SELAMAT PAGI! TAKEAWAYS FROM MY TIME IN BANDUNG!

SELAMAT PAGI! TAKEAWAYS FROM MY TIME IN BANDUNG!

by Enya Tan Enying

SMU-X Overseas Course: OBHR233 Employer Branding for HR

Destination: Bandung, Indonesia

About the course

The course educates students on the concepts of talent management with an emphasis on millennial engagement and recruitment. Students from Singapore and Indonesia are given the opportunity to collaborate with each other and present proposals to an Indonesian client organisation, to solve a unique human resource related issue presented by the client themselves. After this course, students are expected to be able to identify relevant theories related to employer branding, understand cultural principles and processes working in a cross-border (Indonesia vis-à-vis Singapore) setting, as well as develop effective skills to present proposals to respond to the needs of the client organisation.

Reflection/Testimonial

The employer branding for HR course was recommended to me by Professor Paul, during one of our catch-up chats. He told me it’s a chance to experience a new culture and step out of my comfort zone, and after this experience I fully agree with his statement. Classes in this course was different from the regular 3-hour seminars, as it involved a lot more group activities, engaging exercises as well as bonding opportunities amongst groupmates and the foreign students. Despite being a marketing major, I found the concepts taught to be interesting and highly applicable to various corporate situations. The collaboration with the two established Indonesian corporations Bina Karya Prima (BKP) and Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) further materialised these lessons, allowing us to implement the content learnt into real-life scenarios. Being able to explore Indonesia and Bandung in particular was a truly immersive experience. Getting a taste of the local culture, delicacies, and the way of life in Bandung allowed us to view things from a fresh perspective, which definitely helped with crafting a tailored solution to address the company’s needs. At the beginning, I was not able to relate to the things taught in class such as cultural diversity and generational dynamics, but through the first-hand encounters, I gained a deeper understanding of them, and even valuable insights shared by my Bandung friends. A couple of memorable quotes such as “Don’t worry about the things you cannot control” and “Take things one step at a time” which truly provided me with the right mindset to strike a harmonious balance between academic responsibilities and exploring the beautiful city I was in. As the client was from Indonesia, I was not confident in delivering the requirements and feared the tight timeline and uncertainty. However, I learned how to be adaptable, to enjoy every moment and to cherish the journey as much as the destination. By immersing myself in diverse experiences and forging meaningful connections, I have broadened my horizons and gained a deeper appreciation for the smaller things in life. As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I carry with me the invaluable lessons learnt and the wonderful memories forged during my time in Bandung. Thank you Professor Paul for inviting me on this journey, it was truly a remarkable experience that I will never forget.