Communication between different cultures
As a scholar from China, this is the first time I stepped into a different culture. Knowing very little about the culture of Singapore, I encountered a lot of embarrassments and difficulties. Some of those situations made strong impressions on me and I wanted to explore more about them. Eventually, I learned a lot from my explorations, including doing research, conducting interviews and doing self-study. Among those, what intrigued me most is the experience related to the special relationship.
When the local befrienders first brought us to play games, I intended to hold a male-senioræ¯ hand as we always do in China to show our friendliness to him. To my surprise, that senior became a little angry with me and he walked quicker trying to let go of my hands. What he did shocked me and I asked other local friend for reason. They answered because it destroyed their personal comforting zone. Having gone through this, I began to contemplate and did some research on it.
What is personal comforting zone and how do different cultures view different concept of communication space? How can a Chinese intelligentsia like me communicate better in such a 21st century multicultural university with other students from different culture?
Therefore, this essay will focus more on the essence of communication than its mechanism.
I found from my previous experiences that I am from a different culture and we have different ways of communication. However, as a reprehensive of my country, I need to find the common ground of our communication. This is exactly the meaning of university, which is union in a community, unity in diversity. This is first lesson I have to, I want to, and I must learn during my journey in NUS. Even if I get into USP and graduate with first class honor without mastering this, I still fail in my university life.
I am convinced that it is the essence of communication that gives quality, meaning, value, life and illumination to our social intercourse. For instance, if what I have experienced when I first stepped into a different culture made me feel depressed and not willing to be with them again, of course I will fail to communicate with people from different cultures. What I need is the perseverance in my adjustment to this spatial communication.
When a person just listens to you with all his attention, you will be willing to talk to him no matter which culture he is from. This kind of sincerity imbues quality to communication with its purity of attention to your communications.
When a person has a sense of humor when he is talking to somebody, you will think the conversation with him is very funny and you will become pleasant instead of bored in your discussions. It is humility that brings the life to communication.
Moreover, when a person tells you the true feeling, true experience or true news, you will be sure to participate in your communication willingly and also learn some significant edification. This shows the truth imbues illumination to conversation.
All the perseverance, sincerity, humility, and truth are the common ground of our social communication, no matter where you are from.
These are my ways of learning and exploring from my own experience. Even if I cannot get into USP, I will still stick to this kind of thinking and learning, and I hope the professors can agree with the common ground in our communication and hope this can help all the people communicate better.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
SM3 Selection
On Friday, we usually have Mathematics and C-Programming lessons. However, this Friday, according to the schedule, we will not have C-Programming lesson, because Professor Tay will go to China to select the new batch of SM2 scholars. This reminds me of the scene when I competed with others to get a chance to study in Singapore.
I can still remember that during our military training, the cultivation held by my university began at the main campus every night. At that time, we were told that the examination was so difficult that we had to accept some training ahead of schedule. Therefore, every night, I had to ask for leave from my drillmaster and teachers, and then went to the main campus which was several kilometers away. Sometimes I even had no time to have dinner. I was really busy at that time.
Time passed very quickly. Soon, it was time for our examination. During that period of time, all of us who were going to take part in the examination were asked to live together in a hotel, because it was easier for the information to spread. We first attended the Mathematics test and the ability test. To my surprise, these two tests were not as difficult as we had heard from our seniors. It was somehow like our college entrance examination. Then, after these two tests, the interview came, which was considered as the most important part of the whole examination. Actually, what I had been worrying about was just the interview, for that was my first formal interview. I did not know how to behave well in an interview.
After doing a lot of preparation, I went into the office to start the first interview in my life. As I saw the five interviewers, two professors separately from NUS and NTU, and three officials from MOE, much pressure unexpectedly came to me. I tried to calm down and concentrate on the questions but it was really difficult. The whole period lasted nearly 20 minutes and I could not remember how many questions I had answered. After the interview, when I recalled what I said, I thought I could do much better if I felt unflappable enough. Anyway, the result satisfied me and the interviewers were also satisfied with what I had done.
Now, I am in Singapore, leading a new life with more challenges. The experience of the examination and the interview has become a part of my wonderful memory. I really cherish it.
I can still remember that during our military training, the cultivation held by my university began at the main campus every night. At that time, we were told that the examination was so difficult that we had to accept some training ahead of schedule. Therefore, every night, I had to ask for leave from my drillmaster and teachers, and then went to the main campus which was several kilometers away. Sometimes I even had no time to have dinner. I was really busy at that time.
Time passed very quickly. Soon, it was time for our examination. During that period of time, all of us who were going to take part in the examination were asked to live together in a hotel, because it was easier for the information to spread. We first attended the Mathematics test and the ability test. To my surprise, these two tests were not as difficult as we had heard from our seniors. It was somehow like our college entrance examination. Then, after these two tests, the interview came, which was considered as the most important part of the whole examination. Actually, what I had been worrying about was just the interview, for that was my first formal interview. I did not know how to behave well in an interview.
After doing a lot of preparation, I went into the office to start the first interview in my life. As I saw the five interviewers, two professors separately from NUS and NTU, and three officials from MOE, much pressure unexpectedly came to me. I tried to calm down and concentrate on the questions but it was really difficult. The whole period lasted nearly 20 minutes and I could not remember how many questions I had answered. After the interview, when I recalled what I said, I thought I could do much better if I felt unflappable enough. Anyway, the result satisfied me and the interviewers were also satisfied with what I had done.
Now, I am in Singapore, leading a new life with more challenges. The experience of the examination and the interview has become a part of my wonderful memory. I really cherish it.
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