My JPA Journey

It all started with this screen :

I was one of the few students who was given a full scholarship to study engineering in New Zealand by the Malaysian government a.k.a JPA. The excitement when I first received the call right in the middle of my LAN class in HELP is still fresh in my memory.

The only catch was that I had to do my pre-university in INTEC Shah Alam which is really far away. And I was halfway through my A-Levels course in HELP already, and I didn't really like the idea of suddenly switching to AUSMAT since it would cost me an extra half a year.

And the hostel there wasn't all that great.

I think even the INTEC students would have to agree with me.

Anyways, I went to the orientation there,

Which probably wasn't the most exciting thing in the world.

After much thought, I decided to stay back in HELP with my far-niee HELP classmates to finish my A-Levels course on my expense.

LOL!! I love this picture man. (During Bio class if I'm not mistaken)

We actually made all this cars DURING math class. I painted the one right in front.

The I look after your back, you look after mine concept.

Which looks really similar to this :


LOL!

Besides, we get to wear cool Lab Coats

Is that a birthday cake knife? Jin Wei's and Wen Bin's expression is priceless.


My class was the study-like-crazy-with-notes-scribbled-all-over-our-books-and-with-
words-highlighted-in-more-colours-than-the-rainbow type of class.

Really, our notes were like some Van Goh's masterpiece man... (But not mine...hehe)

Seriously, we should be in some HELP advertisement. We look so serious.

Anyways

Later on, JPA required me to take this psychology course all the way in the super friggin' cold Multi Purpose Hall in Taylor's College.

There was also the compulsory BTN (Biro Tata Negara) course in Klang somewhere in August,

Had the opportunity to sing Negaraku and Wawasan 2020 like, a gazillion times.

One thing good about JPA is that you get to meet all sorts of people who are going to different places around the world, ranging from popular countries like the US, Australia, UK, to countries like, Korea, Japan, France, Ireland, Canada, NEW ZEALAND, Indonesia, India, to even countries like Egypt, Russia etc etc...

Anyways, I just got my offer letter from the University of Auckland just a few months back and got my financial affidavit a few days later.

So I was set to go to the land where milk is cheaper than water.

But the thought of going overseas to study all by myself didn't really sink in until somewhere in December where I realized I'd actually had to stay all by myself there.

Meaning, I had to say goodbye to my friends and family here, the people I've been with for almost my entire life up to now.

Anyways, last thursday, I went back to Putrajaya for the last time (hopefully) for the pre-depature briefing by JPA.

I was pleasantly suprised to find out that there were around 100 students JPA sponsored to New Zealand and out of that, there were about 15 students going to the University of Auckland.

And best of all, we'll all be in the same flight.

So, no more worrying about being alone in the airport or getting lost in New Zealand. (Well, actually, we may still get lost, but the only difference is that we'll be lost in a big group.)

And of course, I'm very grateful to be offered this scholarship by JPA.

So, how will my Kiwi adventure turn out?

I have no idea....

Am I excited ?

Yes!

Am I Anxious?

Of course!

But, will I still go?

Definately!

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Oklah, since I have so much time on my hand now, and also since the SPM results are going to be released soon, here's some tips for all you people who want to apply for JPA scholarship.

1. Get good grades for SPM, preferably more "A1"s
2. Do well in some co-curricular activities in school. Try to get some high position in clubs/societies (eg Vice President of XXX Club, prefects...etc )
3. Apply early.
4. Talk as much as you can during the interview. (Better still, talk until the panel asks you to stop. But faham-faham laa, don't go and talk nonsense).
   
5. If you still don't get the scholarship, appeal!!!! (It works sometimes).
6. Pray.

There you have it!