Yes, welcome to my RSP blog! 8D

This entry is dedicated to briefly explaining the RSP to allow the reader to gain a greater insight into the RSP before reading more about it.

The RSP actually stands for Regional Studies Programme, and this programme has also been implemented in 3 other schools:

RAFFLES INSTITUTION (RI)
VICTORIA SCHOOL (VS)
ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL (INDEPENDENT) (ACS(I))

but RGS is the only girls' school to have such a programme! :D

This is the first time such a programme has been implemented in Singapore, making sec1'08 batch the pioneer batch.

The programme differs from MSP, the Malay Special Programme, in which students are taught to speak, read and write in Bahasa Melayu.

The Regional Studies Programme, on the other hand, features two components, the language component, and the USEA component.

The language component is basically the study of Bahasa Melayu and we learn to read, speak and write the Malay language.

But the unique component in the RSP is the

Understanding Southeast Asia Module

I really cannot describe this module in just a few words cos there's just too much, but suffice it to say that it encompasses studying the culture, politics, economy of the various Southeast Asian cultures, and this can be studied by visiting various ethnic enclaves in Singapore.

There's too much to describe for this module, so I would suggest reading my other entries :D

The 'slogan' of the RSP is

Our Region, Our Heritage, Our Future

This basically means the study of Southeast Asia, since we ARE in SEA anyway. And we have to know about our past, reflect on our mistakes and our glories, which all contribute to who we are today, as a nation, region, and as one Southeast Asia. The study will leave us better equipped to deal with what is most likely to happen, and this will create a better future for Southeast Asians.

With this, I end my introduction and move further in depth to reflect on the curriculum. :D

While we're introducing everything, I might as well introduce myself.

My name is Vivian Chew
I'm in RGRSP
My other CCAs include NCC(Air) Math Society LYFE (Environment Club)
I love my house WADDLE and my class110'08

I love playing the piano travelling the world reading doing math

The aspect I'm going to focus on for this blog is fashion

My overall theme of my blog is unity in diversity

I joined the RSP because

I thought it was fun.ITS AWESOME<3
The USEA module fascinated me.
I love studying politics, economics etc.
I thought it would be a chance for me to travel the region while staying in Singapore.
I wanted to know more about the culture.
I knew that this programme would give me the exposure I wanted and would never have have received.

that's how I would introduce myself. But how would I introduce myself as an RSP student?

I guess it would be something along the lines of

avid reader of Southeast Asian culture

lover of our region

believer in our future

scholar of RGS :D

I really think that that is all that is needed to make a good RSP student. She need not be a youth ambassador of Singapore, but she needs to have the love for our region, to bother to make an effort to help make Southeast Asia a better place for all. She needs to be optimistic, to believe that Southeast Asian nations have a lot ahead of them, and we have to have courage to overcome any difficulties we may encounter. We need to believe that the future is bright, and must be sufficiently well-read and aware to make the apprioprate choices.

And of course, because the school is offering a scholarship for most of us to take the RSP, we're a scholar of RGS too! :D

I believe this programme is going to work. Our batch has the hunger for new knowedge, the willpower to never give up even when it's hard to cope, and most importantly, the desire to do what is best for our region.

RGRSP rocks our socks.

I suppose I should explain my blogskin first. Basically, this blogskin is about how fashion is an international language, and everyone can learn much from understanding others' clothes, jewellery and such. It has been said that Math is the international language, but I feel that while Math is an international language, fashion is too. It is a statement of an individual's personality, and more importantly, their cultural background and personal beliefs. Hence, fashion is an integral part of Southeast Asia, and is unique to each and every Southeast Asian country. This is the theme that I will be focusing on in this blog in order to explain culture of Southeast Asian nations. Fashion is something that will always change, yet is a constant in our very own Southeast Asian culture.

MY EVERYDAY NEED`