Wow it has been more than 1 week since the day I came back from Students’ Forum. I know I’ve just successfully proved how lazy I am at blogging lol. I was a little bit sick, and I know there were at least 2 other students who also got sick (Thanks God we weren’t caught at the airport). But none of us had anything to complain, Students’ Forum was great. I miss all you guys.

I arrived there on Tuesday to find out that the hotel was extremely convenient. Le Meridien was quite easy to find, right opposite KL Stesen Sentral (Kuala Lumpur Central Station – that’s its name, but actually it’s about 15 minutes driving from downtown). My first impression was the windows. This twins building has a very special flattish design so that every room can have a big window (I mean really big). The pool on the 8th floor accounted for my second impression. Ohhhh ok sorry I’m not gonna make this entry a hotel review. (2 pictures below are from Agoda.com)

There were supposed to be 16 of us but one Philippine girl couldn’t come so we have 15 from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand (enough??) together with 3 mentors: Shaun, Bernise, Cherrie and 2 “super heroes” from TakingITGlobal: Katherine Walraven and Michael Furdyk. Believe me, they are the much more friendly than you might think of them. Ah, I can’t forget Microsoft & Rhapsodyconcept’s staffs – they were very helpful to take care of every single small matter of ours.

The gang

There were so many activities that I don’t know where to start. The schedule was mostly about having breakfast, lunch & dinner, workshops, project development, discussing about education & technology, talking to innovative teachers from all over the region. We also learnt about “The journey of a young Entrepreneur” from Joel Neoh, Executive Director, Youth Asia and “Project Management” from our big big friend Brian Lariche, Executive Director of The Liaison Combination.

Joel Neoh

Brian Lariche

To save you from a long boring review, here are some interesting pictures taken during the conference.

First dinner at the private room

With local students

With local students

Michael Furdyk

Our mentor Shaun Does he look like the Twilight star??

Dialogue with Students at the Innovative Teachers' opening ceremoney

Anh was presenting his project - eHub

Gala dinner

—————–
P.S For those who are asking WhoTH I am please remember I was the Vietnamese girl with a black & white hat. But I already lost it back home.

“Thank you for applying to participate in the Regional Innovative Students’ Forum 2009.  Given your quality write-up in the application and active participation in the online forum with TakingITGlobal, I am pleased to inform you that you’ve been selected to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to attend the Forum, between 27 to 29 May.”

“Microsoft is sponsoring you in this trip, covering your expenses in air flight, airport transfer on KLIA Express Train, accommodation and all 3 meals a day and coffee breaks are provided.”

Geez!! Say “Congrats!” to me I was not a good student in highschool, but anyway, “Hello Malaysia, I’m coming again ”

Check out http://www.asia-hotel.net/ and http://www.tunehotels.com/

(To be continued)

BarCampJB

This morning I’m leaving for Malaysia, and the first stop is Johor Bahru (abbr. JB) for BarCampJB. It’s just about 2 hours bus away from Singapore. I know a Malaysian student who studies in JB and comes to Singapore every other day for a part time job in a hotel.

Vietnamese people don’t need a visa to enter Malaysia.

(To be continued)

I didn’t go there by bus so I don’t know how to get there. But

Some pics at the Zon: