I agree that vocal articulation is very very important and more
important than 'ace-ing' exams.
If I have another chance again, I will probably focus on my
verbal skills, maybe join a debate club or something.... in more
formative years.
Ideally, one should have BOTH the 'hard' technical skills
(trained by the SG educational system) AND the 'soft' skills. But I
have worked with enough "US" trained people to know that many of
them are really really poor in math. I am talking about inability
to understand simple algebra in Financial Analysis graduates.
I also heard of a colleague sent his kid to a private
'after-school' program to boost the kid's math skill. And he told
me that this school is using standard singapore textbooks!
And this kid is in the 'top' public school of his level in the
US. The school is in Palo Alto and it is like the top 5% or
something, not in California but in the US, and a student in that
school need to boost his math skills but doing 'standard' singapore
school text. It is both a matter of 'pride' and 'worry' when i hear
of this.
A good education for my kid is important, but I must also take
into consideration my personal career consideration, and the net
income after tax. This will ensure enough finanical resources to
raise my kid and plan for my retirement.
Not sure whether US is the best place. The recent healthcare
bill will increase tax for the higher income earners. My wife and I
fit the income level, but we live in SF bay area and I don't feel
that my income level currently actually deserve such high
taxation.