I was attached to Gateway Management & Services Pte Ltd in Singapore, a management consultancy firm which helps investors from China to tender infrastructure projects in Myanmar. My coursemate, Peng Chong and I were sent to Ningbo, China, for our overseas industrial attachment from 24 May 1996 to 17 June 1996. Although it was a short period of three weeks, the experience and exposure gained is invaluable.

We designed and installed a database application software using MS Access for the daily administrative operation of Gateway and its Chinese counterpart. The installation of our software took us a day whereas the purchase of a scanner took us a few days as there were few computer shops in Ningbo. We had to visit a computer exhibition in Ningbo to source for a scanner. (We noted that the price of a computer is much higher than that in Singapore, taking into consideration their lower income per capital.)

After setting up the system, we conducted training for the local staff on the use of our software and some other commonly used application software. We also helped our Chinese colleagues to conduct interviews with job applicants.

We developed a deep friendship with them through games of table-tennis which they are very good at. In fact, my skill in playing table-tennis has improved a lot. How I wish I could have stayed longer!

Peng Chong and I spent time visiting certain parts of China. We took a train to Hangzhou for two days. I learnt how to squeeze into a train with other commuters. We joined local tours. The people were fun-seeking and it was a unique experience to join such groups. I got to know how they spent their holiday or leave, which was very different from ours in Singapore. We could identify with them in terms of language and physical appearance; in fact, they did not know that there were two Singaporeans on the bus!

At the end of our attachment in Ningbo, we took a ferry to Shanghai. We spent one whole night on the ferry. When we reached Shanghai, we spent the whole morning roaming the streets before we took a taxi to the Shanghai HongQiao Airport. Throughout our attachment, our Ningbo manager was kind enough to be with us. Everything was well taken care of.