Determination vs Obstacles

Chapter 1: Pre-departure obstacles and tests from HIM

At 8.30am, i m checking emails and plan to start my research early. My schedule for research and writing the thesis are uncertain; sometimes early in the morning and sometimes late at night: 11am - 2pm, 4pm - 7pm, or 9pm - 2am.

I usually skip opening emails because it will drift my time away for an hour or so. I will throw all spammed emails and open just the important ones. I usually trying not to waste so much time on the unnecessary things, I would prefer to cater my time for: preparing meals, doing house chores, browsing Internet for research, reading or writing my thesis. But, of course there are times for updating my face book and chatting with friends once in a while.

I am sure that we are all the same when it comes to do our routine tasks; research, class lectures, presentation slides, marking, report writing etc. As I am in academic environment, I am used to having too many academic tasks; research supervisory, preparing lecture topics, prepare presentation slides, practical students' evaluation, academic reports, syllabus review, research collaboration, paper presentations, meetings, students open-day involvement, promotion and marketing involvement etc. I should say that if you are an academician, there is no ending in matters pertaining education to your nation, university, students and your own self improvement.

I remember very well how difficult it was for me to be here in UK pursuing my studies as what I am now; I have past 3 months in 2nd year. The day we safely arrived in Heathrow, London Airport still fresh in my mind. We were in Paddington, London for 2 nites before we came to Welwyn Garden City. In Welwyn, we were lucky that we've been invited to stay at a friend' house, a friend who had been introduced by another friend in Malaysia. Since we were new in England then, they offered us to stay at their house before we get a new place to stay. We were overwhelmed by their help, the family whom we have never met before, they are warm hearted, kind and generous. They are our family friends since then in UK, we contact each other often. In fact, we like to exchange food every now and then as we live near by :)

Back in Dec 2007, I was given the green light from UniKL to pursue the PhD in overseas, I was very happy and thinking to pursue the degree in Singapore. I planned to study there as I can comeback home when I needed. My husband had decided not to go with me at the first place, he had something to proceed in his business. If that's the case, my children will be left with him in Shah Alam, I thought at that time. I started workout and fine-tuned my research proposal. I updated my resume, went to the postgraduates' educational exhibitions, request and compiled necessary recommendation letters, filled-in University's application forms etc. I 've selected National University Singapore. In February 2008, I have prepared all the documents to be submitted to the University. Then, one day, a small talk with an old friend had changed my mind totally, I wanted to pursue the studies in Australia instead. I decided to apply for University of Wollongong in Australia or London Arts and Design, in United Kingdom. I discussed the decision with my husband and he wouldn't mind anywhere I wanted to go, Australia is a good place to study, furthermore there are Airasia flights operating its route there. So, i started to google Australia or so called: 'the land down under'.

March 2008 I wrote to Wollongong University and i got a positive reply from them. I proceed sending my research proposal and communicate with the professor through emails. It took months to complete the whole negotiating process with him and most of my free time was filled with writing the research proposal besides my teaching schedules at the Universiti of Kuala Lumpur. The last emails made me waited for almost two months and yet i did not hear from him, I assumed he's not interested with my research anymore. I couldn't wait any longer as i needed to try out with a few more universities. I believed 'ada hikmah disebalik apa yang berlaku' (Blessing in disguise).

My second trial was with London University of Arts and Design, i got a negative respond from them as my proposal was being cut to 5 pages instead of the original 12 pages. I should say that the University couldn't really see the significant of the proposal. I was frustrated and decided not to pursue it anymore. I left my research proposal unattended for a few months until there was one day i spoke to a colleague in UniKL. He encouraged me to proceed to pursue my studies as I had been given the chance by UniKL. I had a deep thought again after that.

One day, there was an advertisement in a local newspaper on Undergraduates and Postgraduates further studies in University of Hertfordshire, UK. They were in Malaysia for the intakes and conducted Walk-in interviews in Penang, and KL. I quickly compiled my resume and documents again and ready to go for the interview. The interview was good with the representatives from the University of Herts and the local agent' to the University. I got a positive reply a few days later, i was told to sit for the IELTS exam in British Council situated at Jalan Ampang. A phone called to British Council acknowledged me that i couldn't sit for the coming scheduled exam as it was full. Therefore, I needed to check on the next scheduled exam which will be held in the month of September in Penang. The exam will takes 2 months to process for the results; which was in the mid of October. I felt a bit panic as the time was quiet tight. No matter what, I had to sit for the exam or I will loose the opportunity. If I did not proceed this time around, UniKL will probably reconsider or withdraw my application because of the age limitation. I had to fork out my own pocket money to pay for the exam which cost me RM600, i also had to spent for the hotel accommodation and transportation to Penang. I was told that UniKL is not sponsoring for passports, visas, flight tickets and winter clothing's for the spouse and children. I had no choice but to proceed. At last, I spent more than RM15,000 in total for those compulsory things to UK. I then got a personal loan to standby in UK.

The 2nd hurdles. This came right after an advertisement by MAS aired in the radio and television' promotion tickets on sales to UK. (Airasia hasn't operate to UK yet at that time) This price was cheaper by half the normal price and the promotion was only in 3 consecutive days. "This offer definitely saving my budget as i need to buy for 5 adults' tickets for all of us" I reminded myself. I was so worried and confused to buy or not to buy as I need to wait for my IELTS results, which will only be surfaced in the mid of October. But, if i didn't grab this immediate offer, it means that i will not be getting this kind of offer anymore! There will definitely no more promotion within these 2 months. I double checked with my sisters and close friends seeking their advices, they too thinking the same thing. My sister convinced me that i will eventually make it to UK. Yes, of course at that time I was given an offer letter from the Uni. of Herts. (with conditions to pass a minimum of 6.0 IELTS and a letter of full sponsoring letter from UniKL) A call to check on the tickets with Human Resource department confirmed that UniKL is not paying for the rest of my family members (spouse and kids) but will only covers mine and i will only get the reimbursement when i submitted the claims with MARA London in UK later. I was not sure that i will get a 6.0 IELTS, but i couldn't miss the offer. After a careful justifications, i bought the tickets at last. I have no choice unless to use my credit card for a total amount of RM9750.00 to purchase 5 adults tickets so that all of us will go to UK by Jan 19, 2009. I waited patiently for the Visas approval from the British High Commission. 'Tawakkal-a lallah'! My motto! This is what i called myself, darah cik Siti Wan Kembang, pahlawan wanita di kelantan dahulu kala yang berani berjuang... To shorten the story, i only got all the Visas a week before the departure date!!I should tell you that, it was me who tried my best to call/email the University of Herts as there was a small mistakes on 'JACs Code' typed on the offer letter which i had submitted to British High Commission.. Geram betul bila ingat...

The 3rd hurdles was the worst, i got a news from HR that I will get a C rating in UK for the living expenses allowance which had been allocated for PhD students studying in University of Hertfordshire. To UniKL and my understanding, the rating was wrong as the location of University of Herts is situated only 25 miles from Great London. I did not give up either. I wrote an appeal letter to HR GM, cc. a copy to Deputy President of UniKL, luckily i got their supports, and i did another letter which was sent to the Mara's person in charged. Actually this matter has not solved until now, I m still hoping it will eventually solved!

A month before we departed, I was ups and downs in the British High Commission, Immigration Office, MARA office etc; photocopied documents to submit for the MARA's approval, classes to teach, students to attend to, filling MARA's forms which as thick as 1.5 cm. I have to say that applying Visa for all of us was the most troublesome among all. It was because the British High Commission wants to make sure that you and your family will have enough financial supports to stay in UK. Besides the guarantied letter from MARA, Universities, you need to submit all relevant financial forms of bank statements, insurance's policies, your own savings and the address you planned to stay in UK. All together, for almost 4 months, i came back home late, no more clock out at 5pm which i usually did. 7 or 8pm were my clock out time in the last few months in 2008. I was tired and exhausted but managed to overcome day to day tasks patiently. Oh ya, one unforgettable experience which extremely funny and I considered as the most unacceptable memory: 'phone call to the MARA officer in charge'. We (this happened to all of us; who intend to pursue further studies) called the officer in charged but we only got her replied once or twice even though we called her for more than 30 times...there were so many reasons we need to call her and it seems that we all gave up. I was to check on the allowance rating...as I told you I got a C rates. I frustrated, but it was too late! I couldn't apply to another University in the UK within those few weeks, i will have to have at least 6 months to apply and start all over again if I were to do so. I just couldn't do anything accept for proceeding to the said University as I only have 3 weeks to fly! The most suspense moment in my life..hahah..

My lesson in the 3rd obstacles is, never trust anyone! You have to check it out yourself even though you couldn't get the person on the phone, you must go all out to check the ratings for the allowance at the first place. (For your info, i was told in the first place that i will get an A rates as the University is in the circle of greater London). Lastly, for your information again all my dear friends, today, its been 16months I am here in UK and I am still getting the C rates!! £748 - £650 = £98. Almost 90% of the allowance goes to the rental. I am still trying to appeal from time to time for my right on this matter. You can imagine now how do we still surviving in England; among the highest currency country. Bengkok..

"Success comes with struggles".

to be continued....