Sultan Idris University of Education

Dear Mum and Dad,

How are you? Hope both of you are in the pink as always. I know both you will be worried about my current wellbeing in the university. Trust me, mum and dad, I cope well. There are lots of things that I can say about my current life in the university. In case you forget, I am currently studying in Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI). University to me, is a place to learn as much as I could to ensure a better tomorrow. The future that I have always wanted in my life– to provide a good and comfortable life for of both you. I am fully aware that to ensure this, I need to do my very best in my studies. Here, in this university, there are lots of things that please and surprise me though there are things that disappoint me too.

My life here has been good. As I had said, lots of things please me here in university. I have great friends that would guide me, help me when I am in difficulties and most importantly willing to listen to my grouses. I am a complainer and this can never escape from both you. Here, I am grateful that I have such friends to share at least whenever I complain to them; it could ease the burdens that I am bearing. Not only that, I am also grateful that most of my lecturers please me a lot. Their kindness in teachings surely has impressed me the most. Please do not worry because they are awesome people that you should meet sometimes. Learning from them is the happiest thing that I can ever ask for. For example, the lecturers will have consultation hours where students can go to their office and enquire anything related to the lecturer’s course.

Mum and Dad,

My life would not be interesting if without surprises. Life can be very different without both of you by my side. I need to board buses to classes every day. This was one of the things that surprised me a lot. Can you imagine that I need to be at the bus stop at least an hour before the next class commences? However, I am grateful because all these have taught me to be patient. Another thing is that, the first time I went to board the bus, I thought we need to queue but to my surprise, none will queue. The worst thing is, they will even jump the queue. Going to classes have been a struggle.

Well, I am not that happy after all studying here in UPSI because of discriminations. People from different programmes will discriminate us, the English students. All the cynical talks and looks had really caused much grievance to us. For instance, when one of my friends was boarding the bus, he heard somebody were talking behind his back on how arrogant he was when he spoke to his father on the phone in English. In the beginning, I thought only the students would do that to us but I found out even lecturers were behaving in such manner. Lecturers who are not from the English Language and English Literature Department had behaved in such manner during classes. One of them said this in Malay, ’I am allergic to TESL students.’  They would directly reprimand the English students, making fun of them etc. However, we know that we must be strong. We did not care much of all these because we know our priorities.

After reading through this letter, I hope mum and dad will pray for me and have strong faith in me that I will brave through all difficulties in this journey of my life. I would also like to thank both you; mum and dad for grooming me to this day where I can be independent and well principled. Infinite thanks and I will pray for your continuous good health and wellbeing.

With lots of love,

Tuck Mun