6. Final reflection on Learning

Before I do a final refection, I’d like to share my heartfelt thanks to everyone for their responses to my previous blog post. I must say, knowing that I created those impressions on each of you is definitely uplifting, and I will take this experience in my stride to improve myself for future presentations.

If I had to choose one reason to be thankful for doing this module, it would be for the knowledge I now have to craft an impressive resume & cover letter. As someone who didn’t know the difference between a cover letter and a resume, pardon my lack of modesty when I say, I have definitely come a long way.

The people in ES2007s made all the difference. Aster for example, left an indelible mark after her peer teaching.  I vividly recall her, crossing out entire paragraphs of should-nots in her old resume and cover letter to show us how to do it the right way. I was surprised honestly, as I would have considered those irrelevant details like secondary school information necessary and put them in.  The second thing I learnt was about the importance of crafting my resume to suit the employer’s needs. Naïve as it may now sound, I did assume that we could create a one-type-fits-all resume. Finally, CARs – (Competency, Action & Results); a simple format to follow from which we can do up a stellar resume.

Looks pretty easy, I recall thinking. 

I was wrong. Despite having internalized the information, I learnt that there was much to be improved and so much that I had overlooked during the peer review. Nuances like having an appropriate font size (I had a huge font size), keeping the tone formal, (I tended to be overly descriptive) and the art of being persuasive (selling yourself subtly… or not so J) all mattered extensively.

I was definitely grateful for having the peer review, as it enabled a third person’s point of view, not just from one person but from four people. From the peer review team, I saw genuine effort in critiquing my resume and cover letter, and I appreciate it.  I can confidently say that this, as well as the mock interviews contributed to me gaining the internship position I applied for.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. That being said, what the end really is is a matter of perspective.  I choose to see this as a beginning of an adventure; an adventure in which I can employ these tools of professional communication in all aspects of life, including and especially when I become a teacher. Memories of each class remain vividly in my mind, from the hilarious role-plays to the wonderful after-class lunch sessions.

So much was learnt within the 13 weeks, and although Brad was the main contributor, I must say so were all of you, my fellow classmates. I appreciate how everyone selflessly shared whatever you knew, for the benefit of the whole class.

5. Reflection on Oral Presentation (OP)

I could have done a better job with my presentation. While I may not have blanked out and presented relatively smoothly, I think it was mediocre and below my expectations. 

What was lacking? 

Firstly, (I felt it and this was confirmed by the class’s comments) I was overly nervous, which affected my self-confidence. Given that I had prepared my part well, the worrying was completely unnecessary, but on hindsight, learning to stay calm during stressful situations will be a lesson I can apply not just for subsequent presentations, but for life in general.

Secondly, I fell short of engaging all of you, my audience, something I feel (and I’m sure the class would agree) we could all especially learn from Jack. Also, I should have established a longer standing eye contact with everyone, but it was predominantly focused on one corner. Recalling back, although I intended to talk TO the audience, I doubt I effectively managed to do it, which is slightly disappointing. I believe I came across as simply information, making me appear long-winded towards the end.

On the other hand, I felt I was audible and clear this time around, thanks to Josephine and Jack, who ensured it by having me rehearse at a distance.

“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”

-Charles Mingus

This was the approach we adopted for OP and I do believe we did a decent job with our simple-to- read, uncluttered slides. We had initially considered the use of Prezi, given its fanciful nature. However, after being impressed with a Steve Jobs presentation, we did away with bullet points and got our ideas across with pictures as visual metaphors.  Although I may have had some of the ideas for the PowerPoint, credit goes to Josephine for many of the animations, especially the creation of the logo.

Working with Josephine and Jack was great pleasure; each had their strengths, which I can definitely learn from. Preparation was slightly rushed, given that we were juggling exams and OP within the same week. Despite that, I do believe our group did a great job overall. 

4. Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour

A community’s culture can be distinguished from the way its members interact with each other and from their common behaviours. Establishing an effective intercultural communication by adapting is not as much about dressing the part, speaking the part or looking the part as it is about being the part. By this I mean that in the process of adapting to another culture, even if he does all the other three, he would not have effectively adapted if he overlooks the importance of his own non-verbals, and the subtle, underlying cultural assumptions and expectations of others. The intended message would vary significantly from the actual message conveyed.

This realization hit me two years back, while on a long train journey from Kerala to Tamil Nadu. With nothing but a book, my sleepy family and the sultry weather for company, I found myself drifting off to sleep. Suddenly, I was startled awake by the feel of something creep past my arm. I woke up horrified to see a line of nymphs climbing up the floor, past my hand. Imagine my plight, as someone who fleets to the opposite end of the house at the sight of a cockroach, and here was a whole line of them, walking along my hand. I let out a startled scream, and leapt onto my brother’s lap.

I realized how foolish I must have looked on hindsight as some of the children in the compartment started giggling while they used a newspaper and led them out of the window nonchalantly. Clearly, all of them saw no reason to fuss over a couple of nymphs. Now, I know for a fact that had this occurred in Singapore, for example in my class, most of the girls would be up on the tables, and my actions would have been perfectly justified.

An hour into the ride, I found myself staring around at the compartments for people to engage in a conversation with. It was my turn to be awake to keep an eye on the luggage while the rest slept, and there was absolutely nothing to do. There was a guy opposite me, slightly older than me. He appeared bored as well, but did not seem to make any effort in beginning a conversation. When I felt the silence between us getting intolerable I thought, ‘ If the weathers the best starter I’ve got, then let it be’ and initiated the conversation. I could tell that he was pleasantly surprised as we delved into a range of topics.

He confessed that he didn’t initiate it as it was considered inappropriate for a male to converse with a female without a reason in Kerala, especially in a public place and when both are strangers. Indeed, we received a significant amount of stares throughout, but given that the conversation was mutual, it stopped at that. At times, my mother even shot me a warning look, telling me to bring the conversation to a close.

The last issue was my Malayalam, which had him stifling back his laughter every time I tried to speak it. My intonation, speed, and style of speaking made me stick out like a sore thumb compared to the other Malayalees. This made me all the more conscious while conversing, and it took a lot to resist the urge to switch to English, which would then have him judge me as someone who lacks an attachment to her language and culture, on top of the perception I had created in him of a 'Singaporean' Malayalee.

All the above acts had the effect of communicating that I was clearly not local, despite the fact that I looked Malayalee, wore Malayalee attire, and spoke Malayalam as an attempt to adapt to the local culture. I realized that in Kerala, people are generally accustomed to seeing rodents or insects   crawl around. Secondly, I learned that girls do not normally participate in a conversation with male strangers, let alone initiate them, even for entertainment. As for adapting to the language slang, that would have to come with practice. These lessons are just from the train journey, and I picked up a lot more throughout my stay there. 

When I attempted to shrug my actions of, his reminder of its consequence jolted me awake. He laughingly told me that thieves pick these signals easily, to choose their targets, and warned me to be careful. 

I was shocked that my actions could communicate so much about me without my knowledge, as although my actions appeared normal to me, from the point of view of a Sinagporean Malayalee, they were markedly different from that of a typical 20-year-old female Malayalee from Kerala. Needless to say, many Keralites would disapprove of my actions. It taught me to be more watchful of my actions, and to contemplate a moment before acting, in any case, for the sake of my safety.

3. Application Letter Critique

Hiranya Dayal

Blk 85, #21-1902

Bedok North Ave 4

Singapore 460085

February 13^th 2013

Dr XXX

Johnson & Johnson Pte Ltd

2 XXX Business Park

Singapore 608300

Re: Application for Internship at Johnson & Johnson Pte Ltd

Dear Dr Lai,

I am Hiranya Dayal, currently a Year 2 chemistry undergraduate at the National University of Singapore. I was referred by Mr Murali from Oiltex, who informed me of your expertise in biochemical and cosmetic-related research.

I am keen to do an internship under a specialized researcher such as yourself as this opportunity would enable me to employ the skills I have learnt through my undergraduate laboratory experience to synthesize products that not only enhances community wellness but safeguards the planet as well. Well aware of Johnson and Johnson’s eco efforts in making green products, it would be an eye-opener to have a first-hand experience of the innovative strategies that researchers like yourself employ to make quality products without compromising the environment.

The diverse laboratory experiences at NUS, especially those with biochemical implications, have greatly intrigued me and left me wondering what it would be like being at the front line performing research for a renowned company like Johnson & Johnson.

Working here would enable me to employ my knowledge in chemistry and apply it in the cosmetic sector, which is coincidentally aligned with your research interests. Cosmetics and environmental responsibility are inextricably interlinked, and while the former has always been of paramount importance in society, the latter has been gaining attention in the past decades. With consumers becoming more aware of what they use today, as seen by the shift towards more organic-related products, it is necessary that cosmetic products have as little side products as possible, and this is what I eventually hope to pursue during research.

Being an avid user of Johnson & Johnson products myself, it would give me great pleasure if I could be allowed to intern under you, making the very products I use. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you, and have a good day.

Best regards,

Hiranya Dayal

Number: 828XXXXX

Email: hdk@hotmail.com