Culture Shock!
By: Sameera Singh (W ’28)
GRIP: Business Development in Singapore
One of my most profound realisations I had over my two months interning in Singapore was definitely one akin to culture shock, but perhaps not in the way you might be expecting. Everyone’s heard of the term ‘workplace culture’: how important it is, how prevalent it is. I’ll admit I never fully understood what it meant. I didn’t see how a workplace could genuinely show an obvious ‘culture’, and had even less of an idea what types of cultures these could be. To put it in a nutshell, I never really believed workplace culture was real until I joined my company in Singapore.
From the moment I stepped into the office of this tech consultancy, I was immediately taken aback by how funny everyone was. Don’t get me wrong, they didn’t all have the same humour, nor did they laugh at the same things. But, the one thing they undoubtedly all had in common was an ability to not take yourself too seriously. Despite all the long hours and intense projects, my coworkers were a breath of fresh air.
One of the most unforgettable moments in my realisation that they weren’t, in fact, lying about workplace culture was our company offsite retreat in Batam, Indonesia in July (about halfway through the internship). Picture this: a stunning resort, free food, and a chance to unwind with colleagues. During dinner on the first night we played a hilarious game where one person from each table had to hop in a giant bag and race to the finish line. Can you imagine? Not everyone would be comfortable participating in an environment like that, but looking around at all the faces in the function room, I saw nothing but shiny teeth and smiling eyes. It really made me realise how crucial it is to have a workplace where people feel comfortable being themselves and stepping outside their comfort zones.
Every day, my coworkers grabbed lunch together. They would go downstairs, buy takeaway boxes, and come back to the shared space to eat. I didn’t realise how much you pick up about others’ lives till it was one week before the offsite and I had to create a ‘get to know each other’ BINGO card, and I realised I knew enough little facts about everyone in the company to easily create that card. Those moments laughing on the table made the work feel less like a job and more like a community. A few weeks after discovering my love for food, I would occasionally return to my desk and find some new Singaporean snack I’ve yet to try sitting patiently on my desk–courtesy of my boss. This whole experience opened my eyes to the fact that workplace culture isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s the heartbeat of a company. A positive culture sparks creativity, encourages collaboration, and creates a sense of belonging. When people feel valued, they’re more inspired to contribute their best.
As I reflect back on my two months, I’m leaving not just with professional skills but with memories and friendships that I’ll cherish forever. I’m super grateful to have been part of such an awesome team, and I can’t wait to carry these lessons into my future adventures.