Try new things when studying overseas

AS A first year law student in the United Kingdom, living for more than eight months in the cosmopolitan city of London, I keep asking myself, “What is the difference between studying in Malaysia and the UK? How do I make best use of the opportunity of studying abroad?”

The challenge, as a sponsored student, is to be accountable for every penny spent as well as to keep my academic performance on track. Apart from that, I realise the only difference is what can I do outside the classroom.

There are many ways to add value. One is to be involved with one of the many Malaysian student organisations that liaise with local communities, which will give you a way to exchange knowledge and acquire cross-cultural skills.

Another option is to grab as many opportunities as possible through internships or schemes advertised through the universities. Studying and living abroad should provide students with a different perspective, so try to make use of any opportunities that come to you!

In the end, Malaysians studying abroad need to serve the nation. They have to work hard to make the investment (either by their parents or government scholarships) worth it. Another is to revive the spirit of intellectualism that should be deeply embedded in every student society or within oneself. A complementary factor is the spirit of student activism, which could be practised through involvement in student societies.

As the end of the Spring term is approaching and many of my friends have gone back to their hometowns, it’s time to reflect on the past one year and try to achieve a better target for next term.

If we are really genuine about serving the nation, we should get out of the complacency of just mingling with our community, and also try to immerse ourselves in the international setting with people from other backgrounds and cultural settings.