To: Mr Ma and Mr Chua
From: Tan Xin Rong S10062385K
Subject: My Learning Plan
Date: 2nd March

1. Learning objectives
I will want to learn about the differences between the Singaporean culture and Chinese culture. The Chinese had a very long history and therefore they must have a very unique and interesting culture worth for me to find out about. Also, I also want to learn about the student life in China. I want to find out what’s the difference between a Chinese student life and a Singaporean student life. Singapore’s government focus much on the Singaporeans’ education and hence our school and student life is rather hectic and we are always racing against time for lessons, exams and projects. I wonder whether the students in China also face such problem. Also, I want to know more about the food and eating habit of the people living in Wuhan. Most importantly, I want to learn to be more independent. This will be the first time I will be in a foreign country alone, far away from my comfort zone and away from my parents. Hence I hope that through this trip, I can be less dependent on others and rely on myself more.Before going to China, I had already heard quite a few things regarding the Chinese people. Basically, China is definitely not as safe as Singapore. Had heard from relatives and even lecturers that thefts are quite common in China. For example, my brother’s tuition teacher, whose hometown is in Wuhan, China, told me that thefts occur quite frequently in Wuhan and some bystanders will not even lend a helping hand when you are robbed. Also, Singapore news reports on China’s bad food hygiene are also quite frequent. For example, some Chinese hawkers will use cardboard pieces as ‘fillings’ for their buns, hoping to make more profit. Hence, I got to be more careful of what I eat.Despite all these negative stories I have heard, I believe that there will definitely be more positive sides of the Chinese. I still do not really know the daily habits and routines of the Chinese and hence I would be interested to find out. Most importantly, I also hope to find out more about the positive of the Chinese community so as to prove to my relatives and friends that friendliness and love are also existent in the Chinese community.My motivation for me to learn will be my passion and interest for exploring the culture of the Chinese. Also, I always tell myself that learning the culture of others will put myself in a great advantage if I have to be sent to the particular place for my work or career in the future. Hence, this greatly motivates me to learn.
I hope that through this trip, I can apply what I had learn to my own life. For example, I can be more independent and less dependent on others. Also, with greater understanding of the Chinese, it may be easier for me to communicate with them in the future when the need arises.

2. Focus
I will be focusing on the food and eating habits of the people living in Wuhan. Just like Singapore has its own local delicacies, I am quite interested in finding out more about the local delicacies of Wuhan. Most importantly, I hope I can taste all the different local delicacies and compare them with Singapore’s. Also, I want to focus on the range of prices for local food and whether they are generally affordable for the local people. I will also be focusing on the food hygiene of Wuhan and hence, compare the food safety standard in Singapore and Wuhan. Last but not least, I want to find out more on what the students in Wuhan eat most of the time as students in Singapore usually eat fast food. I wonder if students in Wuhan also eat fast food that often.

3. Five questions for investigation
-What are some types of local delicacies in Wuhan and are they popular among the Chinese community in Wuhan? ( To find out the local appetite for food e.g. spicy or non-spicy )
-What are the price ranges for the local snacks and delicacies? ( To find out whether the Chinese eat them often and whether they can afford them often )
-Are students in Wuhan as busy as Singaporean students? ( To find out the difference between the student life of a Chinese and Singaporean )
-What do they do other than studying? ( To find out whether they got any co-curricular activities or other activities )
-Are thefts really that common in China? ( If so, is it only the minority of the people that resort to stealing or most of the people do it )

4. Development of global skills
Willingness to take risks: Being in a foreign country makes me unfamiliar with the new surrounding and environment. But if I’m not willing to take risks, I will never get to experience new things and hence I will be stuck with my own ways of life and I will most probably not be able to cope living in another country. If I acquire the skill of being willing to take risks, it may make me a more adventurous and daring person in the future.

Comfort level with strangers: Even the best friends started out as total strangers. It is through a period of time of understanding that strangers become friends with each other. Hence, to make new friends, I will have to be comfortable around strangers. In this way, I will not feel uncomfortable to ask and know more about the particular person. This could help me if I were to venture into the business world in the future.

Patience: Being in China, there will of course be a cultural difference between the locals and me. Hence, there might be a bit of communication problem between us and them. However, I hope that through this trip, I can grow to be more patient with challenges and difficulties. Hope to develop the never-say-die attitude. The local people may have their own way of doing things which could be seen by us Singaporeans as a totally absurd and ridiculous way. However, I got to be patient and respect them, after all I am the one who is in their country.

5. Learning Strategies
To learn the culture of the people of another country through the internet and books is just not enough. The most important thing is to experience it myself. Hence, interaction with the local Chinese is needed. I plan to ask them about their student life and things like that. I am also going to observe the daily routines of the Chinese for example, the way they talk, eat or even interact with each other. Also, the many tour trips that are organised by the school can also help me learn new things. For example, I can learn the history of the Chinese when we get to visit historical sites.