Quek Shiwei
Participant , Bryce Canyon (Xanterra), WAT USA 2009
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Before leaving Singapore, I was told I was “bent on pleasure again.” Perhaps that was true, but what I really sought was adventure. I had already seen much of Europe on exchange, yet I wanted a deeper experience — to live, work, and connect with people beyond fleeting sightseeing.
I joined the Work and Travel program and was assigned to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Working at the general store surrounded by people from around the world, I learned how to communicate beyond language and discovered how similar we all are at heart. My colleagues came from Slovenia, Russia, Germany, Taiwan, and the United States. Every conversation revealed how history and culture shape us, but also how shared hopes unite us.
The Americans I met were warm and inclusive. They invited me to gatherings, taught me to make s’mores, and answered my endless questions about life in the States. Their openness reminded me that kindness needs no borders.
Living with people of different backgrounds wasn’t always easy, but every challenge taught me patience and empathy. I learned to listen, to let go of small conflicts, and to value relationships over pride. Strangely enough, being far from home also helped me understand my own Singaporean identity.
I realized how unique it is to come from a place that bridges East and West, and how our multilingual culture naturally connects people.
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Beyond work, nature became my teacher. I spent my days hiking among the canyon’s red hoodoos, climbing rocky trails, and watching meteor showers under skies unspoiled by city lights. Each moment reminded me how small I am and how vast the world can be.
My summer at Bryce Canyon was a journey of courage, discovery, and humility. It taught me that adventure begins when we step beyond what’s familiar — and that the world feels much closer once we do.