You stand an excellent chance of success because there are 36 individual cash prizes up for grabs!
The prizes are to be spread throughout the UK:
- each of 12 regional finalists will be treated to a fantastic, all-expenses paid trip to London for a two-day celebration that will include a night’s accommodation in the capital city and the chance to ‘glam-up’ for a prestigious awards’ presentation ceremony
- the overall winner – the International Student of the Year 2008 will receive £2,000 and a commemorative award
- 11 other regional finalists will receive £1,000 and a commemorative award
- 24 runners-up – two from each of 12 UK regional areas – will receive a £100 cash prize and a commemorative certificate.
While writing, it’s important to remember that unlike most other student competitions, the International Student Awards does not focus on academic achievements. We want to hear about wide-ranging experiences you have gained when you are not studying.
- Perhaps you have developed new interests since coming to the UK, overcome challenges or achieved a personal ambition?
- Or maybe you take an active role in your institution or community?
Dear Mom and Dad,
Its been nearly 4 months since i arrive in Scotland. Heriot-Watt University is as beautiful as it was in the brochure and internet. I am settling down well now.
I have not get to tell you how was my first day. It was freshers week, and i already got to meet so many people from all over the world. There was a free meal in the chaplaincy for the international students, a warm welcome by the chaplain and its staff. The atmosphere was simply amazing. In my table were Ethiopians, Nigerians, Irish, Scottish, English, French, Germans, Trinidadians and Tobagonians, etc. These are just the few which i met and i continued to meet new people as time progresses. Soon i will have contacts from every nation in the world! Talking to them greatly widened my perspective and insights. I learned so much from these new friends.
Every Wednesday, at 6pm, when the campus is nearly dead as most of the students have either gone home or preparing for a long night in the library, the most happening event of that time is about to begin and hundreds are flocking to the chaplaincy for 1 reason only. Free dinner! Its such a wonderful thing that the chaplaincy does every Wednesday, giving the students a good time to meet new friends and catch up with the older ones. As for my friends and me, our conversations often develop into issues such as slavery, gender discrimination, religion, corruption, politics and so on. Its amazing how we literally have students from every nation under this roof discussing about global issues, and its truly an enlightening experience for me. My favorites was and still is poverty, which was brought up by an elderly Scottish lady who joins us regularly. She explains that despite numerous efforts by the government to alleviate poverty from the society, the poor and needy still exist in great numbers. She encourage students like us to serve the community while we are here, and i really believe her words.
Anyway, on a lighter note, one of the most memorable thing i had done is leading the Malaysian Society, also known as MASSUE ('society' in French). Meeting so many people from around the world made me aware of my identity as a Malaysian, and i intend to help them know better. We organized a few culinary events to let the students taste the savory and spicy Malaysian food. We enjoyed the look on their faces when they get their first bite of Malaysian Curry Chicken, which were probably more effective than strong coffee in the morning. We had a great time introducing our food and culture, and they definitely had a better time than us, except drinking lots of water after that.
I spent quite a lot of time and money on traveling, but the truth is, the scenery in Scotland is priceless. There's a lady who volunteered to help out the chaplaincy by organizing day trips to all around Scotland. She really is a remarkable person with a great heart for the international students community. Thanks to her, students like me had the opportunity to go to St.Andrews, Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, Pitlochry which is up in the highlands. So many places in few short months at reasonable prices! Very soon i will set foot in Dundee, Aberdeen and i am so excited! All these traveling taught me much about the Scottish culture and history. Each trip focuses on different aspects of Scotland. There is so much to experience and learn from her trips and i am grateful for it.
There's two important things you must know. Firstly i have decided to join a church in Wester Hailes that emphasizes on helping the community, which every church should be doing. They are starting a new project this year, called Christianity Against Poverty (CAP) and i am very keen on it. Once the project is approved and kicking, the pastor will pull me into this Bandwagon of Hope, as how i would describe it. The second is my application for an actuarial industrial placement through Alpha Consultant Company. I heard the testimonies given by the previous students who took it, and I was head over heels in taking part. But sadly, to cut the story short, i was told in my interview that being a freshmen in university, with less than 4 months of studying (including Christmas holidays), i am simply not ready for a placement. I am lying if i said i was not sad, but he was saying the truth and i accepted that. But he did mention he saw potential in me and ask me to reapply next year. The interview, my first ever,boosted my confidence in some way and yet humbled me knowing i am not ready for the professional world.
I think this should be it. I really miss home a lot, but in Scotland my dreams are formed, and i am chasing them everyday. Then again, its really only the beginning of the best time in my life. I really believe the best is yet to come and in good faith, God will bring it to past. So pray for me.
Love you Mom and Dad, and Su Wen. Thank you for giving me an amazing time in Scotland.
Dont forget about the hamsters.
Justin
I enjoy writing, and i wrote this quite happily, and it took nearly 2 hours, and another half to type. 0.0 Now i have a pile of homework to catch up on tomorrow.
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