Blog Entry 4: Final Reflection on Learning

It’s now the final week of semester, my last blog post and also the last component of course work before final exams. This is a bittersweet moment, I'm one step closer to completing my degree however it also signifies that my time here in NUS as an exchange student is drawing to an end. My journey here has gone by breathtakingly fast, I've met so many people, learnt so much about the Singaporean culture and have gained a greater perspective of various subjects. I could not imagine a better semester spent abroad. My experience in taking ES2007S has been one filled with many positive memories and huge learning opportunities.

I chose this module with intention of improving and developing both my soft skills and necessary abilities for a professional setting. Being a university student, there is a certain inevitability that we will find ourselves contributing our efforts in some kind of a workplace, regardless of whether we pursue a professional career or something else altogether. That being said, I feel that course has allowed me to gain so much more insight into the dealings involved in working in the real world, as well as greater knowledge of the skills needed to be able to communicate effectively.

Specifically, communication skills were heavily emphasised and there were many opportunities where I was pushed to develop my skills, whether it was participating in class discussion or presenting. Public speaking had always been a challenge for me and before this semester, I rarely would speak up or contribute to class discussion. Back home, tutorial participation is not common and as such, there was a fair amount of adaptation needed for me to have a two way conversation with other members of the class and even the tutor. Initially it was confronting, but the amount of presenting and public speaking in this module really pushed me to overcome any fears or worries that I had in the past.

In the very first presentation we had to give, due to other engagements I was not prepared at all and literally improvised my speech. Previously, for every speech or presentation I had done, I would come ready with a script cut down into palm cards that I would go over thoroughly before.  This was such a huge contrast and although it went okay, I knew this would be a semester of much growth and learning. I'm really glad to say that since the conclusion of this module, I am now able to present with much more confidence in my own ability, am more aware of how to communicate effectively (7  C’s!) and find interacting in class discussions much easier. Thank you Dr Radhika for a really well taught module, my fellow peers for all your constructive feedback and to all for the enjoyable semester!

Blog Entry 3: Reflection on Team-based Research Project Proposal

Looking back in retrospect over the past couple of months, it’s hard to believe that the team based research project proposal will be completed and concluded by the end of this week. Working in a team with Nazyra and Nabilah has been both a memorable and enlightening experience. In fact, it’s even a little strange to think that before working together with my group members, they were two completely unfamiliar individuals. Nevertheless, it just goes to show how easily a task can be achieved when you are able to work well together as a team.

I thought that as a group we worked cooperatively and effectively. Each team member was easy to get along with and there were no conflicts or struggles that we couldn't overcome collectively. Initially we took a while to get started on our project and as a result, when it came to choosing a topic, problem and effective solution, we found we were hard pressed. We ended up deciding on the issue of overcrowding in MRT systems which proved to be a fairly complex issue as we soon realised that it required extensive research and data. However, everyone was committed to doing their part and regardless of our rocky start, everyone still was able to fulfil their responsibilities by the given deadline. Even when we didn't have delegated tasks (such as emailing a Professor to set up an interview) each member took the initiative to make sure something was done.

The biggest challenge we faced was trying to set up an interview with a Professor, where we had to keep emailing back and forth to reach a mutual time due our conflicting schedules. In the end, our only option was having only two of us present at the interview. This may have worked out better if we had chosen our topic earlier and started the correspondence earlier. However, from this learning experience of a team based project, it can be seen that good communication and time organisation as well as having initiative and taking responsibility are all integral components of effective team work.

In the context of the workplace, all these elements can be realistically translated to team projects. Even if there are conflicts or negative issues, the combination of these effective team attributes can be applied to assist with easing and also resolving problems caused by ‘bad’ team behaviour. Examples of bad behaviour include domineering, inflexible, irresponsible individuals and also those who may have another agenda.  None of these traits were present in my team at all and we were able to succeed because we communicated effectively, compromised, committed and were held accountable to each other.

Taught well & effectively avoided!

Blog Post 2: Evaluating Intercultural Communication

As a Singaporean born Australian revisiting Singapore as an exchange student, I've had the opportunity to both experience and observe countless scenarios involving intercultural communication. Specifically, I remember a situation from week two of semester which really illustrated the multidimensional nature of intercultural communication.

In the dining hall of my residential college, there was a large group of exchange students of various nationalities sitting and eating together. During conversation, a European exchange student commented about the lack of variety of food available on campus and how he was continually having to eat western food. He did not like rice or noodles and found that where ever he went, rice or noodle dishes were the only choices. I found his view rather skewed but kept these thoughts to myself as each individual has their own subjective viewpoint and tastes. However, there was an American student who strongly disagreed and responded bluntly with “I do not see how food is a problem at all. Singapore is such a culturally diverse place, there is so much great food everywhere and I find that I’ve been able to assimilate completely.”

Intercultural communication is becoming much more present and commonplace in our daily lives and society today. There are many aspects to culture and communication which can be similar, very different or even conflicting to our own! Several categorised differences can especially be noted between low vs. high context cultures, with non-verbal cues (proxemics, haptics, oculesics, kinesics), values (collectivist vs. individualistic, masculine vs feminine), time management (polychronic vs monochronic) and verbal communication styles (direct vs indirect, instrumental vs affective).

In this scenario the American student was very direct and instrumental in communicating her ideas, the European student did show slight offense however he didn’t extend the argument or take it personally. Different people communicate differently and although personally we may see their approaches as right or wrong, we need to understand that each individual’s own background teaches different norms, values and ways of communication. It is important not to have prejudice, stereotype or categorise people based on culture as each individual is unique.

Situations like this are probably familiar to many and to effectively communicate, we must be open, knowledgeable, understanding and instead embrace the differences between cultures.

Blog Post 1: Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

Sarah and Lisa were colleagues who had been working together in the same department of a retail organisation. Sarah was a middle aged, loyal member of staff who had been in her role for almost 20 years and Lisa was a young, entry level salesperson who had been with the company for just over a year. Susan was known to have a strong, brash personality towards all staff, supposedly a by product of working in the same job and industry. In her long standing position, several people had been unable to cope with the demands and clashes of trivial conflict with Sarah and had even requested for transfers to other departments. 

Over the course of the year, Lisa had grown accustomed to conduct of the department and established a sense of comfort within the working environment.  She also developed a relatively friendly relationship with Sarah and the other staff. However, one day Sarah commented something in passing that deeply upset and offended Lisa. She broke down in tears in the staff bathroom where several colleagues offered her words of consolation. When she returned to her department, she stopped conversing entirely with Sarah, except for necessary work related talk.  As this was not the first time Sarah had affronted a fellow colleague, Lisa approached a manager about her specific issue and they provided her with a choice to change department.

Although realising Lisa’s change of behaviour and demeanour, Sarah was only made aware of the effects of her comment through other colleagues. Unwilling to address the issue, both women continued to avoid each other and as consequence, much tension and rigidity was felt in the department environment.

How can the other colleagues approach this situation in order to restore the working environment?