1.  This assignment is an important preparation for our conversation with next week’s guest, Tino Chow.   This assignment is similar to what smart, successful people do when they prepare for a job interview or attending a networking opportunity like you will do on December 5th at our Future Forum, i.e being prepared to create an opportunity for success.  As a result, please read pages 1 through 46 in “The Story of Singapore and The Change Agent Who Created It“.  THEN, answer the following questions and send them to my email address ANY TIME BEFORE Tuesday, October 24th, 11:59pm.   This is a lot of information to read and digest in a short period of time. Here’s a suggestion  which may be of benefit.  Skim each page from page 1 through 46.  In other words, when you are assigned a reading with lots of graphics (photos and maps) and breakout text (some words on each page printed in a larger, bolder font) like this textbook, skim or go through each page JUST looking at the graphics (maps and photos), reading the explanation beneath the graphics and only the breakout words in the bold, large fonts on each page.   After doing this, you’ll have a basic understanding of the textbook story.  After skimming, you can go back to read the entire text in greater detail.   This is just a suggestion.  Now, here are the questions to answer after you skim the entire reading or you read the entire text.

1. Go to page 51 in “The Story of Singapore and The Change Agent Who Created It” text book.  Read the characteristics of COUNTRY #1 and COUNTRY #2.  Then, tell me which country you’d rather live in.
2. If George Washington is arguably the most important person in the history of the United States, name the person who is the most important person in the history of Singapore.
3. The cost of an average automobile is $25,000 and the cost of a government driver’s license is $70 in the state of Rhode Island; the state of Rhode Island is one (1) of fifty (50) states in the country of the United States of America.  These two fees – $25,000 and $70 – make the combined cost for buying a car and paying for a driver’s license in Rhode Island is $25,070.  Let’s assume the cost of a typical automobile in Singapore is the same as Rhode Island, $25,000. (Tino will let us know on Friday.)  There is, however, a different cost for getting a driver’s license in Singapore.  What is the combined cost of a person’s $25,000 car and a government driver’s license in Singapore?  (The information to make this calculation is found by reading page 35.)
4. The ANNUAL cost of tuition at the University of Rhode Island is approximately $14,000 for a Rhode Island resident.  What is the tuition cost of one of Singapore’s government universities for a Singaporean citizen?  (The information to answer this question is found by reading page 37.)
5. The President of the United States is paid a salary of $400,000 a year.  Please state the annual salary of Singapore’s Prime Minister (a title similar to America’s President). (The information to answer this question is found by reading pages 27 and 28.)
6. What is the official language of Singapore?
7. Which country, Singapore or the United States, do you think has less graffiti on buildings, bridges and other structures?  AND, explain why you think your answer is correct.  (The information to answer this question is found by reading pages 31, 32, 33.)
8.  What does the Singaporean holiday, National Harmony Day, celebrate?  (The information to answer this question is found by reading page 16, 17, 26, and 27.)
9.  In which country, Singapore or the United States of America, does the average person make more money, live a healthier and longer life, and experience less crime?  (The information to answer this question is found by reading pages 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, and 33.)
10. Which country, Singapore or the United States of America, would you rather live in?  AND, explain why you feel this way.
11. Please send me ONE question you would like to ask next week’s guest, Tino Chow, a Singaporean, about his country of Singapore.
12. Like the United States of America, Singapore has many different ethnic groups of people living in the country.   The three (3) major Singaporean ethnic groups are Chinese, Indigenous Malays (like the USA’s American Indians) and Asian Indians (from the country of India). The three (3) main ethnic groups in America are Caucasian (white), African American, and Latino (Hispanic).  America has had only one African American President in the 200+ year history of the country and no Latino Presidents, yet.  No Native American (Indian) Presidents, yet.  Please give me the reason why there is a better chance of Singapore having a Prime Minister from each of their three (3) main ethnic groups before their 200th anniversary as a country.  (The information to answer this question is found by reading page 17.  Read this page carefully and you can determine the answer.)
    

    Tino Chow (right in photo) networking with Hope Life Skills student, Travis Barbour, after sharing his personal story during a Life Skills class in 2014.
    

Today’s class began with a challenge.

Students were asked to determine our guest’s job by asking questions which he could only respond with a ‘yes‘ or ‘no‘ answer.

Today’s class was

a follow up exercise to our reading of the Life Skills textbook, “Questions“.

In other words, this class offered students an opportunity to extend themselves ‘out of their comfort zone’ to ask questions to a successful business person in front of their peers and teachers.   Not an easy proposition.   However, the student response was impressive.

Rosa Rodriguez Ortiz escorts Sean Larkin into today’s Life Skills classroom while Rosa’s fellow students stand as a sign of respect to our guest.

Rosa introduces Sean to her classmates

Shakira Figueroa leads the class in an individual greeting and welcome.  Sean’s reaction was interesting.  “Your students made me feel welcome.  Good firm handshakes.  Great eye contact and smiles.  This was good.  Helped me relax.”

Today’s guest was Manny Rivas, Hope High 2016 graduate,

a 2015 Life Skills graduate, and present Providence College business and marketing major in his sophomore year.   Today’s Hope Life Skills host was Laisha Mendez.

Laisha Mendez introduces Providence College sophomore, Manny Rivas, to the Life Skills class.

Manny responds to Zidany Fatuda‘s (orange sweatshirt) question

Manny spoke about his freshman year experience at Providence College.  “If I could recommend a few things,

I would encourage your students, Mr Cronin, to be more focused on math, reading and writing while they’re in high school.  

Math class is intense at Providence College.  And, my professors are assigning a few books a week to read!   I’m always writing too.  Your Hope Life Skills students really need to be more serious about their math, reading and writing courses while they’re still at Hope High School if they want to be successful in college.“

Manny described his college experience, his roommate and how and why he decided upon Providence College.  “I’ve established a schedule I follow every class day;  a time to study, go to class and have fun. I have a diverse network.  My college roommate is white, from Connecticut, from a very rich family.  He’s become one of my best friends!

Providence College is looking for qualified students of color.  Providence College understands the value of a diverse student community

and they’re offering college scholarships to create a diverse Providence College.  I encourage all of you today to push out of your comfort zone to meet new people, regardless of their ethnic group or income level.