Taylor's World Class Scholarship (TWCS)

I’m busy, simply means “get lost! You’re not in my priority list”. As simple as that. I am really heart-ached for not updating. Well, all assignments, all study, all dramas, all outings, all self-pampering times… To surprise you, it will be something worthwhile to know about me to celebrate my return. Hehe..

So, how did I get to become who I wanted to become..?

Since Form 3, I die die also want to study hotel management. With my not so terrible results, I can actually apply for professional like lawyer, doctor that is better course than hospitality. But I choose it! There were only two things in my mind that I feel like doing which are physiotherapist and hotel management. I don’t know why am I so reckless like I don’t care for anyone feeling especially my family to choose my future career. If I am to do a professional course, it will be such an uplifting moment for my family. Well, maybe I am train by my mom and not any other people to be myself. Since young, the person who always support me and proud of my doings is my mom. I know my daddy and brothers do recognize my achievement. But but but, I must mention my mom, Chan Yoon Mei for she is my life savior. She never decides anything for me except for the best towards me. Her famous quote toward me is “follow what you want to do the most. It’s your life”. And I’m thinking like, well… don’t you want to get involve in choosing my future..? You’re my mom wor… and I understand that, she do not want to be responsible for what I choose. She wanted me to be independent to choose and be responsible for myself, my own future that one day when I regret, I CANNOT blame anything on her. My mom, smart right! Haha..

This is just the introduction part. If you are tired of reading, you may not want to continue. Just scroll down and have a look at those pictures will do also. Hehe..

So, I've choose the course I want to do. Next question is where to do it. Four years to earn a certificate. I remembered saying this to my friend; going to a private college is no difference than buying a certificate. At this moment, I am not agreeing to this statement. I am buying at the same time I am receiving what I buy. Not exactly only the cert. The expensive package comes with some friends and experiences. There were few colleges and university in my list.

Local Universities

After some research in SPM year, I only got to know Monash did not offer this course. And local university is not famous for this course. Well, when it comes to education, I always get the best. My primary and secondary school is top school in my state. And then those uncountable tuition I went needed to be booked one year in advance. I think this is when I learn to be competitive. How can I not choose good quality tertiary education? I know my family cannot support me for oversea and I am not ready to leave them yet. I don’t really know the world/ the globe back then. I just know Malaysia well. Haha.. I am just this kampong or village girl. 

Then I went to education fair. Then I only know few private universities that offer this course which are:

 

KBU International College

 

Sunway University

 

Berjaya University College of Hospitality

I

Inti College Nilai

 Nilai College

TARCollege

YTL International College

If overseas, I could have considered, 

 

Le Cordon Bleu Bangkok

Firstly, YTL only offered Diploma and degree need to go Australia. I count and count those money, cannot! 

Back then Berjaya was very new. I felt that they do not have enough experience. They do not offer much scholarship also. I slightly have prejudice towards Inti, Nilai and Sunway for they are not really famous for hospitality and offered the least amount of scholarships. 

And I think Taylor’s and Ktar is suitable for their price is reasonable. Well, Taylor’s offered me Achievement discounts (50% diploma+10% degree). However, Ktar is not really my cup of tea since it’s not up to my expectation in the sense of quality. 

Someone like me that have financial problem could not really dream on simply enter to any colleges. Like those thousands and thousands ringgit going to be invested in you. The pressure, the burden. How to face them. I am just 18 years old that time. I am still very naive  My mom, who say she will support me for everything back up and wanted to send me to STPM (local pre-U program)  for we really cannot afford. That was the first time I had my biggest lemon.

Every day when I think about my future study, my tears will flow like pipe water. I felt there was no use in getting good result for I can’t afford for the studies I wanted! I even let go my free foundation offered by HELP University. That was the time I am very determined that hospitality is my love. I beg and beg to be in Taylor’s College for i trust Taylor could groom me to be top in this industry when I graduate. My dad, he strongly oppose me being in hotel line cause it’s dangerous and blah blah blah. All those skeptical thinking just came in. Whenever I explain and talk to him, I cry cause I just dislike to oppose him because I love and respected him. And that time something went on too. Haizzz… life is terrible at the moment when I am fighting alone for what I want. My daddy wanted me to be some office lady doing paperwork which is 100% not me!

How did I settle all these..?

My faith and hope in hospitality is decreasing. Should I give up… it look like there is no room for getting it? And then my results were out. Wow… I got great results: 9A's and 1B's. So what..? am I getting free education. Does it mean I can join whichever college I want? Does it mean I can study any courses I want? I know I cannot get JPA/ Matrix offer by local government cause I’m not those freaking excellent. I know I cannot be a doctor, lawyer, architect because my family got no money. These courses cost greatly few hundreds thousands which is freaking huge burden for my family. So, I created my own path. I choose a course that is within my ability. I find my own strategy for success. I know I need to be outstanding not only in academic to win a scholarship. So, I got so active in co-curriculum activities since Form 4. I did something not everyone can become of. I became unique.

After my SPM results were out, I apply whatever scholarship available just to back up my financial. Maxis, Hong Leong, Honda, Star newspaper, Taylor’s and what-so-ever- grant I can find and I apply as many as possible. Every night, I prayed so hard to God hoping for a positive reply in tears. I prepare myself by going to work part time and gain some experiences and pocket money at restaurants.

And I enrolled to Taylor’s College in the end. I still remember my registration fees were RM600. That was like wow… I did not really touch this much of money before. And those thousands and thousands of fees were bugging my head. I just cannot breath. I did not know private education were these cruel. I told you I was naive to take it easy. I did not know what money is when I truly face financial crisis. Life was tough.

 At the moment, I am getting Taylor’s High Achievers scholarship. This was the best I can get beside Taylor World Class Scholarship that is like so so so prestige. I remember I saw the TWCS brochure in my counseling teacher room. At the moment, I am like, nah…. Forget about it. I am not getting it. It is so privilege for excellent people.

But I did apply for it. Firstly, it was an online application  I have to complete a 500 words essay titled "what is your career aspiration and what had you done to achieve them". 

The second round, I went for interview with a 5 minutes presentation. My first face to face interview with strangers (Miss Koo Li Li from Financial Aid Department and Mr.X who says he represented Novotel Kuala Lumpur. Later during my degree, I found out that he is Mr.Adrian Yao. {Yao Yao} I admit I am bad at recognizing people face). Conversation was pretty normal. Is just that the interviewer asked about my family, my hometown which I cannot hold it any longer.

I thought of my mom, my family members back there. I just start to live on my own in an unfamiliar environment for a month. I don’t know anyone and I am afraid. No matter how brave I was back then, I am got home sick and scared of the city. And why did I apply for this scholarship was pretty obvious that I got a financial problem. I am poor but I want to get the best education. I am daring, I am just holding and faking to be very tough as if everything was okay. Deep inside I know very clear that it is not. Anytime that there is not enough supply of money, I gotta stop schooling. The bank account is really empty. And I can’t be a burden for my brothers and my parents are old already. I know how important this scholarship/ opportunity for me.

Some side of me calls myself to give up, but I just don’t want. I am stubborn and reluctant. I learnt my lesson. I cried during the interview not because I fake or begging people for the chance. The interviewers said it was normal. Some people can’t take it. Well, what they can’t take was pressure or too scared. I am not scared of the interview. I am scared of losing the scholarship, losing the opportunity to study the course I love, losing my dream. I was so embarrass. I was emotional and cannot control my emotion. Opps… 

My mom was so “gan cheong” for me. She ask me, is the results announced. She even called to Taylor to ask for the status of the scholarship. I am like. . .  well, it is like life and death. My future good and bad all depend in it. I’ve never felt so hopeless, risky, wild and dangerous. In Malay, we call it, “telur di hujung tanduk”. The feeling is scary. You’re just betting your life over your future.

My friend knew I applied for it and they are supportive. What they don’t know is the story behind it. We weren’t that close back then. Just some hi and bye or group assignment partners. We’re not really close toward them that I share about myself.

One fine day, while during class, I received a call from Taylor’s University College. I am one of the recipients for Taylor World Class Scholarship. My sponsor is Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur Hotel. My tuition fees for all four years Diploma in Hospitality Management and Bachelor of International Hospitality Management is 100% waive. I was relieved. I am so so so happy. Can be said at last, I can breathe at a little ease. Furthermore, what I liked about the contract was, there is no bonding after I graduate. Is just each year, I need to do my internship at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur for 3 months. Mama, papa and kokos, I did it. That is my second greatest achievements in my life. All my four years education for about RM100 000.00 was sponsored.

Hahhh…huhhh…hmm… I thank God for these opportunity. Million thanks to my sponsor. I thanked for all these encounter that make me someone who not only think of education but also every aspect of life. From this incident, I got mature.

I learnt that when you dare to dream, you dare for success. Nothing is impossible. And there is no such thing as lucky in life. Lucky is when preparation meets opportunity by Oprah Winfrey.
If I did not be active in co-curriculum, 
if I did not burn the midnight oil to study, 
if I did not invest my time and money for tuition,
if I did not dare to take up the challenge,
if I be a coward and study STPM,
if I stop fighting,
if I stop believing in myself,
if I give up, if I . . .  
there are so many things happen at once. 

I remembered Victoria Samuel my Bahasa tuition teacher said, “When you get excellent results, you can go wherever you want”. I believed in her words. I had tuition with her since Form 1 not only because of academic, is because I got so much to learn from her about the world. She is the first one that motivates me. Making to do better each day and perform my best!

Finally, I was invited for the Taylor’s World Class Scholarship Award Ceremony. I am a noob in dress up and don’t really have a camera to capture those precious moment. I am very newbie right. I told you, I am from a village. I know nothing other than study and dream big to success. Till today I am learning to improve myself to be better. Luckily, the ceremony had a photographer and photo was shared. So, enjoy….my ugly but glorious TWCS moment 2010.

Ceremony conducted at Taylor University Lakeside Campus

Registration

TWCS 2010 Recipients

Briefing by Miss Koo Li Li 

She is trying to reduce our nervous

Waiting~~

Get to know each other session

Last minute grooming touch up

Say cheese (*.*)V

Smiley at this happy moment

And more smiles

Future planning in progress..?

woww....

I am sure his parents are so proud of him... 

Family members... Well, my mom face is not captured. The photographer did not do a good job. :(

Briefing for the last time with Master of Ceremony Mr.Ruben

So sweet <3 data-blogger-escaped-p="">

I remembered he was the recipients of Loreal Company

Exchanging contacts..?

So, this is the arrival from Ministry of Education

Honorable Guests of the Day

Speech by Tan Sri Dato Loy the chairman of Taylor's University Lakeside Campus.

Listening attentively

From left: Tan Sri Dato Loy, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, Mr. Pierre Barthes, General Manger of Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Ministry of Higher Education, me and Mr.X. Sorry for not remembering your name.

THANK YOU!!!!

Last but not least, group photo of everyone together. Congratulations scholars...

Don’t you think this is the end of my financial problem. When I see my miscellaneous fees RM2k for every 3 months during my Diploma, I am like ahhhh…wooowww… And my 2 years of Diploma pass like some nerd. Because there is no additional money for me to spend. All goes for education. 

I don’t want my mom worry about money anymore. I don’t want ask any money from her. I want her to live peacefully. All these happening made her look very old and that hurt me. And I suddenly became so mature. So, it’s my turn to carry the baggage and take care of her. No matter how heavy it is, I can move on. Whatever she wants in the future I am giving her. Just like whatever I wanted, she never says no. I am still thankful for all the opportunities Taylor's University offered me. 

I had mention before that there are only 2 parties that I want to show my examination results to. They are my mom and my sponsor, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. Because they are the one who supported me, and so they deserve the best of me.

The secret is, to be you, have a wild dream and fight for it.
I agree with Honda= The Power of Dream.

I am someone that has nothing to lose except for my dream.

This is my 2^nd greatest inspirational story.

I am remembering it in details till today so, I can move on whenever I face a barrier.

Once again, I am willing to take the risk and challenge the world. Thank you for reading and I really hope it help you somewhere and somehow. Click my advertisement to continue support me. 

These are a few links that could help you to understand this scholarship better if you are interested. 
News Coverage of TWCS 2013 on TV3
TWCS 2013
TWCS 2012
Taylor's Times #06

Lastly, when life gives you lemon, made a lot of things out of it. Be an opportunist. 

Lemonade, Lemon Sauce, Lemon Cheesecake, Lemon Water, Lemon Mask, Lemon+ tea = Hot/ Cold Lemon Tea and the list goes on. Lemon is an expensive fruit, just like an expensive life lesson. 

With  Love,

T3ddy Lim