Monday, November 10, 2008

The Beginning

At the beginning of this course, I have stated that communication is the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs, between 2 or more parties (as defined by www.dictionary.com) and throughout the course, if there was any change to my value of effective communication, it probably grew stronger.

Having interacted with classmates from different backgrounds and nationalities, who have been exposed to different education and cultures, we have had quite a bit of disagreements on the different issues we came across throughout the course of the module. The best part was that my comment on Weiren's blog actually drew responses from people from other countries! (My comments had the tendency of drawing MANY feedbacks...) And from that incident alone we were able to see that there were indeed major differences in the thinking of people from different backgrounds and when one refuses to "listen" to what the other has got to say, there won't be any effective communication between them at all. Inter-cultural communication still poses a great challenge for me and I foresee myself facing a lot more of such communication problems next year when I am at the USA.

One of the things I have learnt was that during a disagreement, one of the parties definitely has to step back in order to review the whole situation and think of how things can be resolved, even if a consensus could not be reached. If both sides keep trying to reiterate their points, thinking that just by saying them a few more times and louder, the opposite party would understand, they are wrong.

One of the reasons why this module has been so enjoyable is because it allowed us to really interact and communicate with one another, unlike my core module lectures which I normally either sleep through or can barely keep myself semi-conscious during them. The activities and assignments were really useful and practical as they really helped us prepare for our job applications in the future.

Why this entry is named "The Beginning" is not only because I was required to talk about the beginning, but because to me, and I am sure to many of us, this is just the beginning. Many of us will be graduating in 1 or 2 years and when we start working, it would be time for us to put what we have learnt in this course "Professional Communication" into practical use. And by then, I hope many of us would still be able to recall the fun and laughter we shared during the classes and smile when you do. Good luck to the Zoo-Keeper Wanna-Bes, the Forever-Grouchy-Looking Dude, the Ever-MIA Classmate, the Nine-To-The-Power-Of-3 Interviewee and everyone else (I can't come up with nicknames for everyone :p).

21 Comments:

Blogger Pei Rong said...

Hi the Nine-To-The-Power-Of-Three interviewer,

hey, I realised this is the first time i commented on your blog!

Just wanna say: I DO NOT HATE YOU FOR ASKING ME THAT QUESTION!!
I am nice you know, Hahahahhaha.
I think that interview given by you will forever be in my mind even after this module ends.

Through this module, I also realised we have a mutual friend (you know who...LOL)

Many people would ask us(The pop group) why we take this module when we are only in year 2? shouldn't we take it in year 4? I beg to differ, if we did not bid for this module, we would not know one another right? And, i would not be called 9^3! Hahaha... I am not dwelling on it.. Just joking. Actually we seldom interact during the first few weeks of the sem. it was after the interview that we got to know each other a little better.

ok, I am getting abit long-winded. Good Luck for your test!

November 11, 2008 at 7:23 PM

 
Blogger joyce said...

Hey Lyon,

Who's the 'Forever-Grouchy-Looking Dude'? Haha..

It is true that what we have learnt from this module can be put to practical use soon for many of us in the class. I just realised the other day, that many of our classmates are actually in the final year of studies!

Anyway, all the best to you in your future endeavours in the US! :)

November 11, 2008 at 8:38 PM

 
Blogger Lyon said...

Hello 9^3!

Haha of course I know you were just kidding la~~(walao a lot of Singlish here, Brad is not gg to be happy abt it).

What is "pop group"??? You mean you all love pop culture? haha... Oh yes, my friend who was asked that question would remember that interview forever too. When you really start hunting for jobs, you will encounter many other different types of interviews you have never thought of! CitiBank's interview has 6 rounds!

And oh yes we do have a mutual friend *winkz* The interview simulation was fun because of you :p All the best for ur future endeavor yah! Keep in touch~

November 12, 2008 at 3:43 AM

 
Blogger Lyon said...

Hi Joyce!,

Haha ok I might have been a little bit exaggerating. That guy is Most-of-the-Time-Grouchy-Looking Dude haha! I am referring to Yu Ming la haha because Brad commented that once!

I sure hope that everyone would be able to find their dream job when they graduate, but in this economy I think we should not be too fussy! And I think you should send your laptop for a checkup man! Haha all the best in whatever you do too!

November 12, 2008 at 3:47 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Lyon!!

We are the pop group because the 4 of us are always seen together. Like on a world tour. HAHAHAHA.

I'm so impressed that you are going to US for NOC. I guess you really did well in your interviews, because my friend was greatly freaked by the NOC interviewer. I remember you tell me that you are "immune" to interviews already. Like WHAT!! I guess I will never ever get used to interviews. BAH!!

And I'm glad I was there to witness that 9^3. And thanks to you, I'm always doing the multiplication whenever I think of 9^3. HAHAHAHA.

Omg I'm so going to miss this class. Anyway, all the best to you when you go to US! Don't provoke the nuclear power guys! HAHAHA.

Jiayou!!

November 12, 2008 at 8:08 PM

 
Blogger weiren said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

November 12, 2008 at 11:16 PM

 
Blogger weiren said...

Hi Lyon,

Thanks for the well wishes! It's been a great pleasure to be able to hold a short (albeit "heated") discussion on the blog over an issue that is remotely related to us.

I certainly do appreciate your comments as they usually bring a different insight to the issues I have presented. Drawing feedbacks to your comments certainly isn't a bad thing. It does help us practice some form of conflict resolution, doesn't it?

I certainly do enjoy knowing you. Good luck with your future endeavours!

Cheers

November 12, 2008 at 11:17 PM

 
Blogger Lyon said...

Xing Yi,

Yah man if only this module has higher levels then the whole class can continue taking it under Brad or smth haha... Oh yes my interview experience with the 2 professors from NOC was like duh. I really did not expect myself to get in at all based on the interview alone. They were so mean and fierce! Guess luck was on my side. Some of my friends attempted NOC for 3 sems already!

And I seriously think I will face many more such problems like that nuclear discussion over at the US. And I will keep writing on this blog and keep a record of every interesting thing I will experience there!

Since you all are the pop group why dun you 4 plus wei kwan perform for us tomorrow!

November 13, 2008 at 12:21 AM

 
Blogger Lyon said...

Yo Weiren!

It's been great getting to know you all the Zoo-Keeper-Wanna-Bes! I am very sure working with the animals would be much easier than with the people! And I guess you might need to take some other communication module for that? Haha... Tell us what problems you face while communicating with the animals in the future!

November 13, 2008 at 12:24 AM

 
Blogger Hui Xuan said...

Hi Lyon,

I agree with what you have written, "during a disagreement, one of the parties definitely has to step back in order to review the whole situation...". I feel that if both parties can do that the best solution can be worked out easily. However, I guess this is also the toughest part?

All the best for your exams and NOC! (:

November 13, 2008 at 5:40 AM

 
Blogger Tiffany said...

Hey Lyon!

I like what you said about "Having interacted with classmates from different backgrounds and nationalities, who have been exposed to different education and cultures, we have had quite a bit of disagreements on the different issues we came across throughout the course of the module." It is so true that coming from different backgrounds, our perspectives of things will differ.

But judging from your character, I doubt you will have problems dealing with Americans. They are friendly and so are you! Maybe you could get more advice from Brad as to how you should behave during certain situations! He's the best you can ask!

Good luck for NOC too! You will love it.

November 13, 2008 at 6:12 AM

 
Blogger Lyon said...

Hi Huixuan,

In theory it should not be hard, but in practical, few can actually achieve that! It's our pride, arrogance, beliefs, stereotypism, assumptions, obstinateness, emotions etc which are holding us back from doing the right thing.

Wish you all the best in your future presentations! Hope to see a super confident Hui Xuan in the near future (:

November 13, 2008 at 6:14 AM

 
Blogger Lyon said...

Tiffy!!! Or more intimately called Pigu by me outside the class (everyone hurry up and ask her how she got that nick from me!!!),

Oh well I am full of anticipations for my trip! I am sure I am going to love it man! I will send postcard back I promise! And thank you for being such a WONDERFUL project mate and blogging buddy! The project has been really "fun" right? I am so proud of our work! Kudos! And make sure you dispose of your STANDALONE CAMERA and MP3 PLAYER properly in the future!

November 13, 2008 at 6:19 AM

 
Blogger Hui Xuan said...

Hi Lyon,

wow! You've replied, same as Tiffany! I've just commented not too long ago only.

Okay, since you want us to ask (LOL), so why did you give Tiffany that name?

Back to what you were saying, I agree in practical it is hard. I guess it is just human nature to have all those feelings which holds us back.

By the way, don't be too sad that you've got a lab in the last day of school because to have lessons until 10pm in the last day of school!!!

November 13, 2008 at 7:10 AM

 
Blogger Lyon said...

Hello Hui Xuan,

My reply is real-time even on this cyberspace ok! Haha i asked you all to ask Tiffany not ask me! I am too shy and not in the position to tell you the origin of her nick haha.

And there is a major diff btw ur lecture and my lab! Lectures can be poned but not lab! We need to sign for our attendance! And I might miss the class lunch and you won't! Damn....

November 13, 2008 at 7:15 AM

 
Blogger Hui Xuan said...

Hi Lyon,

I see. I will ask Tiffany tomorrow! LOL.

Anyway I think the test is 1 hour. If we can start early, then probably we can end early too?

November 13, 2008 at 7:34 AM

 
Blogger wjyen said...

Hi !
I would like to add on to what Tiffany has mentioned. It's partly true that the reason we could communicate easily with each other is because we came from a similar cultural background. But i do find it hard to imagine how different it would be if we have ppl from different parts of the world instead. Would the class still be as close as we might find difficulty in communicating opinions.
My mind is still blank on this aspect though. Guess i would need first hand experience to understand it better. :S

November 13, 2008 at 10:27 AM

 
Blogger Yu Ming said...

Dear Lyon,

Best of luck on NOC. Don't forget the money making 'scheme' I suggested as you will definitely need more pocket money to fully enjoy yourself then.

November 13, 2008 at 11:35 PM

 
Blogger Brad Blackstone said...

Thanks for the final post, Lyon. I appreciate you relating how your comments have often stimulated feedback, a claim that I think is quite true. (Now I have to go back and look at Wei Ren's posts!)

I also appreciate the insights, observations and other comments you offered in class and online throughout the term. You've contributed in a very meaningful way to the interaction of this group, and i appreciate that!
I'm sure that approach will serve you well in the US.

Keep us informed, man! & all the best!

November 15, 2008 at 9:58 PM

 
Blogger Lyon said...

Yu Ming,

If I become a millionaire there I won't forget your share of nuts (:

November 17, 2008 at 7:33 AM

 
Blogger Lyon said...

Dear Brad,

Thanks for making an effort to comment on every single one of our entries too! It was no simple feat!

The class has been really interesting and I really hope that this module can be extended to some of those unqualified lecturers out there, no joke! I believe many of the students have fallen victims to those really really boring lectures. Time to justify our 6.5K of school fees every year.

Lastly, I hope I won't get drowned among all my work at US such that I would still have time to keep this blog going! Thanks for everything!

November 17, 2008 at 7:38 AM

 

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