Malaysia - A world apart (Education)

WITH lush greenery and top notch facilities, The Alice Smith School’s secondary campus at Equine Park, Seri Kembangan provides a conducive learning environment.

For four Malaysian students who were selected under the school’s first scholarship programme last year, the experience has opened up a whole new world to them.

Arvind Jayaratnam, 18, who completed his secondary education at SMK King George V, Penang says that studying at Alice Smith is fundamentally different from his previous schooling experience.

“The sheer exposure we get here to different perspectives and cultures of our schoolmates who come from various countries across the globe is an eye opener.”

Arvind explains that because most students in government schools are local, they often share similar insights and perspectives towards the world around them.

“You could have a classmate that is Japanese on one hand and British on the other. Both will offer differing views on an issue.

“Because of this, I have grown to respect a wide range of views on all kinds of things. My own perspectives have also matured,” he adds.

Arvind says he plans to pursue a law degree but wants to focus on international relations later on.

“I decided on law because it is a profession I can build a career upon.

“But I still intend to pursue my passion in international relations. It’s something I enjoy and being here at Alice Smith has cemented that joy,” he said.

Aspiring veterinarian Lye Hwei Mynn, 18, also finds the mix of international students at the school a point of interest.

“But more importantly the school offers an enrichment programme which encompasses all forms of extra-curricular activities.

“It isn’t limited to sports and student body activities but also includes community outreach projects and environmental conservation trips,” she says.

Hwei Mynn added that the school offers the AQA Baccalaureate, which builds on her core A-level subjects while adding value through enrichment activities. AQA, which stands for Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, is an educational charity provider of qualifications.

“I helped out at a clinic in an equestarian centre for my Extended Project Qualification under the AQA Baccalaureate.

“It was an experience I won’t forget and it really helped develop my interest in becoming a vet,” says the former Sekolah Sri Sedaya student.

Meanwhile, it is clear that former SMK Tinggi Bukit Mertajam, Penang student Yumesh Suthakaran, 18, is finding it a breeze adapting to his new school — he was even voted deputy head boy by the student council.

“I am grateful that our international peers received us with open arms and were willing to share more than just their friendship.

“The mutual respect is amazing. As deputy head boy I get to organise events and activities for the students. The support and feedback I get is phenomenal,” he says.

Over the school’s summer break recently, Yumesh took part in a week-long explorer conservation trip to the Sichuan province of China with 40 other students from 10 countries.

The trip saw Yumesh trying his hand at setting up infrared cameras at several forest reserves within the province to monitor the wildlife there.

“It was an experience that I will never forget. I visited several temples and panda sanctuaries, the natural beauty of the Sichuan province is unforgettable,” he says.

Coming from a different environment all together is Cherish Lo, 21, who was homeschooled and completed her GCSE as an independent candidate.

Cherish had to put her education on hold to take care of her grandfather and father.

“When my grandfather suffered multiple strokes I was called in to be principal caregiver. Just after he passed away, my father was diagnosed with prostrate cancer.

“He had to undergo spinal surgery and I helped my mother take care of him,” she says.

She says it gives her a sense of accomplishment to beat difficult odds and complete her GCSE on her own, adding that the scholarship to study at Alice Smith has been a blessing.

“The learning experience is quite different. The subjects follow the United Kingdom’s (UK) syllabus, which is a world apart from our own.

The Alice Smith School offers several full academic scholarships to study for the British A-Levels examinations at their secondary campus annually.

The school’s assistant principal Trevor Spence says the school must live up to its reputation of providing the best in British education.

“Our teaching staff is handpicked by the principal straight from the UK and our facilities are top notch.

“The school’s stellar performance in the recent A-Level examinations and GCSE reflect our efforts to give the best British education,” he says, adding that the school strives to develop students with strong character who are independent.

“The broad and balanced curriculum combined with the school’s enrichment programme offers an amazing platform for learning,” he says.

By AMINUDDIN MOHSIN

educate@thestar.com.my

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