The GCSC Family

Almost every intern who has spent time in GCSC would attest to how warm and closely knitted the department is. There is almost always a reason to get together or to celebrate. Since we arrive in Beijing, we’ve been part of many of such get-together activities. Here are a few pictures of our recent gathering. When I find time, I will upload more!

As new interns, you will all face the trial of fire and bottom-ups on the local drink called Er Guo Tou. Something rather akin to industrial alcohol.

The team took a weekend off to stay in a little chalet on the outskirts of Beijing. While we were there, we went on a tree-top, high element rope course. Here's a picture of the team donning harnesses before we started!

This is obviously a bit too easy for Carena....

Unglam shot. But just to give you an idea of how fun it is I shall sacrifice my own image.

Cute Yuanxin hanging on to the spider web! 🙂

Yuxuan waiting for his next obstacle..

Kangmin hanging on in semi-amusement as he grinds to a halt on his butt after the flying fox ride.

Our American Group Supervisor and her beau! 🙂 A cute couple!!

A simple lunch after all the action..

1st of October is the beginning of the Golden Week in China, the special week that commemorates the national holiday. Before all of us part for a week of holidays/ home visits, we gathered around a 9-course lunch and had our fill! Here's one of the two tables!

Here is the next table which cleared more food with the help of more guys!

Taken last weekend at my supervisor's place, where she was nice enough to invite us for a Hai Di Lao steamboat. One of the best brands in China! We were too hungry and we forgot to take pictures with the food before.. So here's a photo of happy us after eating!

All the four interns in this batch.

My Mini Reflection

China has never been a destination for me in near future, so I thought. I had always imagined myself amongst the waters and mountains (indeed countless, you will see!) at an old age, immersing in the heritage of our forefathers. But poof! Going against my beliefs, I am here in Beijing exploring a whole new culture and discovering myself at the same time!

“Is this a legitimate programme? Are they going to sell you off?” Pardon my mum’s crazy ideas, but that might very well be the immediate response from some parents. Afterall, we have heard stories/myths from everywhere! But fret not, because things are far from this situation, and there is definitely much to take home from this six-month stay! There’re bound to be initial worries, considering the kind of environment you’d want to put yourself in through a chunk of your youth! It took me quite a while to put my feet down and tell myself, okay I’m clicking on the ‘Submit’ button! Nonetheless, I never regretted braving through this decision and ending up squeezing amongst the masses in the subway to work each morning.

A glimpse into life in Beijing…! It still did not fail to amaze me, the spectacular number of Chinese populating the country. As if we aren’t already seeing many of the locals in Singapore, it is frightening to await the ‘door-opening’ moment whether or not you are preparing to board at the train station. Whoa, it is a really, a refreshing experience (you should try it). On a heavier note, it also means a much more competitive society they are living in. Tons of undergraduates pour into the workforce each year, and it’s no wonder that almost every colleague I know in the office has a master’s degree!

So far, I’ve learnt to operate loads of Excel functions and it makes me feel stupid looking back at my difficult attempts in decision sciences modules. Other than data-crunching, there’re lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge from school; from analyzing financial statements to observing trends in the reports you generate on your own (satisfaction!!), and you could be able to make recommendations to your superiors on the business partners’ creditworthiness. As you progress, things will get more challenging as your superiors trust you with tasks that require higher levels of evaluation.

Time for some happy and light stuff; I’m loving the times here. Other than the exertion during working hours, life is as free as can be! It feels like a break from hectic school life, where worries are no longer constant. We could be hanging out with the colleagues after work, or be relaxing in town, anything after work! Plus, weekends are like intensive exploration of Beijing! From the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, traditional courtyard residences in alleys called Hutongs, to fried scorpions, steamboats and cheap DVDs and books; sometimes I even fear not being able to see enough of Beijing before I head back home!

At the end of the day, there are, without doubt, things we miss back in Singapore. Curry sauce for instance!!!!!! Can you believe it, the Chinese eat McNuggets with sweet and sour sauce???? How is that yummy..….I still cannot comprehend (they have different tastes anyway, as exhibited by their fashion too) One of my favorite pastimes during the school vacation is to read while munching on McNuggets dipped in thick curry sauce! Such a pity, since McNuggets are pretty inexpensive over here 😦 A few others would be Gardenia bread, meepok, and cologne (don’t ask me why, guess!) That’s all for now, too many thoughts to deliver at once, and it wouldn’t be fun if you’re knowing too much! Tata 🙂