The Visit

We went to JPA this morning to make inquiry. It's true, she will be sent to AIMST. I asked the officer in-charged if the keputusan is "muktamad" and she answered me with a firm "Yes".

So, no chance to appeal to go overseas. She said even if we got it, it'll be Russia or Indonesia. I think, in that case, better study here.

From what I gathered, my daughter didn't get the overseas scholarship because of our income bracket. According to them, students are assessed based on 4 criterias: 1) exam results, 2) co-curicular activities, 3) interview session, and 4) family background.

The first 2,000 students who met the criteria would be sent overseas whereas the next 2,000 would be sent to study at a local private institution. For Nadira, I think she scored highly for the first 3 but the fourth one pulled down her overall rating. Hence, she's given a place to study locally.

Besides AIMST, there are 3 other places where JPA send their students locally: Sunway College (Monash Univ), Sedaya College (in Subang) and Cyberjaya. We're going to appeal for Sunway/Monash. At least it's closer to home. But the officer said chances are slim coz a lot of people are appealing. We'll give it a try anyway. Kalau ada rezeki, dapat. If not, my daughter is quite resigned to the fact that she has to do her Medical degree in Kedah.

Although we are not delighted, we looked at it positively:

1) At least she got the scholarship. Out of 100,000 applicants, only 4,000 were given scholarships. We should be grateful for that. Nak finance sendiri, tak mampu. And she doesn't want to do any other courses.

2) Upon many inquiries (sampai peninglah malam tadi), my daughter said AIMST is not that bad. The lecturers are mostly from India and the level of teaching is quite good. I guess, this is just like studying Medicine in India, only done here in Kedah.

3) Her objective is to complete her Medical degree as soon as possible. After that, she plans to specialize and for this, she could go overseas. Masih ada peluang ke luar negara.

My husband and I are quite relieved that she is quite firm in her decision. And she wants to give is a try. Kalau dia yang jenis mati2 nak pegi overseas jugak, susahlah we all.

When she asked me just now, "Are you ok with me studying locally?" It just broke my heart. I wish we could send her to the UK to give her a chance to experience life in a foreign country but our hands are tight.

We have to admit that times are hard and it's very competitive for students to do Medic in good countries like UK or Ireland. Those who got the overseas scholarships must be well-deserving and we are not challenging JPA's decision.

Perhaps, like what some of you said, there's a blessing in disguise. Perhaps there's a silver lining somewhere... I don't know.

But I know for a fact that wherever she goes, she will do well. I only hope she'll be happy with the new living environment and she won't be too depressed to study.

So, what we're going to do now is appeal for Sunway/Monash. And this weekend, we are going to Kedah to check out AIMST!

Alright!

(subject to my husband's willingness to drive up North at the end of school holiday)