Final reflection

It seems that this semester is extremely short.Time flies when we are busing with all kinds of work.However I have learnt many things in this semester and es2007s has given me something more than knowledge.

I am more experienced in searching and filtering information. I have also gained knowledge in job application process and presenting information.More importantly, I am more confident and socialized than before.I had chance to get closer to people from different background and work with different people.That makes me feel connected to the world and gives me a sense of "communication".

we have a clearer guidelines for us to follow when we come across situations like interviews.we were provided with chance to obtain reflections from the interviewers.This is not only good practice but a valuable opportunity to get to know our own strength and weaknesses so that we can progress on.
 
From the experience in peer teaching and the oral presentation,I find that more preparation and practice do make a difference.so I am very grateful for having this module to make myself more prepared for the future.

thank you all and you guys are really nice people~good luck for your exams.

Reflection on oral presentation

I was quite nervous at first because my previous presentation did not receive well.I tried to improve by writing out everything  I need to say and practice in front of an mirror.( I was practicing in a school toilet since I do not have a large mirror at home and was afraid of people coming in suddenly.They may think I was crazy...⊙﹏⊙b)

I felt more confident than last time but when I stood in front of the class,I knew nervous may not be something controllable ╮(╯_╰)╭. My did not pronounce very accurately and had to stop to repeat here and there.But then, something saved me. Yes, that's the camera!\(^o^)/~ It kept having problems like no battery, no memory, and so on. However, I calmed down while waiting for the problems to be solved.(Ms Lim apologized for keep me waiting but I actually wanted to say thank you to the camera...)

So when I started presenting again, I was quite calm and I could feel that I was doing better and better.I was trying to show my hand gestures and I hope they did not appear too little.The time control was better this time and I stopped at around 10 seconds later when Calvin signaled time out.( I felt like answering "yes" at that time.)

Ally's presentation actually inspired me and I feel her voice and tone were quite suitable for our topic, too.I might have also learned from the others here and there unconsciously.So a big thank you to you all~

Cultural difference

Exploring cultural difference is an interesting thing, and you may encounter people and situations that really amuse you. 

It seems to most of us (and to me as well) that cultural difference shown in communication is mostly in terms of courtesy. People in one country may find it ok to point at people with thire thumb while this may be offensive in another culture. When people meet each other, Japanese bow and westerners shake their hands. I have been wondering wether there is a set manner for the Chinese people follow while we meet each other. Being a Chinese myself, it is difficult for me to realize our own behavior. Last summer holiday, I met a foreigner in my home country who reminded me how people think of Chinese culture.

My province is just next door to Russia and that's why it is common to see Russian people on a street. One day, while I was taking a walk and watch some squirrels in a park, a blond girl came to me and asked me:" ni chi le ma?( have you eaten)" I was shocked and then deeply amused. She was and exchange student who studies English but was interested in Chinese as well. I explained to her that Chinese people no longer use such greetings. She asked me some other interesting questions like do we eat Jiao Zi very often, why do people like to add a word "Xiao(little)" to their surname and how I think of China's fast development. I suddenly realized that even with so much publications in various kinds of media, misunderstanding still exists. We have been taught to "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", however, the "Romans' way of behave may not be the same as we have learnt.  

I remembered that when I was in JC, I suffered a lot in writing essays. The teacher said I did not fully explain me arguments, which I think was clear enough. The teacher said that there are lot of information hidden in my argument that could have been illustrated further. Last time when we had the peer teaching , one of my classmates mentioned that because Chinese is a very resourceful language, Chinese people like to assume that others have caught their hidden information. This is exactly what I have encountered and suffered a lot from.

From then onward, I learned not to assume that people understand you and not to assume that you understand others because that may not be the case. Asking more is a good habit to avoid misunderstanding in inter-cultural communication. 

Application Letter

Blk 123, A Street 1                                                                                                                                             
  #05-678, Singapore 901234                                                                                                                            
 Mobile Number: 12345678                                                                                                                                             
 E-Mail: miao&wang@nus.edu.sg 

September 8th 2014

HR Department                                                                                                                                          
Balanced Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd,                                                                                             
18 Boon Lay Way #06-105/106 TradeHub 21                                                                                        
Singapore 609966

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my interest in the design engineering job advertised on Jobstreet. com, 8th Sept. 

I am a fresh graduate from National University of Singapore with a bachelor degree in civil engineering. I have been particularly interested in design drawing and have found myself internship and part time job related to this area. My skills in CAD software provides me the fundamental to be a design engineer. My experience as an Assist Project Coordinator in Banyan Tree Hotel & Resorts makes me aware of the changes in design software and design code and a sense of updating constantly. Further more, work as a part time draftsman has given me the chance to get a insight of professional design, which may enable me to work better as a design engineer. 

During my internship and part working, I have to follow the deadline closely and work independently. I think that satisfy your requirement to work under tight schedule.

I am fluent in both Chinese and English, Especially Chinese. That enables me to communicate with possible Mandarin peaking clients or colleagues. I have gone through the professional communication training course to prepare myself with essential theories of effective communication. My experience as a career guide further enhanced my ability to communicate. 

I hope that my qualifications and skills satisfy your requirement for the job. I am reachable at any time via email or mobile phone. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity. 

Faithfully,

Chang Lixian

--------------------------------------------------------------JOB   AD------------------------------------------------

Balanced Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd specialises in design, build, repair and maintenance of industrial and commercial chimneys and silos. With a number of offices in the Asia Pacific Region, BEC is a market leader in this highly-specialised field, with an impressive track record. Due to our rapid expansion, we are now looking for a suitable candidate to join our team.

DESIGN ENGINEER
Boon Lay (West)

Responsibilities:

• Plan, manage and execute designs, typically from concept through to completion and manage design changes during construction stage.
• Ensure compliance with the relevant design codes and specifications.

Requirements:

• Graduate Civil or Structural Engineer.
• Minimum of at least three years design experience since graduation plus preferably at least 1 year site experience.
• Experience in the use of Singapore and British design codes and standards is essential.
• Additionally, experience in the use of US design codes and standards would be preferable.
• Experience in the design and detailing of reinforced concrete essential.
• Experience in the use of SAP 2000 and MS Office is essential.
• Knowledge of Autocad would be preferable but is not essential.
• Highly organised, independent and able to work under pressure and tight schedule.
• Excellent communicationand interpersonal skills.

---

Suitable applicants interested in this and other engineering positions are invited to write in with detailed resume stating qualifications, work experience, current and expected salary to

 

hr@be-con.com

 

Balanced Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd

Singapore

Website: www.be-con.com

EQ and personal conflict

As I grow up from a little girl to an adult, one thing is brought to my attention ore and more often, the EQ.Remember when I was in secondary school when grades were the most important thing in life,the students with excellent exam results were most likely the center of a crowd.(That's what happens in my secondary school.)However, things are inevitably changed.We may find some excellent students marginalized or difficult to communicate with.IQ and EQ are different aspects of assigning a person's ability and as our acquaintance increases with age , EQ has played a more and more significant role in our life.

My mother has illustrated the relationship between EQ and IQ using a metaphor. She said that excellent result slid is the key to the door of a successful future, the ability to communicate with people are the stairs leading to success.Both are essential, the EQ, however makes a greater difference.

There was one girl in my JC who is an excellent actress and she really worked hard to improve herself in acting in her CCA. She participated in the executive committee member election but lost to another girl who has no acting talent but was more good at communicating with others.Her friends felt pity for her because communication skill has put her down.

EQ helps people to find the most suitable way to fit into a society.People with good EQ are able to observe signs from other people and hence communicate in the most effective way.On the contrary, conflicts may arise.

I once encountered a girl who just broke up with his boy friend.She started to quarrel with her roommate on that day because her roommates were having small talks and laughter.She thought that her roommates were laughing at her.In the end she moved out from the room. Things would be much different if she could have controlled her emotions and talked to her roommates.Or at least she could have later explain and apologize. EQ does not affect the ability to communicate but also the intention to communicate.

Maybe if we all make an effort to communicate with each other and induce the intention in ourselves,our EQ will increase.

Hello Aloud

Five years in Singapore,my mindset and the way I behave have been greatly changed.The language I use, the things I encounter,the people I see around are all unfamiliar.That makes me feel alone.When I was in my hometown ,I do not have to spend lots of effort to explore what other people are thinking because most people around me have similar background and similar idea about the world .This is really a bad habit ,as I later realized ,for no one in the world is identical to another.My new friends are getting less and less because I　ｄｏ　ｎｏｔ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｈｏｗ　ｔｏ　ｅｘｐｒｅｓｓ　ｍｙｓｅｌｆ　ａｃｃｕｒａｔｅｌｙ　ｎｏｒ　ｄｏ　Ｉ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｗｈａｔ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｓｕｉｔａｂｌｅ　ｔｏｐｉｃ　ｔｏ　ｍａｋｅ　ａ　ｓｔａｒｔ．Ｏｎｅ　ｃａｎｎｏｔ　ｔａｌｋ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｗｅａｔｈｅｒ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｔｈｅ　Ｂｒｉｔｉｓｈ　ｄｏ　ａｔ　ａｎｙ　ｔｉｍｅ．Ｉ　ｓｔａｒｔ　ｔｏ　ｗｏｎｄｅｒ　ｗｈｅｔｈｅｒ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｓｍｉｌｅ　ａｔ　ｍｅ　ｂｅｃａｕｓｅ　ｏｆ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓｈｉｐ　ｏｒ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｏｕｔ　ｏｆ　ｐｏｌｉｔｅｎｅｓｓ．Ｉstarted to fear and wanted to hide myself away from the crowd.This becomes a vicious cycle. My world is restrained.

I was suddenly woke up when one of my friend asked me how many new friend I have made over the past one year.It is painful to face my shortcomings and to make a start.I know it would be a tough journey as I　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｓｔｅｐ　ｏｕｔ　ｏｆ　ｍｙ　ｃｏｎｆｏｒｔ　ｚｏｏｎ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｔｈｉｎｇ　ｉｓ　it is till not too late to start. Confucious has said that if one makes his best,even though he may not improve a lot,it is still a great effort for him. Ｉwant my smile to be less pale,Ｉwant to spend more time on my friend,I　ｗａｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｈｏｌｄ　ｍｙ　ｏｐｐｏｔｕｎｉｔｙ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ａｎ　ｉｎｔｅｒｖｉｅｗ,I want to understand the world,I　ｗａｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｎｅｓｔ　ｍｙ　ｓｅｌｆ　ｄｅｅｐｌｙ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｅａｒｔｈ　ｌｉｋｅ　ａ　ｂｉｇ　ｏｃｋ　ｔｒｅｅ　.

For me, ES2007S is not just a lesson for me to learn communication skills but a sign of a start.　Ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ｒｅａｌｉｚｅｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｎｅｅｄ　ａｎｄ　ａｍ　ｗｉｌｌｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｍａｋｅ　ａ　ｄｉｆｆｅｒｅｎｃｅ．Ｆｏｒ　ｍｅ，ｃｏｍｍｕｎｉｃａｔｉｏｎ　ｉｓ　ｎｏｔ　ｏｎｌｙ　ａ　ｔｏｏｌ，ｂｕｔ　ｗｉｌｌ　ａｌｓｏ　ｂｅ　ａ　ｌｉｆｅｓｔｙｌｅ．Ｈｅｒｅ　Ｉ　ｓａｙ　ｇｏｏｄｂｙｅ　ｔｏ　ｍｙ　ｓｉｌｅｎｔ　ｐａｓｔ　ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ｗａｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｗａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｌｄ　ａｎｄ　ｓａｙ　ｈｅｌｌｏ　ａｌｏｕｄ．

Ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｅｎｄ，　Ｉwill attach the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, which has accompanied me through my lonely days,and encouraged me not to give up.

My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?

In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging,
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?

lyrics from www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/alias-season2/howcanikeepfromsinging.html