CEMS Master of International Management (MIM) student Robin Vaclav Curtis from the Prague University of Economics and Business spent his January semester here at NUS Biz as part of his CEMS Term Abroad exchange programme.
Like his peers, he chose Singapore to gain international exposure. But while most exchange students take the opportunity to sample the local culture, Robin went one step further – gaining a permit from the National Arts Council to perform as a busker and staging a number of shows together with local performers. Robin shares with BIZBeat some of his Singapore experiences.
Q: What brought you here to Singapore?
Students enrolled in the CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) programme go abroad in their second MIM year. This gives us the opportunity to attend one of the 34 CEMS universities abroad.
I chose Singapore because it is known as the business hub of Asia, and NUS is ranked highly on the QS World University Rankings. I am obsessed with self-improvement, and I believe everyone can reach their best selves by learning. This programme gave me the unique opportunity to find out more about the world, and expose myself to different cultures, management and communication styles.
Q: What did you find the most beneficial about your time here?
The quality of teaching materials in the classes exceeded my expectations. The professors are passionate about their subjects and engage the class in discussions for a better learning experience.
In particular, the module on Customer Centricity and Brand Alignment, taught by Associate Professor Shamdasani, gave me useful insights into how to build my own brand as a performer. While developing my act I thought a lot about how I could put the audience first, what they would like to see and how I could deliver that to them. Based on this, I create a stage persona, make my costume accordingly and carefully choose what I would do and say in my show. From the jokes in my show to my message, banner and props, everything is carefully chosen to involve and satisfy the members of the public the most I can.
Q: What was it like performing in Singapore? How different was the experience as compared to busking in other parts of the world?
Performing in Singapore is honestly amazing. It’s quite a unique place to busk as the entry barrier, especially for foreigners and international students, is so high. This means the quality of acts is top-notch, and the community is quite tight-knit. For circus performers, due to Singapore’s warm weather, we mostly perform shows at night, this is very different to Europe, but this also allows for LED lights to be used. The audience is also very different. Europeans watch a performance for dangerous tricks and verbal jokes while Singaporeans prefer more of a theatrical show, performing to music and slapstick comedy.
I get to work with local performers, such as the circus group BornFire and the Buskers’ Association of Singapore. The artists offered advice on improving my performance.
Q: Why do you like to busk?
I am interested in being a public motivational speaker. I can learn to establish a strong rapport with the audience and cultivate a stage presence through busking to reach my goal. I get terrified, but performing helps me overcome my fear and learn from my mistakes.
It is also essential to experience different communication styles to create a perfect show; performing in different countries and cities is important. Singapore has taught me a lot, and I look forward to busking here in the future.
However, most importantly it is such a thrill to put time and effort into a skill I love, developing that into a full street show act and having the audience members clap and cheer as it goes along. I want to make arts accessible, and I believe street shows are the easiest way to do it. I love seeing their smiles, hearing after the show how much they liked it and knowing that together we created an environment full of laughter and happiness.
Q: What advice would you give to students considering coming to Singapore to study?
Singapore may seem to be a society full of rules and regulations. However, it is a diamond with countless opportunities. So take the chance to venture outside your comfort zone, explore this unique country and work with the people here.