Where I was
Part 1
This was when I left home
After finishing high school, I left home to attend college in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. However, I transferred to a university in the US very shortly, and that was when my life as an adult started.
Universities
In spring 1998, I moved to Fresno, California and started attending California State University, Fresno.
Being 19 years old and moving to a totally foreign country was both exciting and daunting at the same time. I had no idea what to expect.
Please bear in mind, that time was before 3G connection & Skype and email was barely common, let alone smartphone, video calling and WhatsApp texting. I remember writing letters via post to my family and friends, and waiting months to get a reply. What I was trying to say is that I was TOTALLY alone in a foreign place, with only my instinct and observation of my surrounding, to learn and adapt as I went along.
I grew up rather quickly and exponentially. I think one has to when they are in the situation, or to be swallowed whole. I’m grateful for the experience, as I truly gained much experience and became very self-aware and confident. My rebellious nature, my curiosity and my ‘always question why’ attitude were embraced in this new environment.
I started to be very active in extra-curricular activities; became a Peer Advisor for the new incoming international students, Resident Advisor for the resident in the dormitory, and picking up extra credit & part-time work simultaneously. If that wasn’t enough, I even became the president of the Malaysian Student Organization, and participated in performance for the annual Cultural Night of the university.
Academically, I started to excel as well. I applied and got accepted into Craig School of Business Honors Program in my final year, and participated in research and wrote my thesis on the topic of computer-based training. My mentor Dr. Peter Simis, appointed me as his Teaching Assistant for the lab classes, which allowed me to carry out the research and observation in classroom setting. I presented my research and finding during the 22nd Annual Central California Research Symposium in 2001.
In between classes and during breaks, I did lots of traveling around the US too, both east & west coast.
As well in my final year, I did an exchange program with the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, England.
As I was my first time in Europe, I did a lot of backpacking and traveling during the weekends and school break.
I was back in the US in January 2001 and graduated in May 2001, Cum Laude, with multiple awards and distinctions. My parents came for the graduation. I was proud to be able to be able to show them what I had achieved and all the awards I had earned. It was that moment that I felt that I was going to be ok, and that I could be independent and ready to face the world.
Being able to attend universities in the 2 continents pushed me to adapt very quickly to the different systems and cultures, as well as learning to be understanding and respectful, at the same time, opening my eyes to what the world has to offer.
All the things that I learned, good and some not so good qualities that I picked up, all the friends I’ve met during my university time, are what I am extremely thankful for. I grew up, I matured, I learned. Isn’t it what life is about?!
To find out what happened after I left university: My Declaration of Independence.