Before his time at Metropolitan YMCA, Matthew Tan Chen Yi, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic student, never thought discrimination was so prevalent in Singapore.
As part of his internship, the Year 3 Psychology Studies (PCS) student spearheaded an inaugural 1-day programme addressing the different types of discrimination in society, including workplace and gender discrimination.
Matthew led a team to organise meaningful activities that taught 30 youths from different local educational institutions to “understand prejudice”. Applying the lessons learnt from his Psychology Studies’ modules, Matthew effectively identified the pressing social problems that needed to be addressed.
Despite the strenuous hours during the programme’s planning phase, Matthew conceded that the internship has given him a clearer perspective of what he would like to do in the future - social work. Matthew dreams of “going into the people's lives and letting them see the beauty of life”.
He emphasised that students must value connections with friends and lecturers are important as they will be able to support and help one along the way throughout their journey in polytechnic.
Furthermore, organisations that offer internships such as YMCA provide supervisors that are key in nurturing their interns, allowing students to get a taste of the working world even before they graduate.
Smiling and nodding, Matthew acknowledged the need for youths to pursue their academic goals with an “open mind” when encountering internship opportunities, and encourages those interested in social work to “set your expectations low” and to “let the internship influence your expectations”.
Big hearts touching young minds: Matthew oversees an activity for less fortunate children.
(Source: Metropolitan YMCA)
(Source: Metropolitan YMCA)
Spreading good vibes: Youths enjoy an activity carried out by Matthew and his team.
(Source: Metropolitan YMCA)
