Exchange Program Report: My Year at Singapore Management University (SMU)

Name: Lim ZhiQing

Student ID: 2021290048

Introduction

My year as an exchange student atSingapore Management University(SMU) wasoneofthe most enriching experiences ofmy academicjourney. ChoosingSMU was astrategicdecision driven by my desire to gain a global perspective on business and management.Asastudent    majoring in business, I was particularly drawn toSMU’s strong focuson practicallearning

and industry engagement. My goals for this exchange were notonly todeepenmyacademic   knowledge but also to immerse myselfin a new culture, develop my professional network,as well as enhance my communication skills. Over thecourseofthis year,I wasabletoachieve  these goals and more, making this exchange a pivotal chapter inmylife.

Academic Experience

As a university student, I have experienced tremendous personal andacademicgrowth.One ofmyproudestaccomplishmentsistheconsistentacademicperformanceIhavemaintained

throughout my studies. Despite being on an exchange program inSingapore, where the

academic environment and expectations differ, I have committed myselffully toadaptingand excelling. My dedication and hard work have paid off, as my CGPA atSingapore

ManagementUniversityremainsinlinewithwhatIachievedbackatRenminUniversityofChina. This consistency is a testament to my ability to adjusttonewchallengeswhile

maintaininghighstandardsofexcellence. Beyondacademics, thisexchangehasalso

broadened my cultural horizons, fostering resilience and adaptability as Inavigatelifeina different country. During my time atSMU, I enrolled inseveral businesscourses that were instrumentalinbroadeningmyunderstandingofkeybusinessconcepts.Amongthemost    impactfulcourseswereCrisisManagement, FundamentalsofMediaEngagement,

and Designing Communication for Behavioural Change. These courses were notonly rigorous in content but also highly practical in their approach.

Crisis Management was particularly eye-opening, as it equipped me with strategiesto handle unexpected challenges in a business environment. The course emphasised theimportanceof  quick decision-making, effective communication, and strategic thinking duringcrises.

Through case studies ofreal-world events, suchascorporatescandalsand product recalls, I learned how companies navigate through turbulent times. This course also involved

simulations where we had to manage a crisis in real-time, which was an intenseyet invaluable experience.

Fundamentals ofMedia Engagement focused on the critical role that media plays inshaping public perception. The course taught me how to craft messages that resonate with diverse

audiences and how to manage media relations effectively. We worked on projects that

involved designing media campaigns and responding to media inquiries, which honed my skills in public relations and communication.

In Designing Communication for Behavioural Change, I explored the psychological

principles behind influencing behaviour through communication. This course was particularly relevant given the increasing importance ofcorporate social responsibility andsustainability   in today’s business world. We worked on projects aimed at promoting positive behavioural

changes, such as reducing plastic use and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Thecourse provided me with the tools to design effective communication strategies thatcandrive meaningful

change.

What made these courses stand out wasSMU’s emphasis on the practicalapplicationof

theory. Each course was structured around real-world casestudies, group projects,and hands- on activities that bridged the gap between academia and industry. Thisapproach notonly

deepenedmyunderstandingofbusinessconceptsbutalsoenhancedmyproblem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively in ateamsetting.

Industry Engagement

Oneofthehighlightsofmyexchangeprogramwasthenumerouscompanyvisitsorganised bySMU. These visits provided me with a unique opportunity to see how the conceptswe

learned in class are appliedintherealworld.

One ofthe most memorable visits was to TheStraits Times, where we learned about the

challenges and strategies involved in running a leading newspaper. Wehadthechanceto

interactwithjournalistsandeditorswhosharedtheirexperiencesofreportingonmajor

eventsandhandlingthepressuresofmodernjournalism. Thisvisitreinforcedthelessons

from my media engagement course and gave me a deeperappreciationfortheroleofmedia in business andsociety.

Another significant visit was toSingaporeAirlines, one ofthe world’s leading airlines. This visitprovidedinsightsintothecomplexitiesofmanagingaglobalbrandinahighly

competitive industry. We learned aboutSingaporeAirlines’ approach to customer service,  brand management, and crisis communication. The visit also included a behind-the-scenes touroftheiroperations, whichwasbothfascinatingandinformative.

These industry visits were more thanjust educational excursions; they were integral to my

learning experience atSMU. They allowed me to observe first-hand how businessesoperate, the challenges they face, and the strategies they employtosucceed.Theseexperiences

complementedmycourseworkandprovidedmewithawell-roundedunderstandingofthe business world.

Cultural and SocialInvolvement

Beyond academics, my role as anSMU exchange studentambassador wasoneofthe most

rewarding aspects ofmy exchange program.As an ambassador, I was responsiblefor helping other exchange students adjust to life inSingapore, organisingevents,andrepresentingSMU at various functions. This role enhanced my leadership and organisationalskillsandallowed  me to build strong connections with students worldwide.

My cultural immersion was further enriched through participation in a rangeofsocial

activities. For instance, attending a business networking forum provided valuable insights  into the business world and its operations. I had the chance to meet notablefiguressuchas Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman ofBanyan Tree Holdingsand Laguna

Resorts and Hotels, as well as Executive Chairman ofThai WahPublicCompany.These experiencesenhancedmyunderstandingofhowbusinessesoperateinSingapore,

strengtheningmyknowledgeofthelocalbusinessenvironment.

Intermsofinternationalnetworking, oneparticularlymemorableexperiencewasaFrench

networking event, where I connected with business professionals and entrepreneurs from

France, including a merchandiser from Hermès. This gathering offered valuableinsightsinto French business culture, further broadening my international exposure.

In addition, I took part in a cooking classatSMU, where welearnedto prepareSingaporean dishes. This not only made cooking local cuisine enjoyable butalsodeepened my

appreciation for Singapore's rich and diverse foodculture.Ialsoattendeda winerytasting

event, which was an excellent opportunity to learn about theartofwinemakingand theglobal wine industry. This event also served asa networking platform, whereIconnected with

professionals from different industries, expanding my global network. These culturaland

social activities made my exchange experience more fulfilling and provideda balanced

perspective on life inSingapore. They allowed me to stepoutoftheacademicenvironment and engage with the local culture and community in meaningfulways.

Personal Development

This exchange program was notjust about academic and professional growth; it wasalsoa journeyofpersonaldevelopment. Throughouttheyear, Igainedvaluableskillsthatwill

benefit me in my futurecareer.

One ofthe key skills I developed was leadership.As anexchangestudentambassador,Iwas often in situations where I had to take initiative, make decisions,andlead byexample.

Whether it was organising events or assisting fellowstudents, theseexperiences honedmy ability to lead and manage teams effectively.

Networking was another area where I saw significantgrowth. The variouseventsand

activities I participated in allowed me to build a strong global networkofpeersand

professionals. These connections have not only broadened my horizons but also opened up

new opportunities for my future career. The exchange programalso presented itsfairshareof challenges.Adjusting to a new environment, managing a demanding academicschedule,and  balancing extracurricular activities required resilience and time management. However, these challenges also pushed me out ofmy comfort zone and helped megrow both personallyand   professionally.

Conclusion

In retrospect, my year atSingapore Management University was an incredibly enriching

experience that has had a profound impact on my academic, professional, and personal

growth. The combination ofrigorous academics, practical industry engagement, and rich

cultural experiences provided me with a well-rounded education that goes beyond the

classroom. This exchange program has not only equipped me with the skillsand knowledge needed for my future career but also broadened my global perspective anddeepened my

cultural understanding.As I look forward to my future endeavours, Iamconfident thatthe lessons and experiences from my time atSMU will continue toguideandinspireme.

Pictures in SMUandSingapore