Writing Feedback / Report on culture shock between China and French for exchange student [NEW]

Hey, it is a little bit longer. Please help me look at the structure and writing. Thank you

Report of culture clashes on story about Exchange students in France

Keywords: culture shocks,culture differences,mis-understandings, observe and adapt

Based on the story, we would like to present some of the culture shocks which happened between people who come from different culture backgrounds, especially in France, China as well as colombia.

Culture is a term which has broad contents such as religion, foods, traditions and body language, face expressions. Language is a part of the culture. If you think you have a good command in speaking a foreign language like local people that leads you to master their culture, you're completely wrong.

Culture differences really exits. Mis-understandings between different cultures can cause embarrassment and uncomfortable feeling even a bad memory about your student life. It makes the experience of studying aboard very stressful. For example, in Chinese's language, the digit number "4" sounds similiary to the chinese words "DEAD". In this case, Chinese people seldom to talk the number "4"and there don't have the floor number at 4th in the building. Meanwhile, french people would never talk about money and salary in the public. Before getting yourself completely exposed to a culture which is different from your origins, there are some tips I would like to share with you based on my own experiences.

Obeserve how local people respond and react in a social etiquette. Take the ways of greeting as an example. Chinese people used to greet with their colleagues and friends by shaking hands without kissing once or twice on the each side of face. Obviously, it is a tradition in both France and Colombia. Face expressions and body language is also a signal for helping you to grasp the meaning of what people want to tell.

Thirdly, to be open-minded with local traditions. As a foreiger, it is not surprise that you see people in your own way. Without questioning, dis-agreement occurs. Understand the traditions and the common values which is generally accepted by local people not a hell. Believe it or not, it will save your energy. To be adaped to your new life. Try to fit in the culture and don't put yourself outside as a bysider. If you have some misunderstanding by accidently, you should try your best to trying to see the problem in other's way of dealing and put yourself in other's shoes,

Last but the least,if you can,please find a good orientator. Since we're studing in a international environment, we should take good advantage of get to know each other and finding a well-informed channel to orient us.

Third, be honesty and be polite is crucial. Mistake,Sincere apology is very necessary. A apology in a written form would be a plus.

Tips for Chinese students
1. Varied attitudes towards the recongnition of privacy issues. In China, it is very rude if you ask a girl whom you just have met at the first time to go out with you, or to give you her phone number. French girl think it is very normal.

2. In France, if a friend invite you to have a dinner with him or her, it does not really mean that he/she wants to pay your bill. After the dinner or drink, both of you have to go dutch. Only, there is one situation out of concern. French people will tell you directly it's his or her treat.

3. Being 15 minutes's late for an meeting or appointment is very common in France and Colombia but Chinese people think to be punctual is very important,especially in the business environment.

Enjoy your stay at Rschool with international students, just keep it in your mind to observe, to listen, to inquire

Appendix

Story about exchange students in France

It's a Friday afternoon. After the class, I and my Chinese classmate just thought that we could have a dinner in the city center. While waiting for a bus at the station,we bumped into with a chinese girl friend Yilin and a french girl Audrey. For the first time's meet with Audrey, she was going to kiss us on ours'face however we want to shake our hands with her. At that time,both of us feel really embarrassed.

They're happy to join us for a meal. The bus didn't come. And then we met a Colombia girl who is one of my friend. I asked if she would like to join our's dinner at 10p.m. tonight. I showed her with Chinese Hand Sigal of "10". Unfortunately, the bus company had a strike, so we decided we should take a taxi to downtown. During the taxi drive, the driver asked us wether we have boyfriends in our home country and ask if we have teleephone nubmers maybe sometime we could hang out with him. That really scared my girl classmates and me. This is impossible to ask a girl to go out with you at the first meeting in China, it is not allowed to do that for a chinese boy. After we arrived, I gave the driver 500 euros. The driver was really shocked.

At 10.30pm, Maria didn't show up. I made a call to her, asked where she is. She sounds very upset and said when she asked me what time the dinner is, I have showed her a hand gesture with "X". In her home country, it means that I don't want her to come,however I was trying to tell her the diner is at 10p.m.. The hand gesture means the digit "10"is commonly used in Chinese culture

In a good restaurant, we run into Geoffrey and Dandy. Geoffrey looks very happy to meet us and invited us to join them for the diner. We all very enjoyed the meal. When the waiter ask for the bill, Geoffrey didn't want to pay the bill for all of us because he was going to do so in French's tradition.

Mario showed up at 11p.M. She explained that she had to call her mom and it is very usual of being late for an appiontment in Colombia. We're very happy to have her to join us , although the dinner was over.

Geoffrey told us there is a party and most of the students want to come except for Yilin and me, We insisted that it's bedtime at 11 clock and we really wanted to got to bed. Finally, everyone go to the party.

Letters / 'a person who wants to be success' - Motivation Letter for MBA [2]

Can anyone who can help me at this writing. For a little privacy, I just deleted the employer's name shown in the content. Please advice. Thanks

I'm writing to express my interest in applying for admission to your school of MBA Program.

I have a bachelor degree in Economics. Having been worked extensively for more than ???? years since my graduation, I have mastered a wide range of business skills such as communications, team effectiveness, coaching, analysis and work under stress. Except for that, I had a chance to work with people comes from different boundaries and different cultures.

I'm a professional. My first job in the hospitality industry allowed me to develop an ability to communicate and deal with different clients with varied needs. Before joined ???, I have had more than 6 years of working experiences as an office manager in a private company and then an UK based MNC. At these positions, I have supervised a team of 4 to 6 people in the administion function. I worked with them through mutual respects and efficient communications and I enjoyed helping them to overcome their problems. Because I believed that it is very important to gain trust and confidence from my co-workers if all of us work as a team, and if we want to produce outstanding outcomes and to satify the needs of our internal and external customers.

Afterwards, I began a transition away from the predominantly Administration role I held in the pasts to the business side of the Client Relation Sector. There is a reason. I recongized that these disciplines both appealed to my interests and engaged a variety of my strengths, from interpersonal skills to problem-solving capabilities.

During my times with ???, I have worked closely with a wide variety of organizations, ranging from largest china SOE to financial insititutions throughout Europe, and etc. This diverse client portfolio has gave me an opportunity to be exposure to a variety of business models and cultures. The most interesting and outstanding things what I have done were to work for organizing XBMA International Annual Symposiums which were co-hosted by ???. I have been successfully invited a large group of high-profile individuals and top executives from the established Chinese companies as well as Chinese governors and officers. To further my knowledges, I made a lot of use of my spare times to keep up with the constantly changing business world by reading and learning. Also I have attended professional associations and workshops which enable me not only to gain knowledge over the subject of current topics in the finance industry,but also to build up my own networkings. This experience has solidified my desire to pursue a career in corporate external relationship.

A perfect opportunity was arose in the form of Public Relation position with ????, my present employer. Being a PR people is not always easy. Many tasks involve the coordination of many different people, the completion of many tasks in a precise sequence, and the expenditure of a great deal of time and money. Besides that, the job needs to understand well the whole markets and products as well as the company. I see these chanllenges which happened to me a good treasury to move further in my career.

I'm a person wants to be success. I'm always looking for something to establish myself and round out my skills. It's a perfect timing for me to pursue an MBA study at ???Business School. I clearly understood it is a program of highly in demand and competitive standards. I strongly believe this program would provide me a detailed understanding of businesses, marketing, finance and management. I knew that I am well prepared to cope with the challenges and that I can meet the requirements for the sucessful study at the School.

Writing Feedback / 'Thinking and competency' - Work in a team or independently, which more effective? [2]

The essay has 300 word's limits so I'm sorry I can not make it longer as what I expected. Is there anyone can help me look at it?

In which circumstance you can act in a effeicient way, team-work or individual work? This is the most frequently asked question during a job interview. To answer it, really depends. I think I'm a person who be able to work independently, meanwhile feeling very comfortable to be a part of team.

Within an organization, the responsibilities for each individuals have been assigned appropriately. Everyone should take on a leadership role in personal performance management. That is what we called self-descipiline. At this point, people are capable of taking the initiative at their works. I usually look into the very detailed informations of my work and then make out plan & timetable to complete it with all my efforts.

It has been proved that team-work yield twice the result with half the effort, and vice versa. The history of human being said that we're born to have a social interaction with the other people. No exception in the business world. I have had chances to work on several cross-functional projects in the larger organizations. Some of them are highly rewarded by the clients. Through my obversations, much of the success attributed to efficient communications, making good on one another's comprises and showing mutual respects between team members. What's more, the relationship of the 2 working styles is the coherence of team work and independence work other than in contradiction with each other

In this regard, the co-exietence of co-operation and competition has been fully demonstrated. The management of an organization promotes its members not only to support each other and work together torward a common goal, but also encourage to develpe the ability of problem-solving and critical thinking as well as the competency of dealing with pressure.

Writing Feedback / IELTS writing: Is education priviledged for youth, or lifelong task? [3]

Writing Topic

Education is sometime considered as something for the youth. Some People however, consider as life long task. What is your opinion? Give reason and support your ideas with specific support

There is no doubt that people must receive education at school during the youthhood. Yet it is undeniable that we have agreed with some educator's viewpoint of learning is an endless business throughout life. The topics presented above is not a paradox. Just as an old saying in my home country-to live and to learn'.

First of all, there is reason why misleading about the of education is minor people's work attributed to the weakness of compulsory educational system. Its function usually covers 2 or 3 school years from elementary (age 6) to middle school (age 14). After the completion of this stage, some of young people have to leave school instead of going to work at the farm or factory due to lack of financial support from their parents. Only a few could possibly continues to stay at school more longer for pursuing their Ph.D degree. Don't get me wrong here. It is not special case in some rural areas, because of their parents thought their child has already been to school and their responsibility for education has been fullfiled.

However, what to be taught from elementary shool to college is to enrich our mind with basic knowledge and foundmental concept but not capability of understanding the whole world around us. To tackle the actual problem whatever we will encounter in real life, we learnt from the textbook at school does not help at all. There is still a long way for us if we want to go further and if we want to get the deep insight of the full landscape.

Morever, more adult people than ever before choose to go back to shool, is not accidental phenomenon. It is found out that adult people are more inclined to participate in continual education mainly for job opportunity and personal interests. Research supports the view. Introduction of the concept of sustainable development apears to lead to an indirect effect--high-quality manpower resources are in a huge demand. For those of people who are always well-prepared, even in the harsh and competitive job market, opportunity will never fail to grasp them. It is hardly to believe that one who has brilliant learning background would not be a something eve-catching for a recruiter. While, to others people, an ability to master a kind of new knowledge and skills such as e-marketing is competely personal interest.

Apparently, it should be mentioned that adult students would prefer tailor-made class and being flexible is critical issue. For example, on-job training class can equip people with practical operation skills that much easier to fit in the requirement of daily job. The process of learning will help coming up with new idea to examine the quality of the work timely. Besides that, full-time MBA educational program would be considered as a option for people who wants to refine oneself during their business life, for example leadership, communication skill and financial management, and even their income.

Writing Feedback / IELT writing: what is your view of success? [2]

I'm not good at this kind of topic. It took me hours to complete the writing. Please help.

Success is something which most people try to achieve. What can success mean to different people? What is your view of success?

The history of humankind shows that success begins with desire and people wants to be successful. Since the invention of the word 'success' by our ancestor, more or less, people were beginning to acquire the taste of success. At that times, power, money and respected social status were inscribed on the wall of the pyramid.

Our conception of sucess depends on the way we perceive it. With the changes in time, people's attitude towards success can be varied from great family to aspring career, sparkling lifestyle to simplicity. Success is cultural phenomenon and it is invested with cultural values that appear to lead to the ocurrence of variation. According to more recent studys, when asking about the definition of success, women expect to having a good and stable relationship in their marriage. but their partners would rather pefer to have aspring and decent career, meanwhile younger generation struggles to take on more challenges and excitements than their parents who feel comfortable to stay in a simple and peaceful enviroment.

In my opinion, success is something goes beyond my competence but I work hard to accomplish it through my continuous efforts. In order to achieve it, first of all, I work out a plan based on my personal circumstance. Then I use all my skills and ability to the maxium limit to make it happen. The process may be painful. At the moment of enjoy the fruit of sucess, when I look back the tough days I have been went through, I think I'm sucessful. In the presences of difficuilty, I appreciate the chance of letting me to overcome it and I appreciate the belief of 'I Will Never Give It Up'.

From the above discussion, we can conclude that success is a relative descrptive term of no real substance. We may, at least, give it some precision by defining it and placing it in a context but, whatever we do, we should never forget that success is motivation and a powful weapon which keep us moving forward.

Writing Feedback / IELT writing: who should teach children to be good member of society? [4]

Please help me polish the essay. thanks buddy.

Writing practice

Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

More than 20 years ago, when being asked if parents responsible for teaching children good values of society, it is acknowledged popularly. Nowadays, the answer for this is quite controversial. Some people said that the role of school is to educate therefore school must lead the way in teaching moral values. Personally I 'm the supporter of parents' team. I attribute to three factors.

First of all, parents provide experience for their children and it continues to have a positive and life-long impact. Since the birth of the child, the role of parents not only offer them enough food and equal chance of education, but they need to help their children to understand the importance of showing the respect to elders and the other people who live with them under the same roof, This is we call the basic rule of society. How parents react to the neighbors and the attitudes towards different situations gradually embeded a picture of socialization into the children's mind before they can get their feet on the ground. Children learn from their parents what is important in life and how they expect to be. In this way, no one can replace the role of parents.

But，this is the incomplete picture of it. Once children go to school, what could be improved is their exposure to wide social circle but not the social function. Lack of the ability to make sound judgment at youth hood and in-adequate knowledge from textbook may lead to the risk of wrong deed like cheating, bullying and so on. Parents take a leading role in parents' and teachers' meeting was proved efficiently how it works the system that parents keep closer eyes on the kids what to do and instruct them how to behave at school. Thanks to this process, same mistake will be avoid intentionally. Such an experience will teach the children to interact with their counterparts effectively and leads to make contribution to fulfill with community's satisfication rather than self-centered.

When step into the complexity of adult's world, it should be noted that as a valuable member of society, parents' opinions are weighed too much than what is taught at school. Parents will take responsibility for sharing their experiences with children unreservedly, there is always a good lesson from it and children will benefit throughout life.

Writing Feedback / IELTS Writing- technology leads to dying out of traditional skills and ways of life [10]

Can anyone help me check the writing. Great thanks in advance

Topic:
when a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out.it's pointless to try and keep them alive.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Recently there is an opinion, as the country's policy encourages technology development, it is unavoidable that the traditional skills and the ways of life will become dying out. I myself agree with it partially.

There have a variety of causes about such extinction. Firstly it begin with a lack of confidence.
Traditional craftes was often associated with hand-made process,so people tend to label the final product with out-fashioned, time-consuming as well as low-quality. Secondly, the prevalence of new technology interrupts traditional method of communication such as face-to-face meeting and offers more new options for people to get in touch with family members and friends. Individuals would rather contact with their friends by texting message via cellphone than meet up with each other frequently.

On the other hand, it is said that excessive adoption of technology should be blamed for changing the way to live with. For example, people used to live in the city center now are forced to move to the suburb due to mass contruction of skyscraper and flyover. In addition, there is huge ignorance towards inheritage of traditions among young people, who strongly appreciate convenience and efficiency brought from contemporary technologies. In this case the younger generation might not want to be induced into the old traditions.

Based on my own knowledge, current technology has its origin of the past and majority of modern technology is simply a modification based on traditiona remains. But the invention of Ipad and E-book should not replace the enjoyment from traditional entertainmnet such as ink painting, paper-cutting, knit-making and sewing, as our parents used to do. Hence, we should not pay at a high price for the loss of origin identity about the society.

In conclusion, the coexitence of traditional skill and advanced technology has a double-edged sword effect. It would suggested that some relevant measures would be made by the government to diminish the abuse of technology application and also encourage younger generation to learn about traditional skills so that to make contribution to life of the whole society.

Writing Feedback / IELTS writing - Academic study vs pratical matters learning [7]

It is often said that the subjects taught in schools are too academic in orientation and that it would be more useful for children to learn about practical matters such as home management, work and interpersonal skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This is no doubt that all of subjects which includes academic-oriented subject and practical skills to be taught in school can bring more benefits to child in a modern society.

Educationalist think it is very important to educate child to be a rounded individual as they believe the more opportunity of learning about traditional knowledge such as mathmatics and literature, the wiser mind to be developed in the long run. In addition, academic study is very powerful in the formation of mental discipline and sysmatic worldview in order to help the children make sound judgements about problems they may encouner in future. This is probably true to some extent.

On the other hand, some people agree that teaching of practical matters prepare child better for their furture lives, especially in career life. From our own experience, we can find out plenty of evidence that individual who acquire practical skills, for instance, excellent computer skills, speak fluency bilingual lanuage as well as good interpersonal skills and so forth, are likely more competitive than their ordinary peers in the job market. Most of them can get a desirable job at mutli-national company with a high-salary needed by a comfortable life. Because of these advantageous, their path to the success of career is obvious.

In conclusion, I think that the core responsibility of school is not only concentrate on teaching academic knowledge, which is essential at this point, but also providing them access to the specialised knowledge in the real world. The interaction of both sides can help child to become more talented and able person to a society..

Writing Feedback / Give reasons - The power of advertising influence the purchase decisions [6]

Today the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold.

To what extent do you agree with these views?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

The method that manufactureries and companies using the advertisement to promote the sales of their products is not quite new. The goal is to grab attention of its audience and turn them into potential customers, maybe a real one. Research has shown that immense profit has been recorded by most companies who have invested hugely in advertising. However, those hold positive attitude towards the effectiveness of advertising believes that the high sales reflects a great demand in consumer goods of customer. From my point of view, it might not be ture as saying.

Firstly, advertising delivers the public about the information of product's function and features. For example, when you walking into a department store, there are all many kinds of item displayed on the shelf, unfortunately they look really a bit similar to each other if just disguish from the product brochure. Which one of them would be the right choice for you? In this way, we should thank to the advertising. Both the quality life and the potential need for us can be fully fulliled and even further to be provoked through this kind of access. The impact of advertisement on the consumer's decision is obvious.

Advertising is a powerful weapon but not as well-functional as above all the time. Some people buy products or goods are motivated or mislead by the fact of that they were lack of ability to dinguish from advertisement in term of "good quality" which is overstated as a matter of fact. Cosmetic product is happened to be the destined victim of this situation. We often experience the same scense on TV- an aged lady will soon become younger and more beautiful after using a skin lotion. What is the real seneario behind the screen could we never know it. The only truth can tell is numerous statistics shown that the gap between advertisement and genius product are far from our expection.

In conclusions, to a largely extent advertising account for a reasonable benefits bring to the consumers but government and authourities should put more efforts in the intervence of ill-intentioned advertisements.

Hard to deny, messy commercials on TV are becoming an integral part of our daily life. Due to it, the sales data registers a continued peak, which, to some extent, reflects the ever-changing requirements of customers. However, is it always true?

Advertisements, as one by-product of modernization and globalization, act as media exposing the encompassing markets catering for the customers' all-round needs. Advanced digital products such as cameras, computers, intelligent robots...the list is endless, are introduced extensively through this kind of access, thanks to which, our potential needs can find ways to be fulfilled and even to be further provoked. Additionally, the advanced scientific treat pills aiming at unique groups who are badly in need of help would find no more continent and efficient approach to step into the public other than by advertising.Both of these cases are but a few of many that exemplify the situation that advertisements serve as information intermedia.

But hardly can all the advertisements function under this situation. Promotion-oriented commercials, involving price reduction, gifts return policy; or even small scale gamble would illustrate another phenomenon that customers are purchasing on an impulse of curiosity or recreation. The categories of children and youngsters are inclined to be influenced most both physically and psychologically. That's why these advertisements are colored presented and elaborately refined, with common products in effect. Not only do these commercials torture customers' real needs, but also a staggering number of other counterparts exaggerate the needs by conducting misleading and fake information. Numerous statistics shown that the gap between advertisements and genuine products are far prom dim.

Finally, to a substantial level, the large profits brought by advertisements are the consequence of excellent interaction between enterprises and individuals; otherwise, there coexist imperative demands to handle ill-intentioned advertisements representing fake bandwagon.

Writing Feedback / IELTS wrting: wealthy nation's responsibility [3]

Discussion on:

Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providinfg such things as food and education? or is it the responsibilitiy of the governments of poorer nations to took after their citizens themselves?

More recently, broad media coverage about the gaps between haves and have-nots has aroused a heated debate of whether wealthy group should take the responsibility to take care of the humble fellows by providing basic assistance such as food and education. Opponents claimed that it should be marked on the calendar of government of poorer nations. It is unavoidable that the well-developed countries are encouraged to make more efforts to offer financial support than the others at this matter, such as USA, Singapore, Germany.

The belief of people born to have an equal human rights has been initially introduced from well-to-do nations and now the concept is highly acknowledged around the world. Charity and donation was regard as advantages and benefits that these countries bring around to the less-developed countries. More and more people took participation in the voluteer job and make a lot of contributions at this point. It is not surprising to receive the money donated from the celebrities, film stars, and even members from royal family. Positively a child from poorer nations will change the life with these helps. It is just the tip of the iceberg , the truth is still a lot of things need to have it done. Far more than that.

For human being, food is essence of energy and knowledge is source of power. The government of pooer countries should ensure its people has equal access to the enjoyment of basic necessities. But there is one dark side. Some reported that these funds and financial support spent on books and food has finally turn into private car, luxury watch and imported wines & cigars, etc and etc. Legisation and supervision related to the situation should be taken into account.

All in all, financial support from the wealthy is a double-edged sword and it has played a significant role in helping the poorer countries but it has both upsides and downsides. But it is my firm convince that its advantage is outweigh the disvantage.

Any revision, please feel free to add up to it. Thanks a lot

Writing Feedback / Follow local traditions or welcome cultural differences? [4]

Hi there,

There were several assignmments on the same topic already. I tried mine part. Please anyone feel free to polish it. I knew that there are some grammatical and writing mistakes but I have no idea how to correct it. Please anyone can help.

Or you can emiall me at paulinwux@msn.com

Appreciations.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behavior. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences. Discuss both this views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

It is widely accept that the tourists should respect local customs and behavior to the foreign countries. But some people raised concern of the host country should show its openness to different cultures. Personally I think the both 2 sides do not contradict with each other at all.

Knowing the languages and cultures of foreign country is not only for communicating easily with local people but the most important thing is to avoid awarkward situation and mis-understanding in cross-culture social life. For example, in Arab religious the left hand is usually associated with such negative things as dirty, unclean and sexual. It is usually considered offensive if you shake hands with the left hand but in Korea culture they must shake with their left hand.

Moreover, economic globallization leads to frequent contact in culture around the world. Learning different cultures does not mean to change the origin culture and identity. When it comes to the host country, thanks to openness and exporsure, local people and government benefits a lot from the diversity of traditional culture. For instance, more and more cross-border projects require assistances and participations of different counties.

Without questioning, it is quite hard to reach an absolute conslusion to this issue. Certainly for sure that the situation is win-win game for both sides.

Research Papers / IETLTS Task 1; Charts on Adult Edcuation / Reasons & Attitudes regarding cost sharing [5]

The chart shows there are at least seven common reasons for adult to back to school. Total of 161 people voted their opinions. Personal interests in subject has the most fans among them, the number is twice as much as the group who wanted to improve prospects of promotion or enjoy learning(both are 20 people). Followed by 38 people of the group whose purpose for continuing education is to gain professional qualification while others 2LS

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