Sunday, March 29, 2009

Sandeep Jaganath : Bio-Data

My name is Sandeep Jaganath, and I am an engineering undergraduate student at the National University of Singapore. I expect to graduate in July 2009 with a major in Mechanical Engineering.

I am an Indian national, and did my schooling in India. Having been raised around a typical South Asian bias towards engineering over other faculties meant that I always favoured Engineering as my choice for university education. My deeper interest in physics and mechanics prompted me to apply for the Mechanical Engineering course at NUS, with eventual success.

I am an individual with varied interests. Aside from recreational sport, I am passionate about issues of animal rights, environment, health and nutrition. I have participated in projects such as movie screenings, exhibitions and other events both on and off campus to promote awareness on these subjects. I am also an avid reader and a member of several internet discussion forums on these issues. My pursuit of extra-curricular interests has helped me keep in touch with the problems, needs and evolving nature of the society and the world around me.

The broad-based curriculum at NUS has equipped me with knowledge in faculties such as the arts, economics and science as well. Having to take care of myself in a foreign country away from family has taught me to manage resources and responsibilities independently.

I am confident that the skills, values and knowledge I have acquired over the years will help me tackle challenges successfully and make the most of the opportunities to come.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Non-Verbal Communication (Open Topic)

I have always been fascinated by the psychology of communication. It is interesting to note that in a formal interview the subject’s body language contributes over 60% of his/her impression on the interviewer. Clearly, this facet of our appearance and persona is understood to be better reflective of our true self than the words we speak. This was also highlighted by Ms. Lim during her presentation on non verbal communication in class in the early stages of this module.

However, the prevalent culture seems to have a major role in people’s perceptions of gestures and their connotations. For instance, cheek kissing as a gesture of friendliness or comfort is very common in Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Latin America. The same gesture brings up associations with homosexuality in Asia, and is particularly inappropriate between members of opposite genders. This website on Afghan culture and social norms says “Between men eye contact is acceptable as long as it is not prolonged - it is best to only occasionally look someone in the eyes.” Deliberate avoidance of eye contact may be seen as a sign of weakness or discomfort in other places. I have personally experienced similar reactions from many Singaporeans upon maintaining eye contact during conversations. If you think you know why this may be so, do share in the comments section.

Similarly, many aspects of the Japanese work culture (refer here), for instance, the emphasis on ‘face’, or one’s image, and the persistent pressure to conform to accepted societal standards, seem totally at odds with the more ‘liberal’ Western principles. The traditional South Asian gesture of welcome by folded hands may be associated with subservience in the West.

The list is just endless. This brings me to my question. Can you think of any gestures that have one or more common and universally understood meaning(s)? Perhaps the hand-shake?

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Evaluating Intercultural Behavior (Post #4)

The intercultural interactions I describe here involve me and my Singapore internee X during our internship last year. Both of us were quiet personalities, and took a while to warm up to each other.

It is interesting to note the pattern of our interactions after we got to know each other well. I follow certain ethical principles that make me stand out rather glaringly (The principles themselves aren’t relevant here, but I wouldn’t mind discussing them in the comments) and X found them very interesting, and actually subscribed to them in theory, without ever saying so explicitly. We had many long animated discussions on related subjects, which dominated most of our interactions. For the purpose of clarity, let me state that those principles are often considered by the society to be ‘extreme’ and their believers lunatics.

I soon discovered that X was not comfortable with letting others in on his interest and opinions on such matters. I’d often discuss the subject with the other staff in a light manner, and each time X would go into a shell to project an impression of apathy and lack of interest – almost as if he thought he’d be branded an outcast for ideologically associating with people like me, who are likely to fall into the “weirdos” category, as seen by the general society.

I also felt that X and the other Singaporean internees were rather uptight and overly deferential, to the point of plain subservience, with their bosses. Indeed, this one time, they refused to leave the office through the front exit because a circle of superiors was discussing right at the exit (We’d have had to split the group to leave). They wouldn’t talk about it later, and I felt that they were simply afraid of coming across as impudent b requesting the bosses to part). It could be that their personalities had a big role to play in their behaviour, but I was pretty sure the culture they were raised in was responsible too.

Towards the end of our internship, X began to distance himself from me. Even during our friendlier days, I always felt like I was being scrutinized by him, as though I was somehow behaving in a manner he did not approve of. I found out later from another internee and a common friend that X thought I was very naïve, did not know political and diplomatic correctness, and did not behave appropriately with my seniors and others not very well known to me. I had always been honest and open and as far as I am aware, warm and friendly to everyone at the workplace. But I did notice that some of those qualities seemed out of place at the office, where Singaporeans dominated the numbers.

I learnt a great deal about Singaporean culture and manners during my internship. This particular set of interactions with X, and others with the rest of my colleagues also showed me that my general outlook, ways of communication and manners did not always match the accepted Singapore ways. It was a very interesting experience nevertheless.