“From an emotional point of view, I don’t feel like I fit in Malaysia: As a Chinese, I will never be fully accepted by the majority. As a Chinese who does not speak Chinese, I am also not accepted by my own community. Apart from that, life at home for me is a little too comfortable (summer vacation attitude) and I do feel I strive harder when I’m overseas.
“I was never given credit or appreciation for my efforts (academic or otherwise) here, and was deprived of opportunities for further studies under numerous Government provided scholarships. I do not expect things to be different in the working world and so I choose to be in an environment where meritocracy, not quota systems drawn across racial lines, are practiced.”
“I believe that fairness is game and being a malaysian that scored 9A’s for SPM with no offers of scholarship from the government when I applied makes me feel that I should not allow my future generations to go through the quota system that I had experienced and sadly, failed to admire. Sadly, although I love Malaysia with all my heart, the grass seems to be greener outside. I’m under financial assistance by [a US university] and funded research right now. None of it ever made possible by the country I love. For me, its not just about the financial aid, its about equality in mankind and that makes all the difference.”