A Resolute Choice in a Calm Gap Year
Study Abroad
2021.11.24
Words | Grace Goh Sze Hung
Layout by | Sherlyn Chin Meijiun
Photo | Internet
Translator | Chan Zi Qing
After I graduated from high school in 2018, there was a “study abroad in Tianjin” wave among my graduating class. A Chinese teacher had provided a special channel to apply for Tianjin universities. While I still spent time looking for a university, many of my classmates could start experiencing the study abroad life in China already. To them, there was no such thing as a gap year. Under such a trend, I had still been slowly researching universities. I had envied their embarkation on a new journey, and had felt dull and bored when working in a humdrum, albeit stable, school environment. But despite that, a gap year was indispensable to me, it was the best buffering period. At that time, I found myself having to make major decisions, I thought I would fret, but until this day I remain surprised at my calmness at the time, resolutely accepting a new direction for my future.
Environment can definitely affect a person’s mentality. When the classmates around me were making swift decisions, and one classmate had even received an admission letter before graduating, such an environment seemed to juxtapose my own hesitation and procrastination. It might sound weird, but as studying in Tianjin was “trending” in my high school, I ended up losing interest in the city. Perhaps I wanted to be the more “different” one. After graduating, everyone went their separate ways, many friends arrived in Tianjin to kickstart their study abroad experience, whereas I attained a new identity as school staff on top of being an alumnus, and started working and applying for university at the same time. The “study abroad in Tianjin wave” came to an end, and the brief period of anxiety passed, with a calmer mentality quickly taking over. Working in a stable school campus was rather uneventful to be honest, but it also gave me more space and time to finish what should be done, and prepare myself fully for studying abroad.
Compared to choosing a school, I preferred choosing a city. Taking into account various considerations, I ultimately locked in on Beijing, and selected my favourite university in the city. However even at the time, I had never thought that when choosing my university and major, I would have been able to accept a new direction so composedly. I had studied business in high school and planned to continue in university, but when I received the admission notice for the Renmin University of China School of Journalism and Communication, even though I had never envisioned pursuing a journalism major, I accepted this result readily. Being offered a major that was not my first choice, I had expected disappointment, bitterness and other negative emotions, but in that moment, I found that I frankly accepted the fact that I was “bad in mathematics”. “Considering I couldn’t even solve the math questions during my interview, how could I guarantee survival in a sea of math questions in the future? Trying out a new academic field in a new environment seems pretty good too.” Carrying this mindset, I accepted the offer.
I thank my parents for respecting all my decisions in choosing a university and major. I am also grateful that I do not regret the choices I made back then. Although venturing into a new field is as though beginning again, those past plans are no longer valid, and many unknowns and uncertainties lie ahead. It is challenging, but why not slow down your footsteps, and take your time to explore and experience.
Grace Goh Sze Hung
Undergraduate student from Renmin University of China
Editorial Board of The Voice of Beijing, 2021
Edited and published by | AMSIB
Advisor | Phuah Chi Ching, Choong Chi Jiong, Lim Yu
Coordinator | Sherlyn Chin Meijiun
Chief Editor | Ng Sie Unn, Koo Jing Tang
Journalist | Jaslyn Tan Boon Bin, Aden Tan Shen Yeh, Ho Ching Ling, Hoo Zi Ning, Ng Zi Wei, Kua Yee Shuen, Lee Jia Rong, Lim Qin Xuan, Song Yee Ting, Gan Jing Wen
Photographer | Sharyl Chow Khye Shien, Chew Chen Yee
Film Editor | Neoh Ke Wei, Ong Xiang Ying, Song Yee Ting
Art Editor | Ong Xiang Ying, Tiu Ann Kei
Translator | Chan Zi Qing, Tiu Ann Kei
Host | Aden Tan Shen Yeh, Kua Yee Shuen
