When I arrived in Singapore, I was astonished to see the mix of cultural/natural preservation and modern innovation throughout the city. In Singapore?s architecture, there are historical buildings and places of worship that sit adjacent to high-rise buildings and financial districts. Likewise, when learning about how businesses are modeled and operated in Singapore, I couldn?t help but think about how many Singaporean businesses employ both traditional strategies of organizing and innovative strategies for setting themselves apart from others. Whereas in the United States, where there may be clashes between traditional and new schools of thought, I found that Singaporean culture is not only able to mesh both ways of thinking but take pride in such diversity. Another aspect of Singaporean culture I found interesting was learning about business etiquette and customs. While I had some background knowledge of Singaporean culture from a social customs perspective, I was unaware of how business was conducted in the country. When it came to dealing with business negotiations specifically, I was surprised to hear about Singaporean negotiations are often more ?we-centered? compared to negotiations in the United States; however, I believe that a lot of the business and negotiation etiquette found in Singapore is reflective of the cultural values found in the country itself. From this global experience, I hope to learn more about the diverse melting pot that makes up Singaporean culture. Whether it be from a business, social, or culinary perspective, I want to experience the variety of cultures that have come to call Singapore their home. Additionally, I am interested in further exploring the mix of traditional preservation and modern innovation. Although some other countries find it difficult to balance the two aspects of culture, Singapore has found ways to find cultural traditions and modern innovations an essential part of their culture. I would like to learn how this type of thinking is also reflected in business relationships–whether that be domestic or beyond Singapore?s borders.
