It was a really fun session introducing ourselves to students from East California University which was literally at another end of the globe. Meeting new faces was definitely intimidating at first but one thing I noticed was, student from ECU was pretty laid back the whole session compared to the most of us. I think maybe it’s normal for them since they are broad up differently. It was really nice of them to show us some artefacts that represent their university. 

Today’s topic was college life, we spoke about what our universities look like and life as a college student. We shared about where our favourite hang-out places are, where and what do we normally eat and activities we do to kill time. Basically we discussed about things that college students deal with on a day to day basis. We talked about sports, club activities, celebration and college tradition. Fraternities and sororities are one of the topic ECU students shared with us, however we don’t have these type social organisation Malaysian universities.  

Well, I personally think that we could have done better if it wasn’t because of the awkward sitting position. This has limit some of the student opportunity to speak during today’s session. However, everything still went well and I am definitely looking forward for the next link with ECU student. 

During our conversation, I felt very nervous conversing in their mother tongue. I afraid of making mistake while talking and I prefer to stay quiet, only helping others at the back. I also do not have many ideas or question to ask. At some point I thought it will be awkward if I suddenly jump to other topic and might as well disturb the flow of the conversation. I look forward to our next meeting.

College playing an important role in my moral development other than academics through extracurricular activities. It’s providing a quality ground for me to enhance certain skills such as leaderships, communication skills and problem solving. For instance, I am in Student Representative Council (SRC) as a secretary and its helping me a lot in improving myself in many aspects. My college life never been bored since I’m wiling to learn and explore new things every day and I believe that, every day is a new chance for us to prove ourselves that we are doing better than before. Overall, college is the best place to create luxurious memories.

-No knowledge without college-

College life can be known as exposure to adult life, basically stepping out from school life which pampered by parents is far different compare to college life as mostly that is the time our maturity increase. Maturity hits in many ways, for me it happened when I entered Polytechnic to pursue my Diploma in Tourism Management when I was 18. Through ups and downs I have learned many things, for example about leadership, integrity, friendship and many more. Looking back then, I was an active student in my polytechnic days, never fail to join any events, meetings and so on. Mostly I will be on my own, never depend on anyone for anything till at a phase that life totally turned the other way round. I found a bunch friends that taught me being alone doesn’t create sweet memories and I started to hang out with them, became kind a talkative girl at a point and that is the time I realise being a studious and introvert student actually cover few of my inner self. But I did not abandon my academics, I also learned on how to think and converse in a mature sense. Those memories and experience was useful when I enter UMT to pursue my Degree in Tourism Management, I am quite adaptive to the situations and surrounding around as the college life was not new to me. And for now im living an ordinary college life like how I used to be back then 

I am currently studying Biodiversity Conservation and Management in University Malaysia Terengganu. For first year in my college life, I were stayed in hostel with 3 roommates. All are from different races which include bumiputera, indian and Chinese. My university do not have a big campus, but all the facilities were provided. I were keep contact with my families at least once in a week. I will bring an umbrella everyday especially monsoon season. Floating were a common issue that face by everyone in this university. 

The hardest things in my college life are hunting for food especially Friday and puasa. The shops were all close during Friday until 3p.m. even though mcdonalds and KFC. In campus or the food stalls that nearby campus are all malay food. There are not much entertainment in Terengganu but I can expose and experience to all the nature. Thus, I do release stress by go for hiking, go for beach view and enjoy Terengganu’s food. Although there is not much entertainment in Terengganu and the campus is small, but it is a place that give me an opportunity to I learnt a lot and make many new friends. I really enjoy my college life.