Looking back on the 2007 Dream Program
How many children growing up in a tropical country have a chance to experience snow?
How many people have the opportunity to ski, or skate in their country?
How many children have the chance to dream about the Winter Olympics?
The 2007 Dream Program has given 143 participants from 33 countries such a chance - and more!
I participated in the Dream Program as the team leader of the Singapore contingent, and it has been the most unusual and deeply touching experience I have ever had. The magic lies in the pure ideals of the program.
"The program aims to provide participants an opportunity to experience winter sports and get systematic training".
True to this spirit, the program invites countries that do not have established winter sports programs, where children do not have the opportunity to experience nor train for winter sports in their own countries. The participants are given the chance to spend two weeks training in a sport of their choice - skiing, snowboarding, short track, speed skating or figure skating.
For some participants, it was the first time to experience snow or ice. For some, it was the first training experience in a winter sport. For some, it may fuel an Olympic dream.
The Singapore contingent chose figure skating. While figure skating is not new to us, the chance to train with one of the world's top coaches is - Ms Park Bun-Sun coaches Kim Yu-Na, the World Junior Champion. I'm sure we all came away with some valuable advise.
"The program aims to foster an occasion for cultural exchanges and friendship among young participants from different nations".
Throughout our stay in Korea, we were introduced to Korean culture, from trying our hand at Taekwondo, to making traditional jewelry boxes. The Korean hospitality is incredible, and our stay was extremely enjoyable.
One unique feature of this program is the opportunity to interact with participants from all over the world. Though I have friends in many different countries, I find that there is so much more I have not experienced. This indeed opened my eyes to different nations, different cultures and different languages.
The young participants quickly got over their differences and made friends - even when they can't speak each other's language! Our team's girls went to a dance party with another team, who spoke hardly any English. Other teams can be seen trying to learn Korean or another language.
We started off as strangers, but the bond that developed over the two weeks is incredible. Tears were shed as we bid each other farewell. The program may be over, but deep in our hearts we will retain the special memories and friendship that we have made here.
