I have completed my work in Xuhui campus and I am now at the main campus in Minhang.

As an education consultant, my role is to identify strengths and Area for Improvement (AFIs) through meetings, lesson observations and focus group interviews. As of now, interviews, meeting notes  – all collated. Its just data analysis and putting everything into a report before presenting them to the management end next week.

I am also preparing for a sharing session on how to use blogs as an educational tool to enhance teaching and learning for staff from both campuses.

My work attachment is coming to an end soon and I am looking forward to my extended stay to tour Shanghai with my husband who would be joining me soon.

View Photo Album : Singapore Shanghai International School

Yesterday was dinner with some of the school’s management who were Singaporeans. (I could never have imagined having so much fun dining with the Principal! ) And tonight, was dinner at a colleague’s home with some other Singaporean teachers.

On both occasions, we thanked each other for the company before we part. To me, it was deeper than good byes, more profound than friendship. I would say, its comradeship.

A strange bond, maybe even a queer sense of patriotism brought warmth to the frigid winter night as we spoke fondly about our homeland, crack jokes about our government, lament about our system and salivate at the thoughts of Laksa!

It was like a scene from media back home, laced with nationalism propaganda – We are Singapore..We are Singapore … ! Yet, I relished every moment, as that was the very first time I could truly relate to my nationality.

I am Singaporean.

Beginning to get use to the lifestyle here as I got into a routine. School starts at 8.30am and ends at 3.30pm with one hour lunch in between. But I leave home as early as 6.50am and only gets home by 5pm as the journey to and from school takes more than 1.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

I take the school bus, a small 10 seater van. The journeys are real adventures – no regrets pouring money into insurance! I could literally see vehicles coming head on towards us and the driver would skillfully swerves the very last second missing by inches. The bumpy rides get my internal organs completely rearranged!

But nothing beats crossing the roads here where traffic rules are almost non-existence with cars coming from all directions. You just have to summoned every ounce of your courage, take a deep breathe, say a prayer and dash across! Its amazing I am still alive and in one piece!

Got to know some collegeus who were also staying in the same estate. The weekends were packed with fun – visiting places, eating, shopping, parties, get-to-gether, laughing, chattering. Though alone in a foreign land, I was not lonely in the company of my new found friends.

View Photo Album : Singapore Shanghai International School

Reached Shanghai on 22nd Nov, Saturday. It was a cold, gloomy and rainy day in Shanghai. Michael came to pick me from the airport. Had dinner with his family before moving to a colleague, Ellen’s place where I will be putting up. I was exhausted but could not fall asleep.

Sunday was spent with Ellen shopping, eating. We went to the hairdresser and to the Fabric market, where I tailor-made my cheongsam. Stock up on food and some winter wear from the hypermart. It was an enjoyable day out but as it was raining cats and dogs, I got caught in the rain. I was running a slight temperature when I reached home. Next, I threw out and stayed in bed feeling cold and miserable.

Fortunately, I recovered in time to report for work on Monday. Attended the morning assembly. Thereafter, I was given a tour of the school, introduced to the Principal and the management team. The rest of the day was spent walking around the campus, getting a feel of the ground by chatting with the staff and started on the templates for my reports.

Lunch was provided by the school for both students and staff. Buffet style! And before I knew it, it was time to head home.

View Photo Album : Singapore Shanghai International School

…

How to approach an organization for attachment? Really, it is as easy as knocking on doors and ask!

It’s a real world out there! Private organizations are profit driven and why would they give you the opportunity to learn at their expense? Yes, you are not be drawing a salary, maybe not even an allowance from the hosting organization, but time and effort will still be spent to accommodate you.

So, you have to convince them that you could add value add to their organization, in return. The onus is on you to create a win-win situation.

Shanghai Singapore International School (SSIS) where I did my attachment, was owned by Prime Group International. They were not going to fly me in just to have me sit in the classrooms, observe some lessons and teach a few classes!

So, along with my professional portfolio (CV), I included my possible contributions to the school. I offered to conduct sharing sessions on the use of blogs for education and to evaluate their ICT curriculum and e-learning platforms, identify areas for improvements and give suggestions. It helped that I had prior experience as IT Head of Department, equipped with a masters degree in instructional design and technology.

I was doubtful that they would be agreeable to give me an allowance. But I understand that Prime Group also owns the chain of Sun Island golf, spa and resorts. (Its important to do research on corporate information of hosting organizations). So I asked for the school to provide me with accommodation and to pay for my air tickets, which they gladly agreed.

For the price of an air ticket, the school got someone in to set directions for their ICT programmes. And for sacrificing three weeks of school holidays, I got the opportunity to work overseas, to know more friends and to tour this cosmopolitan metropolis, Shanghai.