Animal whisperer, magician & other strange skills you didn't know you can pick up in Singapore

Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, once said: "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty."

There's always something new to pursue; even if it's a skill or bits of life knowledge to stimulate your brain and keep it young and sharp.

If you're bored of the usual textbook style classes, here are some interesting courses and workshops to attend. You can even offset the cost of some of these courses with your SkillsFuture credit.

1. ANIMAL COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP

Whether you have a pet at home or work with animals regularly, the Animal Communication Workshop by Perfect K9 will deepen your bond with animals.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/perfectk9singapore/photos/a.1879839242250453/2267603823473991/[/embed]

Be the next animal whisperer at this two-day course. It will help you understand animals behaviours and emotions, communicate with the right approach, meditation and mind-calming techniques to promote a less stressful environment.

2. PETSAVER — PET CPR & FIRST AID

Another course for animal lovers to consider is the Petsaver course by Pawsitive Sensations.

It will train participants on life-saving techniques, CPR and first aid skill for dogs and cats, which will come in handy in the event of an emergency. 

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/PawsitiveSensations/photos/a.10153183380014353/10153197656934353/[/embed]

In just one day, you'll learn what to do when your pet is choking, how to manage allergic reactions, check for vitals, senior pet care and more.

3. HAWKER FARE SERIES

There's a rise in young hawkers recently in a bid to preserve the vibrant hawker culture of Singapore.

You can be a part of it too when you join the Hawker Fare Series courses organised by the National Environment Agency and People's Association.

Whip up a bowl of fishball noodles and make your own chilli sauce, fry up a plate of mee goreng, or learn how to make yong tau foo. 

Maybe, you'll be the next hawker to receive a Michelin star.

4. HERBAL TEA FOR WELLNESS

What with the hot weather these days, it's so easy to fall sick and herbal tea is one way to reduce the body's heat and it boasts a slew of health benefits too.

Learn how to pick and prepare various herbs at this course by OnePA. Brew and taste from three to five different types of organic herbal teas during the course.

5. EAT HEALTHY & STAY BEAUTIFUL THROUGH TCM-INFUSED DIET

Beyond using herbs for drinks, you can also infuse herbs and tonic into your daily diet to eat healthy. 

Not sure how staying beautiful fits in, but I guess when you start eating healthier, it reflects on your skin?

You might need to try it out to see if it works. 

6. HOW TO BE A YOUTUBER, INSTAGRAMMER & TURN YOUR BLOG INTO A CAREER

The trinity of the digital age: YouTube, Instagram and blogging.

Learn how to stand out from all the noise and be the next big thing on these platforms when you learn how to produce meaningful and engaging content.

Learn from the pros such as Leonard Lau and Trev Tham of Trevmonki, a video entertainment channel, at a two-day course at Singapore Polytechnic on how to be a YouTuber.

Grow your followers at the Instagram course which will teach you the dynamics of using hashtags. It will also cover the use of Facebook analytics for tracking data and advertising.

Ever wondered how bloggers earn six figures? This Udermy course will show you how to build a stunning blog and logo, crafting viral articles, build an email list and monetising your blog.

7. APPLYING SUN TZU'S ART OF WAR STRATEGY IN MODERN BUSINESS

Ah, don't we all know the famous saying of Sun Tzu: "Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories."

This course by Singapore Chinese Chamber Institute of Business (SCCIOB) teaches you Sun Tzu's techniques and how to use them in different situations you face in the marketplace, such as negotiating, setting up business collaborations and more.

Take it a step further and delve into the philosophies of Lao Tzu, Confucius and Sun Tzu for your business, adopting Lao Tzu’s philosophy of “nature” in business growth and project planning.

Take on Confucius’s “benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom and trust” approach when interacting with people.

8. TAOBAO UNIVERSITY DIGITAL COMMERCE ALIBABA CEO PROGRAMME

No, your eyes did not play a trick on you. TaoBao has a university and you can take on a Digital Commerce CEO programme through the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SiRS).

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/SIRSNYP/posts/2074538102855694[/embed]

The C-Suite programme is held over six-day five-night immersive study programme in Hangzhou, China. where you'll get insights into digital commerce marketing, internet and product strategy and other comprehensive modules.

One downside? As its name implies, the course is only open to CEOs and Business owners as the minimum entry requirement.

ALSO READ: 10 courses you can use your SkillsFuture credits to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey

9. START AN ONLINE BUSINESS BY ALIBABA ENTREPRENEUR STARTUP PROGRAM

Here's a course for budding giant e-commerce entrepreneurs. Also held by SiRS, the Alibaba Entrepreneur Startup Program is a three-part course for individuals looking to start their own online store.

Learn about the fundamentals of e-commerce, daily operations of an online store, using the right keywords for the product description for search optimisation and more.

10. LEARN MAGIC 

Be the life of the party when you pick up magic tricks to amuse your friends and family.

Uncover the science behind the tricks, and pull them off seamlessly. Maybe even use your newly acquired skills to perform freelance at events. 

ALSO READ: 5 places to attend free yoga classes in Singapore (yes, really free!)

melissagoh@asiaone.com