Intercultural Conflict

Personally, I have not encountered or experience any intercultural conflict. Perhaps there was an incident during my junior college days, which might have came close to it.

A was an Indian-Chinese who understands and speaks fluent Mandarin. One day in the LT, A was sitting on the row in front of me and clique. One of my friends said in Mandarin that A was big size and that Indians are usually so big size. And he went on laughing and joking about it with my other friends, unknowing that A could understand every word of it. Thereafter, A turned around, stood up and scolded my friend in Mandarin. My friend’s face turned pale as he was shocked that A could understand and speak Mandarin. Knowing that this argument would lead to nowhere, I immediately appeased both of them before anything bad happens. I remembered this incident happened quite early during my first year in JC.

Strangely, A eventually became ostracized by the class. I had a clique in class, composing of several Chinese and Malays. We were close friends and always sat together in class, away from A. The class was small, comprising only about 13 people. There were a few cliques in my class while A belonged to none. The cliques naturally sat together, thus leaving A sitting alone most of the time.

Apparently that incident made my clique felt uneasy being around A. While other classmates told me that they were just uncomfortable being around an Indian-Chinese. So I felt bad for A but there was nothing much I could do. At least no one in class did anything bad to her. That was the only relief I felt for A.

Personally, I had nothing against A but I would rather sit together with my clique. Coincidentally A was in the same CCA as me and I would talk to A sometimes. There were even instances that my clique asked why I was talking to her. I felt the class was being too unfair to A.

Being caught between my clique and A, what could I do? The best I could do was to do nothing. This tension between the class and A then lasted till the end of my JC days.

Application Letter Critique

Sim Hon Meng
Block XXX
Hougang Ave. X
#0X-XXXX
Singapore 5XXXXX

03 February 2010

Mr. Charles Tan
Human Resource Manager
Achema Pte Ltd
#03-03 45 Jalan Pemimpin
Foo Wah Ind Bldg
Singapore 577197

Dear Mr. Tan,

I am a fresh graduate from the National University of Singapore. I am writing to apply for the Product Specialist position in your company. Based on my research of Achema Pte Ltd, the company specializes in aliasing with various research and educational institutes, as well as pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The company distributes many research equipment and other materials to these customers. I believe I possess the qualities that will help expand the company’s operation in Asia.

As I have worked in the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board as customer services officer, I have the experience and skills which make me proficient in customer relations and communication. Therefore, I am able to market the company’s products. Furthermore, I have attended classes and have taken modules in the University which has equipped me with excellent presentation skills. This then further improves my ability to market and sell the company’s products. Also, I have very good problem solving skills. This is evident as I helped many customers with their various problems during my time in the CPF Board. This is important as I can help solve any problem the customers will have on the company products. Lastly, I am an excellent team player too. During my secondary and junior college days, I was in choir, in which team work and cooperation are very important. Thus, I would be comfortable to work in teams and together we can bring the company’s operation to greater heights!

As you have seen, those are just a few of my qualities and abilities which I can bring to the company. I hope that the company will give me the chance to allow me to demonstrate my qualities fully. I will be contactable at 91803873 or email me at simhm25@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you very much for your time!

Yours sincerely,

Sim Hon Meng