Mei Hui's Reflection
To be honest, in the first place, when I heard of this trip, first thing come to my mind is that how are the student’s going to learn anything in that 10 days. I mean it is really a short period of time, will everything that is got to be taught in the semester’s tutorial and lecture session be able to be taught in the 10 days. Nevertheless, with all these thoughts, I made my decision to go on this trip. Probably the main focus is the get the experience, and also to satisfy all my curiosity mentioned above.
In the workshop, all the limited time for project and working under stress, I realize that I learnt a lot. From the research, and discussion, information really flow into my mind and I could remember it clearly whereas for example you asked me what I have study for last semester, I wouldn’t remember it so clearly. And of course the trip to China itself adds on to it. It was really enjoyable, other than learning about China’s culture, their way of working etc, I also got to learn the skills to network, how preparation for meeting should be done, how modern China is, how is Singaporeans going to improve, what are the challenges I would faced if I were to venture in there, learning China history, how innovative they are. I have also written some objectives, so that I can gauge how this trip has enhanced my learning.
Firstly it is to get to know more about the PRD and be prepared for the future.
I learnt that in China guan xi is important, it would take a lot of time to inculcate relationship with the Chinese (patience is needed), they might agreed to do business with you because of their guan xi with you, furthermore after a contract is signed, to Singaporeans surprise, it is just the beginning of negotiations. Other than that, it is important to be able to speak their language. Able to speak mandarin isn’t good enough, Cantonese would be even better. Then they would be able to feel more comfortable to work with you. From what I have seen, Chinese are sincere, in most of our visit, they either have banners or applaud to welcome you. I was really shocked to experience this in the first company(Walmart), I thought that they employee were clapping for some high position authority, until the management told us that they were actually welcoming us.
Another factor is that, Chinese were enterprising, companies build hotels for businessman, it is really a good way of earning money. Adding to it, their goods are also up to standard, with nice packaging.
Next objective is to have team skills. In this trip, we almost meet up and discuss with our group mates, what questions to ask, how are we going to write our report. There is also one point of time when we are totally lost, we don’t know what other questions to ask, what topics we should cover in our report. Thus we anticipated it as soon as possible by drawing a draft out and asking Andrew for help. Although we are divided into 7 groups, I feel that this ibsm trip is also like a team representing NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC, performing the best. We are kind of bonded together too, with all the interactions with each other everyday.Networking is really an everyday thing in life, we even network with each other when we were on the bus, having meals.
The last objectives I am going to elaborate on is being able to speak up. Although I am still not as out spoken as some of the ibsm mates, as compared to the previous me, I have seen improvement. Take for example in the networking dinner. There are a total of 4 networking dinners. In the first networking dinner, I am the representative of my group to sit on table 1, whereby the topic would be WTO. I really take that seriously, I felt that it is really an opportunity for my group so that we can have more information to write in our project. My group thought a lot of questions, and planned how are we going to ice break. However, i was too nervous so I kept quiet, until Mr Lau hinted. I was so ashamed of myself. Nevertheless, I improve a lot in the forth networking dinner. I was able to speak more freely with the auditor sitting beside me.
All of us also took up roles for this trip. I was one the photographers. Though it is really not an easy job and it is not something which I am really professional at, but after the photos and stuff are out, there is really a great sense of satisfaction. (although the photos might not be well taken)
Things here are totally different from what I have expected. I feel that Singapore cannot be compared to China. They are so huge (imagine one nansha = one Singapore)
Overall I enjoyed this trip very much, really a memorable experience for me, so many more friends. This is the first time I travel abroad without my parents’ company. I really doubt myself whether I living well for that 10days. In fact, I can say proudly I can!! I am able to take care of myself and belongings (passport and money isn’t lost, I am still well and healthy). I really enjoyed the trip very much.
To be honest, in the first place, when I heard of this trip, first thing come to my mind is that how are the student’s going to learn anything in that 10 days. I mean it is really a short period of time, will everything that is got to be taught in the semester’s tutorial and lecture session be able to be taught in the 10 days. Nevertheless, with all these thoughts, I made my decision to go on this trip. Probably the main focus is the get the experience, and also to satisfy all my curiosity mentioned above.
In the workshop, all the limited time for project and working under stress, I realize that I learnt a lot. From the research, and discussion, information really flow into my mind and I could remember it clearly whereas for example you asked me what I have study for last semester, I wouldn’t remember it so clearly. And of course the trip to China itself adds on to it. It was really enjoyable, other than learning about China’s culture, their way of working etc, I also got to learn the skills to network, how preparation for meeting should be done, how modern China is, how is Singaporeans going to improve, what are the challenges I would faced if I were to venture in there, learning China history, how innovative they are. I have also written some objectives, so that I can gauge how this trip has enhanced my learning.
Firstly it is to get to know more about the PRD and be prepared for the future.
I learnt that in China guan xi is important, it would take a lot of time to inculcate relationship with the Chinese (patience is needed), they might agreed to do business with you because of their guan xi with you, furthermore after a contract is signed, to Singaporeans surprise, it is just the beginning of negotiations. Other than that, it is important to be able to speak their language. Able to speak mandarin isn’t good enough, Cantonese would be even better. Then they would be able to feel more comfortable to work with you. From what I have seen, Chinese are sincere, in most of our visit, they either have banners or applaud to welcome you. I was really shocked to experience this in the first company(Walmart), I thought that they employee were clapping for some high position authority, until the management told us that they were actually welcoming us.
Another factor is that, Chinese were enterprising, companies build hotels for businessman, it is really a good way of earning money. Adding to it, their goods are also up to standard, with nice packaging.
Next objective is to have team skills. In this trip, we almost meet up and discuss with our group mates, what questions to ask, how are we going to write our report. There is also one point of time when we are totally lost, we don’t know what other questions to ask, what topics we should cover in our report. Thus we anticipated it as soon as possible by drawing a draft out and asking Andrew for help. Although we are divided into 7 groups, I feel that this ibsm trip is also like a team representing NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC, performing the best. We are kind of bonded together too, with all the interactions with each other everyday.Networking is really an everyday thing in life, we even network with each other when we were on the bus, having meals.
The last objectives I am going to elaborate on is being able to speak up. Although I am still not as out spoken as some of the ibsm mates, as compared to the previous me, I have seen improvement. Take for example in the networking dinner. There are a total of 4 networking dinners. In the first networking dinner, I am the representative of my group to sit on table 1, whereby the topic would be WTO. I really take that seriously, I felt that it is really an opportunity for my group so that we can have more information to write in our project. My group thought a lot of questions, and planned how are we going to ice break. However, i was too nervous so I kept quiet, until Mr Lau hinted. I was so ashamed of myself. Nevertheless, I improve a lot in the forth networking dinner. I was able to speak more freely with the auditor sitting beside me.
All of us also took up roles for this trip. I was one the photographers. Though it is really not an easy job and it is not something which I am really professional at, but after the photos and stuff are out, there is really a great sense of satisfaction. (although the photos might not be well taken)
Things here are totally different from what I have expected. I feel that Singapore cannot be compared to China. They are so huge (imagine one nansha = one Singapore)
Overall I enjoyed this trip very much, really a memorable experience for me, so many more friends. This is the first time I travel abroad without my parents’ company. I really doubt myself whether I living well for that 10days. In fact, I can say proudly I can!! I am able to take care of myself and belongings (passport and money isn’t lost, I am still well and healthy). I really enjoyed the trip very much.
--Mei Hui
Neeky
11:18 AM
11:18 AM