By AU HUI SHAN
Taylor’s University offered two spots only for student exchange program - Batch 7 candidates, to study abroad for one semester.
The Associate Dean of International Relations will select the qualified student based on the highest CGPA of all the applicants.
Due to that, School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts (TCHT) student Camillia Chee Zhiao Ling, 21, was selected.
Chee expressed, “When I first heard about it, I jumped for joy and did cartwheels in my room, surrounded by my apartment mates who are equally happy for me.”
Executive of Taylor’s Global Mobility Office Tan Jas Rynn, 25, revealed that Chee is different from the others because she is very approachable.
“She takes her own initiative to get things done and she knows how to act appropriately when it comes to different situation,” Tan said.
“All in all, she has a great personality which enables her to represent Taylor’s University as a good ambassador,” Tan added.
Chee is a bright student in which she managed to score very well during her exchange programme examination in Austria.
Chee said, “At first, I didn’t think of applying it until my friends approached me as it was the last day of registration.”
“When I informed my parents about the opportunity offered to me, I heard a loud booming voice from my father, uttering to do my best and give it my all, and go for it,” she added.
Chee also mentioned, “I didn’t expect to be chosen as I have been told I have 16 competitors. Besides, the program is challenging in terms of education standards.”
“I had to push forward my internship in order for me to set off to Europe, as I had already missed classes for three weeks due to the mandatory internship Taylor’s imposed on us,” Chee said.
“Then, there is the matter of visa – which I received within 2 weeks as I gathered all the sufficient documents and submit them at the embassy of Austria in KL,” she added.
It was a whirlwind of adventure as she did not have a chance to even breathe due to the tight schedule.
Moreover, “There was an accommodation problem due to my dorm contract expiring nearing the period of my student exchange program, meaning I had to move everything back to Brunei fast and bring the little belongings that I have with me to Austria,” Chee said.
Basically, the paperwork was the burden.
Chee said, “When I arrived at Krems, Austria, I had received plenty of stares and greetings from the locals. It was awkward when you encounter language barrier as first. Since then, I’ve learned German, which also enabled me to order food and pay for the groceries.”
“As an exchange student in Europe, all of us are always travelling when we have free time as the fairytale town of Krems did not have much to offer in terms of entertainment. Shopping is quite expensive so it wasn’t an option for me,” she added.
However, Chee said, “Our European exchange program had many activities. My new friends in Austria never made me felt lonely at all – it is safe to say!”
Throughout the program, “I’ve learned not to take things for granted because what is expected and normal in one country, is not the same in another,” she added.
Memory of the past when she was bullied in primary and secondary school, her best friend was her only companion.
“Playing piano had soothed my fears, and expressed my feelings like no other. Painting or drawing fueled my imagination,” Chee said.
“But what I love most is travelling. My father told me that when I was a baby, he brought me to the airport to see the air planes taking off and I would stop crying immediately,” she added.
Although her college years were dull, the amazing time she had in university life was an eye-opener – where she discovered the world.
Chee said, “Some of my friends openly admitted that they are envious of my jet-setting lifestyle.”
This has brought Chee back to the past when she was 12, her uncle had inspired her in her life’s journey.
Now, “I feel proud that I can inspire my friends and people to venture out of their comfort zone because we need to defy expectations and the norm to do something great,” she added.
After graduating from Taylor’s, “I’m planning to pursue my career overseas, most probably in Dubai, the United States of America or Australia,” Chee said.
“Always be enthusiastic in everything that you do – give it your 200% because you never know what destiny has in store for you, or what you can achieve,” she added.
Chee shows that nothing is impossible! Do not just dream, work for it!
Taylor’s University offered two spots only for student exchange program - Batch 7 candidates, to study abroad for one semester.
The Associate Dean of International Relations will select the qualified student based on the highest CGPA of all the applicants.
Due to that, School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts (TCHT) student Camillia Chee Zhiao Ling, 21, was selected.
Chee expressed, “When I first heard about it, I jumped for joy and did cartwheels in my room, surrounded by my apartment mates who are equally happy for me.”
Executive of Taylor’s Global Mobility Office Tan Jas Rynn, 25, revealed that Chee is different from the others because she is very approachable.
“She takes her own initiative to get things done and she knows how to act appropriately when it comes to different situation,” Tan said.
“All in all, she has a great personality which enables her to represent Taylor’s University as a good ambassador,” Tan added.
Chee is a bright student in which she managed to score very well during her exchange programme examination in Austria.
Chee said, “At first, I didn’t think of applying it until my friends approached me as it was the last day of registration.”
“When I informed my parents about the opportunity offered to me, I heard a loud booming voice from my father, uttering to do my best and give it my all, and go for it,” she added.
Chee also mentioned, “I didn’t expect to be chosen as I have been told I have 16 competitors. Besides, the program is challenging in terms of education standards.”
“I had to push forward my internship in order for me to set off to Europe, as I had already missed classes for three weeks due to the mandatory internship Taylor’s imposed on us,” Chee said.
“Then, there is the matter of visa – which I received within 2 weeks as I gathered all the sufficient documents and submit them at the embassy of Austria in KL,” she added.
It was a whirlwind of adventure as she did not have a chance to even breathe due to the tight schedule.
Moreover, “There was an accommodation problem due to my dorm contract expiring nearing the period of my student exchange program, meaning I had to move everything back to Brunei fast and bring the little belongings that I have with me to Austria,” Chee said.
Basically, the paperwork was the burden.
Chee said, “When I arrived at Krems, Austria, I had received plenty of stares and greetings from the locals. It was awkward when you encounter language barrier as first. Since then, I’ve learned German, which also enabled me to order food and pay for the groceries.”
“As an exchange student in Europe, all of us are always travelling when we have free time as the fairytale town of Krems did not have much to offer in terms of entertainment. Shopping is quite expensive so it wasn’t an option for me,” she added.
However, Chee said, “Our European exchange program had many activities. My new friends in Austria never made me felt lonely at all – it is safe to say!”
Throughout the program, “I’ve learned not to take things for granted because what is expected and normal in one country, is not the same in another,” she added.
Memory of the past when she was bullied in primary and secondary school, her best friend was her only companion.
“Playing piano had soothed my fears, and expressed my feelings like no other. Painting or drawing fueled my imagination,” Chee said.
“But what I love most is travelling. My father told me that when I was a baby, he brought me to the airport to see the air planes taking off and I would stop crying immediately,” she added.
Although her college years were dull, the amazing time she had in university life was an eye-opener – where she discovered the world.
Chee said, “Some of my friends openly admitted that they are envious of my jet-setting lifestyle.”
This has brought Chee back to the past when she was 12, her uncle had inspired her in her life’s journey.
Now, “I feel proud that I can inspire my friends and people to venture out of their comfort zone because we need to defy expectations and the norm to do something great,” she added.
After graduating from Taylor’s, “I’m planning to pursue my career overseas, most probably in Dubai, the United States of America or Australia,” Chee said.
“Always be enthusiastic in everything that you do – give it your 200% because you never know what destiny has in store for you, or what you can achieve,” she added.
Chee shows that nothing is impossible! Do not just dream, work for it!