Packing My Bags for Singapore... The Disruptive Leaders Program Awaits!

It's hard to believe that in just a few days, I'll be boarding a plane bound for Singapore to take my place in the Westpac Disruptive Leadership Program as part of my Young Technologist's Scholarship. Honestly, it still feels a bit surreal. Two weeks ago, I was knee-deep in textbooks in the middle of our exam period. This whole last week has been a blur of tutoring sessions as HSC trials loom close. And today? Today, I've lost count of how many times I had a small panic thinking my passport was still at my parents' house (don't worry, it is definitely not), checking flight details, trying to remember how to dress for summer (Singapore is humid, and Wollongong is definitely fresh at the moment), and Googling "best places to eat in Singapore", because if we're being totally honest, food is a big part of any travel experience.

For those who don't know me yet, I'm weeks away from starting my new degree moving from a Bach of Biomedical Engineering to a double degree in maths and physics, with a growing passion for education and supporting students with learning differences. Receiving the Westpac Young Technologist's Scholarship has been a huge honour and help over the last 3 semesters, offering the incredible opportunity to connect with a community of young innovators who are just as passionate about positive change as I am.

The Disruptive Leaders Program is one of the highlights of this scholarship. It is a week-long immersion in Singapore, where I'll be learning alongside other scholarship recipients from around Australia. The program promises a mix of workshops, leadership training, industry insights, and cultural experiences designed to push us out of our comfort zones and help us develop skills that go beyond the classroom: everything from collaboration to creative problem-solving.

Aside from the formal training, I am especially excited about meeting other young Aussie's who are passionate about making a difference through technology and innovation, using the skills they have been given. I look forward to the conversations we'll have, ideas we'll share and the project we will collaborate on upon our return. Plus, I'm curious about how my own passions and interests will fit into this diverse mix of talents and perspectives.

There is, of course, a bit of nervousness too. Travelling toa new country, navigating unfamiliar environments and stepping into a program with a bunch of people I don't know particularly well will definitely be a challenge. I'm more than ready to embrace it though... after all, growth happens when we push ourselves beyond what feels comfortable. And, if nothing else, I know I will come back with a suitcase full of new memories, new friendship, and definitely a few funny stories about my attempts to order food without accidently asking for something too spicy.

Speaking of food, I have to admit: as a celiac, international travel always comes with a side of "Will I actually be able to eat anything?" I've been reading up on Singapore's famous hawker centres and am determined to hunt down the best gluten-free options the city has to offer. Amongst all the things Westpac has planned for us over our time away, I will be on a side quest to find safe (and delicious) local eats... so if you have any tips, recommendations, or secret gluten-free gems, please send them my way! I have been polishing up my magnifying glass, ready to put my detective skills to the test as I veer from the safe and familiar foods towards new and delicious flavours.

I'll be soaking up every moment whilst we are in Singapore, so don't expect any live updates or play-by-plays from me (I'll be too busy trying

not to get lost on the MRT and deciphering menus). Instead, I'll be keeping a little travel journal and snapping way too many photos, so when I'm back on Aussie soil there will be plenty of stories, reflections and (hopefully) tasty gf eats to share.

If you know me, you know I'll probably return home with a suitcase full of quirky souvenirs, a camera roll full of sunsets, and at least one story of me accidentally ending up a country mile from where I'm supposed to be. I am looking forward to the inspiring people I will meet, the unexpected lessons, and the "oops" moments that are bound to happen whenever I travel.

So, here's to new adventures, big ideas and the chance to grow as a leader, learner, and human being. Wish me luck!