day one-night camp, was held on the 17th and 18th of February to introduce the new members to the current members of SIM-UBSC, and to strengthen the bonds within all the council members through games and activities. Each team in the camp was led by a SIM-UBSC Executive Committee member, with each team name corresponding to a certain principle. The teams had a healthy mix of members from all three departments in council (Events, Publications and Welfare) so as to encourage interdepartmental bonding. The camp commenced at 7pm on the 17th of February. The initial few games, held after having dinner together, included dance-offs between the six competing teams, and a strategy-based activity, in which all teams had to brainstorm and design a game after being briefly shown some set logistics. The dawn of the 18th of February saw everyone get ready for a goal-setting activity wherein council members could think about and share their hopes for what they wanted to learn through being in SIM-UBSC. The Directors of Events, Publications and Welfare

shared their goals for the year ahead, giving the department members a stronger idea of what will be happening through the year. Members shared about what they looked forward to do in SIM-UBSC as well. After hearty conversations and networking, everyone moved to Changi Beach where a variation of Captain’s Ball was set up in which all six teams could compete with each other – but through levels, with each level posing a different challenge, such as playing in total silence. After a quick lunch, the second game commenced – a game in which all team members had to cross a large stretch of land to get to the other point, but only using one shoe each from only half of the members in each team, i.e. a team of six having to cross over with only three shoes in total. Both games tested the members’ communication skills, how they strategised and how they executed their plans. The camp was filled with activities, games and opportunities to get to know each other, and doubled as a SIM-UBSC mass-cohesion as well. With the SIMUBSC members having a better understanding of what SIM-UBSC is all about and a clear and direct idea of what the upcoming year will entail, we hope to bring the general student body even more events, welfare and publications. Following the 2016 SIM-UBSC motto – we are for the students, by the students!

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