INSPIRATIONAL SUMMER
Publisher: TEAM RE4880
Volume: Number 0001
Issue Number: 01
Date: July 2007
A trip down memory lane - A Shanghai/ Suzhou/ Hangzhou experience
This summer holiday was like no other as I took on one inspirational learning journey which I can proudly
annunciate it as the highlight of my studies here in NUS! “Inspired” was chosen because I felt that this is the
most condign word that sums up all my experiences and sentiments that went through me on this special
journey. This newsletter will therefore not only be a written statement for this 06/07 Summer Program but it
marks a continuation to my life journey where ample of educational and life lessons await me!
I have attempted to assemble different takeaways that we have gained which have given us a new perspective
on our lives, studies, working lives, China market, etc and they have been summarized as follows:
1. To personally feel the China property market’s pulse. Witnessing the progress of Shanghai (through
site visits, showflats, etc) and understanding views from the different professional bodies (Professors,
Working professionals –Local and Singaporeans, etc), provides us with a holistic and hands-on
opportunity which books cant match up to. Furthermore, the company visits have taught us to think
beyond textbook and theoretical content and to constantly put ourselves into the business world context.
This has truly widened our scope of vision and thus put us a step forward from our peers who have gave
this program a missed. Our understanding and knowledge on the dynamism of China’s Real Estate
market have strengthened throughout the trip!
2. Friendships forged along the way. This includes peers, Prof Sim and Prof Ooi and his wife! This was
a great opportunity to bridge both professors and students together. We appreciate being comfortable in
Prof Sim and Prof Ooi’s presence and even being able to engage in small talks. Furthermore in this trip,
our circle of friends in SDE has widened. We have not only met new friends (both SDE and students in
the universities we visited) but also to better understand our existing friends. With this huge network of
friends, it not only butters our social life but may be the gateway to many “opportunities” in future!
3. Life Enrichment Class. This journey has instilled both classroom and life lessons in us! This was
particularly achieved through journaling. It has taught us to sit down, think and reflect on things that we
have gone through instead of mere absorption, which was always the case! (I believe you all will agree
with us on this!) This approach enriches and value adds to the given contents!
4. Independent Learning. This module was well structured to promote independent learning. For
instance, journaling allows us to do individual reflections on activities that were covered at our own
time and pace. This instilled a sense of responsibility and highlights the importance of time
management. Groups were also given the flexibility to schedule meetings/ site visits My group also took
the initiative to go down to visit showflats amidst the shopping fever in us!
5. A sense of accomplishment! To many, it was the first trip without our family members and having able
to take good care of ourselves and manage our finances (this being the most challenging one! Haha!),
makes us feel proud of ourselves! This trip has not only proven to our parents but also to ourselves that
we are all capable individuals. This may well be a good signal for us to venture outwards for expanding
career opportunities.
6. Ask More = Gain More! Daily seminars and site visits have presented to us ample opportunities to
speak up! Furthermore, maybe the change in environment has ignited enthusiasm in everyone of us, as
we have learnt to be more spontaneous in thinking, questioning and sharing of ideas in seminars. It has
therefore been very interactive and engaging, proving to be one fulfilling and enriching “classroom”
experience!
7. More comfortable and confident in conversing in Chinese. Many of us have used this trip as an
opportunity to brush up on our Chinese language. For example, though it seemed like a duck and
chicken affair, many of us earnestly converse in Chinese with the local students in the universities that
we have visited.
8. Understanding the Chinese culture. Through daily observations, we have definitely grown to better
understand, appreciate and respect the Chinese culture. Furthermore, some of us were inspired to do
some reading up on the Shanghainese language/dialect!
9. Cultivation of skills. These skills will definitely come in handy for both our study and career path.
Skills such as spurring group dynamism, leadership, presentation skills (delivering clear, comprehensive
and effective speeches), developing interesting projects and being an independent learner (to take the
initiative to probe and read further, constantly question and reflect).
10. Regional Exposure! This trip provides us with an introductory regional exposure. It allows us to
experience and thus decide on whether we should towards taking overseas assignments. Furthermore,
networks with both the local students in the universities as well as through company visits have been
established.
And if asked what my conclusion for this summer program is, I would say it is not any typical learning trip or a
great holiday but it was an Amazing Learning Journey that left a deep imprint in my life! It gave me the
opportunity to fortify my strengths and minimize my weakness! Never have I reaped and enjoyed the learning
process as much as what I had gained from this program! I applaud and thank the faculty in providing us with
this valuable opportunity to experience learning from another approach! It was definitely a fulfilling summer as
in this journey, my mind; knowledge and character have strengthened tremendously. It came in timely as I can
now engineer these lessons and skills to my last year of studies and prepare me for the career path I seek.
This marks the end of this summer’s journey and the first issue of this newsletter but the lessons, friendships,
memories and knowledge that I have harvested in this journey continues to be inspirational pointers in my
life……
Celeste Lok