Kudos to Facebook memory for notifying me what did I posted in Facebook on this day last two years. It was a life changing moment when I decided to fly to Melbourne instead of Scotland to further my studies. Indeed, Allah Knows best while you are not.
"..But
perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a
thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows,while you are not."
(Al-Baqrah: 216)
I used to hate the idea of further my studies
to somewhere downunder as it has no snow during winter (I'm kiasu liddat
😂).But Allah is good, He knows what I need more than I do. He surely
have better plan for me.
It turned out that I couldn't make it to UK for masters due to time constraints to settle with my sponsorship and placement at one beautiful university in Scotland. The last thing that came up in my mind on that time was applying for masters degree in Australia. Everything happened so fast and last minute.
Alhamdulillah I got a place at the top 1 university in
Australia that time, and everything seemed easy since then. I was so excited to commence my studies as I got the course that I wanted to dig in more details after bachelor degree. Even if it was totally different from my background and I received so many questions on why would I changed my path since Biotechnology is not an easy subject to carry but I did great in my bachelor degree (Alhamdulillah thank you Allah). And every time I needed to explain the answer to my friends (especially my local and international friends as most of them came from Environmental studies background), it challenged me to prove them that I will pursue things that I like and I will make it happen no matter how hard it takes.
I
still remember vividly most of the people around me asking "two years of
coursework masters degree? It is such a waste of time because you can do
it in one year if you do it anywhere else".
For me, I am good with
that. I am the kind of person that take things at my own pace. But I
will make sure that I reach the finish line no matter how long it will
take. I enjoy the journey and value the process rather than appreciate
the end products alone. I would never in a million years regret this decision. It was a wonderful two years in my life. And this has changed me in many ways, for a better and wiser Farhana. Insha Allah.
All praise to Allah, my masters degree was a
one smooth sailing. I graduated according to my study plan. I love what I
learned in school, it was great to have such an environment that
encouraged you to actively participate in lecture and have an open
discussion with your lecturers on the topics that you have learned in
class. One thing I love about Australians is that they are very friendly
and non-judgmental. It makes me feels like home.
I am not sure
what Allah has planned for me in future, but I will keep on praying that
this is not the end of the journey of my self-satisfaction. I would
rather do things that I always wanted to do than forcing myself to meet
others' expectations. Please pray that I can pursue my dreams, and make the change that I wish Malaysia to change; waste behaviors and sense of belonging.
I have a dream, but I am not sure where to start as I have no power and money to initiate the awareness. I wish that Malaysia will have the same or better waste management system as whole (not only focusing on big cities) as compared to developed countries such as Sweden and Australia. Please pray for my success, may all my dreams come true ;')
Like what J.Lo said to all women; "be the best,
happiest, healthiest version of yourself!"
#ileftmyheartinMelbourne!
