Monday, October 15, 2012
And so, the IMF WB annual meetings have come to an end.
Here I am typing this back at Singapore.
It has been an amazing experience. Once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experience. I feel honestly sad as I'm typing this, because it all ended so quickly. But I feel so honoured, so happy, so proud at the very same time.
I met so many wonderful people who were truly doing things to make the world a better place.
I made so many new friends from all over the world. The Japanese friends that I've made were especially hospitable. We could just walk at the Tokyo International Forum, meet 3 Japanese students, and then go for lunch together. The next day, they brought 3 other new friends.
On the last night, there were more than 10 of us speaking in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean...
My 2 closest encounters with Singaporeans: a Japanese guy who studied at an international school in Singapore, and a French who is currently residing in Singapore. I only really met a Singaporean before I boarded the flight home lol.
The experience was just purely amazing and magical. I really miss those people and the place so much. We had our youth dialogue with the IMF Deputy Managing Director Ms Shafik that was live webcasted. Had an Asian CSOs dialogue with IMF Deputy Managing Director Mr Shinohara. CSO Townhall with IMF Managing Director Ms Christine Lagarde and World Bank President Mr Jim Yong Kim. I would never have dreamt of these encounters with these people, and even to ask them questions, interact with them, and take photographs with them. It's just crazy.
It was beautiful while it lasted. Till we meet again :') it's also time for me to start seriously considering learning Japanese.
