IMU Foundation in Science Cross Boundary Studies – Chinese New Year Celebrations at Dignity for Children

Ever had the experience of organising a party for 70 toddlers? What do you do if they cried in the middle of the party? Will the choice of food be suitable for them? How do you get them to cooperate with you and participate in the games planned for them? Do they know how to sing along to the nursery rhymes you have picked for them?

Well, these were exactly the questions that raced through the minds of the September intake Foundation in Science (FiS) students of International Medical University (IMU) when they were given the task to organise a Chinese New Year celebration for more than 70 pre-schoolers at Dignity for Children Foundation. This project is a task fulfilment of Cross Boundary Studies, one of the modules offered in the Foundation in Science. The 42 students were assigned different tasks, ranging from logistics to food, performance and games. To get it all started, the logistics team had to write a proposal, and source for a charity organisation which will open up its doors to the FiS students. Dignity for Children Foundation said ‘Yes’! The eager students went right into action, planning the activities, each group busied themselves with the arrangements. When the day of the event came, the FiS students had a whale of a time with the active boisterous preschoolers.  Activities carried out ranges from balloon sculpting (which was a hit among the children), singing nursery rhymes, giving out ang pow packets with good wishes, party packs, and playing games. At the end of the 2 hour long programme, the pre-schoolers and FiS students exchanged goodbyes and hugs as the pre-school teachers escorted the preschoolers away. Cross Boundary Studies is a ‘homegrown’ module which teaches the Foundation in Science students creative problem solving skills. As part of the IMU Cares, students are given a project or task to carry out, integrating the 6 steps of creative problem solving skills. From this project, students learnt event organizing, implementation of project, team working, communication skills, and honing their leadership skills. These soft skills are necessary to prepare the Foundation in Science students for tertiary studies in IMU.