The Cambridge Dictionary defines home as a place where a person feels they belong. As such, a home inevitably plays a pivotal role in one’s life. Likewise, RVRC is home through one’s university journey. As a place of temporary permanence and comfort, how could one possibly, after 4 years of living here, not feel attached to the memories it holds? In conversation, 5 graduands from the NUS Class of 2024 take a moment to reflect on the transformative years they spent in the vibrant and nurturing RVRC community. Despite their differing experiences as Resident Assistants (RA), Senior Student Leaders (SSL) and Peer Student Supporters (PSS) at RVRC, a similarly shared sentiment to the indelible impact the college has had on their lives is unmistakable.
The notion of “opportunity” rang through all the reflections shared with us. For Aisha Shamsudin, RVRC allowed her to pursue several passion projects, “from making trendy tote bags out of upcycled clothes while learning more about sustainability, to leading the Peer Student Supporters in promoting and embracing mental wellness and well-being, as well as raising awareness about Islamic practices and Malay culture through the immersive Raya with Ridge events in 2023 and 2024.” Meanwhile, Natalie Ong recalled the times she represented RVRC in attending prestigious black-tie events such as Earthshot 2023, a once in a lifetime experience. Beyond that, the opportunity to be a student creative as a Year 1 student remains “one of the key catalysts in (her) university days”. “From running it (RVRC Social Media) as the sole assistant, to helming the RVRC Social Media Team across two years, the experience not only challenged my creativity but taught me essential soft skills as a leader, friend and person.”
Yong Jiayu recounted how the outdoor classroom opportunities at RVRC afforded him the experience of working as a Student Assistant for Kayak and Clean - a marine pollution awareness activity, as well as on an overseas field trip for the course RVN2002 to the Taman Negara (Malaysia) hiking trails: “Not only did this help me understand my juniors a lot better by leading them in the outdoors - watching them grow beyond their comfort zones, but the compromises and convincing needed to balance the needs of the coursework and students made for improving my problem-solving skills”. Khin Hnin Su mentioned how even two years on, the impact of the RVRC curriculum remains indelible as she fondly remembers her learning journey to Labrador Park as her site project for the course RVSS1000 - Exploring Sense of Place.
Despite the plethora of opportunities provided by RVRC, as evidenced in the graduands' anecdotes, we “often take them for granted”, Natalie suggests. It comes as no surprise that the Class of 2024 persevered in seizing every opportunity that came their way. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, these students had just joined RVRC as Year 1 students. In the subsequent year, Natalie took on the role of the Project Director for RVRC’s Freshman Orientation Programme 2021, running the camp completely online for 240 freshmen instead of in-person, as typically done. She added, “Most of all, RVRC showed me the importance of pushing through the challenges in pursuing your dreams, and that no idea is too small.” Similarly, for Hnin Su, organizing the RVRC Open House and Symposium in 2024 stretched her problem-solving and decision-making skills through overcoming various challenges. The RVRC experience has been one of personal growth and discovery for many, “by being a leader or simply a friend” in Jiayu’s words. Allowing her to gain confidence, grow as a person, and refine her leadership skills, Aisha is reminded of embracing every opportunity whilst being grounded and intentionally giving back to the college community.
The impact of living in RVRC for a significant duration of their university experience is undeniably remarkable, with many graduands astonished by all they have achieved. Beyond being a home for learning, RVRC is a home for the community. The graduands expressed gratitude for being a part of an environment filled with motivating, enthusiastic and supportive people through the years, and as Natalie eloquently put it, “it is truly the people who make a place”. Hnin Su reminisced on “the late preparation for events with (her) peers, chatting and laughing in the college Dining Hall”, Natalie recounted the “daily morning banter with the dining hall aunties to intellectual (and idealistic) conversations over dinner and walks to Supper Stretch”, portraying RVRC as a place in which lifelong friendships were forged. Meanwhile, Aisha added that the “5 a.m Sahoor sessions in the dining hall during Ramadan'' are memories she will always cherish, emphasizing the importance of community. Paralleling this act of sharing a meal, Jiayu expressed his gratitude towards every dinner (he has) shared with (his) fellow RAs. “Be it in the Dining Hall or self-cooked – they warmed my heart as much as it did my stomach, to be in the company of people I trust and treasure.”
Looking back fondly on playing at the Inter College Games (ICG), Oliver Zhang, an avid member of the Tchoukball interest group, highlighted this as a memory never to be forgotten. “The bonds forged through our training sessions and vibrant team spirit during competitions” he added, “ are a testament to how sports can unite people from all walks of life”, echoing how Hnin Su recalled being part of Concert by the Ridge (CBTR) as a dancer and emcee, as well as playing in ICG, creating treasured memories. So, whether it be having “heart to hearts till the wee hours of the morning with (her) friends” as she recounted or “the vibrant interest group community that help (him) make lasting friendships and memories to look back on” as described by Oliver, RVRC is a community that will follow them into the future.
It is apparent that RVRC has provided a wealth of experiences unlike none other. As a message to her mentors, Aisha is thankful for the support from the Resident Fellows, “for rooting for me in times of hardship and celebrating my best days”. Even after graduation, Oliver hopes to “remain involved in the RVRC community and continue to contribute to the place that has been such a pivotal part of (his) university journey.”
All in all, it is evident that RVRC has been a home - a “safe place” filled with “a sense of kampung spirit” as described by Aisha, that she will surely carry forward and seek to instill as she embarks on her professional journey as a Communications and New Media graduate. Particularly for Jiayu, “simply having a room on campus surrounded by a supportive community provided a safe place to explore my identity, which was incredibly empowering.” As many of them prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, they reflect on how the RVRC experience has inspired and influenced their career aspirations. Oliver mentions that “RVRC has facilitated his journey towards discovering his strengths” allowing him to find a suitable job that is both meaningful and purposeful.
“4 years of RVRC flew by in the blink of an eye. I’d change houses every year, but I’m in no way numb towards the changes that come with no longer having RVRC as an important part of my life.” As Jiayu succinctly continued, “Saying goodbye to my friends was hard, transitioning from university to adulthood even more so, but RVRC will continue to remain a core part of my ethos through these experiences and memories”. Summing up, Aisha eloquently added, “The world is my oyster, and I have RVRC to thank for showing me that.” Without a doubt, these graduands have left a permanent meaningful impact on our community. Congratulations to our Class of 2024! The RVRC family is proud of you.
