Marketing Myself

This afternoon 4PM, I joined the Candidates' Meeting. I'm running for the Faculty Representative of International Education in VIU Students' Union. During the meeting, I knew that there is another student running the same position as me. Obviously, I have to do the campaign. First, I have to write a platform about myself and some other things I want to do, such as what I will do for the international students. Also, I may prepare some posters, handbills, and banners for campaigning. Emmm, it's a marketing. I'm going to market myself. Haha~~

As what I have learned, good marketing needs to suit the particular environment. I'm going to re-analysis the "Rising Tuition Centre" advertisement, and then I'll get a sense that how I'm going to market myself.

Paul presented this picture during his first class and asked us whether this is a good marketing. I believe all of us thought this is not a good one at first, and most of us gave comments about negative aspects. But after Paul introduced the environment of this city, our concepts changed. This picture was taken in the central city in Nepal. It's not a developing country and the standard of living is very poor. Most of the parents think studying science and math would help their children to get a good job and have a better life. Also, most of the citizens do not read or write English. 

In conclusion, this is a very successful advertisement because of several reasons:

1. Written in English shows the higher level

2. "Rising Tuition Centre" written in red color highlights the "Need"-Rising your life

3. "Science & Math"also emphasize the "Need"- Good career

In my knowledge, I guess this ads may be from an agency who helps student to apply academic study and loans them money as tuition fees. Some parents would do that although the agency fee is expensive and the interest is higher because their children would have a chance to have a better life. But if the word "Tuition" in this ads means "teaching"(another meaning in Longman), maybe this agency just do things of applying school. The meaning of the sentence is confusing for us but clear for the local people because of culture background. No matter what, it is successful.

Now, back to marketing myself, I have to have a clear sense of what the representative of international education should do and could do. Also, a deep awareness of what do the international students need is very important. Furthermore, what I will do for the international students and how to make contribution. 

I already read the Election Policy and The VIU Students' Union Constitution and Bylaws, but I believe I have to interview some international students form other countries other than China. What are their needs? What are the most important needs? I have to meet their needs, then they would vote me.

I plan to do this tomorrow and weekend. Hopefully, I could use the knowledge form the first class of Marketing to successfully market myself and get elected.

Big smile to myself  :)

Finally, Started!

Yesterday was the first day of PMBA program. It was raining pretty hard in the morning and I have met my prof of Marketing, Paul Kurucz, a very interesting guy. Haha.... and "forced" to start to do this Blog thing in English...... Kidding..... I was so lazy to update my Chinese Blog when I was in China. How can I do it in English??? But sounds like a challenge, right?! Iris, you can^^ Hahaha....

Paul's voice is clear and I could understand 95%. This was surprising me. Academic class has a big different from ESL program. ESL instructors are trained to speak slowly, clearly, and loudly. I was worrying about I couldn't understand what the prof is talking about, but actually it was not as hard as I thought. I could get the information he tried to convey. Maybe because Paul had the experience teaching in China? Maybe his style of teaching is attractive? Maybe the PPT? Maybe my listening skill has improved? Or maybe this course is excellent? Anyway, I understand, no problem! Cheers~~

I am so excited cuz I'm really learning academic course in English. Back to one year ago, I didn't speak English when I came here. And even didn't know how to give a response when people say "How are you?" Started from almost ZERO and I was put in F2 level in ESL program. F2, AP3, and AP5 took one year. This one year was just like I closed my eyes and opened, then one year passed. How fast! BUT I have learned and improved! IELTS test is not a hard test anymore. The real test was the first class of academic which was the first class of Paul's Marketing. I believe I did it. How to prove? Aha, I'm going to share it......^^