A Significant Decision Made Three Years Ago

Bet many of you are familiar with the university above. Yup, it's UCSI University - the Praxis University which has recently been featured as Malaysia’s Top Private University in 2019 QS World University Rankings. How does it relate to my topic here today? Sit back and relax.

Three years ago, I was a fresh SPM leaver from SMK Seri Bintang Utara, waiting for my result. With that said, it’s time to really think of what’s next. Remember when we were 18 and worried about our delayed decision on the future path while others who had figured it out way before already pursuing their dream? Being someone who was indecisive, I was quite lost and clueless in choosing which programme and which university to proceed with. However, there’s one thing I was certainly sure of - I was a Science stream student who love Science but not Science exam.

Image 1 Photo taken with my girl friends after our last paper - Mandarin. 

Not knowing how, I started looking for part time jobs, hoping to get some answers to my uncertainty from job exposure. While working as a kindergarten assistant teacher back in my own kindergarten, I felt so good being able to be surrounded by the little ones. This struck my mind and I began searching for early childhood-related programme. Throwing back to the time when I still read the traditional newspaper, I came across UCSI University which was yet what it is today. It was an advertisement featuring a graduate from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts. At that age, I only knew two streams: Science and Art. Without any knowledge about this area, I researched on this particular faculty of this particular university out of curiosity.

Consulted the course counsellor, compared the similar courses offered by other universities, asked for useful advices, performed a thorough reflection, I made a significant decision. I signed up the Foundation in Arts programme leading to Bachelor of Arts (Hons) English Language and Communication, which I find the most suitable for myself, right after receiving my SPM actual result. Apparently, UCSI University is the only university that offers this exact course in Malaysia.

Image 2 A New Start Foundation night. 

The one-year Foundation studies was indeed an awesome one. At the beginning, maybe it was the new environment or my inconfidence, I appeared to be a little introverted who loved to spend my break time alone in the library. However, this situation did not last for long to an outgoing person like me. Group study, group assignment and group discussion were the attribution to my uni social life whereby I have friends from different streams, pathways and nationalities. Apart from that, the syllabus itself were broad and dynamic, covering the aspects of business, accounting, computing, writing and most importantly language - an area I became unexpectedly interested in after meeting a brilliant language tutor in upper primary. Besides, another programme to highlight is the Peer Assisted Learning (P.A.L.) sessions. P.A.L. programme is the university's initiative to cultivate excellence learning culture through student to student (s to s) method of delivery. All sessions are conducted by trained student mentors who were the ex-students of the course itself and no tuition fees will be incurred towards the mentees. It is a win-win situation for both mentors and mentees as guiding another is one of the best ways to develop mastery while learning from a peer allows greater understanding due to the shared discourse.

Then, without surprise, I continued pursuing my degree here. As a Year-Two-Semester-Three English Language and Communication (ELC) student, I am contented and satisfied with what I have been through within the past five semesters of studies. The nature of this programme is skewed towards practical training which includes a lot of hands-on tasks, but do not get me wrong as theories are still the foundation after all.

Image 3 Class discussion, chapter presentation and showcase are the few examples of assignments under ELC programme. 
  

In my first year degree, I had led a committee team in organising a workshop entitled “The Future Trend and Importance of English Language” as part of our assignment under the course Principles and Practices in Language Teaching. With the kind guidance and great support from the lecturer, our event turned into a success. This workshop allowed us to put practicality in language as this is a type of fluid learning and a more hands on approach, which PPLT course promoted. I would say I certainly agree on the theory “Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn”. Most of the time, we only start seeing things from different perspectives than before through continuous practising. In spite of having experience in hosting events previously, practising helps to enhance valuable leadership skills, teamwork and effective communication skills. After all, I am proud to say that our achievement through this event do bring an impact not only to us, but the participants as well.

Image 4  “The Future Trend and Importance of English Language” Workshop by Ms Dawn Sim. 

Later on in my second year, I was pleased with the department of English Language and Communication sponsorship on bringing all ELC students to the 12th International Free Linguistics Conference 2018 which was held in University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Attending a conference was one of my to-do list as a language student as it is clearly a good way to gain knowledge for research conducting. From this, I got to come across with people working in the area of language sciences and listen to their diverse perspectives, practices and research which helped me to progress further throughout the journey.

Image 5 ELC students attending 12th International Free Linguistics Conference 2018.

On top of that, with UCSI University rapidly expanding and receiving students from over 110 nations, we students are given the opportunity to indulge in the global university experience. This feature of UCSI University definitely adds up to the list of key highlights as language students are able to communicate and interact with people of different nationalities and to explore their cultural background in Malaysia itself. Moreover, the small class setting matters in ELC programme. Small class size promotes team cooperation, encourages engagement, enhances presentation skills as small class environment offers a safe and welcoming space for students to speak up and contribute during class. This setting also allows instructor to better in detecting the issues student encountered and creating lesson plans that excellently cater the students for optimal learning.

Image 6 Bilingualism class with mixed nationalities.

Last but not least, the mandatory co-operative placement that requires students to undergo a minimum of two-month internship experience at the end of each academic year is truly a bless to all students. I appreciate this chance as I am able to have a sneak peek into the real working world in a full-time position before graduating and be able to make necessary adjustment to my personal self in embracing future career pathway. The experience I have acquired from the previous internship in Sunway Velocity Mall Sdn Bhd during last November and December was fruitful. Working in a fast pace corporate group have trained me in becoming a wiser planner and a fitter communicator in both speaking and writing. Stay tune for my next blog post on my internship experience.

Image 7 Selfies taken with my colleagues during my internship in Sunway Velocity Mall. 

I am now left with four semesters to go and I am going to cherish every moment I have here because what’s next will be twenty or thirty years of working life. Enjoy the moment when I can still declare myself as a student, a UCSIan!