Having recently returned from Singapore, I’ve had time to reflect on everything I’ve learned and experienced during the study abroad program. Singapore is a culturally rich nation that isn’t afraid to show off its colors. When first arriving, I was expecting a cultural shock and a language barrier upon entering the country; I quickly learned this was not the case. The vast majority of the population can communicate or understand English to some degree, so I never struggled to chat with locals or buy a bowl of authentic pho from a hawker center stall. Despite being relatively conserved individuals compared to the average American, Singaporeans were very friendly. The population behaved very orderly in day-to-day activities such as using public transportation or reserving seats in food centers. This collective respect for unwritten rules directly translates to the emphasis on working together as a society.
This collectivism wasn’t just a habitual aspect of life in Singapore but was apparent in the way they conducted business. During a few select meetings with representatives from Maybank, S&P Global, and Huliburton a constant theme emerged: teamwork. Executives would be thankful for their team stating something along the lines of “this wouldn’t have been possible without X” referring to the team in general or specific members. This behavior in a professional setting was very interesting to me as it collided with my predeveloped familiarity with individualism in US culture. Additionally, because of Singapore’s ties with many nations and its role as a hub of pro-business culture, company goals were very globalized. Despite a work in progress to become increasingly self-sufficient, many businesses within Singapore were aimed at collaborating on an international scale. This differed from my experience in the US, where a large percentage of business in the US is still conducted domestically.
From my experience abroad, I can confidently state that my perspective on business has been permanently altered. In a world that is progressively globalizing, it’s important to have an open mind when encountering a new culture and learn how to operate professionally with different mannerisms. The vibrant and diverse business environment in Singapore challenged me to adapt to new working styles, emphasizing collaboration and cross-cultural understanding.
