Bandar Seri Begawan - The participants of the ship for Southeast Asia Youth Programme (SSEAYP) Brunei have returned enriched with insights into other Asian cultures.
Natasha Halim, the assistant youth leader for the participants of Brunei Darussalam, who had the opportunity to go on the ship for a period of 52 days alongside 28 other Bruneians, described the experience as overwhelming, as well a lifetime opportunity to know about other Asian cultures. The 2007 SSYEAP participants arrived home three nights` ago, after almost two months of journey from Japan to 10 of the Asean countries.
Natasha shared her experience of the journey and expressed her gratitude to have been a part of this team.
"We began with Japan, where we participated in the Youth Leader Summit. We were divided into several groups and were required to participate in various activities like discussion groups on cultural standings, the environment and such," she said.
The discussions allowed the 10 Asean countries to share all kinds of information, be it in the form of culture or tradition with each other as well as the Japanese participants.
"Most of the activities were centred on team building where everyone was given the opportunity to know one another and form some kind of friendship and exchange culture," She added: "The highlight of the journey was one particular cultural event where participants performed for an hour telling others about their country`s origin and culture. We did in the medium of dance," she said enthusiastically.
Natasha said that although it may not sound as fun on paper, it was actually interesting as all 11 countries got involved in the performance and that in turn took a lot of time on the ship.
"At the end of the day, the programme allowed us to gain a (deeper) understanding of our own culture, as on board the ship, you gain new experiences and meet new people and you just can`t help but share your culture," she said.
Natasha reminisced the last night prior to returning home when almost everyone didn`t wanted to go to sleep for fear of not spending enough time with the other participants.
She added that a sense of loss was felt at the end of the journey.
"Ultimately, a sense of sadness was inevitable but at the same time it was overwhelming and with the intention to keep in touch is always a problem but we all feel blessed for being given the opportunity, she said. Another Bruneian participant, Dk Noorakramen Khairin Pg Alimin, 22, who works in the government sector, said that the two-month trip was worth it, even though she suffered from sea sickness.
One benefit "was the opportunity to know about other cultures," she said.
She suggested that there has always been a misconception of some sort about the other Asean countries but with this trip, the stereotypes drifted away as we gained a better understanding through an exchange of culture on board the ship.
Understanding of one another`s culture was another benefit, she said.
"I find it difficult to describe my experience as one needs to experience it in order to have a better understanding of what the programme is all about," she said.
However, at the end of the day, she said that the participants all became one big family and a fusion of cultures was achieved.
Mohamad Mahadzir Iskandar Zakaria, 24, one of representatives of traditional culture during the programme for Brunei gained a lot from the programme.
Apart from the cultural exchange between the Asean countries besides Japan, he said: "We also made new friends and at the same time learned some new languages.
"The discussions and other activities that were conducted were a great opportunity for everyone to contribute something and in some way it also allowed us the opportunity to promote our own country to other people less aware of Bruneian culture," he said. The activities included kitemaking, folding of the dastar, which is a traditional and ceremonial headdress for men as well as the traditional adukaduk dance, he added.
The programme is based on the respective joint statement issued in 1974 between Japan and six Asean countries, but by 1999, had extended to all 10 Asean countries with more than 8,500 Asean and Japanese participants.
Source: www.brudirect.com (15 Desember 2007)