Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

I participated in “Work and Travel in the USA” programme last summer vacation. I learned a lot about working in a multicultural environment. During one of my shifts while I was at work, I witnessed a conflict specifically regarding intercultural communication. I was a server so it helped me a lot to interact with everyone in the kitchen. Dinner was the busiest time of the working day. I was a bit I asked one of the servers in the same shift if he could help me run an order to one of my tables. His name was Frank from the U.S. and he said he could help me. After my table had finished their meal, I asked Frank if he could help me bus the table, because it was a big top. Frank helped me bus the table, but as we placed all the dishes in the pit, this conflict broke out. The dishwasher that night was a Japanese girl, whose name I can’t recall at this time. She had been working, by herself, for the last six hours. It had been a very busy night, and I knew she had been working her hardest. Frank was also busy with his own tables and he had helped me with my twenty top. He threw his bus tub into the dish pit and said a crude remark under his breath to me. The girl in the dish pit took it as being about her right when he said it. I could see she was visibly angry about the situation as she started to walk away from her duties to take a break. During the rest of the evening I could feel the tension between Frank and the Japanese girl regarding the comment he had said to me. I knew the situation could be resolved easily if they could just sit down and talk. At the end of the night I knew I had to do something. I asked Frank to sit down with the dishwashing girl and try to work the situation out. He had no idea he had even caused a situation. He said he had said his comment to me, and had no idea that the said comment had offended this girl.


There are many ways to interpret the situation. Let us focus on the girl right now. She took it as an insult because he said something under his breath. When someone does that in Japan, it is rude. On the other hand, in the USA it is OK to say something under your breath most of the time when you are mad about something and if you do not want someone to hear. So Frank thought that he did nothing wrong but the angry girl thought that he should say he was sorry for being rude. Every American thought nothing of it but all the Japanese that worked there were a little mad. I do not think it was healthy to have a cultural conflict at work.

I personally felt that the girl was overreacting to the situation because Frank wasn't talking about her. So to him there was no reason why she should be mad at him. She should have asked if he really was before she got all mad about it. She should not have just assumed things in her own way. However imagine you were the Japanese girl, you were working very hard and someone said something bad about you and your work. It hurt your pride. You would not be in a good mood and clear mind to look at the matter straight. I would interpret it as misunderstanding. If they both had tried to put themselves in the other person’s shoes, the problem would have been worked out.

Personal Statement

My name is Thoai Anh Tang. I am about to graduate from National University of Singapore with a Bachelor degree in Chemistry. I have always dreamt of being a teacher ever since I was young. So when I came to know about the opportunity to study in Singapore, I quickly grabbed the chance to be one step closer to my dream. I have always been a very determined and motivated person even when I was young. I will do whatever it takes to fulfill my dream. The reason why I want to be a teacher is that my teachers in Vietnam have had great influences on me. They have encouraged me to always try my best, which I still remember to this day. I also think that it is a noble profession. Furthermore teaching is great since I am able to learn through out the teaching process. I am confident and energetic, which will aid me with handling students in school.


While pursuing my study in NUS, I have been taking a variety of courses so that I am well-rounded in studies. I have been tutoring for over 4 years in Math, Chemistry and English in order to be well-prepared for the challenge I am going to take in my future career. I would love to teach a variety of subjects instead of just one. I also went to study in Canada as an exchange student. I then participated in “Work and Travel in the USA” during the summer. My interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt to working in a multi-cultural environment have improved so much that I was overwhelmed with joy. I believe it was an invaluable experience of a lifetime. In short I would like to share my knowledge and experience to the young generation to shape up Singapore as well as the world talented people.

Application Letter (Draft 2)

Block 689B Choa Chu Kang Drive

#04-308, Singapore 682689

September 05th, 2009

To whom it may concern

Ministry of Education, Singapore
1 North Buona Vista DriveSingapore 138675

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter in regards to your open teaching position with your prestigious Education system. I would like the opportunity to become a Chemistry teacher at one of your schools.
I am well aware with the high standards the Ministry of Education has set and it would be a privilege for me to be a part of your staff.
Being a full-time student and a part-time tutor has taught me lifelong lessons. They involve time management, responsibility, and organizational skills which I plan on using in the class room. In addition I am an enthusiastic, determined and highly motivated teacher. I want my students to grow socially as well as academically. I possess many skills related to your teaching position. These skills make me a good candidate for the teaching position.
I have a B.S. degree in chemistry obtained from the National University of Singapore (NUS). My degree will assist me in teaching the students to the best of my abilities.
I have been a chemistry and math tutor for the last 4 years. While being a tutor, I developed skills directly pertaining to your teaching position. Tutoring students has also built up in me skills in understanding the student mentality, which will assist me a lot with handling a variety of students.
I have also been an English tutor for the last 4 years. Tutoring students in their English studies has taught me respect and patience. This attribute will be very beneficial with regards to being a teacher at of one your schools.
I have taught many students in their weakest fields of study and have felt very rewarding to see great improvements along their studies.
With these skills I believe that I am ready to take up the challenge and be part of the dynamic teaching staff in Singapore. I would like the opportunity to live my dream to become a teacher. Given the chance, I would try my very hardest to be an asset to the Ministry of Education.
I appreciate your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely yours,
Ms. Tang