#23. Yumei Foong and her Values, Passion, and Purpose

Values are your non-negotiable foundation, passion is about what excites and motivates you, and purpose is your deeper reason for existence. - Harvard Business Review

Welcome to our SG60 stories, a platform for individual reflection on what our own values are, and how we discover our passion and strive towards our purpose.

Wantedly’s mission is to create a world where work drives passion, and whether you are currently a founder or creator, a leader or a gig worker, a consultant or a teacher, discovering and aligning your values, passion, and purpose will give you the best chance at having a fulfilling career, and more importantly, a meaningful life. With that in place, organisations can achieve their mission, and society and beyond will benefit in the long run. And as a nation, when we reflect on our shared values of multiculturalism, boldness, resilience and openness, we can build upon what drove our prosperity.

SG60’s theme is a refreshed spirit, and by celebrating Singapore’s journey to date, Wantedly is proud to spotlight some of those who have contributed to the past, and will be shaping the next chapter of the Singapore story, regardless of where they are.

Introducing Yumei

Yumei, born and raised in Singapore, has been based in Slovenia for the past nine years, and living and working globally. Feeling restless after three years at her first job after graduation, she applied for a scholarship to do a Master’s degree.

Before: With her cohort from EMTM – 34 classmates from more than 20 countries
After: At the recent big reunion of EMTM cohorts in Girona

In her own words

Yes, there’s a running joke that an Asian’s idea of a “break” is doing a Master’s... Long story short, I got accepted, which kicked off a whirlwind two years, moving between three universities in three countries, alongside 33 classmates from all over the world. It was during that time that I fell in love — both with Slovenia and with someone I met there — and I’ve been living here ever since.

Yumei and her peers from her Master's programme at ITB Berlin 2017

At the end of the Ljubljana (Capital of Slovenia) semester of the EMTM programme

I now work remotely for the headquarters of a Swedish MNC, contribute to animal rescue whenever I can, and enjoy life as a foreign-local: comfortable, part of a community, yet still keeping alive the excitement of being in a new country — always ready to meet new people, host, share, and explore.

Fun Fact?
I’m an open book, so there isn’t much people don’t already know about me, and I’m far from cool, so no “cool fact” to share. But one thought that’s always stuck with me: Singapore and Slovenia are more similar than you'd think — small, clean, safe, and a mix of cultures, traditions, and cuisines, each shaped by the countries around them. 

1. What are your top 3 values?

Curiosity. The attitude of "there's always something to learn." I think it forms the basis for understanding things, people, and phenomena more deeply. It's humbling how much we don't know, and if we don't know, we cannot make thoughtful choices or take meaningful action.

Empathy. In the same vein, curiosity and understanding create space for empathy. Having lived in five countries and travelled to many, I’ve met people from all walks of life, with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and motivations. At the core we are all human, yet our experiences shape us in unique ways. Choosing to tune in to others’ emotions and perspectives helps me respond with kindness and compassion.

Gratitude. Curiosity keeps me learning, empathy keeps me connected, and gratitude keeps me grounded. By constantly reflecting and appreciating the people and experiences that shape me, I can approach life with humility and a sense of abundance, focusing less on what I lack and more on how much I’ve been given.

2. What keeps you up at night?

Among many things, what keeps me awake at night is apathy. There is so much in this world worth caring about, and while we may not all be drawn to the same causes, I believe it is important to care about something beyond ourselves. For me, that passion is animal welfare; for someone else, it might be education, or elderly care.

3. What gets you out of bed in the morning?

I’m honestly not a morning person. I wake up because I have responsibilities – to my dog, my partner, and my work. Perhaps my motivation is simply not to waste the day. Living away from ageing family and friends' kids growing like weeds, I’ve become increasingly aware of how quickly life passes, and that awareness pushes me to make the most of each day, even if I would rather linger in bed...

Doing some heart-work in a Serbian animal shelter

4. You took a leap of faith to study abroad, and later relocated to a different continent. What was your motivation to explore and expand new horizons?

My motivation was a combination of innate curiosity to experience something different, the boldness (or perhaps recklessness) of youth – the kind of courage I’m not sure I would summon today, and the privilege of being able to pack up and seek new adventures without placing a strain on my lifestyle or family.

Yumei and her former colleagues celebrating St. Jordi's Day at the Catalan Tourism Board Asia-Pacific's office

5. As a Singaporean and global citizen, what’s your definition of a global citizen VS home, and how do you stay connected to Singapore being so far away for so long?

Growing up in Singapore as part of the majority group, I was aware of privilege, but living abroad, suddenly in the minority, gave me a perspective I couldn't fully grasp. I feel like this has made me more conscious of inclusiveness, diversity, and what it means to belong.

I stay connected by visiting regularly, cooking Singaporean food, talking to everyone about Singapore, keeping in touch with friends and family, following the news, and listening to local podcasts (shout out The Daily Ketchup). I also organise events connecting locals with Singapore, and enjoy meeting, and hosting Singaporeans visiting the region.

At the first Slovenia-Singapore event with fellow Singaporeans

In short, being away has deepened my sense of home — I would even say that I feel more Singaporean than most Singaporeans who live in Singapore.

For those in Singapore, it is really fortunate to live in one of the best places in the world. I hope we always recognise our privilege, while also striving to uplift those with less.

6. Please leave us with your advice for building a life away from home.

Don’t just aim to “settle down” – doing so risks missing the essence of moving abroad. Lean into a little discomfort and uncertainty; it keeps you open, curious, and receptive to the experiences that make life in a new country so rewarding.

Finding signs of Singapore wherever she goes – a random Singapore-shaped ice sheet atop Bratislava castle!

If you are visiting Slovenia, or love to connect as a fellow Singaporean living in Europe, please follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn!

Once again, in celebration of SG60, let us strive to be bolder and kinder to one another, for Singapore and ourselves.

This series was brought to you by Wantedly Hire - an application tracking system optimised for modern hiring practices. Experience seamless hiring with tailored workflows designed to align with your recruitment structure, automated interview scheduling, and actionable insights to optimise hiring performance!