Final Reflection on learning

The 12 weeks' journey of ES2007S is finally come to an end. I was once worried about taking the module because of the writing assignments and requirements of being active in class. And now, thinking back the 12 weeks' learning in this warm group, I really learnt a lot from the module, whether the knowledge of professional communication skills or how to achieve improvements of my personal branding.

In the 12 weeks I got to learn how non-verbal communication act the same importance as verbal communication. Skills of how to deal with intercultural conflict and how to communicate with others efficiently were also leave me deep impression.Though the module, we did totally four presentations including dry run. For the peer teaching section, my group's topic is job interview. The peer teaching not only give me the chance to practice presentation but also offer me a plenty of practical and useful information. Recalling the peer teaching, I still remember the pictures about how to dress for an interview, the "star" formula that can be applied to answer interview question and what should be done after the interview. From other groups' section, I learnt the process of conducting survey and how to design survey questions. In addition, the section of writing of application letter and resume really helps a lot.

The final project of writing a proposal and conducting the presentation to persuade audience support the proposal was interesting that every group came up with own ideas as well as finding the proper solution for them. The presentation was more difficult for me than peer teaching since we got more content to present. The skills to use card to remind of the key points also need to be improved that presenters are required to have other contact with audiences like eye contact. The proper use of pause and emphasizing of content will surely affect to what extent that audience understand what you say.

In brief, the 12 weeks' of learning really gives me a perfect memory of learning and working with all of you lovely and nice classmates, wish all of you best in the following final exam as well as the following study or working journey. Thank you Mdm Radjika for your patience and you are really approachable and wonderful. Thanks everyone.

Reflection on Project Proposal-challenges, triumphs, learning points, possible improvements for the next group project

In the past few weeks, Jerry, Jia Jian and I work together on our team proposal on ‘Reducing food wastage’. We conducted the project from branding stone and narrowing down to three topics to picking just one topic and doing research. I did actually interested in this topic 

After doing our own research wastage, we met to get the outline of the proposal done as well as discuss which content choose to contain in the proposal such as picking proper proposed solutions from solutions based on research. In addition, for the specific parts we are in charge of we will complete separately and combined at last, which also make our work more efficient. One of the challenges our team face is that we require for interview of different organizations, namely NEA, NEC and SEC, and only got to receive reply from NEA at last.

 So what I have gained from the participation is mostly in the parts of doing project work which requires you to come up with your own opinion and communicate to each other. For I myself I still need to improve my communication skills since I face with the challenge that sometimes even I thought I have done some background research before our meeting I couldn’t get my opinion well delivered.

I am very lucky to cooperate with Jerry and Jia Jian in the proposal project and I really appreciate their help like helping me modify during the progress; they are also great companion full of passion and who always have a clear thought as well as conduct the project smoothly.

Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour

Living in a multicultural society like Singapore, we will associate with people from different culture and backgrounds. In common communication, the person who receives the message may understand the message based on his own values, beliefs and expectations for behavior. When cross-culture communication occurs, the receiver may use information from his culture to interpret the message which may be different from what the sender intended.

I remember this one time when my friend and I took part in a summer camp to the UK and was treated by different host families. I always thought it common to bring a friend home when living in China. One day when collective activity ended and we were supposed to go back, my friend invited me to go back with her so that we can spend more time talking together. The hostess just showed a sense of embarrassing but treated me with a nice supper. She then told my friend that she was supposed to inform them in advance if there is guest, otherwise they will feel disturbed and embarrassed.

From that time on I became more sensitive to cultural difference in communication and have the habit to do some research when coming to a new environment and facing people from different culture. I used to consider intercultural difference as communication barriers when I first came to study in Singapore. However, the deeper I know about behavior habit of people from other culture such as Indian and Malay, the more fortunate I think I am to study in a society with multiculturalism. Getting to know how others differ from I myself is an interesting thing and communication misunderstanding should not be the gap between different people. Giving more tolerance to others if they didn’t act properly and think twice before using body language or saying something will always make cross-culture communication more harmonious and efficient.

Resolving interpersonal conflict

Interpersonal conflict can happen very easily since even small issue like bad tone in communication, difference of lifestyle and culture may give rise to it. From definition, implies significant resentment and discontent caused by disagreement, which may contribute to team discord or even break-off of relationships. Thus it is never easier for us to learn to handle such critical communication problem.

One of the interpersonal conflicts I have encountered happened in the second year of high school, which occurred between my father and me. I wished to leave for universities outside China at that time. However, my father always wished me to enter a university and study medicine in China. He hoped to change my mind so that he always changed the topic to the advantage of studying medicine and being a doctor in China when we were discussing about studying abroad. Then one day I felt impatient and said why you are always trying to prevent me from going abroad instead of respect my decision. My father got angry  later and did not even want to talk to me in the next few days.

Although my father supported my choice at last, I regretted having the bad tone at that time all the time. Issue like this should be handled better. Maybe at that time I just needed to be more patient, put myself in my father’s shoes, letting him accept my decision little by little then the conflict will be avoided. And even after saying in bad tone I could try to make up by apologizing immediately, and then find a proper occasion to sit down with my father exchanging thoughts, telling him how I desire to have the opportunity to live a different life.

To conclude, I may share three small tips on resolving interpersonal conflicts. First, always be patient to listen to others’ stories. Second, don’t hesitate to apology when the interpersonal conflict is actually caused by you. Last but not least, even if you think you are the one on the side of justice, you should give the other side the chance to explain and time to accept your opinion.