Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Update: Dear Bloggers need your advise!

My dear fellow bloggers and readers,

First and foremost, I would like to thank you all for your kind support. You guys made me feel better about the situation I was going through in school. At least I know that I stood up for the right reasons. I wish I could hug each one of you who posted comments of encouragement.

Now, I must let you know what happened and what was my final decision.

I had a tough weekend, felt very sad and upset. The only thing I could do was to try to put things into perspective and weigh the pros against the cons.

I withdrew from the course. I felt that this was the right thing to do. Why I say this is because last Friday after the CEO spoke to the class about the usage of Mandarin in class and in group discussions, it was clear that most of the students were angry and one even went to the CEO and fought for why they couldn't use Mandarin. Clearly, they didn't understand that it is socially ungraceful to speak in another language during group discussions and alienate other students who don't understand Mandarin. Right after the briefing by the CEO we had group discussions. Guess what, they spoke in Mandarin. All my efforts were in vain. I realized that they did this to make a point. Well, guess what, I made a point too!

Not even the trainers seemed remorseful of the inappropriate opinions they had voiced about other races, nor about the fact that they jeopardized the students learning. Not a single word of apology. It was only the CEO who constantly apologized for the mistakes the trainers made. What's wrong with these people?!

Since I am leaving Singapore in one month's time, I did not want to leave with a bad experience fresh in mind. If you do not get what you have paid for even after complaining and things are not changing, then why even bother to be there? I felt that my time was being wasted and who wants to be in an environment where people behave like five year olds?

Lucky for me, the training centre did not give any troubles when refunding my money. In fact it all went very smooth. In the withdrawal form, required by the government body, I explained my reason for the withdrawal as that I was dissatisfied with the language (Mandarin) used in class when it was clearly stated that it was supposed to be English.

I know that some of you wrote in the comments that I should stay on and fight. I appreciate that, however, I am moving and I need the energy for that. I cannot keep coming home at night frustrated that my learning was hampered because of inconsiderate and unprofessional people. The whole experience was emotionally draining and I had to save myself from it.

I believe there are many other good institutions out there in the world that provide quality education and service. I would rather spend my money on those schools than in this particular training centre.

As they say, when one door closes another opens! I have an assignment to work on, as I am applying for a course in Sweden at Beckmans. I hope I will be selected so that I can pursue my journey as a fashion designer/entrepreneur.

Wish me luck!

xxx

Uma

4 comments:

  1. Hi Uma, I'm glad that school gave you your money back, and I'm glad you made a point to tell them why you were withdrawing. You did what was best for you and I'm sure no one will fault you on that. Wish you all the best with whatever comes along next!

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  2. you know what, i wish for bigger and better things for you, theyve lost a star pupil and one who has her head screwed on the right way.

    i agree with everything you said, and you have a made a very respectable decision

    Good luck on the move and your application to the new institute!

    x

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  3. I'm happy you made a decision that you're comfortable with. It's good you can move forward and leave this bad experience behind. I'm sure your next experiences in school will be much more pleasant to say the least!

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  4. I am glad they refunded your money!!! I would have hated for you to leave and lose the money you paid.

    Good luck in Sweden.

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