Author: Amber L.H. Huang / Currently Out of Orbit

Recently, I returned to Taiwan and met a friend near the Nanjing Fuxing commercial area where my previous company was located. Walking along the streets that I used to pass almost every day, the scenery remained unchanged, but I felt as if I were in a different world. While everything seemed the same, I had undergone many unexplainable changes inside.

The restaurants I frequently visited were still there, and those corners where I had dined alone and quietly contemplated life still existed. However, at this moment, I had already been caught up in the fast-paced life of Singapore, as if being pushed into a mental time capsule, having traveled further and seen a different world. This nearly three-year journey was unimaginable before I set off. Despite the challenges and hardships, looking back on this journey, I always believe: it was worth it.

Here are a few of the most valuable lessons I have learned, which I particularly want to share with the readers of Switching Time Zone.

In the field of commercial real estate investment, the investment outlook and operational methods between Singapore and Taiwan differ significantly, reflecting the underlying differences in system design and market positioning. For example, in my current work in real estate investment, Taiwanese regulations are relatively conservative, particularly regarding the restrictions and lengthy review processes for capital going abroad, which often prevent domestic investors from seizing timely opportunities in engaging with international premium projects.

In contrast, Singapore's market perspective has always been global, especially focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. The government of Singapore has actively built its position as an Asian financial center for many years, attracting substantial international capital into its local market.

As the scope of coverage broadens, the work intensity also increases. Each market has its unique regulations and macroeconomic risks, requiring continuous monitoring of geopolitical events, exchange rates, market rents, and capital market changes. However, this environment significantly expands the investors' and asset managers' perspectives, enabling broader analysis and strategic thinking while balancing the trade-offs between different market risks and rewards.

One of the most valuable experiences of working in Singapore has been collaborating, clashing, and learning with individuals from around the world. In this international city, each day is not only a training ground for professionalism but also a cross-cultural awakening of thought. These cultural shocks and dialogues quietly alter my worldview.

The world does not actively reveal its shape to you; only when you personally approach it do you realize that the boundaries of life are not on the map but within our thoughts. Stepping out to experience the world with your own eyes and heart means that the sweetness and bitterness of life provide the best nutrition for becoming your unique self.