Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

3/09/2011 01:16:00 PM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (2)


Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

"Remember that every good friend was once a stranger"

It may seem like a cliché to mention the above, but just how many of us actually understand its true intended message? In a modern city like Singapore, the urge to establish one’s existential individuality becomes so strong that often we find ourselves knowing and not knowing a person all at the same time. How often have we found ourselves referring to mere acquaintances as ‘friends’? Is this notion of friendship uniform in an increasingly globalized population?

The following intercultural situation revolves about my trip to the Maldives back in 2004, as part of a team from Project Initiate of the Peoples’ Association Youth Movement (PAYM). The mission was to complete the construction of a community center as well as a running 56.6K internet center.

The Team from Project Initiate in front of the groundwork for the community center

Back when I was a freshman in National Junior College, a group of us (approximately 30) took part in Project Initiate, a community involvement project that sent us to the remote Kudafari Island of Noonu Atoll, the Maldives. The only impression I had in mind was that of the blue waters and white sands, nothing more. Prior to the trip I had the same worries as everyone else around me. How were we going to interact with the Divehi speaking Maldivians? How would they receive us? Would we be able to get used to their food culture in the course of 11 days?

The first culture shock I had struck me immediately as I exited the ferry boat upon reaching the island. There was no jetty installed at that time, and the waters near the land were too shallow for the boat to steer close. As such, the boat had to be docked a good 20 meters away from the sands (in chest-deep waters). As I stood portside of the boat, I noticed that the Maldivians had already anticipated our arrival. Almost the entire island’s population of about 600 was there at the beach to receive us. They were waving and cheering intensely with a genuine sense of hospitality. What took me aback was, however, the makeshift raft they had made and pulled out to sea for us to stand on. There they were, 20 men in chest-deep waters, tugging at the raft we stood upon back to the beach, so that we would not get our shoes wet. 

On the way to the village chief's house
Upon reaching dry ground, my team was led to the island chief’s house for a feast. As we walked, a good many of us had little children coming up to us to grab our hands. The stranger thing was that as I walked, a Maldivian boy just about my age came up my side and grabbed my hands as well. He gripped with interlocking fingers, and simply smiled to me as he carried on walking. I was shocked, especially from the fact that the gesture came from a 16 year old boy. However, seeing that the others had just about the same situation, I simply walked with him until we reached our destination.

The luncheon we had comprised a spread of Maldivian dishes (mainly fish and potatoes), as well as two whole roasted chickens. What we later found out was that these chickens were two of the five only chickens they had on the island. The Maldivians who were with us at the luncheon ate only the fish and staples, for fear that we might not have enough had they taken the chicken. We tried to get them to eat, but they just would not. Once again I was gravely humbled by the level of care these people showed.

The rest of the trip was spent building up both the internet and community centers. It soon dawn upon me that for the Maldivians on Kudafari island, such projects involved the everyone on the island. Some men would be working on the construction, while others went out to sea to fish for the day’s meals. The women would prepare all the meals on the island together, making sure that we had them enough every time. 

A party at the Kudafari island village hall


The entire experience at the Maldives was both humbling and inspiring for me. In a world where the cultures of capitalism and individualism permeate social geographies, it was shocking how the Maldivians of Kudafari island were able to redefine the concepts of empirical friendship and hospitality.

Both the makeshift raft and the simple but elegant spread at the luncheon were a thunderous bellow of care, generosity and kindness for us. The concept of ‘putting the guest before oneself’ never had a more apt example than this. In our context, we try to show as much generosity and concern for the guest as economically and physically possible. However, that did not mean putting ourselves in a very compromising situation. To the Maldivians, on the other hand, caring for the guest is tantamount to caring for one’s family. In the light of this, they have truly captured the essence of ‘going all out’ in caring for a complete stranger.

The way the Maldivian boy held my hand with interlocking fingers was, to them, a sincere show of immediate friendship. Of course in a Singaporean context this act would never be construed as ‘normal’, especially between males of similar ages. In retrospect, I felt that the Maldivians truly understand the intent of the quote stated at the beginning of this post. Friendship always began with complete strangers. The sooner we understand this fact, the sooner we are able to acquaint ourselves immediately with another individual. In fact, there should never be an awkward moment between oneself and another. In the Maldivians’ eyes, relatives, acquaintances, even strangers, are all alike. They are human, and therefore are friends. This notion transcends concepts of culture, race, religion, and even individuality.

Application Letter Critique

2/13/2011 11:17:00 PM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (0)

Unsolicited Application Letter for an internship position with Singapore Technologies Kinetics Limited:

Apt Blk XXX
XXX St XX #XX-XX
Singapore XXXXXX

9 February 2011

The Officer in Charge
Singapore Technologies Kinetics Limited (ST Kinetics)
XXX Jalan XXXX XXX
Singapore XXXXXX

Dear Sir/Madam,

Application for the Position of Materials Science and Engineering Intern

I wish to be considered for an internship opportunity with your company. I hope that in considering my unique mix of technical skills and working experiences, the firm may see me as a suitable candidate for an internship. Enclosed is my resume for your perusal.             

I am currently a third year Materials Science and Engineering major with the National University of Singapore, specializing in nanostructured materials and nanotechnology. Through my course, I have developed a wide and dynamic range of transferable skills, such as perseverance and leadership, which allow me to work effectively and ethically under any stressful condition. My experience in handling state-of-the-art equipment such as the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the Powder X-ray Diffractometer have provided me with immense technical handling skills that boost both my level of confidence and proficiency in my field of study.

My previous designation as a laboratory technician for Technochem Environmental Complex Pte Ltd has helped me develop a high degree of research independence on top of an acute attention to detail, in order to successfully execute various critical evaluations and analyses. These experiences have sharpened my skills in problem solving and technical competency, both of which I feel are vital qualities as a scientist and an engineer.

Your company attracts me for the myriad of opportunities offered within your training schemes. The chance to work with various engagement teams and managements is one which I have much to gain from. I strongly believe that as an intern, I will be able to acquire the breadth of opportunities and experiences I need to develop as an individual, at the same time make an immediate and direct contribution to your organization.

With passion and an articulated vision, mutual development can be fostered, and I personally would like to be a part of that process. I look forward to your favorable reply. Thank you for your time.


Yours faithfully,

Jeremy Koh
 _________________________________________________________________________________

© Koh Siang Hui Jeremy

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

2/06/2011 05:58:00 PM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (2)


“If you understood everything I said, you’d be me.”
– Miles Davis

I begin this post with the above quote above in order to establish one simple point – that no two minds think alike. Therefore, it follows with this notion that conflict, in all of its salient and obscure aspects, is a perennial question in managing interpersonal relationships. The key, however, lies not in how we circumvent it. Rather, often it is how we reconcile these conflicts that determine the way any relationship develops. In essence, whether a relationship learns and flourishes, or spirals out of control, is rooted in the way each conflict experienced is handled.

Below is a personal anecdote that I wish to share. In sharing this scenario, I hope to highlight a very common cause for conflicts at the workplace:


During my 12-month stint as a chemist at a multi-national chemical waste-treatment facility, I had the rare opportunity to be actively involved in the drafting of numerous policies regarding chemical processing and safety. There were only three chemists in the laboratory, each with his/her designated role. My task was to ensure that each incoming waste complied with the safety requirements of the company. This was done so via a series of tests, compiled within a detailed report for each incoming product. The duration of testing depends on the specifications of each sample.

The problem came when the sales department began pushing for results in order to expedite the client requests. At times where the requests became urgent, the sales department would seek a once-off collection prior to the release of the laboratory report. However, this could only be done at the discretion of the laboratory manager. Otherwise, protocol had to be followed.

On one particular occasion, a sample was sent to the laboratory seeking immediate testing. However, prior to the laboratory’s knowledge, a collection was already approved by the sales-director. This was done in view of the collection’s worth, as well as the high competition the company was pit against.

As our laboratory manager was away on an overseas conference, the head-chemist took over the matter immediately. She issued a certificate of non-compliance and requested that the collection be halted immediately on the basis of safety. The sales-director, upon getting wind of this, ordered the certificate to be removed, citing her lack of jurisdiction. He even threatened her position, should she continue to interfere with the collection.

To make things difficult for the head-chemist, the sales-director banded with the other managers of the company. They claimed she lacked the experience and ‘seniority’ to make such a decision. In the end, the collection came through, with the laboratory having to work overtime in order to produce the treatment process and clearances required.


I believe the above situation does happen in many industrial contexts. Possibly the main cause for such conflicts at the workplace is the persistent, sometimes ridiculous and often perverse, need to establish dominance among co-workers. The idea of dominance is not something that is simply rooted in the hierarchical structure of an establishment. It transcends various systems, from ranks and positions, time spent within the firm, ‘seniority’, to sometimes even age, race, and religion.

In the light of the above issue, how then, should one of a lower statute seek an amicable compromise, if not agreement, from another of greater ‘seniority’? 

image from cartoonstock.com


The Essence of Communication

1/23/2011 03:55:00 AM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (0)

Communication involves a certain amount of confidence in being challenged. That will only happen if you allow yourself to be exposed.

Why are effective communication skills important for you?

1/23/2011 03:40:00 AM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (7)

Communication, in my perspective, is a fundamental attribute that shares a symbiotic relationship with both cognitive and affect aspects of the human psyche. Essentially, communication affects, and in turn is affected, by the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, reasoning, as well as the emotional and volitional processes of the human mind.

The need for effective communication and discourse stems from the intent to establish a point. Such an empirical requirement presents itself in innumerate forms in my future career as an engineer. An engineer’s task is to effectively marry the applied disciplines of science with the practical constraints of economics, culture, and ethics; in order to deliver a sound product.

As engineers, the ability to understand technical jargon is both our strength and weakness. Often we find ourselves speaking in jargon only we understand. Yet the whole point of speaking as part of a team comprising engineers, architects, business personnel and accountants, is to share pieces of vital information. There is a need to demystify these pieces of jargon we, albeit with comfort, so arrogantly speak.

For me as an engineer, effective communication skills provide the avenue to which I can understand what the various levels of audience wish to know, to cater to everyone’s abilities; and ultimately deliver a message with conviction and intent in an effective, inoffensive, and compelling manner. This, I believe, is the bridging factor for an engineer to achieve the optimal balance between productivity, safety, and welfare for both the industry, and the society.

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