"I used to think success meant certainty, knowing exactly what you want, where you’re headed, and how to get there. But now I know it’s more about choosing to move forward, even when the path is unclear."
My name is Izzatun Najla, and I’m currently a first-year student at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. If you had asked me two years ago where I’d be today, I wouldn’t have had an answer. My story is not one of predetermined ambition but of reflective pivots, quiet resilience, and redefinition.
From Convention to Conviction: An Academic Pivot
After SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia), where I secured 8As, I entered the Malaysian Matriculation Programme in Johor. I graduated with a perfect CGPA of 4.00 and, like many high-performing students, started applying to UK universities via UCAS. At the time, I defaulted to chemical engineering, not because I loved it, but because science felt like the ‘safe’ choice. My parents encouraged it, and I didn’t know what else to pursue.
But just before submitting my application for the World Top University (WTU) program by MARA, I hesitated. That pause became a turning point. I took time to reflect, and in that space of stillness, I admitted to myself that I had no genuine interest in engineering. Instead, I found myself drawn to programming and digital design: fields I had never seriously considered before. With guidance from AUG Student Services, I pivoted and applied to UNSW, drawn by its practical tech-forward curriculum and seamless support system. That decision felt like reclaiming my voice.
The Architecture of Engagement: Co-curriculars as Compass
While I wasn’t a prefect or student body president, I always stayed engaged. In secondary school, I immersed myself in science and innovation competitions, not just for awards, but because they helped me explore and experiment.
During matriculation, my focus expanded towards equity and service. As a Tutor-in-Action during the pandemic, I offered free online chemistry tutoring to students who couldn’t afford private lessons. I had access to resources that many others didn’t, and being able to share meant a lot to me. While I serve under the Malaysian Students’ Programme (MSP), which falls under the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia through Badan Perhubungan Sydney (originally Kelab UMNO Luar Negara), I deeply admire the work of the Malaysian Students’ Organisation (MSO) at UNSW and look up to them as a model of student representation. In my own capacity, I strive to echo and champion Malaysian voices abroad.
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WTU Program: A Scholarship of Opportunity and Accountability
Receiving the WTU scholarship was a milestone, not just for the financial relief it provides, but for what it represents. It’s a merit-based, competitive award for Bumiputera students to pursue undergraduate studies at global institutions. The coverage is comprehensive, including tuition, accommodation, and travel expenses.
But what makes it truly distinct is that it’s a convertible loan. The better your academic performance and your commitment to post-graduation service, the more the loan will be waived. For me, that’s not a burden; it’s a form of reciprocal accountability. It’s a reminder that the privilege I’ve received is tied to purpose. I once turned down a scholarship from Yayasan Peneraju because I wasn’t sure where I was headed. I don’t regret it, but I now know that uncertainty shouldn’t be a reason to walk away from opportunity.
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The Anatomy of Adaptation: Living, Learning, and Letting Go
Moving to Sydney was exhilarating but humbling. The academic pace is brisk: what we’d spend a month on back home in Malaysia is condensed into a week here. It’s rigorous, intense, and honestly, sometimes overwhelming. But it also pushes you to grow fast. What I love most about UNSW is how practical the learning is. I’ve already designed real databases for real clients! It’s a curriculum that forces you to translate theory into tangible impact.
Socially, finding community took effort. Australians are friendly, but I learned quickly that staying in your shell is a form of self-sabotage. You have to reach out, show up, and stay open. I found my grounding in people, but also in simple comforts, like the jar of sambal I brought from home. On difficult days, that sambal was a reminder of my roots, a small flame of home I could still carry with me.
Rethinking Success: From Perfection to Progress
Back in Malaysia, our education system often spoon-feeds us notes and expects rote perfection. In Sydney, the system is different: it expects autonomy. At first, I struggled. I was used to high marks and minimal failure. Here, I had to learn, adjust, and try again. One of my proudest moments so far was building a digital product through coding! It was something I once found intimidating.
A Letter to the Hesitant Dreamer
To those of you standing at a crossroads, unsure if you’re ready to leap: take the offer. Even if you're unsure. So many of us have stellar grades, but what sets you apart is your curiosity, your conviction, your willingness to try. Studying abroad is a privilege, but it also demands responsibility: to adapt, to contribute, to evolve. If my experience has taught me anything, it’s that you don’t need to have it all figured out. Just enough courage to say yes.
