SINGAPORE: Prospective citizens can now log on to the Singapore
Citizenship Journey portal to learn more about Singapore’s history
and culture, to help them integrate.
They must register on the Singapore Citizenship Journey before
they can become full—fledged citizens. In addition, they also have
to visit places of historical significance here and attend
grassroots events.
But some new citizens are finding other ways to integrate better
— such as through volunteer work.
Former Japanese citizen Tanaka Miyuki was clueless about
Singapore culture when she first came over after marrying a
Singaporean 38 years ago.
Through her friend’s recommendation, she started volunteering 13
years ago, by helping to cut hair at a hospital. She said that she
has benefited from meeting so many patients.
Associations also encourage new citizens to volunteer.
Kazuo Sugino, secretary—general, The Japanese Association of
Singapore said: "These kind of volunteers — they become friends.
Sometimes they go out together and go to hawker centres and eat.
This is a good interaction."
— CNA/sc