Mid Semester Update!!!

Hey guys!

So, sorry for the delayed posting, things have officially slowed down now so I can take a second to write down everything that has been going on. SO here we go, this ones going to be pretty long so I'm going to have a bunch of sub headings for you to skip around and read if you want. This ones going to cover

• Classes I'm Taking
• An Opportunity for Singapore Internship
• Recess week in Singapore 
• Singapore Night Life 

Classes I'm Taking 
**Before I even start writing about this section, my advice for all business students.. fill out your application as EARLY as possible.. your application is basically what the school uses to assign you the modules you take here.. don't be like me and only end up with 1 business class and have to fight for the rest!**

So as most of you know, I'm a Business Major at UH Manoa, focusing in IB and ENT. The business classes here are pretty similar to classes in HI in the sense that you either have a big lecture class, or a smaller class that involves more class participation. Most of the lecture classes are 2 hours long, once a week, with an additional 1 hour "tutorial" class once a week as well.

For anyone interested in classes that are approved to transfer back to Shidler, here's what I was able to do.

1. BSP 2001- Macro/International Economics =  BUS 313 Economic and Financial Env of Global Business 
2. BSP 3513- Family Business = MGT 450 Family Business (ENT Elective) 
3. SE 3880- Topics in South East Asian Studies = IB Elective 
4. Chinese 1 (just took it because I could and to learn the language)

Overall, the work load isn't too bad. with 4 classes, I'm spending about 15 hours or so on homework. They only require that you take 3 classes though.. so if you want a little more free time, just take 3 modules (12 US credits) 

Internship Possibility!!

Spoiler alert, unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the internship.. BUT the story was still awesome which I will go ahead and tell you anyway. 

So in the Family Business course that I am taking, we had a guest speaker come and talk to our class. He is the CEO of Marco Polo Shipping here in Singapore. Which is actually a rather large company. He was speaking to us about the difficulties of owning and operating a large family business, how he got involved with his, etc.. Since I not only want to get involved in the shipping business, but I also wish to start my own firm one day and keep it going in my family, I figured this is the perfect man to talk to. 

After sending a few emails, I was able to get a few minutes of his time the following week after the next presentation he did at my school. I asked several questions about the company, the industry, etc. He was actually very helpful and gave me some tips I plan on using when I do start my own company. But at the end of our conversation I asked if there were any internships available at the company. His words to me were, "I'm the CEO, so I could always say yes. But I have to respect my HR department and leave it up to them. Here is my card, send me your contact information, and anything you would like me to send to HR and I will forward them your information." Needless to say, I was on cloud 9 after that. I immediately went home and send my resume, and started researching what visa/documents a foreign student needs to have an internship in Singapore. About a week later, I got an email form his HR department saying that all the spots were filled, and i could do one in the beginning of next year, but unfortunately...I'll be back in the states by then. 

Even though this didn't work out, the confidence that I gained by talking with someone who is a millionaire and runs a very successful company was huge. 

By the way, if you do want to do an internship in Singapore, you have to apply with the MOW ( Ministry of Workers) and get a visa that costs about 150 Sing dollars.. 

Recess Week

Best. Idea. Ever. 

So usually in the states, we don't realllyyy have a large break in the Fall other than an extra day or so for Thanksgiving. But here, in the Fall there's recess week. A lot of students use this time to travel to other countries in Asia since it's so cheap. It's Friday of my recess week, I'm spending it studying because i have a test that worth about 30% of my grade next week, so my recess week wasn't too "exciting" but its nice having a break from school and just sleeping, studying, and going out :-p. 

Night Life In Singapore

Awesome. Tons of clubs to go to. If you're of age (18 in Singapore) you can drink, but the prices for alcohol here are a little on the...expensive side. On average, 17-19 Sing for a beer. $25 for a mixed drink. But you can easily get free entry into these places because of the Exchange student pages that they have on facebook.. Singapore UNI and Hazel's guest list are a MUST if you plan on going out while you are out here, otherwise you're paying 20-30 bucks to get in to the clubs... you're welcome :) 

The MRT (subway/train) only runs until about 1130-12 depending on the line, so usually your best bet is to take the train to wherever you are going, then take a taxi back. 

Some of the cool places to go are: 

• 1 Altitude
• Avalon (one of the most popular dance clubs) 
• Avatar
• Any Club in Clarke Quay  ( Pronounced Clarke Key...don't as me why)

That's about all I have for now, feel free to email me with any Q's!! 

isaac3@hawaii.edu