Two-year wait is worth it — MSU student

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DREAM DESTINATION: Shivaliny (second left) reacts during the achievement award presentation at Department of Journalism, Ball State University.

KUALA LUMPUR: It was an enriching experience for Shivaliny Muthu Kumaran who participated in the Journalism in New Media programme organised by Study of the US Institute (SUSI) held at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, USA recently.

The intensive, five-week programme was aimed towards providing undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.

The Journalism in New Media consists of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures for a group of 75 students from 12 participating countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh, India, Bahrain, Iraq and Oman. Participants will develop their leadership skills, learn to think analytically as journalists and embrace continuous learning in a diverse and fast-changing society

As for Shivaliny, a Management and Science University (MSU) Bachelor in Games Design and Animation student, the two-year wait was worth it as she recalled going through a very tight selection process.

She has been looking forward to interact with US faculty and student peers, and for exposure to US academic and classroom culture.

When asked about her feelings towards the selection, she could not help herself by being grateful and happy to be selected as one the lucky of 75 university students for this programme.

“United States has always been my dream destination for me to pursue my studies. Yet this is only the beginning of an exciting long journey. It’s also a gift for my beloved parents,” she added.

She also volunteered in a charity service at Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit group that has built more than 500,000 houses worldwide.

Painting, insulation installation, and woodworking were all part of the morning’s volunteering activities.

Another charity service which she participated was at Second Harvest of East Central Indiana, a food distribution centre that works to eliminate hunger.

Community services are nothing new to Shivaliny as she has been active in the MSU’s ‘U Community: From University to Community’ programme which focuses on five main areas namely the environment, orang Asli, wellness, urban poor and orphanages.

The programme is part of MSU’s continuous commitment in encouraging its students to serve the society and instill in them the spirit of volunteerism.