Intercultural Observation

Hey all, sorry for the really late post. Typed out my blog entry in my laptop and it failed on me. Sent it for repair! So I lost my entire post :(

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Back in my army days, I had a navigation exercise in Taiwan where a group of us would spend 4 days and 3 nights in the wilderness. We had to look for several checkpoints before heading back to the main camp when we are finished with all the checkpoints.

On the 2nd day, we had to quickly find a place to rest for the night as it was fast approaching night and it was impossible to find a good place once it was dark. Unfortunately we couldn't find a good place to stay in the forest and found ourselves stranded! Luckily for us, a local spotted us and actually invited us to stay in a spare room in his house. We were quite taken aback at first cause in Singapore it's rare that strangers talk to us, and even rarer that someone invites 3-4 strangers into their house to stay over night. We politely refused at first cause firstly we were warned not to be spotted in anything that resembles civilization during the whole navigation exercise, and secondly we just felt it was highly impolite to stay in a stranger's place. But the local was adamant and insisted we stay. It was quite a funny conversation all round cause my group consists of a malay, an indian and I. My group members couldn't understand the language spoken and could only keep smiling and offer their thanks by nodding furiously and bowing whenever he directed comments at them.

We finally agreed to stay, but the hospitality didn't stop there. Our host then proceeded to give us food, mats and offered us a warm shower. We politely said no to the warm shower, but took the rest gleefully. After the host retired to his bedroom, , my friends and I discussed the whole situation and couldn't believe our luck, but after much debate, it wasn't really our luck. It was just that the people's hospitality here is far greater than back home in Singapore. If the situation was reversed, I highly doubt I would offer a stranger a place to stay in my house. We wondered though if people in the cities of Taiwan would offer us a place to stay, and we figured it would be highly unlikely as well. Maybe affluence affects how we treat strangers, with hospitality or contempt.

Cultures differ across countries, but it also differs greatly across the affluence divide.

Personal Statement

The ability to listen is probably my greatest strength. I enjoy simple conversations over coffee, and how I can help others by simply offering a listening ear to them. In this fast-paced, quick-fix society, too often we seek solutions to our problems when we decide to open up and share them to others, hoping they can solve our problems for us. However, I believe that having someone to share your problems with is in itself a wonderful thing to have. Even if they do not offer solutions to our problems immediately, by confiding in them, we share our burdens and lighten our loads! I believe I have been offering that listening ear to many of my friends, so much so that if I wanted to, I could share with you many secrets that shouldn't see the light of day, but that would be betraying my friends' trust in me.

Listening goes beyond just being a confidant, it's a skill that can make the difference between making a potential client happy or falling short of their expectations. It makes things easier for you to establish good working relationships with your boss and colleagues. It is what makes leaders good, by being an effective listener. By listening, I have served customers and made their dining experience a pleasant one by understanding their needs with regards to their food. I helped my army unit achieved ISO 9001 re-certification by listening, understanding and make appropriate changes with regards to the requirements of the auditors during their pre-audit visits. By listening, I have led young teenagers and have them come back and express their gratitude simply because I listened to them.

"Most People will not really listen or pay attention to your point of view until they become convinced you have heard and appreciate theirs" (Nichols). Listening isn't my unique ability. I'm sure they are people out there who listen, but I'm glad I have listened effectively and I have seen how it has shaped many facets of my life and impacted people's lives around me.

Application Letter!

Hello All!

Always wanted to be a teacher, so here are the job details!

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“Are You The Right One?”

Not everyone can be a teacher. Not only must you have the passion for education, you need to know how to engage the students in their learning, be a good role model and an inspiration to them and prepare them for the challenges of life.

A teacher is the heart and soul of a class, the pulse that keeps a lesson lively and engaging. Teaching as a career is an exciting journey filled with challenges and rewards. You play a critical role in nurturing the spirit of innovation and the passion for learning in our young, grooming them into all-round individuals. In turn, you will grow both as a person and a professional. Come take up this meaningful career and experience the wonders of teaching.

We recognise that our teachers have different aspirations. The teaching profession provides a challenging and enriching career with varied fields of excellence that cater to your talents, abilities and aspirations.

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Chin Jun Yong Joel

Block 111 #01-111

Woodlands Street 11

Singapore 730111

6th September 2009

Mdm Peh Tzu Feng

Manager, Recruitment Unit

Recruitment and Placement Branch

Ministry of Education

1 North Buona Vista Drive

Singapore 138675

Dear Ms. Peh,

I am writing to express my keen interest in joining the Ministry of Education as a teacher. I will be graduating in May 2010 from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering).

I believe I have the passion and drive to equip students with a good education. Above that, I also believe in empowering students with life skills and not just things taught within a classroom. As a tuition teacher, seeing my students doing well for their exams gives me great pride and satisfaction, not because I delight in my abilities in improving their grades, but rather seeing them embracing learning and placing higher priorities on their studies.

Being a cell leader in Church, I have to lead and mentor 8-12 secondary school boys. I have to look after many aspects of their lives and not just their studies. It could be issues with relationships, CCAs, their involvement in Church and many more. The greatest satisfaction comes when after spending 4-5 years with the boys, you see them growing into better all-round individuals.

When I was a student councilor in my junior college days, I have learnt and developed leadership and organizational skills, and above all these, the ability to communicate with my peers and well as teachers or superiors. The ability to communicate with students as a teacher is very important because it is the teacher that ultimately can inspire students to greater heights.

Lastly, I want to become a teacher because I had great teachers in the past. Teachers who have inspired me to learn new things, take a different path and to stand out in the crowd.

I would welcome an opportunity to further discuss with you my qualifications and how I can be of service to the education ministry as a teacher. Please find enclosed my resume with my contact details.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely,

Joel Chin

Enclosure: Resume

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(My Address is fake since this can be viewed publicly)