The freedom I felt after getting my SPM results was beyond compare. I spent the following weeks traveling with my friends, knowing that it wouldn’t be long until we all had to go our separate ways. It was enjoyable indeed. However, the moment that jarred me from the momentary bliss was when I accidentally missed the application deadline for Petronas. This immediately made me come to my senses. So, I decided to go to my relative's house in KL so I could channel my full focus on my other impending scholarship applications (ie Sime Darby, UEM, JPA and Jordan for Islamic Studies).

Applying

My application began with two essays of 700 words. I was required to tell more about myself and the reason behind my chosen course. Three weeks after completing the application, I received an email informing me that I have succeeded in Stage 1 and was able to proceed to Stage 2 (the video assessment). A troubling problem I had to face at that time was the difficulty of arranging the camera to get the best angle and position.

Closing Remarks

Unexpectedly, I received an email stating that I was successful in reaching the final stage! Could you imagine my feeling at that time? I was over the moon as I never thought this would happen. In the final stage, there were four interviewers. Each of them were incredibly nice and kind, including Mrs. Aisyah, the CEO of Yayasan UEM. Thankfully, I managed to get a place as one of the five UEM scholars selected for the 2020 intake. Trust me, the best things in life usually happen when you least expect them to.