There's a lot to be happy about when new juniors start their studies in Korea. When I picked them up at the airport, I noticed the tired faces, the different expressions and emotions. Scared, excited, homesick, overwhelming, terrified, nauseous, happy and so on and so forth and I can't help but feel nostalgic when I saw them.
That was me, 2 years ago. Totally innocent, totally full of energy (although not at that moment because 6 hours in a flight can get you pretty cranky), new potentials, new explorations. Just a whole bunch of new experiences waiting to be discovered.
I personally love receiving juniors. When I look at them, I feel a new burst of energy, the passion to keep going in my studies. That was me 2 years ago, promising my family, friends, my nation that I will work hard and that all their money will pay off, that it isn't a waste to invest in me.
And to keep that spirit up, and to make staying in South Korea worthwhile, here are some things I wish I took more seriously.
1. Never, ever take your scholarship for granted.
Students in Malaysia have to pay for an education while you get it for free (especially JPA scholars). Don't ever take advantage of that. Yes, compared to other students in other countries, our allowance isn't really big, but it's enough for a comfortable lifestyle. We have a decent house/room (and JPA officers make sure of it that our house is bearable enough to live in), we can buy clothes, they give us money for food, clothing, books, and most importantly, rent. When I say don't take your scholarship for granted, I mean appreciate it by working hard, studying smart, being the best person you can be, using
2. Travel, see the world, it's your golden opportunity.
Somehow, it is so much easier to travel to other countries when you are studying overseas. Once you have returned to Malaysia for good, the chance to travel to Europe, Japan, China, even India seems acute, unless your boss constantly tells you to outstation (even then you won't be able to travel, you'll be too tired). Travel in South Korea, outside South Korea, anywhere basically. Travel broadens and sharpens the mind, makes you more humble, more tolerant, more sophisticated if I dare say so myself. There are so many places to go where you can learn unlimitedly, things you will never learn in a book, nor inside a stuffy classroom. Yes, somewhere someone is bitterly jealous that you have that opportunity and accuses you of swindling the citizens' money, but didn't you work hard to get where you are? Travel wisely though, if you travel and end up at some bar in Thailand, then you can answer for yourself.
3. Love your batchmates, through thick and thin.
For me, my batch mates are the people outside my family that I spend the most time with. A total of 6 years! That isn't a short amount of time, although when you graduate, it will seem like the time passed by too fast. Love them, tolerate them, cherish them as if they are your own flesh and blood. Because truthfully, you only have them and the rest of the Malaysian society in Korea. They will help you with almost everything, and many a time will they annoy you, but once you are named batch 84, you are practically brothers and sisters. And isn't it a norm for brothers and sisters to annoy each other?
4. Buy little, create lots.
Buy little material goods, and create lots of memories. Once you are in your final year, you won't need your expensive comforter set, nor do you need that 300,000 won bicycle, nor would you want to post your unnecessary amount of clothes back to Malaysia. Spend less on coffee, and more on time. Have picnics with your seniors, batch mates, juniors. Cook together, play together, instead of buying that unbelievably expensive coat you saw in Lotte Department Store. To put it shortly, experience and memories are priceless and material goods are pricey.
5. Never forget where you came from.
For muslims, you are first and foremost a muslim. Never forget that. Whatever religion you believe in, you should hold on to those principles, and you are firstly recognized as that religion's follower. Then you are a Malaysian. You are always a Malaysian, not malay, not chinese, not indian, not iban, but Malaysian. When Koreans ask where are you from, or (어느 나라 사람이에요?) I haven't seen anyone say that they are chinese Malaysian, or Malay Malaysian, it's just Malaysian. Take pride in that. Take pride in your country, however advanced, efficient South Korea may be. All countries have it's pros and cons, and like anything else, the pros and cons make it into what it is.
For Muslims, you are the representative, the embodiment of Islam. Whatever you do, Koreans will think that your actions are teachings of Islam. So act properly, befitting of a true Muslim. Most Koreans have no clue about Islam, it is your responsibility to put Islam in a good light, to show true kindness, mercy, generosity, discipline, and love that Islam preaches. Stand firm with Islam's teachings. Though things in Korea may be tempting, and the culture may be alluring, stay strong in your faith.
6. Do not be ordinary.
You were never ordinary to begin with. You were sent here for a reason. Because of that massive potential inside. Harvest it. How? Do things that ordinary people won't bother with. You are a gem in the society. You do not want to be a normal graduate from overseas, Malaysia has a ton of that. Be the movers and shakers of the world. Make a difference even if it's small, make a difference even if no one knows. Be a critical thinker, a problem solver, instead of pointing fingers and accusing things without no solution. Be different and unique. Be an asset to your faith, your nation and your family. Do not let yourself be caught up in a mindless cycle of studying, eating, sleeping, going to class, going karaoke, wasting time. The remaining 5 years is a long time to make a difference, but a short time if you are wasting it. Cultivate your hobbies and interests so that you have a lot more to offer the world that just a mere degree. Start now, even if it's small.
7. Do not give up.
It's easy to feel discouraged, whatnot with the difference in language, the weird culture and customs, the alienation from Koreans themselves, not to mention being far away from your family makes you feel like sometimes, you shouldn't have applied for this. Sometimes you feel like you could've taken the easy way, and that you shouldn't have looked for trouble. But carry on and stretch your limits, have patience and you will know that in every hardship you face, there is a reward. Every tear, sweat and blood will be worth it in the end. You wouldn't be put in a situation you couldn't go through, and that is a guarantee. Be strong, accumulate strength from each other, and knock down your obstacles until you reach the finish line. No one promised it would be easy, but I can assure you it will be worth it.
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