A Home Away From Home: My Six Months at HealthServe, Singapore

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Jessie Leung

Placement Site: HealthServe, Singapore

When I first landed in Singapore, I had no idea what to expect. Six months later, I am leaving with valuable experiences, meaningful connections and a clearer purpose.

I spent my Capstone placement at HealthServe, a Singapore-based charity that offers migrant workers comprehensive health and social care services. Over 26 weeks, I rotated through three key departments. Each rotation offered me a distinct perspective on how an NGO can serve a community.

During my Communications rotation, I was a storyteller. I developed digital campaigns such as the “Home Away From Home” campaign, which highlighted the contributions of migrant

workers during Singapore’s 60th birthday celebrations. The culmination of my efforts supported the SG60 Tribute Luncheon at Marina Bay Sands—a large-scale event that honored 400 migrant workers and was attended by the President of Singapore and featured coverage by international news outlets. I was involved in the logistical aspect of planning the event and coordinating the media, while developing my ability to use storytelling to complement strategic public engagement.

Photo 1: A CNN interview taking place during the SG60 Tribute Luncheon.

After my communications rotation, I moved to Mental Health and Outreach. In this role, I co-led Peer Support Leader training sessions in dormitories to empower workers to develop skills that would allow them to support one another’s overall well-being.

Additionally, I led the design and implementation of HealthServe’s World Mental Health Day booth and developed interactive activities to create a dialogue around mental health and wellness. My exposure to over 500 participants taught me that creating community resiliency occurs in small group settings and larger community-wide events.

Photo 2: The interactive "Story Tree" activity at our World Mental Health Day booth.

Photo 3: A Peer Support Leader training session in a migrant worker dormitory.

Finally, I concluded my rotations with the Medical Clinic. During this rotation, I provided direct support in several ways, including registering patients, assisting in pharmacy operations, and providing assistance to doctors and nurses during monthly health screenings for migrant domestic workers. The most impactful aspect of working in the medical clinic was seeing all the doctors, nurses, and assistants donating their time after thei own shifts. Their selfless commitment reinforced the belief that healthcare is a matter of affirming human dignity.

Photo 4: HealthServe's monthly free health screening for migrant domestic workers.

One highlight was representing HealthServe at the Istana Open House. Standing at our booth in the grounds of the Singapore President’s official residence and speaking with members of the public about our mission, it served as a reminder that advocacy occurs in many places, whether it is in clinic rooms or at national land marks. 

Photo 5: HealthServe team

What made this placement so meaningful to me however, was the relationships I formed. Team retreats, shared meals, and mentorship from colleagues made adjusting to a new country easier. I experienced celebrating Deepavali for the first time and enjoyed trying traditional Indian foods and making DIY crafts with my team. These moments of cross cultural exchange greatly enhanced my understanding of the diversity of culture present in Singapore.