I have been trying to register for an internship course. As an international student, I had jump the extra hurdle of getting approval from the International Students office in addition to getting an internship offer. I have been turned around by one staff in the International Students office and other departments about the registration. The International Office would tell me to first register for the course before getting their approval, while the Registration guidelines said I had to get the approval before I may register!
After a few emails, I was pissed and decided to go old-school, Malaysian style in navigating the federal and university bureaucracy. I wrote this post not to rant about the university staff, but how I chose to handle the problem.
Usually when talking to people with power, I tried to be nice --- that is until I'm not nice. I first when to see Mr L in person. I told him I had been waiting for his office's email for 3 days with a CB-face on, that might be why he was willing to talk to me for so long -- I don't know. Or it's just his job. Or he's nice. Whatever. I was just pissed and nervous about getting the clearance for my internship I don't care about other things. Even though I did not make the request to him, he offered to make the phone call right away to enquire on the course registration on my behalf, which was good. Unfortunately the officer in charge of the matter was not in the office - so I'm back to waiting.
Nevermind. From this non-event I surmise that putting on a "resolved" "CB" face can really get things done in my way, maybe? There are people like that in my group. I hate them, but I have to meet them every semester because they're in my scholarship programme. They talk all the time and roll other people over, but they make things go their way.
So yeah.
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