The release of the exam results last week has unequivocally confirmed my place at a prestigious law school in England.
I am scheduled to leave early in September, which leaves me with less than one month to complete a string of activities pertaining to my upcoming stay in the United Kingdom.
Asides the tedious visa application, medical checkups and purchasing the flight ticket, the biggest worry lies in the financial and emotional departments.
Up until my decision to pursue law in the United Kingdom a few days ago after my exam results were released, I just came to realise that I have not been able to entirely appreciate how much my parents will have to spend in the coming three or four years. The mere thought of how hard they would have to work and save in order to finance my studies pains me a great deal.
On top of that, in the time that I will be away from home I would have spent a total of 27 months away from my significant other. As if it was not challenging enough for the relationship when we had to part ways the first time around, we now have to do it again. Sigh. How emotionally-taxing it will be!
That said, I have on many occasions considered taking the easy way out. Studying at a local law school would have been ideal for both my parents and partner. However, in the long run it would severely restrict my career mobility should I decide to emigrate. Additionally, having heard a slew of unpleasant stories about local law firms and their overly-Malaysian style and practices is a major deterrent to working for any of them. Ultimately, this leaves me with the sole option of working overseas.
The level of pressure on me is at an all-time high. It will only get greater when I commence law school next month. The course of the following three years shall determine whether I make or break the future that my partner, parents and I have so dearly wished for.
I am scheduled to leave early in September, which leaves me with less than one month to complete a string of activities pertaining to my upcoming stay in the United Kingdom.
Asides the tedious visa application, medical checkups and purchasing the flight ticket, the biggest worry lies in the financial and emotional departments.
Up until my decision to pursue law in the United Kingdom a few days ago after my exam results were released, I just came to realise that I have not been able to entirely appreciate how much my parents will have to spend in the coming three or four years. The mere thought of how hard they would have to work and save in order to finance my studies pains me a great deal.
On top of that, in the time that I will be away from home I would have spent a total of 27 months away from my significant other. As if it was not challenging enough for the relationship when we had to part ways the first time around, we now have to do it again. Sigh. How emotionally-taxing it will be!
That said, I have on many occasions considered taking the easy way out. Studying at a local law school would have been ideal for both my parents and partner. However, in the long run it would severely restrict my career mobility should I decide to emigrate. Additionally, having heard a slew of unpleasant stories about local law firms and their overly-Malaysian style and practices is a major deterrent to working for any of them. Ultimately, this leaves me with the sole option of working overseas.
The level of pressure on me is at an all-time high. It will only get greater when I commence law school next month. The course of the following three years shall determine whether I make or break the future that my partner, parents and I have so dearly wished for.
