KOTA KINABALU: Two youths, one physically challenged and the other from an underprivileged background, shared mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness on entering their first week of university life.
Wong Hui Yen, 21, who will be majoring in counselling psychology, said she is both nervous and excited to be starting a new chapter of her life in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
Hui Yen, who was diagnosed with ‘soft bones’ following a fall when she was four years old, said the condition renders her completely immobile on her left leg. The resilient youth from Kuala Lumpur now relies on a pair of crutches to aid her movement.
She told the press at the UMS September 2013/2014 new intake registration here yesterday that she chose the course because of her interest in psychology.
“I also chose UMS because I was advised by my previous schoolteachers that the university offers one suitable course in psychology,” she said.
Hui Yen’s mother, Tan Bee Ling, 50, had also encouraged her to enrol at UMS because she believed the university can meet her educational needs.
“I am ready for university life,” Hui Yen said, despite some anxiety from being away from her family for the first time.
Bee Ling said she is worried for Hui Yen because she has to manage everything on her own now, without a mother’s touch.
“I hope the school can provide everything that Hui Yen needs in terms of her studies and her physical wellbeing,” she said.
Jaidi Jolin, 20, who will be majoring in international relations, is similarly nervous and excited on his first week in university.
Jaidi, from Kampung Segama, Lahad Datu, had travelled all the way by bus with his mother for registration here yesterday.
His father earns a meager income of about RM1,000 for the family of five siblings as a rubber estate labourer.
As the oldest child and the first in his immediate family to enter university, Jaidi said that he will strive to do his best for himself and his family’s future.
“I am very happy to be able to further my studies here,” Jaidi said, adding that he only received a lower than 2.5 grade point average for his STPM results.