Intercultural Situation

A few years ago, my friends and I went on hoilday in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Although we had read up on their customs and practices in preparation for the trip, it seems that we still managed to miss a few important details in our research, as you will soon find out.


Chiang Mai is famous for their night bazaars and right after checking into our hotel, we decided to head over there for dinner. The atmosphere was just perfect: steaming bowls of kway teow naam on the table and the sights and sounds of the night market scene surrounding us.

Halfway though our meal, the Thai pop music that had been playing in the background suddenly switched to a more militaristic marching song. Then we noticed the Thais around us stopping in their tracks and standing up. Having not a single clue as to what was going on, we nevertheless continued sitting and eating. After the song ended, we noticed the locals closest to us giving us the evil eye and looking disapproving.

Later, we learnt that the song which we had heard was actually the Thai National Anthem and that the Thais would stand up when their anthem plays out of respect. While we knew that the Thais have a great patriotism and love for their king and country, we were ignorant of this cultural practice of theirs. Perhaps, something that we could have done was to simply follow the behaviour of the locals in an unfamiliar situation. Then again, perhaps we should have just researched their culture more properly before attempting to blend into their environment.

Personal Statement

When I was nine, I climbed Mount Ophir in Malaysia. I clearly remember reaching the summit on a cold and cloudless morning after a two day hike, looking out over the horizon at the sunrise and then thinking that I had never seen a more wondrous sight. While Mount Ophir may not be Mount Everest, to my nine-year-old eyes, its summit seemed like the top of the world, the mountain an insurmountable obstacle. It was there, standing at six in the morning that I realised for the first time, that to reach success, one must be prepared to face difficulties and conquer many challenges.


One of my strongest characteristics would thus be determination and resilience, with which I confront each and every task I undertake. Being a goal-orientated individual, I frequently set high targets, many of which have several difficult challenges to overcome. While others may throw in the towel when the going gets tough, my resilience would carry me through, allowing me to persevere and succeed.


Hence, I am drawn to the challenging yet stimulating responsibilities in dealing with clients accounts and promoting events. Being determined in soliciting clients for the company, despite facing many rejections is a trait of mine that is beneficial for Peranakan Place Complex. Additionally, when faced with problems on-site and during events, I am able to put my best foot forward with an unwavering spirit and enthusiasm. It is with the utmost conviction that both the organisation and I would benefit from my innate resilience and determination that I pursue this job.

Application Letter for Sales and Events Executive Internship

Dear readers, this application letter is for an internship as a ‘Sales & Events Executive’ with Peranakan Place Complex Pte Ltd. Just some background information on this company: Peranakan Place is a company dealing in fine dining and bars along Orchard Road.

The required specifications for this internship are:

Job Scope:

1. Solicit and service accounts
2. Promote event sales
3. Manage on-site and events

Specific projects/learning outcomes:

1. Ability to handle client in a tactful manner
2. Ability to response efficiently during unexpected turnout of questions during events.

Preferred Year of Study:

Year 2

Specific knowledge / skills required:

Visual Basic; Excel Macro

Application Letter:

My Name

14 Seventy-Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 54787

September 4, 2009

Elaine Chan
HR Manager
Peranakan Place Complex Pte Ltd
180 Orchard Road
Singapore 238846


Dear Ms Chan,

Internship - Sales and Events Executive

I am extremely interested in the Sales and Events Executive Internship as advertised on the NUS Career portal. I have a passion for event-planning and customer relations and I believe that Peranakan Place Complex will benefit from my contributions in these areas.

As indicated in my online resume, I am in my second year at NUS at present, pursuing a Double Major in Applied Mathematics and Management. Having frequently sought out marketing roles and opportunities, I am also experienced in marketing campaigns. I have been planning and organising several successful large-scale events, such as a welcome tea, as a committee member in Campus Crusade. I feel that these experiences have served to refine my event-planning skills as well as my management abilities. Moreover, having experienced it directly, I am acquainted with the pressure one faces when promoting an organization and managing events.

My double major has provided me with a thorough foundation in principles that affect businesses every day. Managing the tough rigor of the double major, as well as being actively involved in two co-curricular activities and volunteer work has made me into someone with a determined and resilient character. Furthermore, I am an enthusiastic and disciplined individual who embraces challenges, as evident from my heavy workload and multiple responsibilities in various fields. It is for these reasons that I believe that I am well suited to working in the fast-paced and intensive food and entertainment industry.

According to the job requirements, you need someone proficient in Visual Basic and Excel macros. Hence, I have taken the initiative to complete a course in Visual Basic, as I believe in the value of developing oneself to one’s full potential. This belief is evident in that I have recently completed a course in Microsoft Excel in order to improve my IT skills. As indicated in the resume, I am also proficient in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and Adobe Photoshop. I am sure that such technical skills might prove useful for your company.

Being actively involved as a Toastmaster has trained me tremendously in being eloquent and confident when speaking to working adults, besides honing my communication and leadership skills. I feel that this is advantageous in that I would be able to effectively develop strong customer relationships for your company. Additionally, I am taking a university module on professional communication, through which my interpersonal communication skills have been improved. Therefore, I believe that I would be better able to handle clients tactfully without any avoidable miscommunication, a capability which is part of the job description.

I would deeply appreciate it if we could meet for an interview at your personal convenience. Please contact me via a phone call or an email according to your preference; my mobile number and email address are stated in the online resume.

I appreciate your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.


Sincerely,

Ms. Abigail Yong


Enclosure: Online Resume