Australia through my lens - A Wonderful Dream realized!

SNee, today 31 August means a lot to me - it's not only a great day for all Malaysians to celebrate their Independence Day but also a special day when you received your scroll from the University of New South Wales!

We are so proud of you for you had finally graduated!

I have just received this special essay sent by Dr.Lesley Land. This essay was written by you during your first year at the university and it won a prize. It mirrors your dreams, your struggles, your courage, your challenges and your rich experiences in a foreign land. Thank you for sharing this memorable 'internal journey' of yours with us. It's a beautiful piece of writing that will be forever etched in our hearts and memory.

A Wonderful Dream realized …

Based on the theme, Australia through my lens!

The best thing that had ever happened in my life was getting a scholarship to study in UNSW. Coming from a not-so-well-off family background, this opportunity was indeed a dream come true. But, that is just the beginning; here is how my story goes…

On my day of departure from home (Malaysia), practically the whole village gave me a wonderful farewell in the air-port, as this is my first time on a plane and also the first person in the family to have the opportunity to study abroad. I was indeed flattered. Being a mountain beetle, I nervously boarded the plane after asking for directions several times. Shortly after the plane took-off, my heart started to pound, as I knew that I would be away from home, away from my love-ones. However, on the other hand, I can’t wait to land on this place called “Sydney", I can’t wait to see the Harbour bridge and the opera house. I have seen those majestic buildings on postcards, books, documentaries but having the chance to see them in real was just awesome!

I couldn’t get to sleep in the air- plane, as I didn’t know that I could adjust my seat. I sat as straight as a log for almost seven hours. Upon arrival, I was greeted by my friends, who are now my housemates. We drove past the harbour bridge. O my goodness! Tears started to flood my dark-circled eyes as I realize that I was actually going past what I had seen in the cartoon “Finding Nemo”, I was even more overwhelmed when I saw the opera house standing majestically in the midst of the sea.

I started enjoying the food and ate for the sake of eating, gelato was my all time favourite, I continued to indulge in different Aussie food till I was stuffed to the brim. I gained weight in no time.

I waited eagerly for the semester to start. I attended the orientation sessions and made some friends over the first few weeks. Being so spoon-fed back home, I was actually surprised that we are supposed to do everything, and indeed everything ourselves, including choosing the right courses and having the right prerequisites. Coming from a background where courses and schedule are all planned out for me, I was very lost during enrolment. Thankfully, some advisors gently gave me some useful advice about workload and time management which affected me tremendously.

As the session started, I was very excited. In the meantime, I had to find myself a part–time job as my scholarship covers my tuition fees but not my living expenses. My first job was in a café owned by a local lady. I was embarrassed to the core when I pronounce words wrongly, instead of chicken snigzel I pronounced as chicken “sprit-zle”, and instead of “sa – mon” I pronounced it as “ sal – mon”. I worked hard and learn that it is a skill and a challenge indeed to manage both studies and work concurrently. However, given my circumstances, I didn’t have a choice but to be resilient and take my work in a café as a form of exercise, while coping with the mid-session workload was hellish, I miraculously made it through.

Exam periods are unusual periods. Practically everyone starts to “tune” themselves with book, library seats are more easily filled up than usual. I always have difficulties tuning into such a sedentary lifestyle as my everyday life was very much a hectic one with work and studies going on hand-in-hand. However, I think this period of time is the best time ever that one could really learn and re-learn or even, discover new things in their individual courses.

Holiday seasons! They are the best! I would just catch up with friends, family and or even treat myself with various different things such as getting myself a nice new outfit, or a new book, or even a sumptuous meal. I would do things that I never get a chance to do such as wondering around the city, loafing around just for the sake of learning more about this new country and also to have fun.

Last but not least, it is the best experience ever to be in Sydney, although life gets tougher every day.

By,

Shieh Nee, Cheah

3109159

Thank you Dr.Lesley Land.