In the Media
Russia Today: Expat Tube
November 14, 2011 
Cheryl-Ann Tan's appearance, at 5 - 7min mark.
Link to video: http://rt.com/programs/prime-time-russia/november-18-2011/
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Today: The life and times of an Apec volunteer
November 14, 2009
by Esther Ng SINGAPORE - Apec volunteer Cheryl-Ann Tan loves all things Russian and even speaks the language.
While holidaying in Moscow in 2003, Ms Tan liked the city so much she decided to extend her visit. She said: "I arrived in December with plans to come back for Chinese New Year, but I was having a blast, so I stayed." For the next three years, Ms Tan, then 19, lived and worked in Moscow as a journalist for a magazine, writing tech and book reviews. She also worked as a software tester and found time to learn Russian. Her sojourn ended when she developed a dislike of her software job and a new editor took over the magazine. Ms Tan returned to Singapore in 2007. In July, the 24-year-old assistant photographer jumped at the chance to volunteer for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meet. "I'm always curious about what goes behind the scenes." Assigned to the transport beat, Ms Tan's role is to accompany the delegates up the bus and ensure that the driver takes them to their venue on time.  Copyright 2009 MediaCorp Pte Ltd | All Rights Reserved |
Today Online: Volunteers ready to play their part
November 05, 2009
by Esther Ng
From left: Ms Sharon Teo, Mr Ian Pillay and Ms Cheryl-Ann Tan are just three of 1,700 volunteers for APEC 2009. Koh Mui Fong
SINGAPORE - Some 1,700 of Singapore's biggest and warmest smiles will be on show for world leaders and delegates coming to town for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) powwow.
These volunteers, comprising students, retirees and working professionals, both Singaporeans and permanent residents, intend to make the delegates feel at home even if it means, for some, working 17-hour days.
Assigned to the transport beat, Ms Cheryl-Ann Tan's role is to accompany the delegates up the bus and ensure that the driver takes them to their venue on time. It means reporting for work at 6am and knocking off at 11pm.
"I signed up because I was always curious about what goes on behind the scene[s]," she told MediaCorp. Ms Tan is looking forward to speaking Russian - the 24-year-old assistant photographer lived in Russia for three years and had taken a course in basic Russian. "My Russian is a bit rusty but I'm sure I can handle it," she said. Mr Ian Pillay, who missed out volunteering for the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in 2006, said he was not going to pass up another chance. "I hope to meet new people and network - improve my service and social skills."
The 26-year-old, who starts work at a statutory board in two weeks' time, will be welcoming delegates at the airport. For Ms Sharon Teo, being an Apec volunteer meant she had to learn to read maps upside-down while giving directions. The Kaki Bukit grassroots leader will be stationed at an Apec information booth at one of the hotels. "Hopefully, the delegates will have a good impression of Singapore that they'll want to come back again," said Ms Teo. The recruitment for the volunteers, which started in July, netted 3,000 applications. By August, these were whittled down to 1,700 through phone and face-to-face interviews. Ms Jaime Lim, consulting director of PeopleSearch, an executive search firm tasked to recruit the volunteers, said: "We looked for people who were energetic, passionate and who understood what hospitality and services were all about." As part of its recruitment drive, the firm had placed advertisements in the media and turned to its list of clients, universities, polytechnics and professional associations. In September, the volunteers went for a one-and-a-half day training workshop conducted by Temasek Polytechnic. These involved a site reconnaissance, etiquette and grooming sessions, and a refresher on Singapore's tourist destinations. "I think we had fun at the training and I believe that their takeaway is that they know Singapore even better," said Ms Lim.
 Copyright 2009 MediaCorp Pte Ltd | All Rights Reserved |
Channel NewsAsia: Thousands come forward to volunteer time, services for APEC Summit
4 November 2009 1901 hrs  By Liang Kaixin and Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia SINGAPORE: Preparations for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, which kick off on Sunday, are underway - with thousands of volunteers taking part to ensure the event runs smoothly. Volunteer recruitment for the APEC summit started from as early as June this year. For some, it was a chance to get a better understanding of what goes into policy making. "I'm hoping to get insights of how the dignitaries and the government act, and how they create all these government policies," said APEC volunteer Inna Ryzhy. Others took it as a good opportunity to expand their social and professional networks. "You get meet people from all walks of life - students, retirees, jobseekers, and professionals as well," said APEC volunteer Christine Lee. Some 3,000 people came forward, eager to be a part of the APEC meetings. But in the end, only 1,700 are selected. "We are looking for people who are energetic, passionate, who has a high level of enthusiasm, and who understand what hospitality and service is all about," said Jamie Lim, consulting director of PeopleSearch. The selected volunteers were required to undergo a one and a half day course on social etiquette. They will also have to familiarise themselves with background information about the APEC meetings and Singapore's local attractions. The volunteers will be assigned to cover a wide range of duties, including receiving delegates at the airport and tending to the information booths located at various hotels. - CNA /ls |
Lianhe Zhaobao: 1700人获选 当APEC峰会义工
王润报道 ===== 出于对文化交流的兴趣和对大型国际会议在组织和运作方面的好奇，陈秀美看到亚太经合组织（APEC）领袖峰会招募义工的广告时，毫不犹豫递交申请。 曾经在俄罗斯学习、工作和生活了三年的陈秀美（24岁，自由摄影助理）对文化交流有浓厚的兴趣，她在俄罗斯时，就和朋友合作成立“新加坡—俄罗斯联系”网站，促进两国间的文化交流。 2006年回国后，她除了继续经营网站，还加入其他在本地的俄罗斯组织，希望进一步建立社交网络，认识更多朋友。 上个月刚在新加坡管理发展学院（MDIS）完成商业管理高级文凭的陈秀美通过学校得知APEC峰会招募义工，便马上报名参加。 顺利通过筛选，陈秀美将在下月举行的大会期间担任“交通大使”，负责在巴士上招呼和接待各经济体首长，确保他们准时并准确的来回会场、酒店和其他参观地点。 所有义工必须经过两轮培训 陈秀美说，当APEC峰会义工对她来说似乎是“应尽的义务”。她说：“我有较强的文化敏感度，这算是我的专长，应该好好利用它。” 由于目前时间自由，陈秀美将当七天的义工，是义工当中参与时间较长的。所有的义工将从早上6时工作至晚上11时，他们必须经过两轮培训，了解工作事项和所需信息。 第一轮培训是由新加坡旅游局举办，为义工提供客户服务和旅游方面的培训，如礼仪课程、新加坡主要景点介绍等。第二轮培训是根据义工不同的工作，提供相关介绍。 作为交通大使，陈秀美知道各国首脑所下榻的酒店，但基于安全考量，她也需履行义工的另一职责——不能随便跟身边的人透露首脑们将住进哪些酒店。 ======= APEC峰会筹委会今年共招募了1700名义工在下月8日至15日举行的大会期间提供接待服务。本地猎头公司PeopleSearch负责义工的招募和筛选工作。他们在今年7、8月间，利用一个月的时间招募到所需的义工。 公司顾问主任林美伶说，他们通过报纸广告和公司的数据库资料，以及在各大院校和专业协会的宣传，在较短的时间内招募到所需人数。 义工筛选过程有两个阶段，先通过电话访问，然后经过面试，最终从近4000人里面挑选出1700名义工。 入选义工的主要条件并不是对APEC峰会的熟悉程度，而是他们对活动的热忱。林美伶说，义工是否对峰会感到兴奋，有热情，是否殷勤好客，能够尽地主之宜是重要条件。 义工主要分三大类：在机场迎接宾客的迎宾者，在巴士上招呼宾客的交通大使，以及在酒店大厅解答询问的义工，还有少数义工在会场和旅游景点做接待工作。 林美伶说，最终入选的义工年龄介于19岁至50多岁，包括学生、在职人员和正在找工作的专业人士等。
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The Sunday Times: The Russians Are Coming
March 4, 2007  The academic, who became a Russian citizen at the age of 12 and lived in Moscow, eventually decided to join the Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Explaining his choice, he says simply: 'The offer from Singapore was the most attractive.' After almost eight years here, Dr Kulish, 40, sounds like just another pragmatic Singaporean. In fact, he proudly lays claim to his Singapore connections: His son was born here six years ago and his daughter married a Singaporean last December. 'Singapore has become part of our family's life forever,' he says. 'I do not regret my choice, for my life and work in Singapore were very enjoyable during all the years I've been here.' Dr Kulish is one of about 600 Russians working, studying and living here. This is up from about 500 in 2004. Granted, this is a relatively small number, given that there are 875,500 foreigners based here. In comparison, there are an estimated 35,000 Indian expatriates and 15,000 Americans here. But the number of tourist arrivals from Russia tells a different story. The figure has more than doubled in the last five years, from 15,900 in 2002 to 37,700 last year. Mr Aleksey Tkalich, 28, whose travel agency Han Kang Travel Service in People's Park Centre specialises in bringing in Russian tourists, says most of his customers are businessmen in their 30s and 40s and their families. They like to relax at luxury hotels in Sentosa for up to 10 days, with many making repeat visits. 'Russians are curious about this miracle called Singapore and how the country grew so fast. After all, as an independent republic, Russia is pretty young itself,' says freelance Russian tour guide Ludmila Semenova, 48. Russia is Singapore's 38th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totalling $1.32 billion in 2005. And the Russian presence is set to grow, given the closer ties between both countries. One positive result of this is the symphony, Singapore: A Geopolitical Utopia, which will premiere here at the Esplanade tomorrow. It was not written by a Singaporean, but by a Russian composer, Vladimir Martynov. It is commissioned by the Singapore ambassador to Russia, Mr Michael Tay, and the performance is the opening event of the second Russia-Singapore Business Forum. It was first performed in Moscow in October 2005 as part of Singapur Po-Russki (Singapore In Russian), a month-long festival that featured Singapore food and a visit by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. The work was performed by the Vladimir Chamber Choir and Vladimir Governor's Symphony Orchestra then. It will be performed here by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) and Moscow's Vasiliev Choir. Safe yet vibrant THE Russian community in Singapore is diverse, ranging from students to musicians, bankers, businessmen, tour guides and academics. In the SSO alone, there are six Russian musicians. There are also at least 20 teaching and research staff members at the local varsities, as well as some PhD students. They hail from all over Russia as well as other republics of the former Soviet Union. Attracted by Singapore's safe yet vibrant environment, they started coming here from 1991. That year marked the collapse of communism and the opening of borders in Russia, which has a population of about 148.2 million. A Russian embassy official says the average Russian in Singapore would have at least a university degree, be fluent in English and have some achievements in their professional fields. 'Otherwise, it is unlikely that they would be able to fill vacant posts or survive in the highly competitive business environment in Singapore.' He adds that the embassy's bar and pool complex is open for registered Russian citizens during weekends and is quite popular. Every Saturday afternoon, there is a volleyball match between the Russian expatriates and the embassy staff, followed by a beer party. LifeStyle understands that some Russians here have become permanent residents and Singapore citizens, with a handful who have even done their national service. Most of them live in condominiums, eat at hawker centres and send their children to international schools as well as local schools. One Russian who has made Singapore home - at least temporarily - is housewife Tatiana Pozen, 35, who lives in an apartment in Clementi with her two daughters and Malaysian engineer husband. They came to Singapore a year ago after living across the Causeway since 1996. Her 10-year-old daughter attends Clementi Primary School and has both local and foreign friends. 'I don't send her to an international school because local schools are good enough,' she says. While she likes Singapore for being well organised, she finds that, like any other major city in the world, it is a little too crowded and noisy for her liking. 'This is a good place to live when you're young because of all the opportunities it offers,' she says. 'But I won't settle here when I'm old because I prefer somewhere quieter, like the countryside.' Another family that has happily settled here are the Tarassovs. Dad Alexei brought Mum Irina and sons Roman and Konstantin here nine years ago, when he got an engineering job offer. The family has grown so comfortable with life here that they have yet to step into a Russian restaurant. Plus they now share that favourite Singaporean pastime - shopping. 'I especially love Junction 8,' Irina says. Singaporean connection EVEN Singaporeans are doing their part to promote relations between the two countries. One such person is Cheryl-Ann Tan, 22, who founded the Singapore-Russia Exchange website in 2001. Also known as 'Anya' to her Russian friends, she spent three years working in Russia after her A levels, before returning late last year. As someone who 'has always been interested in Russia's history', the freelance writer started the Exchange as a portal for people to make friends, as well as to provide useful information for Singaporeans moving to Russia and vice versa. Now she's considering going commercial with the website, to tap into the growing economic ties between the two countries. And slowly but surely, more Russian students are also making their way to Singapore. Mr Tkalich, who also arranges short-term English courses at private schools for students, says that during summer between June and August, there could be about 30 of them in Singapore. Most of them are from far-eastern cities like Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. He estimates that there are another 50 Russians holding student passes here, with the majority of them being tertiary students. Studying here costs about US$2,000 (S$3,055) per month. 'Sometimes, it's cheaper to come to Singapore than to travel to Moscow or other European countries,' he says. He adds that it takes the same amount of time - eight hours by air - travelling from the far east of Russia to Singapore, as it does to Moscow. Ukraine-born Mr Tkalich, who is now a Singaporean, sums up the appeal of the Republic with this: 'Singapore is safe and has very good education standards. Why wouldn't they want to come here?' Additional reporting by Teo Cheng Wee munsan@sph.com.sg |
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