Skip to main content

On Elections and Exams

Stay tuned for SE Asia trip wrap up part 3 where I will provide some suggestions for Malaysia's public policy.

Exams are around the corner, and I am in the process of completing some essays, one overdue. Applied for close to 10 jobs yesterday, so fingers crossed I will be earning some much needed money this summer!

In the mean time, allow me to divulge a little about recent developments - Trying to catch up with 2 weeks worth of school work isn't fun by any means; whats more, I found myself campaigning for UBC's International Student Association elections, hoping to be voted in as Vice President External.

With an international background, I naturally felt drawn to this position and club because I have had many experiences with international students on exchange here, and I do understand a thing or two about transitioning and the severe sense of alienation that some of them feel. Being far from home is one thing, not accepted here because of ones accent or command of English is a whole other can of worms.

UBC students are extremely hospitable and inclusive, don't get me wrong; however, I feel that ISA could do so much more to advocate for these home-sick students. The prospect of increased cross-cultural exchange is so rewarding and their stories on their journeys to this part of the world are always so inspiring.

So, please, if you know me personally and will be around on campus, Tuesday, 4p.m. @ the Global Lounge. Be there and support a friend as I run against a group of visionaries. Admittedly, I feel a little intimidated going up against their coalition - there is always strength in numbers;  but I feel that there are some issues which really deserve attention and that they don't overtly try to address; particularly, ISA's relevance for international and non-international students. 


Let us mirror the global discourse that is our academic experience on campus. Let us speak the global language of harmony and inclusion. Let us not segregate but include, incorporate but not seclude.

More info on my platform:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156401954421432&index=1

Thanks and hope to all of you there!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Part 1: Why I chose to come back to Malaysia

We often hear of people moving to foreign lands to pursue better opportunities, to live more comfortably and to build happier families. Other countries present us with financial security, job prospects, friendlier people and desirable living standards. When I was 14, I embarked on a journey which I regard as the pivotal point of my life. It was a journey undertaken with faith and a hope that the pursuit of happiness will be easier over there, where the grass is greener and the skies blue. It was a journey to come home. As I write this, my journey has brought me home to the country where I was born and it is a place which I can truly call home. My identity is Malaysian, and 9 years in North America has taught me that nothing will ever come close to compromise that reality. I chose to come back because of a confluence of factors, but for this post I'll focus on identity. I'm often asked about why I chose to return to a country in which hope has been dashed by poor governanc...

Walkability

I've spent close to 3 weeks in Singapore for a work trip recently.  The city is a gleaming example of prudent, sensible & effective public policy. Every square-inch of the island has been mapped out, years before, with the room to rework the space if the need arises. Let's talk about walking, specifically, the decision to walk to your destination and forgo other means of transportation. Not enough people in Malaysia like to walk. Many blame the weather, the cracked sidewalks or that it's simply much easier to drive or share a ride there. Their reasons are justified. However, I'd argue that walkability is the end result of many policies aligning to create just the right environment to inspire people to lace up their shoes and make that walk. These policies are, in no particular order of importance: spatial planning, accessibility, public transportation. Using Singapore as a case study, I'll provide some observations and thoughts. Spatial Planning:  S...

First Month

Having been here a month, I'd say that I've acculturated to the pace of life and have gotten into a comfortable routine. On weekdays, this involves catching the trains to school, sticking around after class to get some studying done and then hopping on the evening train back home. Sometimes, I'd opt to eat in the city instead of home, but this usually involves the company of friends or classmates. Otherwise, I'd much rather go home to rest, relax and read. Weekends are fun here in New York. One never runs out of things to do here especially on a Friday or Saturday night, the highlights so far are the bars in Williamsburg or Brooklyn, gallery hopping in Chelsea, eating out in Chinatown or just chillin' and having a meal or drink in the Village. Admittedly, I'm trying to cut down one expenditure so that means less alcohol and eating out. I've also been making full use of my membership at L.A. fitness, since the NYU recreation centre is a little too overcrowd...