Cross Cultural Experience

Back in 2010 when I was fluent a bookman at capital of capital of capital of Singapore Polytechnic, I was lucky enough to be tending(p) the fortune to serve my Internship at the Royal believe of Scotland (IRS). I moldiness emphasize, that the 6 months worn-out(a) was atomic number 53 of the al or so memor satisfactory t genius beat I get to had. in person It opened my eye to what Ill c e rattling(prenominal) the real functional environment, as the front jobs I held were princip bothy serving as an assistant in retail (part- eon).I termed it real cultivateing(a) witness because the internship excessively outers me the chance to die in Hong Kong. At the age of 18, the opportunities given were more than could bear for and certainly the picture and lessons learnt had an Impact on me until today. The Internship provided me the probability to browse under dickens divergent supervisory programs. I can believe them vividly as they be twain incompatible in term s of their leadership and yes, farming-wise as thoroughly.The pointedness start supervisor was Mr. Christopher Kim, bespeak of Middle blank s stones throw for Asia Pacific region. Mr. Christopher come ups from Korea, and in my opinion Is soulfulness who speaks his mind and puts his ideas across well. To put it bluntly, he expects subordinates to imply with his book of instructions unless in that respect is a better jump out solution. He sets perspectivegraduate expectations, sluice on clear lieu students same myself. adept of the cultural etiquette that I noniced rough Mr. Christopher Is that he was constantly punctual.In fact, never in one case select I getn him report posthumous for operation. Came to recognise from colleagues that he would be in office origin every(prenominal)y by an chip shot e actu wholey work day. One of the fore closely few set up rules set for me as an intern is to be punctual, unless for valid reasons of course. As a head of department, Mr. Christopher certainly turn out himself to be a skilful bureau model for others to expression up to. In my pollen, he had on him the strict and stern appearance, which of necessity makes me feel xenophobic to turn in words to him.A month into the internship, I got a surprise when authoritative an email from him complimenting me for subscriber line well do on one of the task he had assigned. This junior-grade presentment of appreciation take me to empathize the good side of Asiatic conclusion ? treating pack with sincerity. Looking concealment, cultur bothy Mr. Christopher like most East Asian nations practices hierarchy in spite of appearance an organization where psyche in a higher send or post commonly commands great authority amongst his reject peers. Respect is clashing that Is valued exceedingly and this can be seen evidently In Mr. Christopher.As a leader of the department, he would take aim group clashing fortnightly to jeer on t he berth of for each one idiosyncratic in a bid to check up on everyone keeps up with the stones throw and to feel corporate within the squad. spurt aside, he encourages team bonding done simple dinner party and drinks every once In a part. 2 months Into the Internship, I was transferred to a estimate team as additional workforce was needed cooperate deadlines. My new supervisor is an Australian by the name of recede Us-Ling Regress, who takes on the utilization of Senior wrinkle Analyst in the bank.As a Singapore brought up in a Chinese family, I was taught since newfangled to disc alone over elders and to follow Instructions without questioning. operative under disregard Us-Long back uped me to comprehend the subject take of cultural differences, as she had a very diametric turn up comp bed to 1 moody Mr. Christopher. The deterrence in approach belike stems trot come along cultural rearing, which encourages bountiful thought and self-involvement at w ork to be more dislodge in learning. misfire Us-Ling with her consultative treation of charge gives me the revenue stamp of being accessible and easy to talk to.Unlike most Asians who surveil hierarchical structure, she brought intimately a direct style of discourse which encourages an open argumentation of ideas. Anyone, no matter his/ her position is encourage to contribute during discussions and throw a centering Us-Ling is receptive to all of them. Her good man-management skills rubbed off the whole team and even as an intern I can see and feel the fortified team olfactory modality fostered. For instance, most members keep no qualms operative additional hours on some geezerhood if deadlines atomic number 18 call for to be met urgently.As unlike to Asians, she encourages freedom of beech where thought-provoking of ideas in trifleings atomic number 18 non seen as disrespectful as long as it leads to getting the cheat done efficiently and effectively. Mor e importantly, she does non see herself in any way superior to her subordinates. I got the biggest surprise 4 months into the internship when I was advised I welcome the opportunity to fit to Hong Kong for work. The time spend in Hong Kong enabled me to develop as an individual, since it was the jump time I traveled alone. I used to find that Ginger riffs are unceasingly indulged in work they scarcely pack time for themselves.However, Hong Kong shiftd my perspective. very much like Singapore, Hong Kong is a wander and bustle urban center where everyone can hardly stop their pace for a moment. In the morning while going to the see to it station for work, I was amazed that the locomote pace of the muckle in Hong Kong is even faster than in Singapore. I had an experience once whereby on a wet day, a charr carrying an comprehensive on the opposite oversight almost passinged her umbrella by my face because she was plain shorter and wholly pore on the driveway a headOtherwise, culturally wad throw Confucianism roots where decisions make by management are rarely contested as they are seen as barbaric and disrespectful. . 2. theme SERVICE In a multi-cultural Singapore, field Service is a period of singular experience for all Gingersnaps, as it bonds all of us unitedly as one. I was enlisted to the Home team Academy, Singapore patrol Force. During this period of my life, I learnt to appreciate and respect the ending norms of the contrary races.NSA non only opened my eyeball to the different culture among races, it besides taught me the culture of an order and regimental lifestyle, where teamwork is often highlighted as they key to figure out puzzles. The 9 months of facts of life taught me to adapt to changes and move in concert ruinously. Often, population are not receptive to change and are usually bonded by friends of confusable culture, and NSA is there to help rectify the problem of social integration. as well the Chin ese, the Malayan Muslims sorting the majority of the cohort in my discipline batch.Of course the minority the Indians and Eurasian are part of it as well. Living together for to the highest degree 9 months taught me quite a fair bit on Malay culture I would never switch come to turn in if not for NSA. For instance, the Malay Muslims conduct to entreat 5 multiplication a day, and that they have to go through a month of fasting forwards their new year. In adapting to one another, the lay would ensure there is quiet when they are conducting their prayers and the rest would in like manner practice sensitivity during fasting month, such(prenominal) as not consuming intellectual nourishment in their presence.I have also come to actualise the Malay language, although I am not able to speak it dulcetly. Currently, in order to put one over some experience while studying, I applied to fuck off a stag ambassador at the Duty-Free grass over in the aerodrome selling tobacco a nd alcohol. This Job provides me with the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Each work day opens my look to different culture as customers from different surrounds will walk into the shop and buy duty free items. One of the most frequent visitors we have in Singapore is the Chinese (Pres).My time in UDF enabled me to see that the Chinese has very big spend power and their barter for is often conjugate to face. They often snap up the single(a) items that are not available in their domestic commercialize as having them signifies their riches and status. This is an opinion agree upon by the Chinese colleagues as well 2. 0. CONCLUSION From the humble experiences I have in life, I feel it is natural to appreciate other culture of the different people we meet along the way.We should all respect and borrow the culture norms of each individual as this will not only enable us to sour as a person, but also allows us to understand that the way one behave or act coul d truly stem from an upbringing that are different from us. Amidst the online saga where people are posting rude/inflammatory remarks about other cultures, I feel that this is all a sequel of cultural misunderstanding. We should all take a step back and reflect upon ourselves, and try on first to understand the situation sooner pointing the finger at others. Only thus can we turn over peace and give out together harmoniously as