I HAVE an American "mum" too.
So when I read of Mr Richard Seow's story in the Straits Times on Thursday, I couldn't help but think of her – Valerie.
I met Valerie Goodin and her husband Richard on a cold wintry February evening in some three years, back when I was an exchange student at the University of Missouri in the US.
SOURCE: DERRICK HO
A friend of mine - whom Valerie calls her "Singaporean daughter" - had brought me to the Goodin’s home to "experience real American culture".
It did feel somewhat strange at first, but all it took was a hearty meal and several hilarious rounds of Apples to Apples (it's a board game) to break the ice. That evening, I was pretty sure I left with more than a cultural experience.
Every month, together Valerie's "Singaporean daughter", we'd drop by their place to catch up and share life experiences.
Val and Rich – as we'd affectionately call them – were foodies too and we'd cook for each other. I remember whipping chicken rice for them; they in turn did up a fish steak with mango chutney. Another time, homemade satay and BBQ ribs were the order of the day.
SOURCE: DERRICK HO
I later found out that Val and Rich, who are in their 60s, had more "children" from various countries including Russia, Brazil and Thailand, some of whom actually lived in their house while pursuing their degrees. Val and Rich would often stand in as "proud parents" during graduation ceremonies when the real parents could not make the trip.
It did initially seem that Val was doing this as part of her job. After all, she was deputy director at the university's alumni and part of her job was to connect its alumni from across the world. But their sincerity allayed any doubts.
In their home, I felt I belonged and that I was safe. There was nothing pretentious and there were no strings attached. Food flowed freely and so did their wisdom.
Like Mr Seow, I've been blessed to have had people whom I could not only look forward to visiting during festive periods, but who was also genuinely concerned about my well-being.
The truth is being a foreign student can be very trying. Even after getting over the culture shock, there's this feeling that somehow you're not quite "one of them", especially among the student population.
So to have a native who was willing to embrace me, and my culture meant a lot.
This was no formal set up - though the international centre at the university had a programme that would tie up US families with foreign students. The relationship I have with Val and Rich was one that was based on trust and love.
The welfare of foreign students here in Singapore has been a talking point since the death of Indonesian student David Widjaja.
While universities here can and should consider starting up formal programmes that help foreign students assimilate better into the Singaporean way of life by tying up with local families, perhaps some of us can too play our part.
Perhaps we can consider being "mums" and "dads" to these students in our own unique ways. A hearty Singaporean meal is a good start.
Do you know of any "mums" and "dads" in Singapore who have hosted foreign students? Or have you benefitted from an overseas "parents"? Share your experiences with us by leaving a comment below.
Read Richard Seow's story; Singaporean honours US couple who 'adopted' him.