Sunday, October 28, 2012

Jerk


No words can describe the degree of my foolishness.
I was so stupid.
It was too big a favour.
I should never have agreed to do it.
Now I feel like shyt.
You're a jerk, really.
I hate you.
I've lost it, my integrity. =(

Friday, October 19, 2012

MUET Essay 37/60

I do agree to the statement that studying abroad has greater prospects than studying locally. For one having financial problems, studying abroad or locally, more often than not, is not a matter that one can decide. However, if one is given the opportunity to study either abroad or locally with full financial support, what choice would he make? I believe that most individuals prefer to opt for the former. This is due to the greater prospects of studying abroad compared to locally which include stronger adaptation to working environment acquired, ample job opportunities, gaining different life experiences compared to those who study locally and getting to know cultures of other countries.

Home is where everything is made easy and comfortable for the government does take good care of its fellow people. For instance, the government is recently giving handouts of money or book vouchers for scholars to assist them financially. With the government's assistance, the path to earning a degree in university is made simple. However, people who study abroad do stand at an advantage even though they may be alone and far from their home town. Studying abroad is always thought to be of higher level of difficulties as it requires one to be a proficient user of foreign language such as French or Japanese if not the international language, English. Amidst all the quandaries, one will learn to accommodate to the environment which is utterly different from his home town without any help or assistance significant enough. They stand at an advantage for they will acquire strong adaptation to working environments and they are competent to handle their job better than those who studied locally.

Some say the perception of other people or their stereotype is not important as long as we strive for the best in whatever we do. However, in this world engulfed by materialism, this is not always the case. People are judged with tainted spectacles based on their family background, financial status or even by where they have obtained their degree or master. The Malaysian mentality is that a graduate from abroad is undoubtedly better and more capable. Of course, the employers would not think differently and I can see the rationale in this kind of mentality. Universities from abroad with good reputation are certainly producing graduates of better qualities than those of local. Hence, studying abroad does have greater prospects.

Next, one who studies abroad is open to a vast sea of job opportunities. These job opportunities, more often than not, promise a high pay which could be translated to the transformation of one's financial status. Money will not give us whatever whim we fancy but without money, almost nothing can be done in this 21st century. This may not sound convincing to the nation but it is indeed an undeniable benefit and offer to the individual. Those who study locally are deemed to contribute to their own country and this somehow can be a limitation to their own success for they are not exposed to various opportunities like how those who study abroad are.

In addition, even though Malaysia is a developing country and we have watched its success over half a decade of independence, some of its universities are still not very well equipped. There are even complaints that the lecturers are not good enough to provide the scholars with sufficient and appropriate knowledge. These shortcomings could be overcome easily only if one chooses to study abroad in a more developed country where the necessary apparatus and materials for effective learning are provided and good lecturers are promised. Therefore, it can be concluded that studying abroad provides better education for the scholars.

Latterly, the idea that Malaysian graduates lack skills like creative thinking skills, interpersonal skills and so on to name a few is widely debated. This is, however, true to some extent for they are not pushed to their limits and the ways of teaching and learning in local universities do not require one to think out of the box and present themselves in the best way possible. It is opposite for universities from abroad since their ways of teaching differ and are less rigid and more flexible which in turn, allow room for intelligence capacity. This produces graduates who are of greater ability and they will surely gain benefits when looking for jobs since people like them are more wanted.

Besides, one who studies abroad gets to know the culture of the country he is studying in. Studying abroad serves as an eye opener and is such great life experience that one who studies locally could never possibly acquire. They will learn to understand how certain things that are accepted in one society can be so strongly objected in another. They will see the beauty of other country's culture instead of being immersed and engulfed in their own. They will also have an entire different circles of friends and build up a large network of acquaintances which can be very helpful when they are out to work.

To sum up, studying abroad not only enhances the quality of education one is receiving, it is also very rewarding and promising in many ways. Like what I have mentioned, one who study abroad is held much more highly than one who studies locally. They have bigger circle of friends and better job opportunities. Not to forget, they are also more holistic and competent. Hence, it is impossible not to believe that studying abroad indeed has greater prospects than studying locally.

*I personally think I deserve a little more, just a little more than 37. TT