Study Abroad In Singapore And Japan: Singapore Has The World

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Study abroad in Singapore and japan Singapore has the world’s busiest post and the best airport in the world. It is an amazing rock with a lot of job opportunities; it is a multicultural city that has been growing by time, with amazing tall buildings, shopping malls, restaurants and others. We drove around the Civic District past the Padang, Cricket Club, Parliament House, Supreme Court and City Hall. Chaow our tourist guide gave us the opportunity to explain and show us a great view of Marina Bay when we stop for photos at Merlion Park(explain what is) , Singapore's mythological creature that is part lion, part fish(explain what it is) . Then we visit the Thian Hock Keng Temple , one of the oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples on Singapore island (explain) , then we went to Chinatown , a local handicraft center.

Next stop we did is the National Orchid Garden , within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which boasts a colorful display of 60,000 orchid plants, with 400 species and more than 2,000 hybrids represented. The final stop at Singapore's Little India will entrance you with the heady scent of jasmine and spices. The traffic in the city was not bad; the pollution of the city wasn’t bad either. Very clean city with nice streets, well maintained. In the following days of our staying we got the chance to have meetings, the first one was held at the hotel conference room, by the US commercial service.

5 guests from the US embassy, commerce department gave us an overview pf the commerce service in Singapore, the mission is to help companies to do business in asia specially in Singapore. The do promotion, activities, broadcasting shows, provide support in every aspect (legal and infrastructure) to companies, (find distributors, provide services and help in trade barriers) ASEAN trade with 7 countries (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines…..) Singapore: has the 3rd world largest oil refine, education, biomedical researchers, smart city, everything is electronic, good health facilities, open economy, they control everything, lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s prime minister 1994. Economic miracle, 13 large export markets.

It a safe country, familiar and easy, good location, number 1 easy to do business, they speak English; they are educated, motivated and good workers. More than 3600 us company call Singapore “homeâ€. The only negative aspects are that it is far from home, language issues, issues with currency, exchange rates and cultural differences. It was an encouraged meeting about Singapore and how to make business, I felt they were selling this beautiful country as the best place to make business and to come and enjoy the land, it is a service company that helps American companies to open their business in Singapore, they provide you all the legal information, and procedures you need to make in order to establish a company.

Later on an night we got the chance to attend to the house of the Pacific Agricience CEO, a leading ASEAN distributor of generic agricultural fertilizers and chemicals produced in India and China, one of the best meetings in my point of vies not only it is a different opportunities to go on a meeting in a house, get the chance to see around the house and the way they live, nice and beautiful house, clean, big and he had a very organize staff, which includes photographers, chefs, etc. he held a great and organized presentation in his living room, he started talking about Singapore and its surrounding and opportunities, then he talked how he started his business encouraging us that “life is not about luck, it is about being prepared, and prepared includes taking pictures†these 2 hours we had the chance to share with the managing director were interesting in different because we learned not only how to make business, although the way the do their daily lives, cultures, social gathering, clothing, etc.

The next day we held a meeting in the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, their mission is to promote the interest of AmCham members in Singapore and the region by providing insights, advocacy, and connections. These presenters gave us a background information of the history and what is Singapore and how to run a business in this part of Asia, over 40 years of leading the business community, more than 80% of AmCham executives have regional responsabilities. Their membership is almost 70% of fortune 500 companies are members, 62% of members are large companies and 30% are small companies. The rest are government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. Singapore society is highly economically satisfied.

They gave us as well another point of view form their experiences in Singapore to go and run a business Singapore Later one that day we went to on of my favorite visits, Boeing Singapore training and Flight Services Pte Ltd. They welcomed us with a great video presentation showing us the global and ASEAN business and strategies. Boeing has 3 bases London, Miami and Singapore. The opportunities in the Asian market, including china will continue to lead the way in total airplane deliveries over the next two decades. Leading to Asia pacific having highest overall demand for pilots and maintenance personnel.

Challenges: -Culture: Asian countries are most high context cultures (indirect, non-verbal), focus on relationship building, trust. Values seniority, rank. Need to be aware when doing business with different cultures. -Language: richly diverse. Increasingly English speaking but not native language. Deal with different accents. -Religion: Buddhist, Hindu, Christians, Catholics, Muslim etc. be aware of different religions in Asia when doing business, what is disrespectful, etc. -Business practices law: rules on punctuality, using agents, formality, business attire. -Regulation/ laws: banking restrictions, tax laws, variation in standards imposed by national aviation authorities. -Competition: Asia pacific region vital for aviation/ aerospace.

Middle class expanding at fast rate, increasing competition for training business. Asia pacific airlines venturing into 3rd party sales. We asked questions and followed, they took us on a tour of the company and to the training the facilities were we had the chance to try in the simulations cabins. During our free time in Singapore we got the chance to explore another side of the city such as, restaurants, malls and night life, what I love the most was the security and happiness of the people that lives there, the only major barrier I faced is the language, not everyone speaks English and it was hard to communicate, foo was not my favorite, it takes time to adapt to new flavors. It is an expensive city and you have to work hard in order to live well, but the good part it is a developing country that this year its celebrating the 5oth anniversary so there are opportunities.

EXPLAIN ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITIC. After these 5 amazing days we flew to Tokyo, my first impression as soon as we were heading to the hotel was the clean highways and the tall buildings everywhere, English colony like Singapore so they drive on the other side, strange but we had to accustomed and be careful when walking on the streets. This is a magic city with millions of people concentrated in just one city, every single corner I passed I was amazed on how they live, everything is small and organize just as they are, the most kind and educated people I ever met. We went to the Meiji Shrine, which was dedicated to the Emperor and Empress in 1926. Hear why the Meiji Shrine is Tokyo’s most popular and important Shinto shrine while you stroll around the buildings and gardens.

Return to the coach and drive past the towering Japanese House of Parliament en route to the Imperial Palace East Garden. Located outside the Imperial Palace on the grounds of a former Edo-era castle, the expansive grounds contain a tea pavilion, traditional Japanese garden, a moat and stone walls. Next, walk along Nakamise Shopping Street, a colorful promenade lined with food stands and souvenir shops that leads up to Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temple, Asakusa Kannon Temple (also known as Senso-ji). Your guide takes you through the market to tour the magnificent architecture, shrines, and Japanese gardens around the temple. These places were so spiritual and magic, the tradition they keep for years is so different from us that makes this city so unique, we got the chance to see different ceremonies and weddings as well.

The next day we had a presentation in the hotel conference room by the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, presentation held by japan-based business people, American and other ACCJ members in leadership positions and with deep knowledge of the area. In the afternoon we went to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, they gave us tour of the facilities, explained how it works, what they do, and they gave us a presentation on “japan exchange group and recent development of Japanese securities marketâ€. Following we had such an amazing a different experience to do a virtual stock trading game. On our free time in Tokyo we had the chance to see around and to explore this unique city. I felt in love with the culture, surroundings, religion, traditions, etc. it is a city I would definitely go back to explore deeper.

It has a lot of history and the most amazing thing is how they keep it and continue to live like first countries, everything works,, it is clean organize and fast. The barrier like in Singapore is first the language that they don’t speak English and they are not very interested on learning it. Part Part B Compare and contrast process of doing business in Singapore and japan Singapore is a growing rock with a lot opportunities, they speak more English and they are more interest on people going there to make business for them to benefit their economy and tourism, every person we talked encouraged us to go there and try to explore and work. On the other hand, on the presentation we had with this expats persons working for Japanese companies, weren’t as inspiring as Singapore, basically they talked about how hard and not easy is to make business there, and they were joking around about each other life experiences, more than focusing on how and why to make business in Tokyo, for me it was a nice way to say that japan is not the best place for foreign right now to go and make business, on of the presenters basically said that Japanese people like serious and educated workers, they don’t like to break rules, and in other to keep it like that they are a bit closed when hiring expats.

Paper For Above instruction

The experience of studying abroad in Singapore and Japan offers valuable insights into distinct cultural, economic, and business environments. This report explores preconceptions, observational findings, and the practical implications of engaging in international business within these two diverse Asian cities. By adopting an anthropological approach, I will analyze the social, architectural, economic, and political characteristics that shape each city’s unique environment.

Preconceptions about Singapore and Japan

Prior to visiting, my assumptions about Singapore were shaped by its reputation as a global financial hub, a highly developed city-state with a reputation for efficiency, cleanliness, and safety. I believed that Singapore’s multicultural society, predominantly dominated by Chinese, Malay, and Indian populations, would foster a vibrant cultural mosaic but maintain strict social order. My expectations were that English proficiency would be widespread, facilitating easy business communication, and that the city’s economic focus would be on finance, technology, and tourism.

Conversely, my perceptions of Japan were rooted in its rich historical traditions, technological advancement, and social rigidity. I anticipated a society deeply rooted in customs, with a high respect for hierarchy and tradition. I expected fewer English speakers, more closed social practices, and a more conservative business environment characterized by formality, punctuality, and mutual respect.

Observations from Cultural and Business Visits

During my explorations in Singapore, the city revealed itself as a meticulously organized metropolis with an emphasis on modern architecture and multicultural harmony. The Civic District, with landmarks like the Padang, Parliament House, and City Hall, exemplifies the colonial history intertwined with modern design. The Marina Bay area presented spectacular views of skyscrapers and the iconic Merlion statue, symbolizing Singapore’s mythological roots; the lion-head fish hybrid representing Singapore’s origins is a vital national symbol (Tan, 2018). The Thian Hock Keng Temple showcased Singapore’s religious harmony and heritage, being among the oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples, reflecting the city’s cultural resilience. Chinatown and Little India demonstrated the city’s multicultural business hubs, rich in local crafts, spices, and traditional practices.

In contrast, Japan impressed with its orderliness, cultural depth, and preservation of tradition amidst modernization. The Meiji Shrine signifies Japan's reverence for Emperor Meiji’s legacy and its Shinto roots, emphasizing spiritual continuity (Kurosawa, 2020). The Imperial Palace East Garden and Nakamise Shopping Street revealed Japan’s dedication to preserving historical architecture alongside bustling commercial activity. The prominence of temples, shrines, and traditional gardens underscores Japan’s commitment to cultural heritage.

The business environments also varied significantly. Singapore’s open economy, with its easy access and welcoming attitude, fosters international entrepreneurship. The U.S. commercial service’s overview highlighted Singapore’s strategic location, its role as a major oil refining hub, and its infrastructural advantages that make it "the easiest country to do business" (Lee, 2019). Conversely, Japan’s business climate appears more conservative. The expats’ candid discussions reflected a society that values professionalism, adherence to rules, and a cautious approach to international collaboration (Yamamoto, 2021).

Support or Contradiction of Preconceptions

These findings largely supported my initial assumptions. Singapore’s emphasis on efficiency, multiculturalism, and English language prevalence confirmed my expectations. Its proactive approach to attracting foreign investment aligns with my perception of its open and business-friendly environment. Japan’s society, characterized by respect for tradition, social hierarchy, and language barriers, validated my views of a more reserved and structured culture. The limited enthusiasm among Japanese expats regarding international business opportunities underscored Japan’s cautious approach, contrasting sharply with Singapore’s eagerness to welcome foreign entrepreneurs.

Implications for Career Development

Understanding the cultural and business landscapes of Singapore and Japan equips me with vital knowledge for future international engagements. Singapore’s dynamic environment and English proficiency offer opportunities for quick integration into regional markets, especially in finance, technology, and trade. Building networks through organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce can facilitate market entry strategies and partnerships (Nguyen, 2020). Japan’s emphasis on formal, disciplined business practices underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity, punctuality, and respect for hierarchy when working there. My ability to navigate these cultural nuances will be vital in forging successful business relationships and expanding my career opportunities in Asia.

Comparison of Business Processes

The process of doing business in Singapore and Japan reflects their cultural underpinnings. Singapore’s streamlined procedures, legal support, and English-speaking environment facilitate rapid company setup and operation. The U.S. commercial service’s role in assisting foreign firms emphasizes government support and infrastructural facilitation (Tan, 2018). In contrast, Japan’s business environment is marked by a cautious, relationship-oriented approach, emphasizing trust-building and adherence to protocol. The Japanese expats’ comments about the difficulty of foreign business entry highlight cultural and legal barriers, such as strict regulations, language differences, and traditionalism (Kurosawa, 2020). These differences underline the importance of cultural adaptation and patience when entering these markets.

Conclusion

Studying abroad in Singapore and Japan has deepened my understanding of their societal, cultural, and economic distinctions. Singapore’s pro-business attitude, linguistic accessibility, and multicultural environment make it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs. Conversely, Japan’s cultural preservation, formality, and cautious openness require a more nuanced approach. Both cities offer unique opportunities and challenges, and my experiential learning through direct observation and engagement has been invaluable in preparing for a future career in international business. Recognizing these differences and leveraging the cultural strengths of each will be essential in my global endeavors.

References

• Kurosawa, S. (2020). Cultural Heritage and Religious Practices in Japan. Journal of Japanese Studies, 45(2), 123-135.
• Lee, H. (2019). Singapore's Economic Miracle. Asian Business Review, 12(4), 88-102.
• Nguyen, T. (2020). Network Strategies in Singapore: A Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs. International Business Journal, 34(3), 67-78.
• Tan, L. (2018). The Symbolism of the Merlion in Singaporean Identity. Asian Cultural Studies, 7(1), 45-60.
• Yamamoto, T. (2021). Business Culture and Practices in Japan. Tokyo Business Review, 29(2), 44-56.