Re-entry shock and going back home for inspiration and support

Everyone is wondering how I have been going through the culture shock since I had a 6-month working experience and holiday in New Zealand. Before I share my experience in handling culture shock, let’s talk about the differences in life style between New Zealand and Malaysia.

New Zealand is a relatively peaceful, relaxing and “greener” country than Malaysia. New Zealanders, we call them “kiwi”, normally prefer a slower pace of life style. For example, there are lots of outdoor activities such as hiking in spring, diving in summer, cycling in autumn and snowboarding in winter. They do not like to work over-time and they are quite particular about working overtime, I think this is the reason why New Zealand is one of the countries whose citizens possess long leisure hours. I was quite surprised when I was told that there was only 5 million people in this 2-island country (bigger than Peninsula Malaysia) and it is also the only developed country specializing in agriculture (other developed countries specialize in high-tech industry, instead). When comparing with Asian countries, kiwis are not keen on fashion, technology (getting internet connection is quite difficult in this country), entertainment…..well, being rich is not their priority…..but they can get angry if they see you littering or harming animals (the female grants pets superior rights than husband).

In short, there are many differences between New Zealand and this country.

However, handling culture shock sometimes is not that difficult if you proactively make friends in a new environment, I mention only New Zealand but this is also true at Vision College. I always take up challenges as an opportunity for growth. At Vision, the life is so fruitful that people are free to share their learning experiences with me, whether it is a good or bad story. As days go by, the connection between me and the members of this Vision family (Whether they are colleagues, superiors or students), is getting stronger. I hope you guys enjoy life at Vision and Happy Learning!

The Happy Bunch

Psychology Exhibition with my students

From,

Chew, XingJiun

Lecturer

My life at Vision College, so far

ASSALAMUALAIKUM… AND SALAM 1 MALAYSIA…

Hello everyone! Welcome to my story. Relax and stay calm in whatever you do!

First of all, let me introduce myself and my background. You can call me Zara, which is the name given to me by my parents. So, I have worked at Vision College since March 2014 as a Telemarketer and then on May 2014, I was reassigned as the Accommodation Officer cum Warden.

Some of the best experience during my time here includes persuading prospective students to register for our courses, sending them to our hostels and teaching them in preparatory classes. As I am dealing with students very regularly, I feel like we have bonded closely and I see myself more as their friend and sister.

My work can be very challenging at times but I am always grateful for my wonderful team who has never refused to help me in my times of need. Here is my amazing team:

Lovina

Abdul

Jumanshah

   

Now let’s take a look my personal photo album:

i. With fellow marketing staff at a road show in Terengganu:

 

I also participated in various college events such as TED’X, College Orientation Week, and Registration of new students and College Activity Week.

ii. Preparatory Class

(April intake - presentation of Alligator)

(July intake: Creation of 3D Science)

Visit to KLCC

Finally, I would like to say a big “Thank you” to Mr. Lee Wee Loong (Chief Executive Officer) for giving me an opportunity to work. I would also like to thank Mr. Kenny (General Manager) and Ms. Tan Lay Yean (Supervisor) for your helpful guidance. Last but not least, I would also like to express my gratitude to all my friends here at Vision College because you all make my life here wonderful and amazing.

Sincerely,

Siti Zaharah Binti Zulkifli

Accommodation Officer cum Warden.

Train of Thoughts

“Hooray!” I shouted in glee (internally) as I stride my very first step into Vision College. Finally realizing the dream to become part of the education big family. “I'm there to play with the big boys!” I said to myself as my imagination starts to run wild. “Today I'm a lecturer in Vision College, a few more years down the road, with extra bit of perseverance, discipline, and a great deal of luck, I'll decorate my life accomplishments with another doctorate degree. Thereafter, my road towards professorship will be a piece of cake.”

I chuckled at my own grandiose delusions as I realized how frivolous it sounded. “I am not suppose to be in the limelight!” I told myself. “What happened to the 'pillars of the nation' that I have had learned before? The students should be the focus of education. Education is about creating a generation of intellectuals, capable of critical-thinking, decision making and problem-solving.” Lecturing is a noble career, and as such, it should be approached in a noble manner with the absence of ill intent.”

“Better yet, I'm in the Happy Team now. Two for the price of one.” I said to myself as I remembered my other complementary role in Vision College which also aligned with the ideology of creating intellectuals. It was a vague concept to me what the Happy Team was; but, after months of working closely with my beloved team and with the guidance of mentors, the objective of Happy Team boils down to “creating happiness.”

“So, what is happiness?” That's a tough question. Naturally, with my psychology background, I tend to define happiness as “a psychological construct,” “one of the six basic emotions,” “serotonin probably plays a role in it,” so on and so forth. “But how do I induce the secretion of serotonin in Vision College students?” Well, theoretically, pleasant stimuli is one way to do it; practically, to create happiness for the students, I can pour in my effort to ensure the activities are of the highest quality. In the near future, I want students to reflect on their college lives in Vision College, remembering all sorts of happening events they have ever attended, saying: “Remember that one time when we joined (insert name of an activity), that was a defining moment in my life. It was epic! Those were the good old days... (with auld lang syne echoing at the background)”

Creating memorable experience for the Freshmen.

Hence, I commit to imparting knowledge to the students as an educator, bringing happiness and creating memories to Vision College community.

Creating happiness and bonding friendship.

By,

Daniel Ho

Lecturer/Student Retention Coordinator