Journey West

It was the last week of summer they said. The season when you are to show it all, bare it all. But that wasn’t so for this small town girl. Each breeze in the blowing winds felt chilly; causing her to shiver every time she stepped out from her temporary home. Disoriented still from jet lag after flying almost half way across the globe only in the pursuit of education, she knew she had to snap out fast. She was on a foreign land now. Only two days and she was already missing home. So contrary from that not so long ago excitement she felt when receiving news that she was accepted to further her studies in Land of the Free – the USA.

The State Capitol building in downtown Madison.

She had prayed hard that she would be the one with luck on her side to be selected for a scholarship to study abroad. Her grades were just average. Yes, she had scores of A’s but there were many others whom she was sure had done better than her. She longed to experience the four seasons, to have clothes matching the different colours of the seasons, to travel and to experience life in a new place. Most of all she told herself she must fulfill the promise she made to her father of wanting to return with her scroll.

She believed it was during her interview that she excelled. The panel was impressed – that she could tell. The stern looking panel which consisted of reps from various scholarship agencies – seated in rank from best to the least favourite. Of course everyone was placing bets on having his college education paid by the prestigious oil company or the electricity company. She was informed that if she was keen at doing engineering, her chances would be better at landing into the bigger and better nets. She didn’t mind which net she landed herself into – what’s most important was that she secured a scholarship.

The wait after the interview was agonizing. Many thoughts ran though her mind. What if she the panel didn’t see her potentials, what if others knocked her out cold. She was restless and the world seemed to close up on her. Just to be safe, she submitted applications to a few local universities – UTM, ITM (now UiTM) and UM to pursue courses she couldn’t recall anymore now. Her heart was aching with pain as these places were none of her liking. All she wanted to do was board the airplane and fly away into her own world. She had never prayed so hard before and asked for God to grant her wish.

And one fine day the long awaited envelope arrived. Calls made to some friends earlier put her heart to pitter-patter. Many had managed to secure scholarships and were due to fly off soon. What about her? What would her faith be?

Some 28 years ago, at the airport with family before her departure for the States

She could still remember reading the letter – it said “something….something…something….the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON USA”. Yes….yes…yes….she did it. She had managed to secure her scholarship and she would be off soon. When she was more calm, she re-read the government sealed letter. In it she was given all terms and conditions on the scholarship offered.

And that was how it was. From then on, there was no turning back. She couldn’t thank enough of her teachers’ fine words of encouragement, her family and relatives hopes and aspirations of her success. Most of all she must be truthful to herself and she must never ever disappoint her parents.

Transit in London before boarding Northwest Airlines to O'Hare Chicago.
The longest flight we ever took.
KL (with stops in Dubai & Frankfurt) - Heathrow London - O'Hare Chicago - Madison WI

She knew challenges up ahead were aplenty and starting college in this new country was a big milestone in her life. It was a big step, a giant move towards independence and no chilly wind or powerful blizzard could hamper the goals she set that very moment the DC10 gained speed on the airport runway as it started its journey west.