During my sojourn in Louisville, the Olympic Torch passed through the city, powerful personalities like Mr. Jack Welch (GE’s CEO nicknamed the "Neutron Jack") and Senator Bob Dole (Republican Presidential Candidate) made their presence felt there, and more excitingly, - a real "twister" paid us a visit.

Yes! I was one of the lucky students selected for an overseas attachment, and I spent several months in Lousville, a small midwestern city in the heartland of America.

I was attached to the Accounting Service Department of General Electric Appliance (GEA). Established over 30 years ago, GE has become the hallmark of American home appliances, with its big logo in nearly every household.  With nearly 10,000 workers, GEA is a long-cherished employer in Louisville.  Even so, with the recent advent of European and Japanese competitors, it has come under tremendous pressure to change.  Thus, on my first day of work, such business jargons like ‘downsizing’, ‘change management’, ‘6 sigma quality’, etc which we only learned in textbooks have suddenly been given real meaning and life.

Specifically, I helped to conduct an internal audit on an Account Payable System called Pay On Receiver, which is another version of Ford Company’s world-famous Invoiceless Payment Concept.  With the pros and cons of such new ideas (which I learned in my second year IS course) still fresh in my mind, I learned valuable lessons working from my supervisor and colleagues who had been instrumental in the system implementation.  Not only had I acquired a deeper appreciation of many textbook arguments, I had also been able to apply my knowledge to the system, which was crucial for me to evaluate its effectiveness.  I found it especially reassuring that what we have learned makes real business sense in the working world. On my last day of attachment, I was even given a chance to present my audit findings to the managers in one such meeting.  My hardwork was reaping great satisfaction! Many thanks to my teachers!

In the course of my work, I toured several manufacturing plants for the first time in my life. The plants were indeed impressive with conveyor belts carrying bulky appliances hanging overhead . I had opportunities to sit in business meetings as well.
 
Working in an American environment has proven to be pleasant surprise to me.  People there are very kind and friendly, smiling from ear to ear all the time!  I may be exaggerating, but it really reflects a more relaxed attitude towards work and life in general.  Though Kentucky is merely a gateway to the south, my colleagues are proud of their softer southern accent which is but one manifestation of their southern hospitality.  Another thing I noticed is that all of my colleagues are proud of their families, judging from the ‘conspicuous’ display of family photographs on their desks.  Not surprisingly, I was introduced to many cute babies with large blue eyes - all grandchildren of my colleagues!
 
 

With my colleague, Felicia, at work

Chan Yeung in the central district of  Boston

 
Over the weekends, I took my colleagues’ tips and advice on interesting places to see and experience.  Among them are the world’s largest known underground cave system in Mammoth Cave, and President Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace, Nashville (home of American country music), to name but a few.  With time constraint, I only managed to capture several glimpses and snapshots of this great and magnificent country.
 
To conclude, I would like to thank GE Singapore for providing me with such a chance to experience a different way of life.  I have learned invaluable lessons and accomplished what I never dreamed of doing before.  To my bosses and colleagues in Louisville, I thank them all.  Nothing is possible without the loving kindness to which I was so fortunately a recipient.  When I was not sure, guidance and direction were willingly given; when I was depressed, comforting words were offered; and when I was in need, help was forthcoming.  As a colleague, I was given opportunities to prove myself and my services were respected and valued; as a young girl from a foreign land, I was made to feel completely at home where warmth and kindness abound.  My only regret then is that I could not stay longer!
 

Chan Yeung with her supervisor Carl and his wife