Absolut 2009

Cherishing those insights

In social work, we learnt that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. And every individual that we meet is so complex and dynamic. We come with our own set of experiences, histories, values, ideas and thoughts, and with every interaction we have with each person, we catch a glimpse of that whole. A glimpse that allows, that peek deeper into the other person's being, as well as affirm what you presently know or help you to make new discoveries about yourself.

Absolut does not attempt to give you the full understanding of that whole. But with the many group sharing sessions and scenarios posed, it gives you more insight as to how much you understand yourself. It doesn't have the hit and run and big WHAM kinda fun that camps usually have. What it really is, is alot of talking, alot of processing, frustrating and challenging moments and fun in a different sort of way.

Well, if all else fails, i'm sure the friendships forged during the camp is also another attractive point to consider!


-Diana Ng, Camper of Absolut Camp 2007
Social Work Major, Class of 2007

The Chairperson's own Absolut Experience.

Things are picking up for us. Finally everything is starting to roll.
Thank you for all those who had signed up.
To all those who are still considering, you should!
take charge of your own time!

Myself.
I joined this camp as a camper during my first year in 2003.
I guess I was pretty much a confident character after stepping out of army. Because of the training I had, whether it was SWAPS's FOC, or that Absolut Camp, there were many things that I knew I was capable of achieving and winning. I ended that camp feeling rather disturbed by some of the activities. There was still some self-discovery, but I was pretty sure I didn't internalise much (I am admittedly stubborn).

I am one of those which Absolut Camp planted a seed in. When I lead the camp myself a year later, as Chairperson of Absolut Emerge 2004, I gained a rush of insights into unexplained dilemmas and complaints about the experience as a camper. I wasn't like other campers (who became my fellow organisers) whose self discovery occurred during the camp. I continued to be angry at some of the activities and I now know that at various parts of the camp, either I wasn't who I thought I was, or I really didn't know that I would be that competitive. I came to realise that my disturbance was a sign of a challenge to Zhisheng Version-22-years-old. After that was resolved, I felt I attained personal growth.

Besides being a convert of the camp, I am more open to experiences, and learning about life and differences has been great for me through the last few years. And as a learning point for people who might be like me, we probably do not realise that we build defences around who we are. We might have a bias to seek experiences that reinforce who we think we already are. Peeling that defence gives you a chance at advancing your understanding of who you could be. Peeling that defence first requires you to know that defences exist. This camp cannot promise that we will help you attain enlightenment, but we try. You have me, my whole committee, and the testimonials here to show you, we have a pretty good record.


-Koh Zhisheng Version-25-years-old,
Camper of Absolut-leeU 2003,
Chairperson of Absolut Emerge 2004,
Chairperson of Absolut Camp 2007,
Psychology Major, Current Graduating Class of 06/07

Thank you very much!

It is quite some time since the Absolut camp has ended. Frankly speaking, I did not attend many camps in my undergraduate days. The first one was my Mentoring Camp, which I thought was the best. Then, my friend asked me if I wanted to join Absolut Emerge, a self-awareness camp organized by SWAPS (Society of Social Work and Psychology Students) at that point in time. We decided to go for it since it was already our last year and we wanted to graduate and leave NUS with some fond memories. I am glad I joined this camp in the end, and had the chance to know some new friends as well.

Generally, I thought it was a well-planned camp. I liked the sharing sessions that we had as a group, where we gave one another our opinions and made our thoughts known. The little debrief sessions after each activity were also very useful. It was really a get-to-know-yourself-better camp, like its clearly-stated objective. I didn’t know camps could be so interesting. Even though I might have done similar activities back in my mentoring camp, the feel I had was different for Absolut camp. Perhaps it was the people at the camp – my group members, my facilitators. My friends from Mentoring did comment that I somehow had a positive change in my mindset/perspectives towards life and people, after I had returned from Absolut camp. I guess that was the best compliment I have received from them. I am quite a stubborn person by nature, unwilling to budge or change. Thus, upon hearing that compliment, I realized that I might have changed slightly for the better.

I can’t say it is life changing but I would really like to thank the organizing camp committee of Absolut camp for their hard work and great effort in helping campers like me with self-discovery. I am thankful to have crossed the paths of my fellow group members and have got to known you people. Thank you!

-Seow Wenqi, Camper of Absolut Emerge
Psychology Major, Graduating Class of 04/05

Turning Point

If SWAPS (Society of Social Work and Psychology Students) is the turning point in my university life, Absolut Camp was the defining moment in that turning point.

The interaction with people, the honest sharing of opinions and views, or just enjoying myself in the fun games... Absolut Camp beats all the other camps I have attended, hands down. Because the camp is no longer about making friends or having fun, it is about understanding myself through the structured activities where everyone is equal and entitled to their opinion.

In my 4 years of university life, regardless of the form of participation I had in Absolut, either as a camper, programmer or a facilitator, I was able to discover more about my strengths, weakness, personality and principles. That's why I enjoyed Absolut so much, because I always managed to gain some wisdom from the camp.

Some of you might go back feeling, "Yes, it was overall quite fun, but I don't think I learn anything new about myself". But the Absolut Camp will (or at least the organizing committee hopes to) plant in you some seeds of insight & wisdom, that will germinate as you continue the life journey. As I read through my blog on my Absolut Camp experience to write this short passage, I find myself reliving old thoughts and feelings. It dawned on me multiple times that the 2003 learning points are still applicable to me now.

To end off, I will sing this to the present Social Work Society and Absolut:
"And life is the road,
And I wanna keep going,
Love is a river and
I wanna keep flowing
Life is a road now and forever a
Wonderful journey".
--- extracted from the sound track of "Anastasia": “Life is the Road”

-Desmond Chua,
Camper of Absolut Masquerade (2002),
Programmer of AbsolutleeU (2003),
Facilitator of Absolut Emerge (2004)
Psychology Major, Graduating Class of 04/05

My Absolut Experience

I had many fond memories of Absolut camp. What was most memorable was the night hike. I was part of the planning committee in Absolut Masquerade 2001 and was involved in the recces for the night hike. It was the only time anyone would get off at Fort Siloso at 10+pm (3 guys and gals). I remembered the weird and bewildered faces from some of the passengers on the monorail. I remembered walking from Siloso to Tanjong Beach. I remembered playing hike and seek with the rangers… I remembered all these so vividly.

The original aim of the night hike was to test the determination and perseverance of the campers. It was also to create stressful situations so that facilitators could identify the leaders and the followers. For Absolut Masquerade, the objectives were achieved. In fact, we gained more than we expected. From my own experience, the night hike bonded my group campers. They got to know each other better and they also encouraged each other and even encouraged me on. From the facilitator’s point of view, it was tiring both physically and mentally. Not only did we have to complete the hike, we could not tell them where the clues were; we also had to follow them even if they were on the wrong route. On top of that, we had to observe the group dynamics so that we could debrief them the next day.

Absolut was also a good training ground for me. I had to lead one of the major games even though I am more of a follower. I also had to get out of my comfort zone (with all my usual clique of friends) so as to bond the campers together. In my experience of Absolut camp, I learnt more about myself not solely through the personality test we took, but also through facilitation. I realized that my good observation skills and my ability to make friends had eased my job of facilitation. However, facilitation is an art and I also realized my inadequacy. Absolut has also allowed me to make more friends and helped me in getting to know some friends better. Though there is undeniably more fun in FOC (Freshmen Orientation Camp), Absolut camp is one unusual camp that I will always remember.

-Alicia Peh, Facilitator of Absolut Masquerade
Economics Major, Graduating Class of 03/04