Final Reflection on Learning

The 12 weeks spent in the ES2007S class has truly been an enriching journey of learning and self-discovery. It has definitely been an eye-opening experience towards the idea of communication which turns out to be so much more than writing well and speaking fluently, unlike what I had in mind before embarking on the course.

Going into the course, I had hoped to improve my presentation skills and also learn how to tackle interviews. Coming out, I think I can safely say that I have learnt all of these and so much more. Knowing what I have to look out for and what others are looking out for has taught me to be more aware of all the little things – non-verbal cues, tone of voice, assertiveness etc and being aware gives me more confidence that I am able to engage my audience and present a better ‘brand me’.

The skills taught in this course are applicable to every conversation we strike up, every presentation we have to give and every interview we have to go through. I am glad I decided to take it up as it will be of great help in any future situations I have to face. I will definitely recommend this course to my peers!

Finally, I would like to thank Dr Radhika as well as all my classmates in ES2007S for the wonderful times spent in class and for all the useful feedback given so that I can improve and do better. Thank you all!!! ^^

Reflection on Team-based Project Proposal

Over the past two months, we have all slogged hard over this thing called The Proposal. Through the process of coming up with a feasible proposal and penning it down in a persuasive way, I have picked up many valuable lessons on project work as well as proposal writing.

Firstly, on project work. This is always a tricky matter because everyone has different schedules and different styles of working. With technological advancements such as Google drive and Dropbox, the first problem is easily overcome as we were able to ‘meet’ and discuss work virtually as opposed to frequently scheduling a time when everyone is free to meet up and discuss the project in person. However, working style is a much more complicated matter. Effective communication is extremely important when working in a team so that each person’s ideas can be put across clearly and to minimize misunderstandings. Thankfully, my group came up with a rough outline and expectations before getting down to work so that everyone has a mutual understanding of what is expected. I am also very grateful for very understanding teammates who were extremely forbearing towards my shortcomings and busy schedule.

Secondly, on proposal writing. Prior to this project, I have never written a proposal, only essays and lab reports. I thus picked up many valuable lessons on how to write and present a persuasive proposal in the process. As a team, we also learnt from each other as we proofread one another’s work and observed how our team members presented their ideas.

All in all, working on this team-based project proposal has been fulfilling and an eye-opener to different working styles. One of the most important takeaways I got from this experience is the importance of communication, especially when working with other people who may not think the same way that you do.

Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour

When my family went to Korea one year ago, we did so with some basic knowledge of the Korean culture and customs. However, we quickly learnt that culture is not as simple as what you read from tourism websites and from watching Korean dramas. One thing we did not thoroughly research on is acceptable table manners in Korea. Korean dining etiquette is very unique, in that there are many rules one should follow pertaining to the use of utensils.

Just to name a few:

1.       Do not cross your chopsticks when putting them on the chopstick rest.

2.       Chopsticks should be on the chopstick rest or table when not in use.

3.       The utensils should not rest on any bowl or dish during the meal.

4.       Put down your chopsticks after every few bites and when you drink or stop to speak.

5.       Do not hold 2 sets of utensils at the same time.

Many of these were new to us, and we unknowingly committed many dining ‘crimes’ the first three days of our trip. On the fourth day, as we were eating at one of the roadside tents, the lady boss came up to us and kindly educated us on Korean dining etiquette, albeit through frantic gesturing since we could not understand each other’s language.  She had noticed me holding the chopsticks in my right hand and at the same time scooping soup with the spoon in my left hand, and also my sister resting her chopsticks parallel across the rice bowl as she drank her soup.

Now, when I am travelling to another country, I make sure to find out about the appropriate dining etiquette in their country and not offend anyone at the dinner table!

This experience also led me to think: Is it impossible to learn about another culture except through assimilating into it and experiencing it personally?

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

Many years ago, I met a girl named Gwen in school. She was boisterous, bubbly and very intelligent.  We started hanging out more and more frequently – during recess, after school, on weekends. We had never-ending conversations about everything under the sun. We were the best of friends. Sadly, this friendship was not meant to last.

Being at a rebellious age, the two of us decided to skip lessons one day to go out and play. We sneaked past the distracted security guard, dashed out of the school gate and had a mini celebration for getting out of school successfully. Barely a few meters away from the gate, though, we were caught by a teacher who happened to be making her way to school.

In the teacher’s office, we were questioned about our wilful actions, which both of us quietly admitted to. Finally, the teacher asked who had initiated it. Silence. She asked one more time. Still silence. A third time. Gwen slowly raised her hand and pointed at me. My heart sank. Gwen was the one who suggested skipping classes, why is she accusing me of doing so?

After that day, we never talked or looked at each other in the eye. I hated her for accusing me of something I did not do. She probably could not face me with her guilt. This went on for 4 years. Finally, I broke the silence when I was trying to organize a class outing. We talked for a long time, she apologized, we laughed about it, and the hatchet was buried.

Though we may no longer be best friends nor hang out with each other all the time like we used to, I am glad the cold war has finally ended after all these years and we finally reached a common understanding of how the other party felt.

I once read from a book that "Time solves most things. And what time can’t solve, you have to solve yourself." What do you think? Does time heal all wounds, or is it what we do with the time that does?