On Thursday, 3rd of March 2016 ten of Liger students including me went to Singapore for the FLL robotics competition. This is my third time to go to Singapore and my second time to attend in this competition. Even though I went there for many times but I never feel that I am tired of this beautiful country.
One amazing thing is that I ride on two planes (because there’s no direct plane in the morning), our first stop was in Malaysia then Singapore. I feel really lucky that I am in three different countries (Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia). That helps me to compare between different countries and how can I help Cambodia to be a developed country like others.
Our first day in Singapore is quite late at night and everyone spread out to go with their host family. Most of my friends go with a pair except me and another boy, Theara that went alone. Even though I am alone amongst ten students I still feel happy and warm because of the wonderful host family. They made me feel really warm and enjoy Singapore. I live in an Australian family which are, Kylie (the mom), Judy (grandma), Charley (the only kid in that family) and last is Dad (I didn’t remember his name). Their family is hilarious, everyone know their roles pretty well. One this that I love about this family is that they try a lot of things, they don’t really get time to rest or stay at home for long. This family is such a great model for me to make myself busy all the time.
The second day is where the competition start. On that day we present our project to the judges. On our presentation we were just talking about some facts about plastic in Cambodia and problems. Then we explained our solution of making an INFOMERCIAL and recycled project. The judges gave us five minutes to set up projector and speaker, then they gave us another five minutes to present everything. After our presentation end our judges asked us many questions.
After our presentation the judges lead us to practice our robot on the board. I fell a little threatened because there’s a little problem with our color sensor, so our robot doesn’t really work effectively. We also explain the judges our program. It was a bit complicated to explain the judges our program because a lot other teams that explain at the same time with different judges. It was a bit noisy. We got to spent the whole day in the practice section.
At the end of the day, my host family took me to their apartment. Charley and Judy were the one that pick me up.
The next morning every team comes together to the competition. On that morning I can feel the crowded around me. There are around 200 teams attempt in the competition. As observe the other’s robot’s program was quite simple, but because of their unique design that helps them. On the competition time, every team has three tries on the competition board. I went up there for two times with my team mate. It was very scary but very fun at the same time.
Our robot has a little problem because our parts and sensors are too old and the board is so bright that the color sensor couldn’t read. This happen to our robot for three years already.
After everything is done, the judges add up scores and announce the winner. My team got third place on creative solutions (Infomercial and recycle). I felt ok, but I think if I have more time I would do better job than that.
At the end of day everyone rush out to their own places. On that day Kylie and Charley came and pick me up. We stopped on the way to the sport competition. Charley always try thing new in her life. That was the day that she run to be the best she can be. It was a pretty great with this beautiful family. There’s a lot more things that I can’t even describe. It was really sad too because we that was the last day of me staying in their place.
In the morning I packed everything into my to purse and head to UWCSEA (United World College of South East Asia). It was really sad to leave my host family but I am hoping that one day I will visit them again. Until the evening we spent our time to walk around Singapore.
The next morning we also spent our time to explore more about Singapore. It was a whole new experience because I’ve never explore around Singapore with the HOP-ON-HOP-OFF bus before. It was amazing to get to know more about Singapore and the history of it. We went through some places like the Merlion, Marina Bay Sand, Chinatown and more.
The next (last) morning we were getting ready to say goodbye to Singapore. We again have to ride on two planes. I didn’t really want to come back but Cambodia is also a beautiful country!
