When I applied for a music therapy position in Singapore located half way around the world from my hometown, I thought of it more as wishing on a shooting star. 

I grew up in the state of Florida from the United States and completed my undergraduate music therapy studies at Queens University of Charlotte North Carolina. During my studies we were given several opportunities to complete research in areas of our own interest, which for me was the application of music therapy in international settings.

After graduating I spent a year living abroad in Germany working in a non-related music therapy field. During that year I traveled around Europe visiting 11 countries and 46 cities. I enjoyed immersing myself in the various cultures and languages, but I missed practicing music therapy. I saw the posting for the position at KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore and didn’t waste anytime sending in my application. This job would not only allow me to continue exposing myself to new cultures and practices, but also challenge me as a professional in the field that I am very passionate about.

I look forward to immersing myself in the Singaporean culture for the next two years, broadening my repertoire, and learning how to be most successful at facilitating music therapy interventions for this setting and population. Someday, it is my aspiration to work in post-conflict and third world countries using music therapy. I believe the knowledge and experience I will gain while working in Singapore will better prepare me for such future opportunities and increase my effectiveness as a music therapist working with patients from different cultural backgrounds. What started off as a wish on a shooting star has now become my reality, and I feel very lucky to have been given such an opportunity.

Ashley Spears MT-BC, KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore