We track one student’s pilgrimage in an interfaith dialogue and the takeaways she had on her journey. The student is Clementine Bella Putri Santosa, a Year 2 student studying history in the College of Humanities and Sciences.
Bella starts off: “Coming into the CEN retreat, I expected to only build bridges across the CEN groups, but found myself benefitting a lot from the self-reflection I had to conduct and the reflection on what Interfaith really entailed.”
Bella said candidly: “The warmth I felt while being with the EXCO members of other groups – NUS Legion of Mary, NUS Muslim Society, NUS Sikh Cultural and Literary Society, etc. – was tangible and real. There was a sense of unity felt from the very start.”
She continued: “While everyone were welcoming to each other, we still felt unfamiliar as we had spent most of our time collaborating in the virtual space than in real life prior to the holding of this meeting.”
“This sense of togetherness was further bolstered during our glass painting activity. Vibrant paintings was symbolic of the uniqueness of each group in the CEN Retreat and each of us shared about our groups and our aspirations.”
Next, student leaders were refreshed on their administrative duties to ensure the success of their causes. After lunch, they explored one another’s know-how, such as Uni-Y’s familiarity with member involvement and welfare. Students also discussed on topics such as Interfaith experience in holding dialogues on sensitive topics.
Bella continued: “In sharing our experiences, we received insight to further improve our goals and achieve them. We have come to realise that as one, we can help one another in promoting diversity and open-mindedness.”
Lastly, she remarked: “We reflected on our goals of the past, and how to better achieve them while keeping them relevant to current discussions on diversity, religion, and culture. Through such reflections, we discovered and embraced the unity that exists inside and beyond Interfaith and it has been a wonderful journey!”
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Editor: Shanice Poh, Year 3, NUS Business School
Photos: OSA
Written by Clementine Bella Putri Santosa, Year 2, College of Humanities and Sciences
