“Don’t think twice, it’s alright”.
I love to laugh.
People who can find the good, the positive and the funny about everything around them or any situation which they experience are who inspire me.
I am a Singaporean girl currently living in Sydney. I am doing a Bachelor in Media, specializing in Journalism and Multimedia at Macquarie University. I was raised in Dubai but I have never seen the Burj-al-Arab. I experienced the side of Dubai where camels would come into our backyard and eat from our trees and the desert was my playground. I experienced my adolescent years in my birth land of Singapore and I am now trying to start a new life in Australia. Yes, I adapt easily. As cliché as it sounds, I love meeting new people, a personality trait which I probably got from my father. However, I do have times where I get extremely shy – that, I most definitely got from my mother. That, and my love for vegetables.
Before I came to Sydney, I was studying at Temasek Polytechnic where I graduated with a Diploma in Law and Management. I worked as a paralegal for a year, while holding a waitressing job at night. I preferred being a waitress. It was a break from being cynical, especially towards people’s intentions. It was also refreshing to know that the employees’ input made a difference in the running of the restaurant. That was probably the reason why I did not like working in a law firm. My opinions did not matter, or they just would not be heard. I first stumbled upon ActNow when a leadership programme from my university sent an email regarding internship opportunities for the foundation. I checked out the website and I was really intrigued by the issues discussed was then on keen on hopping on board the ‘Inspire’ train. Finally, a place to help the youth to make a difference.
After coming to Macquarie University, I have realised that even though I am considered an adult in the eyes of the law, it is hard to be taken seriously due to the label of being a ‘student’. One of the frustrating things about being an international student in Macquarie University is that I am forced to do things on my own without asking the help of my parents. Many times have I found myself feeling neglected because no one would listen to me and felt like I was sent on a wild goose chase. It was then that I realised how much the youth have to voice out but are restricted due to certain circumstances. So, I am proud to be apart of ActNow to help and learn to make a difference.
