Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

It is true that we always overlook the difference in culture when we interact with people from different backgrounds. It is not surprising that conflict can easily arise as we often judge others based on our perception where in this case, culture.

During my internship period I happened to chat with a construction worker from China. He was interested with the size of my home county, Malaysia. Apologize for my ignorance: I could not answer his question. The respond he gave was really unpleasant: nearly shout out with “how can you don’t know”. I was very embarrassed and frankly speaking, agitated with his tone of reproach.

Being unsatisfied, I ask around my friends from Malaysia and felt relief as nearly no one knew the exact answer, even thought we all been taught in secondary geography. It took me some time to figure out what cause this phenomenon. To us, the land area is not an issue of concern. On one hand, Malaysia is not big enough for her people to show off. On the other hand, it is not small enough that we are constrained in land use. People just do not care about it.

From the incidents around Taiwan and Tibet, we can see that the nations are very concern about the territory issue and no doubt that they are proud with their land area. To them, ignorance with this matter is unbelievable and equally not patriotic. I think this explained why the worker gave me such respond at that time.

I am a Chinese, same race with most China nation. We share the same tradition, festival, taboo or in short, culture. Still, we are different in some other part of the culture due to different nationality. The moral of the story is: before you get offended by something, think about the culture and background of the one irritates you.

Personal Statement

Throughout my life in university I never regret that my choice of become a civil engineer. Since young I have been inspired by how this particular field of engineering brings civilization to mankind. In the same time, I realized that how difficult it is to run a construction project. Unlike manufacturing a car, there is never repetition of a construction project. I called it a dynamic process and only passionate, trained professional able to take up the responsibility. This explained why I chose planning engineer as I am confident in this is where my strength lies in.

My first module in University that awarded an ‘A’ is construction project management. This serves as the starting point where I decided to specialize in this field. Since then I took several project management related modules and the results I gained had further strengthen my belief. Putting academic aside, I have the experience on planning and managing construction project through my three month internship with Land Transport Authority. Beyond that, I also gained site experience through close observation on the construction site and eventually built up a feel on how a plan on table being executed as well as how the site constrains may fail the plan, no matter how good it is.

Through actively participated in Co-Curricular Activities, I developed several qualities which I think is essential to a planning engineer. Experience in leadership position of student body taught me the importance of teamwork. My view in this is understand and do your part of work, while believe in your teammate. Communication between planner and executor ensure the reliability of every plan made. The success of Operation Orion had proven my ability as a planner and it is still the achievement I am proud of.

To summarize, as a planning engineer he shall fully utilize the available resource, obverse and understand the site constrain, while work with the team in order to coming out a practical solution. I believed I have the quality mentioned and of course, your choice of consideration.

Application Letter Critique"

Loo Boon Woei

31 Jalan Padi 7,

XXXXXXXXXX

Email: makeaguess@gmail.com

6 September 2009

Department of Human Resource

Gammon Pte. Limited
Co Reg No: 198001094M
29 International Business Park #06-05
Acer Building, Tower B
Singapore 609923
Singapore

Dear Sir/Madam,

Application for Post of Planning Engineer

I refer to your recruitment notice posted on your home page on the above position. With my academic qualification as well as my relevant skills and experiences, I believe that I am the ideal candidate for this position.

I am a fresh graduate with a Degree in Civil Engineering from National University of Singapore. Throughout the years of training I am well equipped with skill and knowledge in construction management. Besides, I completed an internship program with Land Transport Authority’s rail group. I gained precious experience in project management from client point of view.

Besides the knowledge in construction field, I have developed essential soft skills in project management during my University life. The most significant event that I went through is an overseas community involvement program. As the vice project director, I liaised with a non government agency and successfully planned a small construction project within three months.

Gammon has maintained an excellent record of safety in the tenders awarded around the world. The works and efforts paid in realize the slogan of Zero Harm is definitely undoubted. I am truly impressed by this and hope to contribute in making it even successful.

I have attached my resume for your reference and would appreciate it if I could attend an interview with you. I can be contacted at 91356413 throughout the day.

I look forward to your favorable reply. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Loo Boon Woei