Sailing to UK: My Unforgettable Journey of Hardship and Fellowship- Ajmir Azam

I was an ordinary kid living in the suburbs, juggling school and occasionally driving my parents crazy. Studying in the UK? Not even once I thought I could make it.

My journey to the UK started when I secured a scholarship after barely surviving SPM. This scholarship placed me in a preparatory college to take on the International Baccalaureate (IB), a program I couldn't even pronounce, let alone understand. My eldest brother had taken this program a decade ago and ended up studying medicine in the UK. So I thought, "This might be the only way to study in the UK, right?”. Hey, I was a brilliant boy to begin with! Let's not dive deep into the mind-bending world of IB - for only those who've survived can truly understand the ups and downs of it.

Then, came results day. My dream universities, University College London and King's College London rejected me due to my underwhelming results. Sadly, that's when I found myself in UCAS Clearing, a process where patience is your only weapon. Fortunately, I secured a spot to study psychology at 英国卡地夫大学 for three years!

I had happy tears when I first arrived in the UK. It was an overwhelming moment! But those happy tears turned into sad tears instantly as my first few weeks there were rough, with no close friends, my family miles away, and my brother, now a doctor in the UK, was busy in Manchester treating patients.? I was also busy… stressing and crying. Luckily, orientations and classes began, and that's when I met a bunch of fantastic friends from all corners of the world. Dancing has always been my passion, so I got myself into Malaysian Night as a performer and choreographer, organised?by Cardiff University's Malaysian Student Society. I also entered a K-pop dance cover national competition, representing Cardiff University, and guess what? We won!

Then, the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic struck during my second year. Online lectures from my cosy bed might sound dreamy, but I found myself craving the bustling university life I'd seen in the films! Thankfully, the pandemic eased up during my third year, and that's when I found my closest friends. We spent endless nights chatting, exploring Cardiff, and even catching flights to European cities for unforgettable adventures. It was the best year of my life until I had to bid Cardiff farewell and head back to Malaysia for good. Months later, my heart still aches for Cardiff.

Today, I'm working at MABECS as an Education Advisor, helping Malaysian students navigate the winding road to studying in the UK. With my psychology degree and my rollercoaster journey in the UK, I feel a profound responsibility to assist aspiring Malaysian students looking to chase their UK dreams. I'll do my absolute best to guide them on their own path so they can continue and experience the joy and adventure that the UK, and especially Cardiff brought into my life.

An epilogue: MABECS Malaysia has actually been by my side since the very beginning! They?guided?me through the UK university application process and even helped me land a spot at Cardiff University through Clearing. What better way to show my gratitude than by paying it forward, and assisting others in their pursuit of a joyful UK adventure? Everyone deserves a chance to live the dream.