I suddenly realised how conditioned I had become to thinking applying yourself was “uncool”. It would have taken hell to freeze over for an unsupervised class in my old high school in Perth to do assigned work in SILENCE!! Years later, I understood that not only was their behavior cultural (the Swiss are immensely productive and hard-working people, second only to us Chinese) but also that when you know you have been given a chance, a chance that 92% of the population would have killed for, then you are going to make sure you make the most of it. Last month I visited Oxford University in the UK as a tourist. Part of the college campus where real Oxford students eat every night is the “Great Hall” where the Harry Potter films are shot. While there, I bumped into a 17-year-old girl and her mother who were also admiring the hall. This girl had been invited to interview for the university and view the accommodation; she was on the brink of being accepted into the best university on the planet. Her mother beamed with pride, the daughter was so confident, articulate and completely comfortable with her academic prowess. Despite all the things I’ve achieved in Media (which has now rescued me from eternal nerd-dom!) I sincerely wished that I had worked even harder and achieved entry into an institution like Oxford. I salivated imagining the learning experience! This 17-year-old girl would receive a once in a lifetime opportunity due to her unashamed intelligence and hard work, that would be denied to me and so many of her peers forever. It seemed this English student was humble, yet totally unapologetic that people knew she was ridiculously clever; it was a source of pride for her entire family.
When talking to my mother in Perth, she too beams as she sees her daughters are doing well. Many years ago my Mother came to Australia with my Dad and opened a shop. They worked very hard just to give us a comfortable lifestyle. It’s always the migrant DREAM for their children to do well in their adopted home country. However, to my surprise, I now have to talk my Mother into understanding my dream of “making it” in other countries. I dream bigger than being a big fish in a small pond!! If I have one thing to impress upon you, I wish with all that I have, that you will read this and embrace your Asian parents (if you have them) and their pressurizing ways. Never be ashamed of your nerdy love of comparing test scores and raise your hand to be part of even more extra-curricular activities. Build aspirations beyond your school, beyond WA and maybe even beyond Australia. If you’re going to be a nerd, then do it right!! Be the truly esteemed international kind - do it for me, I wish I had! SIMONE HENG
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