Here is the blog about my classes that you all have been waiting to read! :)
Here at NUS, the campus is clean and very nice; modernized and high-tech. There are ample places to study for lots of different styles...there are cubicles with a desk and an outlet for those that like that. There are large areas full of soft comfy low-level chairs with lap-desks for students who prefer to study like that. There are TONS of round tables in Starbucks to study. There is a MAC commons full of MAC computers and there is a PC commons full of PCs for students to use 24/7. There are tables everywhere, multiple libraries, and lots of coffee.
My first class, BSP3001C6 is called Strategic Management and is the Shidler equivalent of capstone BUS 345. This class is my favorite one I am in. The professor is incredibly hilarious yet incredibly knowledgeable and has traveled all over the world. In my experience, I have found that those who have traveled all around the world have a more successful time teaching as they have learned so much and have an understanding of many different cultures and atmospheres. In his class, we engage in a lot of class discussion analyzing companies such as the Virgin Group and Starbucks, as well as local Singaporean companies. Last class, he taught us about strategic management by comparing it to an orchestra concerto and then he explained external and internal business environments by analyzing a Polo Horse Race. Needless to say, his class is incredibly interesting, increases our business knowledge as well as our general knowledge and makes things remember-able. I just did four individual case analyses looking at the overall company and challenges/issues they have faced. I analyzed AirAsia, McDonald's India, Nike and its sweatshops, and the Tata Group. I must say that I learned a lot about each and feel significantly more knowledgeable than before.We have two big group projects and a few individual projects, as well as class participation points. This style of learning, analysis and discussion and no tests, is where I thrive...maybe that's part of the reason this is my favorite class!
My second class, and most challenging (extremely challenging) is Product and Brand Management. So far, we fly through the information and go for a sold three hours each week. We do lecture notes as well as open group and class discussions on various cases such as Kellogs, Dell, etc. This coming week, I have to give a mini presentation on a company or business that is effectively reflecting a macro-environment trend...in which I analyzed BrightStar Franchising, a woman created and operated (trend: woman empowerment) business that offers medically certified health care to children, individuals, and families and has special emphasis on senior care at home (trend: rapidly aging population). They also offer childcare and nanny services to working parents (trend: women empowerment). Coming up really soon, I have a 10-page analysis and research report on Tiger Balm (a pain relief ointment) due that comes from the perspective of a brand manager. In this class, we also have an intensive group project and a hefty final exam.
My third class, Entrepreneurial Marketing, is a bit challenging as well. We have a HUGE group project composed of creating a new mock business concept and plan and presenting it to the class. We also have a smaller team activity and in-class discussions. We will have a final exam at the end of the semester. This professor is a full-blooded Singaporean so sometimes I have trouble understanding what he says, but for the most part, he brings in a good energy to the class and has a lot of experience and wisdom to impart on us.
My fourth class, International Finance is an intensive 8-week course. I have taken a fond liking of finance since Professor Mills at Shidler kicked by butt all semester long but taught me more about the finance world than I would have ever known previously. Her class made me feel like hard work actually paid off.
Here at NUS, the campus is clean and very nice; modernized and high-tech. There are ample places to study for lots of different styles...there are cubicles with a desk and an outlet for those that like that. There are large areas full of soft comfy low-level chairs with lap-desks for students who prefer to study like that. There are TONS of round tables in Starbucks to study. There is a MAC commons full of MAC computers and there is a PC commons full of PCs for students to use 24/7. There are tables everywhere, multiple libraries, and lots of coffee.
My first class, BSP3001C6 is called Strategic Management and is the Shidler equivalent of capstone BUS 345. This class is my favorite one I am in. The professor is incredibly hilarious yet incredibly knowledgeable and has traveled all over the world. In my experience, I have found that those who have traveled all around the world have a more successful time teaching as they have learned so much and have an understanding of many different cultures and atmospheres. In his class, we engage in a lot of class discussion analyzing companies such as the Virgin Group and Starbucks, as well as local Singaporean companies. Last class, he taught us about strategic management by comparing it to an orchestra concerto and then he explained external and internal business environments by analyzing a Polo Horse Race. Needless to say, his class is incredibly interesting, increases our business knowledge as well as our general knowledge and makes things remember-able. I just did four individual case analyses looking at the overall company and challenges/issues they have faced. I analyzed AirAsia, McDonald's India, Nike and its sweatshops, and the Tata Group. I must say that I learned a lot about each and feel significantly more knowledgeable than before.We have two big group projects and a few individual projects, as well as class participation points. This style of learning, analysis and discussion and no tests, is where I thrive...maybe that's part of the reason this is my favorite class!
My second class, and most challenging (extremely challenging) is Product and Brand Management. So far, we fly through the information and go for a sold three hours each week. We do lecture notes as well as open group and class discussions on various cases such as Kellogs, Dell, etc. This coming week, I have to give a mini presentation on a company or business that is effectively reflecting a macro-environment trend...in which I analyzed BrightStar Franchising, a woman created and operated (trend: woman empowerment) business that offers medically certified health care to children, individuals, and families and has special emphasis on senior care at home (trend: rapidly aging population). They also offer childcare and nanny services to working parents (trend: women empowerment). Coming up really soon, I have a 10-page analysis and research report on Tiger Balm (a pain relief ointment) due that comes from the perspective of a brand manager. In this class, we also have an intensive group project and a hefty final exam.
My third class, Entrepreneurial Marketing, is a bit challenging as well. We have a HUGE group project composed of creating a new mock business concept and plan and presenting it to the class. We also have a smaller team activity and in-class discussions. We will have a final exam at the end of the semester. This professor is a full-blooded Singaporean so sometimes I have trouble understanding what he says, but for the most part, he brings in a good energy to the class and has a lot of experience and wisdom to impart on us.
My fourth class, International Finance is an intensive 8-week course. I have taken a fond liking of finance since Professor Mills at Shidler kicked by butt all semester long but taught me more about the finance world than I would have ever known previously. Her class made me feel like hard work actually paid off.
This is what 2 of my classes look like. My other class in even nicer! Ha, it is so much easier to learn and pay attention in a clean environment with chairs that don't fall down when you sit in them! Also, this shape fosters class discussion and participation. In addition, there is a little slit along the front of the desks for name tags that we put out during each class. There are 2 projector screens at the front of the classroom so everyone can see properly. Also, the students and teachers control the air temperature, so if it gets too cold, we can turn down the air. Genius!