Pang Zhi Yuan

Class of 2015
Majoring in Sociology and Organisational Behaviour & Human Resource

Like most sophomores in SOSS and in SMU, I was browsing through the OCS OnTRAC system to search for available internship vacancies in summer. In the midst of countless internship choices, I chanced upon this rare overseas internship placement. Without hesitation, I applied, an interview ensued, and, with a blink of an eye, I was being offered this 'once-ina- lifetime' opportunity that I excitedly accepted! Think about it, how often do we get such an amazing overseas internship offer in our lives, right?

I was a Human Resource (HR) Intern in Nakilat-Keppel Offshore and Marine Limited (N-KOM). This company is a joint-venture between Nakilat (a Qatari shipping company) and Keppel Offshore and Marine, Singapore. It is based in Ras Laffan Industrial City, 90km away from the state's capital, Doha. Throughout the 12 weeks, I was being rotated within the department, mainly between Training & Development, HR Operations, and the Recruitment section.

As this was my first time venturing into the Middle East without any prior experience or exposure in the region, I decided to participate in a Business & Cultural Study Trip to Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, organised by ICON-Al Khaleej before my internship began. During the 12-day trip, we made several company and site visits, including a dinner reception at the Singapore Embassy in Doha, where I got to meet several Singaporeans residing in Doha. This was the perfect moment for me to get acquainted with them! They shared with me the working culture in Qatar, their favourite hangouts, and other activities that gave me a sense of their daily lives and routines over there.

A couple of weeks before I flew to Qatar, I have also consulted my seniors who have previously completed their internship programmes in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and got them to give me a prelude of the living and working conditions in the Gulf countries. Such sharing sessions gave me a mental preparation on what to expect for my internship.

Indeed, I have met several challenges along the way. First and foremost, I faced communication problems. A large majority of N-KOM employees were blue-collared South-Asian migrant workers who could not converse in Basic English. As a HR intern whose job scopes include improving the welfare of these workers, it took me some time to understand their needs and concerns, and to accurately rectify these issues with the higher management. While the process seemed to be strenuous, the result could be fulfilling when the workers were appreciative of what has been done.

Secondly, the summer weather in Qatar can be pretty harsh on any living beings. Its ground temperature could go as high as 50oC during mid-day and even hover around 40oC at night. Air-conditioning, or better known as A/C among the locals, appears to be a human right in Qatar for every household, or even every dormitory unit has at least an air-conditioning unit attached to it. I must admit that the intense heat is a tremendous challenge for me and my body such that I fell ill in the midst of my internship.

I realised that I have taken many things for granted in Singapore – our efficiency, our robust civil services, and our incredible work ethic – after my internship stint. I began to appreciate such systems when I returned to Singapore. I have also learnt to value the little things and happenings around me, show more graciousness and gratitude towards my loved ones, and embrace adversaries in my life for "whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". This internship has certainly altered my initial perceptions towards my life and the future.

Apart from the challenges mentioned earlier, my transition from a SMU-SOSS student to an N-KOM HR intern was relatively smooth. Most of my colleagues and managers were from Singapore, or within the ASEAN region, and more importantly, they were very forthcoming with my queries, doubts, and requests. They have never failed to involve me in their social gatherings and activities such that it made me feel this was my 'home away from home'.

Overall, I highly recommend every SOSS student to embark on an overseas internship, if possible. If I had not chosen to take up this internship, I would not have gained this invaluable experience. An overseas internship is not just merely working diligently for the company, but also acquiring new knowledge, culture, and experience from abroad that hone your skills and broaden your perspectives of the global market and the world.

Looking at how well-acculturated SMU alumnus and, in general, Singaporeans are in Qatar, I would strongly encourage future SOSS students who are serving an internship in the Middle East to drop their 'Singaporeness' within them, be open with the local culture and embrace it, just like the saying – "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". Go with an open mind and be prepared to learn whatever that comes to you along the way.