I will be frank with my objective for taking ES2007S: grab whatever skills I need for my future. In the past semester abroad I spent a bulk of my time thinking about the future.
(Really there was too much time for self-reflection. What else to do when the sun sets at 2.30pm?) The more thoughts I gave, the more apprehensive I felt. I did not (and still not, at this moment) think I had what it takes to survive the working world. No one taught me how to write a decent cover letter. No one explained if it matters how I reply an email. And certainly no one will feel sorry for me when I start flunking job interviews (that is if potential employers did not shred my resume right away…).
Had to do something about this situation urgently and so here I am enrolled in this class. I know there are tonnes of such self-help books out there but what could be better than a real classroom environment with an experienced teacher (yay!) and fellow peers (yay!) to learn from? Sadly to admit, the following points are true too:
- Tuition fees paid and this is not going to cost me extra.
- Clear MCs!
- No finals!
So far I have not really been in a situation where I could not get my message across to the other party. Probably there were times when meanings were lost since English was not the first language amongst my international friends. But with a little more explanations, nothing is impossible!
Sometimes communication tends to breakdown when the “frequency” between parties differs. I suppose the personal background and experiences significantly affects the effectiveness of communication. It is almost psychological I think it is important when I first meet new people, I observe how they carry themselves and what kind of stand they take on issues. This way I can pre-empt clashes of personalities! Make friends not enemies yeah?
Yep! I've always found it amazing that people that speak different languages could communicate via non verbal means. (:
ReplyDeleteI will tend to observe how others carry themselves before choosing the most appropriate way of interaction too! I think this is something that most of us would do even though people tell us not to judge a book by its cover. I think dressing and actions do let us have a better understanding of someone. (:
Hi there Iris!
ReplyDeleteHaha, since you put an empty point number 4, how about letting me fill it for you? I shall say that taking this module should be fun because it is a small class! How many times in NUS do you get such privileges except in tutorial classes or other business sectional teachings?
Personally, to put things in practice, it is sensible to have a small class for us to start our quest on learning effective communication.
Yes, I agree that having different frequency with other people is one of the most common communication encounters. Personally I still find it uncomfortable to communicate very openly with people whom I don't share much common traits. This is because of the awkward silences and the pressure of just saying something for the sake of talking.
Thanks, Iris, for this honest reflection of why you are in this course (per your list). There's nothing wrong with being pragmatic. I do hope that in addition to the reasons you list this course gives you skills that you need. I know that we cover letters and resumes and such. Let's see what you think in the end.
ReplyDeleteI've noted a few language issues in your post:
1) how I reply an email. >>> how I reply to an email.
2) a bulk >>> the bulk
3) Had to do something about this situation >>> I had to do something about this situation
4) It is almost psychological I think it >>> ?
I have a few questions as well: 1) Where did you do your study abroad? 2) Are there any problems with cross cultural communication that
you can remember?
High five to the reasons why you are taking ES2007S, Iris!
ReplyDeleteI feel that as science students,especially life sciences majors, very often we do not get the chance to attend small tutorial classes and have a interactive session with our tutors and classmates. Most of the time, we are piled with plenty of knowledge but no one tells us exactly what working life is going to be in future, what should we do in various situations or how interviews should be handled. I agree that for every job a certain level of competence is required to get the job done. However, interpersonal relations is as important as well and it is true for all kinds of jobs, since we are working in a company and not alone. So I guess it is better to prepare for working life before actually starting work and not struggling only when we are in the situation.
hello!
ReplyDeleteyou took the words right out of my mouth! i joined the class because of the same reasons as you! we often take modules due to the fact that they are easy to score, cheap (as in bid points) or because they are our core modules. it is really not often in which we are able to take a module that teaches us life skills and prepares us for the real world!
i agree with what linhui said. science students are often in tutorial groups where we'll go for tutorial, copy the answers and then leave. in addtion to that, we have little or no projects at all. there is hardly any interaction with most people unless you join orientation groups. this is perhaps going to be one of the modules in which i'll really get to know my classmates like you!
Hi Iris!
ReplyDeleteThat is really an honest post on why you are taking this module! To be honest as well, one of my reasons of taking this module is beacuse there is no exams! Yay! :D
I am sure that being on exchange last year has really opened up your eyes just like it did for me when i went for my exchange too! Wow! so you had really done alot of reflections when you were overseas!
I totally agree with you that first impression counts. I have to also admit that there are some people whom i don't feel like talking to after meeting them for the first time to prevent personalities clashes. But like the saying goes, " do not judge a book by its cover". This reminds me of the time when my good friend in junior college tells me that when she first saw me in school, she found me very cold and unapproachable. Of course, after knowing me for 5 years now, i am not such a person! (And i am sure after this sem you will not find me cold! Hopefully! :D)
So, let us give others and give yourself a chance to know people better first before deciding when your personality will clash!
oops! i meant *whether your personality will clash!*
ReplyDelete(Sorry I knew I had to do this commenting work sooner. Time really was not on my side.)
ReplyDeleteShihhan:
Yes, do not judge a book by its cover, but it is at least useful for the first few conversations before I get to know what sort of a person I'm handling. I met a Malaysian Chinese friend on SEP (NUS student) and I could see that he is passionate about Malaysian politics from his MSN and facebook. That, made me divert any chit-chats from going anywhere near there, in case I strike a wrong chord. So I guess other than physical appearance, we could be judging others by ANYTHING related to that person.
Stephanie:
I did not know I had an empty point 4! I was puzzled by your comment at first, then I realised, the empty point does not show up in my Opera browser! -.-"
Yeah I like this interactive, small class too. (Tutorials practically do not exist for LSM modules, and I have never had a business class.)
"*pause*
erm...erm...isn't the weather great today?"
HAHAAHA!
Brad:
Oops sorry! I will pay greater attention in my future posts. I guess I am too used to casual writings (rantings!).
I do not recall any major cross-culteral problems, but yes there was one funny incident. We (4 Singaporeans) were invited to dinner at a Pole's apartment and we offered to wash up after dinner, which we did. To us, it was a normal gesture. I do that at my friends' places too. However our Polish friend was exclaiming in disbelief "Wow we never have our friends do the dishes after dinner! Is this a Singaporean thing?" At that moment it felt like we have overdone our politeness.
Lin Hui & Kellyn:
Great to know we are on the same frequency on this! Small tutorial classes? I think the only one was organic chemistry...
erm...erm...
Will anyone attempt to kill me if I said I got this class for 1 point in round 3A?
Vanessa:
Yes, SEP really opened up my eyes, to the world and to myself. I am not antisocial or do not enjoy the company of family and friends, but there was much more "myself" time to ponder.
I had a CCA senior who had a similar impression of me: "Haiyo why is this junior is so cold and dao..." Hey, it was Sec 1! Young and ignorant! Don't worry you don't seem cold and unapproachable!