What’s it like to be a strong woman who represents her country abroad? Thirteen girls who won our Ambassador for a Day contest got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to find out.
In our March issue, as a salute to International Women’s Day, we launched a contest for girls ages 10 to 18 to spend a day with one of Singapore’s female ambassadors. Much to our delight, we were buried with applications from girls of all ages and nationalities. Narrowing it down to thirteen was incredibly hard as they were all excellent applicants.
And what days they had! Each winner’s experience was unique, with all the ambassadors and their staff really rolling out the red carpet for their “minis”. The girls learned about diplomacy, attended events and met interesting people – one even met the President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob! The Canadian High Commissioner also planned a luncheon for all who could attend. Some girls described their day as a life-changing experience.
We’re incredibly proud to have been a part of this initiative, and we’re happy to present the girls’ accounts of their experiences below!
Hui Yue Xi (Joyce) (18), Singaporean
School: St. Andrew’s Junior College
Ambassador: Margriet Vonno, Netherlands
Why did you want to be Ambassador for a Day?
To find out more about the career track of becoming a diplomat and the ambassador of my country as I’m considering taking Political Science at university.
How did you and the ambassador spend your time together?
Firstly, I met Ms Vonno at the Dutch Embassy; she’s a very pleasant and amiable woman. Her driver then took us to our first event of the day, Tulip Mania at Gardens by the Bay. When we arrived, we were treated as VIPs, and cameras started flashing in front of us – it was an eye-opening experience for me. We were given a tour of the Flower Dome and welcomed by the director of Gardens by the Bay; I even received a special gift from Royal Dutch Airlines.
After lunch with the other ambassadors and girls from the Ambassador for a Day programme, we went to an event where technological startup companies shared details about their innovations and new technologies; I was greatly awed by the presentations.
After a stop at Ms Vonno’s residence, where she gave me a thorough tour of her home and showed me many important artefacts, we headed to a final event at the Botanic Gardens, for a presentation by the Argentinian ambassador regarding flowers and fauna from Argentina that are displayed in the Gardens.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I thought I would probably attend one or two important events, but I ended up at events throughout the day, so it was much more meaningful than expected. I was surprised to get a customised lanyard with my name on it at one of the events; I never expected the organisers to be so thoughtful amidst their busy schedules.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
The insight I’ve gained into the career of an ambassador and working in the foreign service has enhanced my interest in Political Science, and I’d like to continue pursuing this track in the future.
Sofia Genato (13), Filipino
School: SOTA
Ambassador: Magdalena Bogdziewicz, Poland
Why did you want this opportunity?
Because a profession as a diplomat has always interested me. Even at a very young age, I wanted to work for the UN; this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was a taste of what it would be like.
How did you spend your time together?
We spent our time talking about current world issues, as well as Poland’s connections with Singapore. I was also very fortunate to join in a luncheon with the other female ambassadors and I got to talk to them, too.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise of the day?
I expected it to be a very fun, enriching and special learning experience and it really was. The biggest surprise was the luncheon. The experience was amazing – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Who gets to say, “I’ve eaten a meal with people I would like to grow up to be like”? And, to top it off, the food was very delicious.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
Before this experience, all I knew was that I wanted to work for the UN. Spending a day at the Polish Embassy showed me the different responsibilities of a diplomat and the team she relies on. As such, I now have a better picture of my role or entry point to this world, working in the communications department. She also encouraged me that, with hard work, I would be able to achieve whatever I want to, and that I should take all these experiences and learning opportunities to make a positive impact on our world.
Elliana Patel (11), Indian-American
School attending: UWCSEA (East Campus)
Ambassador: Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath, United States
Why did you want this opportunity?
I wanted to experience what a diplomat does on a day-to-day basis, and learn the inner workings of an embassy. I’m always looking to meet inspirational women in leadership positions.
How did you spend your time together?
We started our morning at the US Embassy where I not only met 12 inspiring colleagues of Ms Stephanie, but also received a behind-the-scenes tour of the US Embassy. I was fascinated to learn about the protocol for destroying classified information in case of emergency or attack. We then went to the Mastercard Innovation Center where I learned about stunning new technology that uses artificial intelligence to verify your data when purchasing through Mastercard. It gave me an insight into how the Ambassador works with American companies and connects them with the Department of Commerce. Afterwards, we headed to the AmCham 46th Annual Conference where I was lucky enough to meet the President of Singapore. We concluded our day by meeting Anthea Ong, a Nominated Member of Parliament. She is an activist for the unheard people in Singapore – the homeless, differently abled and poor – and I found her influential and inspiring. We discussed global issues like the Rohingya Muslim crisis and the effects of climate change on Antarctica.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I expected to meet interesting people and learn about the US Embassy, but my expectations were blown out of the water. I feel very fortunate to have gotten to spend the day with Ms Stephanie, an articulate, caring and impactful person. Her stories about raising her own daughters, the sacrifices she has made for her country, and her thoughts on how to be a better person were incredibly motivating.
The best surprise was the behind-the-scenes look I got of the embassy, and interacting with Pepper, an AI-enabled robot at the Mastercard Innovation Center.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
If people like Ms Stephanie, who wants to make change and solve problems, are in positions where they are being heard, our future will be bright. I aspire to be as respected and accomplished as her one day!
Rubab Khan (17), Pakistani
School: Overseas Family School
Ambassador: Anita Nergaard, Norway
Why did you want this opportunity?
To explore and learn. By gaining insight into the job of a female ambassador, I wanted to strengthen my understanding of cultural integration and of representing my country in an international environment. I also wanted to learn from fellow women how to approach challenges, communicate effectively, think smartly and handle people empathetically.
How did you spend your time together?
We first attended the Singapore Maritime Technology Conference (SMTC). I then had lunch with the ambassador and later attended some presentations from start-up companies. We also attended the SMTC R&D Seminar where awards were presented by Her Excellency. We ended the day with the Maritime Party of the Year, organised by the Norwegian Embassy.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
While I expected a learning experience, it went beyond my expectations. Not only did I gain knowledge from Her Excellency, I also received exposure to many other ambassadors, numerous chief executives, brilliant start-ups and more! It was unforgettable.
My day was packed with surprises, but if I were to choose one, it would be hearing the speech of Singapore’s Managing Director of Microsoft. It was truly enlightening, and gave a real insight into how the company is run.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
After this experience, I’m even more excited to pursue a career in economics, as my ambassador has a PhD in that field. It will be a great success for me if I’m able to take even a little part of the professional path she has taken.
Olivia Thacker (11), British
School: Dulwich College (Singapore)
High Commmissioner: N Lynn McDonald, Canada
Why did you want this opportunity?
I’ve learnt a lot about unfair pay for women recently, and I wanted the opportunity to see a successful woman at work, so I applied.
How did you spend your time together?
First, I met some of Ms McDonald’s colleagues – they were really nice. They explained what they did and I found it all very interesting. The best bit was talking to a lady about fake passports (Canada Border Services Officer) and trying to spot the difference between real and fake ones. Afterwards, we went out for lunch and met some of the other Ambassadors for a Day. We ended the day at the Oceans Summit.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I expected Ms McDonald might sit with me and talk through all the people she would email and what type of decisions she would make and watch them talk, but it was really interactive and much more fun than I thought. It was an amazing day and I got a pass that said I was the High Commissioner of Canada for the Day!
The biggest surprise was being able to attend the Oceans Summit Partnership and seeing Ms McDonald talk to a big crowd of people; I thought it was very inspiring.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
I think it has definitely given me options because I love to help my classmates with problems. I’m very happy and thankful that I got the opportunity at a young age and that I have a variety of job options in this area to choose from.
Juliette Honor Botos-Lehavy (14), American
School: Saint Joseph’s Institution International (SJII)
Ambassador: Simona Halperin, Israel
Why did you want this opportunity?
To help me acquire a view on how national matters that an ambassador identifies and pursues are processed in terms of communication and representing nations in a foreign country. Witnessing such a dignified career in action can help me understand how a well-functioning workplace can effectively overcome challenges.
How did you spend your time together?
We travelled to a seminar at NUS about the Indonesian elections. I engaged with Ambassador Halperin’s staff, discussing the upcoming Independence Day celebration, recognising 50 years of Singapore-Israeli relations. I also attended a discussion on the Makeathon that the Israeli Embassy is collaborating with Tikkun Olam Makers to bring to life. I was fortunate to also meet other ambassadors at a cocktail event and it was an honour to talk to such influential figures.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I expected a number of formal events and meetings regarding day-today celebrations and situations that an ambassador may encounter; however, I was exposed to much more. I saw Ambassador Halperin represent Israel at the cocktail reception and take part in discussions that supported things she was clearly passionate about, such as the Makeathon, which is striving to help people with disabilities become more independent.
The biggest surprise was conversing with the various ambassadors and gaining knowledge about such an important job from another perspective. I’m so grateful for their kindness and openness when sharing their experiences.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
After my day with the ambassador, I am intent on exploring the world of diplomacy. The role of representing your country in a foreign place is so important for diversity and a deeper understanding of other cultures.
Darcy Gilder (12), Australian
School: Dulwich College (Singapore)
Ambassador: Constantina Koliou, Greece
Why did you want to be Ambassador for a Day?
It was an amazing opportunity I couldn’t pass by. I thought it would teach me about embassies, leadership and more – and it did!
How did you and the ambassador spend your time together?
We spent our time discussing the roles and duties of ambassadors. Not only that, but I spent the day with many other departments, and I even got to see them processing a visa. Later in the day, I went to a seminar about Greek shipping.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
The day had a lot more social interactions than I was expecting. The seminar was a huge surprise as it showed me how many Greeks are living in Singapore – and how many are involved in shipping. It’s a huge industry! Also, everyone I met spoke at least two languages!
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
Before this experience, I had an unrealistic view of the job, but now I know the reality. This hasn’t made me lose interest in the job. I also have a better understanding of how the world and the economy works. Even though I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up, this has opened my eyes to another job that is full of endless opportunities.
Lies van Asten (11), Dutch
School: GEMS World Academy (Singapore)
Ambassador: Paula Parviainen, Finland
Why did you want to be Ambassador for a Day?
I thought it would be cool to walk through a day with an ambassador. I also thought that it would be a life-changing opportunity as you usually don’t get the chance to see what an ambassador does on a normal day. I also wanted to know what women in a high position can do to influence the world.
How did you and the ambassador spend your time together?
The Finnish Ambassador and I mostly attended meetings during the day, and for lunch the Deputy Prime Minister came, along with Pasi Sahlberg, a Finnish professor, and Jaya Mohideen, the Ambassador from Singapore to Finland. We also bought flowers to put on the table for the lunch.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I didn’t have too many expectations as I had no clear view what an ambassador might do during the day. I didn’t expect it to be so tiring as it was with all the meetings! I also didn’t expect that the day was going to be about education; I did enjoy this a lot because I’m a student myself. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Finnish food – and I didn’t think I would ever try reindeer in my life! I also thought that the Deputy Prime Minister might not talk to me, but on the contrary, he was very friendly and we had a great chat.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
I think it will affect my choice of career because now I’ve found out that girls can achieve anything in life. It has strengthened my idea of becoming a scientist after a good education, with a view to creating a better world.
Thulsa Miqdhaadh Moosa (16), Maldivian
School: Overseas Family School
Ambassador: Dorte Bech Vizard, Denmark
Why did you want to be Ambassador for a Day?
I’ve always had a passion for learning about the world of diplomacy, international relations and UN sustainable development. I wanted to learn about how being an ambassador can lead to making a difference in our world and allow everyone to benefit from the right to live as equal beings with equal opportunities.
How did you and the ambassador spend your time together?
We took part in a variety of different activities and events throughout the day, including attending a beautiful Anzac Day service, where I was honoured to lay the wreath with the ambassador. We also attended business meetings, signed a condolence book, toured Tulipmania, hosted an event and simply learned more about each other.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I truly didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve now realised how it is an immensely important role to represent and promote your country. One after the other, the day was full of surprises. My favourite was how warm-hearted and welcoming everyone was at the embassy, regardless of how busy they all were. HE Ms Dorte is such an amazing role model, and someone who I aspire to be like one day.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
I now know more about the different roles in an embassy and the responsibilities of an ambassador. It’s most definitely a career path I will now consider. In one day, I’ve learnt so much about public diplomacy, trade, consular, the maritime industry, sustainability, health, technology and more.
Tanishka Trivedi (16), Indian
School: Overseas Family School
Ambassador: Jo Tyndall, New Zealand
Why did you want to be Ambassador for a Day?
As the leader of the UN Women Club in my school, I wanted to learn about the roles and responsibilities that come along with leadership outside the school world.
How did you and the ambassador spend your time together?
First, I sat down with Ms Tyndall and she congratulated me on my achievement and spoke about her job, her life and how much she loves doing what she does. Ms Tyndall’s first meeting of the day was with a representative of Air New Zealand. After that, we met students from Puhoro STEM Academy. Later, I met Ambassador Mausoom from the Maldives and his team. They were lovely people and Ambassador Mausoom had a delightful sense of humour. The food served at lunch was delicious, too – the fruit crème brûlée was my favourite!
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I deliberately tried to arrive with no preconceived expectations as I wanted to enjoy and learn from everything that was so generously offered to me. I was astonished by how much Ms Tyndall knew about climate change.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
It seemed obvious to me that Ms Tyndall believes in the kind of leadership that embodies the saying “We rise by lifting others”. My day with her showed to me that it isn’t all glamorous. There might be fancy lunches, meetings with very esteemed people and high recognition, however, one has to have critical insights into political situations and be able to deal with social issues thoughtfully. I noticed that even when disagreeing or simply having different views, both the parties were extremely respectful. This experience has encouraged me to work harder in the right direction!
Olivia Weston (11), Belgian
English School: Lycée Français
Ambassador: Barbara Pinkert, European Union
Why did you want to be Ambassador for a Day?
I was excited to have the chance to understand what diplomats really do. My grandfather was a British diplomat, and my father often talks about his life as the child of a diplomat, living all over the world. I also thought it would be interesting to understand what it’s like as a woman to work in this type of career.
How did you and the ambassador spend your time together?
We started the day with a management meeting and I got to sit in on the discussion. Next, we headed to a media conference at the National Gallery, followed by lunch. There were more meetings in the afternoon, including one with the European Chamber of Commerce, and to round off a busy day there was a cocktail party at the Danish Ambassador’s residence. It’s not far from where I live, which was great since I was more than ready for bed!
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I thought there might be a lot of boring time spent in an office; in fact, diplomats seem to spend most of their time in face-to-face meetings and discussing things over a meal or drink. The days are long, however, and I think it must be tough to combine such a job with being a mother. My biggest surprise was how nice everyone was to me! They all took time to say hello to me and ask me about my life in Singapore.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
This was a really great experience for me – I’m so pleased that my mother encouraged me to apply. It has been fun to talk with my father about it, too (I think he sometimes wishes he had followed in his father’s footsteps!). As for me, I don’t think I want to become a diplomat, but I would like a job where I’m not stuck in front of a computer all day!
Annika Grapow (15), German
School: GESS (European Section)
Ambassador: Karin Fichtinger-Grohe, Austria
Why did you want to be Ambassador for a Day?
I’ve always been curious about many different areas of work, including the diplomatic field. I’m also very enthusiastic about empowering girls to stand up in fields that are still dominated by men.
How did you and the ambassador spend your time together?
When I came to the Austrian Embassy in the morning, HE Mrs Fichtinger-Grohe introduced me to everyone and showed me the Embassy. We began the day with some consulate work, such as a passport that needed to be issued. We also looked at the news, as you always need to stay updated with occurrences! Later, we went to a business lunch at Paulaner and met the new Austrian General Manager. After some further office work, the ambassador and I went to visit the Austrian world market leader in fire brigade technologies, a company called Rosenbauer. We got a presentation on the company and a tour of the manufacturing grounds; there were many different trucks and equipment. In the evening, I was granted permission to join the Dutch King’s Day reception, which was a very nice experience – I met many inspirational people.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I went to the Embassy without any specific expectations, and just let the day come as it did. Turns out it was great! I’m not a fan of drawing out great expectations, because if I do so, I tend to get disappointed.
The biggest surprise was when the ambassador and I sat in the cockpit of a brand-new fire brigade tank about to be deployed at Changi Airport, which I found really exciting!
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
Spending the day with the ambassador was an experience I really cherish. It gave me a realistic idea of what a job in the diplomatic field looks like, and I will keep it in the back of my mind for the career choices I will have to make in future. Thank you, HE Frau Fichtinger-Grohe!
Olivia McCafferty (13), Australian
School: UWCSEA East
Ambassador: Tao Thi Thanh Huong, Vietnam
Why did you want to be Ambassador for a Day?
I wanted this opportunity because it would be great to really see and hear straight from an ambassador what you have to do in the job and why it’s such an important job.
How did you and the ambassador spend your time together?
The ambassador had some guests so I got to see how she usually handles meetings like this. We talked a lot and I was able to ask all the questions I had, plus I got to learn so much about what you have to do as an ambassador – represent your country, keep updated on news, attend meetings, organise activities, and promote cultural and economic ties.
What did you expect from the day? What was the biggest surprise?
I expected almost exactly what actually happened, but I also think it surpassed my expectations – it was great. The biggest surprise was finding out how many places the ambassador had worked at and how long she had been an ambassador.
Do you think this experience might affect what you choose to do for a career?
I really think that being an ambassador would be a super cool job to have and I definitely think that I might want to be one when I’m older after this experience.
For more helpful tips head to our Living in Singapore section.
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This article first appeared in the July 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
Melinda Murphy
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