Berita Kampus

A Dream Turned Into Reality

After coming back from the competition in London...

Meiyi in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

It was an experience ingrained in my memory for the rest of my life. On the 6th – 11th May 2008, I was in London representing Malaysia in the International Public Speaking Competition. With 58 contestants from 35 different countries all over the world, it was certainly a week of discovery, learning, and gaining new perspectives. I was filled with anticipation about the trip, and what I experienced indeed surpassed all expectations.

The journey started here at TAR College. I went through many rounds at college level. Then, I represented TAR College in The Star-HSBC English Speaking Union Public Speaking competition and was one of the two winners in the national finals to win an all expense paid trip to London.

My speech was entitled “Elementary, my dear Watson.” It uses a humorous analogy to illustrate the educational needs of those deprived and whilst giving the speech, I also urged the audience to support the right to education of 90 million children currently deprived of it so that they may be able to hope for a better future.

On top of the competition itself, we watched a horror play, The Woman in Black, visited the House of Commons to see a parliamentary debate, role-played in deciding the fictitious Qwertyuiopian constitution, had a grand tour of HSBC and also unofficial gatherings such as dinner in the park, sight-seeing and souvenir shopping. It was enjoyable, enlightening and educational.

What made the whole experience so enriching was not simply the opulent city of London, nor was it even the

exhilarating competition. It was the diversity of the people I met during the trip. Geographical borders and cultural barriers were transcended when all of us albeit unique and different, became friends. I heard snippets of how life is like in other countries. Suddenly, geography turned fascinating. In merely a few days everyone was exclaiming “I’m going to miss everyone!” I too, shared the same feelings. On my way back home, I linked faces of my new-found friends to the countries shown on the virtual map on the in-flight screen.

I have since emerged from the international experience wiser and with a new formed network of friends across continents. It was an opportunity I would never miss for the world!

Meiyi (third from left) together with other participants from different parts of the world having a break just outside the venue of the competition.

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