Pre-trip reflections

I am super excited that I’ve got selected to go for this IBSM trip. Before the trip, there was a 5 day workshop planned out for us. On the first day, Mr Wong briefed us about the trip and what our objectives of this trip. A short lecture regarding International Business was conducted. Every one was still very “alien” to each other. They were just hanging out in their own groups. The second day was more or less the same. Lectures conducted and allocation of project groups. Chinese lessons were conducted on one of the days. OMG! CHINESE! All the alien words are appearing again. We had to translate 5 sheets of related business terms in Chinese and none of us are allowed to communicate in Chinese for the whole of the day. Torturous!

Our guest speaker, Mr Law Sit came to tell us more about Business in China. Mr Sit is an experienced businessman in China. He talked about having good “guanxi” with the local people would bring an advantage to setting up business there. He also mentioned some opportunities and threat that are coming up in the future.

We had to prepare presentations slides regarding our topic and one of the regions that we were visiting so as to give us a better understanding of the regions that we are visiting. We were also given our journals, IBSM t-shirt and our OWN name cards! How cool is that! =)

I was also appointed the photographer for the trip! Hope I do a good job! =)

After the 5 days of workshop, I feel that my group is more bonded and we get to know each other better. I think the other groups are pretty bonded as well. But we aren’t that bonded as a whole yet. The workshop help me understand more about International Business thru the short lectures and what we are suppose to find out at the end of the trip for our project. I get to know more about the all the other regions that we will be visiting.

Looking forward to the whole trip!!

Time to pack my luggage =)