Which University??

Once I got the IB result, I felt very joyful... Allah has granted my wish that is to pass the exam with flying colors. So, the next step is to mull over my university option. I put UBC as the first choice because one of the reasons is to travel in the beautiful Vancouver which I believe all people would like to enjoy their vacation there. No one can deny the panoramic view at the place.

What is my second choice? Absolutely, the university of Alberta. I don't really know why I've chosen this University. Perhaps...yup... I got Bijan over there, my old friend who is really helpful, cheerful and affable person. Furthermore, I am attracted to one of the accommodation provided that is the International House.. Not all Students can live in the house..Only the selected lucky one would be chosen to be there for 8 months..For I wanted to get a place there, I strived to finish two interesting essays about why I am eligible to stay in International House..The funny thing was I included about traditional games such as batu seremban, galah panjang, congkak , teng teng and tuju selipar. I promised to teach them to all the occupants and I added that I was impatient to cook Malaysian food once I got in..though I know that I am that good at cooking.

Alhamdulillah, I have been offered to live in the internatinal House at U of Alberta for 8 months starting from Fall term through winter term. I had told my parents and they were satisfied with my choice. For them, it is already fine as I have got a place there. Thus, this has reduced their worriness as Canada is a cold and far away from Malaysia. Besides, they have become more confident to let me go for Bijan is sudying at the Uni; they know Bijan and his family since I was in MRSM PDRM ,my secondary school.

As I was enthusiastic to know to which Uni Pet would send me, I called one of the officers at The EDU department. He told me that I must go to U of Alberta as this was the only Uni offer I got in the option. I had not been offered to pursue my studies in Vancouver-but it does not mean that I cannot visit the place. Perhaps, I' not cut out for it. Never mind. I have already forgotten about that. Get back to the story, I tried to ask the officer to place me at the U of Arizona as I have admitted there. Somehow, he asked me where I wanted to study.. Indeed, I was not sure. He later explained that The U of Alberta would be my choice for that time. Actually, I felt like flying to Arizona as well. I love Alberta but at the same time I care for Arizona.


So, I accepted the fact that I will fly to Canada. I started to tell my parents, relatives, friends and other people that I will study Geology in Canada. I imagined how my life would be in Canada-playing with the snow, taking pictures of the mountain rocky, teaching other people about Malay traditional games and admittedly traveling along with Bijan and my other friends throughout Edmonton Canada...

I had planned to apply for visa together with maryam and Lingges.. I was ready to commence my new international student's life in Canada...until one day, I received a call from Mr. zafril as I just went off the Maybank building, Balakong branch after I had made a bank draft to be given to canadian embassy. I was told that I would be sent to Arizona..My heart broke.. My dreams disappeared.. Everything seemed dim and dark around me... I was extremely shocked upon hearing this heartbreaking news.. At that moment, my father and I were in an eletrical shop, right in front of the Maybank, to fix his shaver.

As I had fallen in love with Canada, I gave him plenty of reasons why I must choose Canada.
" I have a friend there, who has promised to take me at the airport and acquaint me with the new environment. Furthermore, I have a permanent accomodation there and I have paid 500 canadian dollars to reserve a place. " He replied," we're just worried about you. Perhaps you cannot bear with the coldness and this might affect your health and study." What he said, made sense to me. Can I survive there? Can I bear the -30 degree celsius temperature during winter?
Khaliza and Ridzwan were also listed to fly to Arizona. To make the story short, I asked him to give me some time to mull over this matter.

Starting from the moment, my life had been so confusing. Both uni have lots of advantages and disadvantages. In order to ease this tension, I perfomed Solat Istikharah to ask help from The Benificent. Thank Allah, my mind became less tense and I could feel the equanimity and peace.
But still, I had no idea about my future university. I have asked many people about Canada and USA. As I expected, they got different answers and reasonings. Some say that canadanian culture is better than Arizona; some say that I will be more enjoyful to live in USA, and even some say people in USA are rough. Hence, What Uni is the best for me? The answer is in my hand. I myself must think in the long run because I will be staying there for 4 years not other people.

Lastly, I decided to leave it to Allah The most gracious. After some time, I started to think that Arizona is a better place for me. It is situated in a desert, it has hot and dry climate and it is ranked as one of the top Universities for geology. I am used to hot climate as I live in Malaysia even though the air in the desert is dry, not humid. I told my mum about my anxiety if I lived in Canada and Arizona. According to her, health is more vital. Most probably, my health may be affected by the cold weather in Canada and this may affect my studies. In Arizona, perhaps I will still be able to bear the hot weather albeit I have to use lip balm, apply lotion on my body, and buy sunblock to avoid sun burn.

After considering all the factors, I phoned Mr.Zafril in front of my family to seek help from him. I asked him about the education at both Universities-which one is the best for me. He was silent for a while. Later, he advised me to write an email to mr. rasyidi to register my name at the uni of Arizona. Finally, my university choice has been determined that is university Of Arizona. At first, I was startled as I hoped that I would not get a place there for I wanted to study in Canada as there are four seasons there. However, I had to accept this fate. My mum knew that Arizona was not my uppermost choice in my university list but she convinced me that I would be easily adapt to its weather as it is not as cold as Canada.

Alhamdulillah, I am already in Tuscon Arizona right now, living at Sahara Apartments with other malaysian students-Khaliza, Ridzwan, Wani, Winnie and Andrew. I wish that everything would be fine and I would be able to finish my four-year studies here at the university.

Aliff and Wildcat , the University's mascot

Old main Building at University of Arizona

My IB result

Alhamdulillah, finally I know where I am going to study after this which is at University of Arizona.
I was really excited when I passed the IB exams with flying colors. Though my point is not that high if compared to my friends, at least I passed the Petronas Cut off point.

I should be thankful and grateful because there are many other scholars who did not pass 35 point. I feel sorry for them. I don't know what I would do if I were in their position. Whatever happens, we have to carry on our life as usual. Furthermore, we are still young and have lots of time to fix anything that we are not satisfied with. This is only my opinion. If other people do not agree with it, it is alright; everyone has freedom to opine what they think is right but it must be bound by the rules and regulations and the uppermost is by Islamic laws.

My body shook and my feelings were mixed on the day my result came out. At first, I logged on the IB Results website to check the exact time to see the results. The time was 9 p.m. sharp. However, it appeared that the result time would be released at 1.20 a.m for Malaysia time. My mother insisted to see the result with me but I refused to let her know it for I was nervous and not confident with myself.... I suppose I was really restless that night; I could not even close my eyes though my bed was tender and soft for me to relax on.

Several minutes before 1.20 a.m, I went to my parents 's room to switch on my computer and indeed to get my results. Thank God, the rest of my family had fallen asleep except my third younger brother. I emboldened myself and told myself to accept the result even if i did not pass the cut off point. Slowly but in full of zealous, I key in the username and password and subsequently logged in. Abruptly I pulled down the laptop screen before I could see my result.. I did this as I was really scared, frightened, insecure and flustered... Only Allah Almighty knows how nervous I was at that moment.

Trying to summon my spirit, gently I pulled the screen up and continued looking at my result.
My Malay A1 teacher was right; I attained 7 points for the subject. Immediately, I scrolled down the online transcript to have a look at my overall point. Alhamdulillah, I passed the cut off point. everything has paid off.. Excitedly, I woke my mum and told her about it.. She hugged me tightly. I was really touched. Later, I showed her my result and I called my younger brother to see it as well. My mum congratulated me and I knew she was grateful and joyful with my unexpected result.

Right after that, I signed in YM and joined a conference invitation from my friends who were still awake. Obviously, they were satisfied and truly contented with their IB results. Nonetheless, not all of my classmates passed 35 point. I pity them. Alhamdulillah, they could accept the fate. I hope the best for all of my IB friends. Allah's blessings and bounties are everywhere. Do pray and strive for what we want, insya Allah He will reward us.


Here, I would like to thank all my parents, teachers and friends who continuously give me support and useful advice. Without your help, I don't know whether I could achieve this triumph. Muchas gracias todos!!