Throughout my undergraduate journey, I never thought I would consider studying abroad. Typically, my peers have seen me as a homebody that does not adjust well to change or new adventures. When I heard a couple of my peers were applying to study abroad programs, I decided to educate myself on what Mays had to offer. Many of my coworkers and mentors at Deloitte recommended I look into it too. If the trip would cover an international elective and broaden my knowledge of business around the world, what did I have to lose?
I knew I could not commit to a full semester, but Mays offered short trips during winter, spring, and summer which lasted from two to three weeks. I decided to apply even though my uncertainty of committing to the program still remained. Singapore seemed like a solid option because I had never traveled beyond Europe or the Middle East. I knew of family friends that grew up in Singapore and decided to send my application.
The application process was very simple. All the information about estimated pricing was provided along with a very simple application that detailed everything required before committing to the trip and what documents were needed for the specific country. Some programs even offered you international business certificates as well.
My initial impressions of the global business program was how it was tailored to the country so well. Singapore is a melting pot for all the surrounding Asian countries. Its economy is driven by international business and luxury. I was excited to see how such large corporations and companies grounded themselves in Singapore. In addition to the presence of large companies and corporations, I was excited to see the diversity of the population through ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
In the first week, we were able to visit luxury hotel industries including Mandarin Hotel and areas surrounding Marina Bay Sands. It was interesting to hear and see how the hotel industry in Singapore catered to its clientele. The Mandarin Hotel?s presence in Singapore exemplified luxury and Chinese heritage.
It was very interesting to see the impact of how Chinese culture played a role in their customer service too. The population of Singapore is made up of more than seventy-five percent Chinese. Their vast history of ancestors that came to Singapore for labor has created a predominant impact on the culture and establishment of this city-state.
The owners explained how hospitality in Asia greatly differed from American culture. Typically, Asian culture is very hospitable and teaches many to go out of their way to serve others. Whether that is making sure your guests are properly fed, cleaning up after others, etc. In American culture, the competitive atmosphere drives us to only take care of ourselves and our personal needs. It is not typical to see someone go out of their way to help you. We only see this if it is within someone?s own convenience.
Following the first week of this trip, it was very interesting to see how Singapore functioned. Witnessing the dominant industries, the impact of Chinese labor, and Asian morals/values influence on customer service were all extremely eye-opening to someone who had never traveled to Asia.
