Biodata

Name: Thevapriya
Nickname: Priya, Theva, Junks so on...
Born and Bred in: Colombo
Languages: English, Tamil
Reason to be in Singapore: Pursue higher studies
Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Bioengineering Honors) in National University of Singapore
Expected date of Graduation: May 2009

Ofcourse this is not a poorly written resume but a short introduction of myself.

Throughout the four years in NUS I have undergone self discovery and personal growth along with the growth in technical skills. For instance, being the only girl and the youngest in my family I have always been dependent on my parents and siblings to some extent. However, it is after NUS that I have learn't to take responsibility of many aspects including making decisions.

I can safely say that I am hardworking and open to learning new concepts. For instance, I took the risk of undertaking a final year project in Semi Conductors even though I had nil knowledge in this field. At the end of the project I realised that I enjoyed working in a new environment. Furthermore, from the guidance of my supervisor I also found myself interested in learning new concepts related to Semi Conductors, in particular MEMS, and even self learn the basics of LabView Programming.

In improving my technical skills I undertook an internship in Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. It is here that I gained hands-on experience in research in particular Stem cell research.In addition, I was able to extend my networks and interact with many highly qualified researchers. While, my career choice is in the field of designing and manufacturing medical instruments I do intend to keep my options open. Thus, I believe both my internship and my final year project would be helpful.

Moving on to personal growth I believe, that I have enhance my skills in leadership and communication. From the various positions, as the Project Head for freshmen orientation in the Srilankan committee to Marketing Head in the NUS Indian Dance, I have learnt to deal with difficult circumstances and lead a team of members of diverse backgrounds. For instance, I was the only non-Indian in the NUS Indian Executive committee. Even though it was intimidating at the very beginning I learn't how to overcome this and even form close friends with many of the members. This experience has enhanced my communication skills.

My interests extend from traveling to classical dance. To be more specific I discovered my interest in traveling only when I embarked on the student exchange program to Montreal. In the field of sports I was never a regular participant of a particular sport. Eventually, I did participate in the Cricket tournament within the Srilankan community and emerged as a Best Female Player.

Finally, my greatest achievements so far is funding for my own further studies and being a Co-author for a research paper published by my immediate supervisor.

Finally, I hope to keep challenging myself so that I will one day become a role model for the future generation.

Hurt

I would like to reflect on a personal experience to say why I think EFFECTIVE communication is essential.

Background:It is a general custom for me to "beg" my dad to be present when I receive awards during the annual prize giving. To an outsider it can seem that my father doesn't care much about his daughter. However, it is different between both of us.Regardless of whether I invite him or not, he would attend the ceremony. However, he likes the importance that I give him when I "beg" him to be present. Just to have abit of fun he would carry on making excuses and then act like he gives up and agrees to be there at the prize giving.

During the time of the incident my father had retired from his work. Thus he was no longer the main provider of the family's income.

Situation: It was the awarding ceremony for students to acknowledge their outstanding performance in extra curricular activities.(An event that was introduced in my final year in high school.)

Incident: : Briefly informing my mom that I was on ushering duty I had left for the awarding ceremony. (As I was one of the Prefects it was part of my responsibility to aid the teachers in making sure the event went smoothly.) When the event came to an end a bunch of friends of mine and I went for ice-cream. Finally, I went back home after 2 hours.

Skipping all the way up the stairs I bumped into my brother who had this you-are-so-going-to-be-in-trouble smile. Thanks to nonverbal communication, I sensed this and bugged him as to what was wrong.All he said was wait till you get inside.

So I stepped inside the main "hall" and I found my dad watching the TV with his back towards me. Nothing seemed wrong to me so I said "Hi dad!". He didn't turn towards at me at all.I went on to talk and he completely ignored me. I realized something was amiss here. This is because I'm usually the one who gives him the "silent" treatment when I'm mad at him. Hence, to be at the receiving end was disturbing. I sat next to him and placed my hand on his shoulder when he just shruged my hand off from his shoulder.
This really hurt me that I couldn't help but start crying. This reaction of mine set my dad off as he harshly said I was creating a scene for no reason.

Till then I had not seen my dad's face as he was still facing the TV. By then my mother had come into the "hall" and it was then I saw the hurt in my dad's eyes. It was a shock to see him so emotional and I still had no clue why. I was helpless but with my mother's help I realized why he was hurt.

Pre-incident:
When my dad had come home he realized that I was missing at home. He had asked my mother where I was and she had simply answered that I was away at the awarding ceremony. My brother had sensed later on that my dad was upset about something and resolved to think that me getting back home as the reason.

Why do you think my father reacted to the way he did? Do you think this is due to in effective communication?

edited 16/03/2009