Shin You Chan

Medical Officer

Industry:

Healthcare, Singapore General Hospital

Country:

Seoul, South Korea

Been in Singapore since June 2009

Career opportunities drew Shin You Chan here, where he enjoys the work–life balance. The 30–year–old loves the change of pace in Singapore. He quips, “I can have a life... and a girlfriend!”

A day in my life

1. 5.30 am

   That’s buzzer number one... number two... and there goes number three. It’s not that I need the three alarms to wake me, but it’s a kind of ritual by now. Time to get moving.

2. 6.30 am

   I catch the bus to work. It’s a direct journey of only 25 minutes from my condominium apartment in Marine Parade, a convenience I appreciate.

3. 7.20 am

   Time to visit my patients in the wards, before the morning round with my Consultant at eight. When I first started it was difficult understanding the local accents, but now my patients and I get along just fine!

4. 9.30 am

   Following up on cases. It can get pretty busy in the mornings. The medical system here is very different from that in Korea, which is closer to the U.S. system. It took a while to get comfortable with the terminology used here, but I’m at home with it now.

5. 1.00 pm

   I head off to the Kopi Tiam foodcourt with my colleagues. The hospital offers a wide range of eateries for both visitors and staff, but I usually go for the local fare. My favourite is yong tau hu (an assortment of beancurd and vegetables) but I like the nasi padang (Malay spread of rice and meat dishes) just as well.

6. 2.00 pm

   Ward duty keeps me on my feet. After that, there are records to summarise. Always lots to learn.

7. 6.00 pm

   Work’s officially over, and after clearing some mail, I leave. It’s still early enough to get some exercise or meet friends. Here, I’m on call for overnight duty only four or five times a month. In Korea, I’d be lucky to even go home on weekends. I bet any of my old colleagues back home will think I’ve got a soft life here! (It’s probably true, but who’s complaining?)

8. 6.40 pm

   I drop by the Parkway Parade mall on my way home. Like other malls all over Singapore, it’s got everything I need. Right now, that would be the Cold Storage Supermarket and a Korean market for fresh supplies. Plus, it’s just down the road from my place.

9. 7.30 pm

   I like a nice healthy dinner, and I enjoy cooking and entertaining. The recent meal I hosted for my flat–mates was a blast... I’m looking forward to them returning the favour soon! Tonight it’s just me and my girlfriend.

10. 9.00 pm

    Relaxing in the condominium pool. It’s been another hot day so a swim is perfect. We discuss where to explore this weekend. It’s like a food adventure – so far we’ve found a Korean restaurant in Joo Chiat, and a restaurant in Chinatown that serves frog legs in claypots. Cool.

11. 12.00 am

    I wind down for the night with some reading. Lee Kuan Yew’s memoirs have helped me understand more about this country I’m in, including its systems and visions. I’m sold – will be here for the long term!