Out of comfort zone
MICHELLE Fan Yan Teng has never strayed too far from home, let alone being away from her family.
So the very idea of doing something outside of her comfort zone was just unimaginable for her. Michelle, who hails from The Land Below The Wind, met many challenges when she first arrived in Peninsular Malaysia to pursue her Bachelor in Accounting and Finance course in Nilai University (Nilai U).
“I am a Sabahan and the decision to move so far away from home was not an easy one,” she said. “I was afraid of what lay ahead.” Michelle however throw caution to the wind when she saw the serene surrounding of the university’s grounds.
“My mind was made up the minute I saw how tranquil and peaceful the area was,” she added. “Today I have nothing but fond memories of this place.”
What else besides the ambience of the university made Michelle changed her mind? I was given a lot of pastoral care by the university’s staff as well as the lecturers from the Business Faculty from day one,” she said.
“As a result, my anxiety lasted no longer than a few days after I arrived. In no time I was swept by the dynamic environment that pervades the university,” she added.
A self-proclaimed bookworm, Michelle readily admits that her stint at Nilai U led to her discovery of that other side of her character she never knew.
“I’m normally buried in books but Nilai U changed that. I began taking an interest in the various sports and recreational activities offered at the university. I learnt a lot by participating in the activities and my involvement in the organisation of some of the events taught me invaluable life skills,” she said.
Michelle also said that learning to readjust her lifestyle also helped her develop her skills in managing her academic responsibilities alongside her extra-curricular activities for a balanced and enriching ‘university experience’.
“I did a lot of growing up and I learnt to be independent with the help of those around me.
“I was far from home and there were times when I doubted myself but my lecturers guided and encouraged me to persevere,” she added.
“I owe my success to them and for that I will be forever grateful. I am blessed to be given such great care and in return, I hope to encourage many other young men and women to endure the challenges they might face and to be their very best!”
Michelle said students who are looking for a calm and distractionfree environment should make NIlai U their choice.
“The university’s campus is far from the fast-paced city life yet close enough for a quick weekend getaway to Kuala Lumpur via rail or road,” she said.
In addition, Michelle finds the 15-minute travelling distance to the Kuala Lumpur international Airport makes Nilai U accessible to students who rely on air travel.
Michelle plans to further advance her academic qualification and hope to be able to take it a notch higher.
“I made many friends, from Malaysia and from around the world and so this friendship is what I will miss most in Nilai U,” she said.
“I will miss the friends I met and got to know while studying here dearly but I will alwayscherish their friendship forever,” she said.
Nilai U’s Accounting and Finance Degree accords qualified graduates with credit or paper exemptions from various professional accounting bodies such as ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA. For more information, please visit Nilai U’s campus Open Days on 31 March and 1 April or speak to our counsellor at +606 850 2308.