NAHSS Odyssey: Bridging Cultures, Igniting Passions
By Nipun Kaushik | Delegate NAHSS 2023
My journey at NAHSS 2023 was an unforgettable chapter of my life, blending academic rigour with cultural exploration across South East Asia. Selected among students of diverse academic backgrounds, I was eager to under dynamics, differences and learn ways of collaborating with the rapidly growing countries of ASEAN.
Initially, I had reservations about how well the program would cater to someone with a technical/engineering background like mine. However, these doubts were quickly dispelled by the range of relevant companies patterning with NAHSS - BYD, KLM, OMA to name a few. Collaborating with BYD, a leader in the electric vehicle industry, our consultancy project aimed at enhancing BYD's brand presence in European markets was a dynamic blend of challenge and innovation.
Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur
The MikeBike tour
This experience was further enriched by travels to Malaysia and Singapore, where I immersed myself in diverse cultures and gained insights into the technological progress of these nations. I also received the chance to demonstrate and share my learnings from this trip at the Malaysian embassy in Den Haag as a guest lecturer.
At the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Universiti Malaya, we delved into new academic territories in international relations and public policy. The lectures, especially those by esteemed professors like Yaacob Ibrahim, were not only informative but deeply inspiring. NAHSS was also about forging connections. Engaging with professionals from leading tech companies and fellow students, I formed bonds of a lifetime with people I would have never crossed paths with otherwise.
Reflecting on my NAHSS journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities it presented and the memories created. This experience has been a pivotal chapter in my life, offering lessons and inspirations that I will carry forward in my future endeavours.