The following is an article by Haji Kamal Bahrin bin Jamal, the 2010-2011 CfBT Chevening Scholar who just graduated with a Distinction in MSc in Mathematics from the University of Sussex. Haji Kamal Bahrin is an Education Officer with the Ministry of Education, Brunei.
Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious and highly competitive scholarship scheme for international students offered by the British Government. Haji Kamal was fully funded by CfBT Education Services. More information is available from the UK in Brunei website.
Reminder: The deadline to submit Chevening applications for the 2012-2013 session is on Monday, 23 January 2012.
Journey as a Chevening Scholar
Hj Kamal Bahrin bin Jamal, 2010-2011 CfBT Chevening Scholar
Time has flown by so fast and I’ve completed my postgraduate studies in 2011. For a time span of one year, I have experienced a lot of things there in the UK. I believe that my experience is not much different from that of many other scholars. Let me bring you my journey as a Chevening Scholar 2010/2011.
The call & the reception
Recalling the phone call I received from CfBT about the scholarship award was the happiest moment in my life. I saw it as a blessing from Allah as the announcement came during the holy month of Ramadhan, which is a fasting month for the Muslims. The day when I was awarded the scholarship was the proudest moment in my life and I am immensely grateful to the British High Commission, British Council and CfBT for the Chevening-CfBT scholarship and also to the Ministry of Education and SPA/JPA for the in-service training scholarship.
A few days before I left Brunei, it was a bittersweet memory. For this journey, I left behind my beloved family, friends, colleagues and my dear students. Then I reassured myself that this is my lifelong dream and I need to be physically and mentally prepared for this positive change.
This is it.
The day I left Brunei was a memorable day as families and friends came to bid me farewell, reflecting their moral support. When I touched down in London on 27th September 2010, I was exhausted from my long flight and the chilly weather in London was not helping as I tried to overcome my homesickness. However, I constantly reassured myself: ‘This is it, my life as a Chevening Scholar begins.’
The vibrant, colourful and creative city
After spending a night in London, I was transported to Brighton where I studied. Brighton is a major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England. Its famous landmarks include the Royal Pavillion, a majestic palace, which to no surprise was once a royal residence in the 18th century. Then there was the pier with its long jetty walkway and most interestingly, one gets to savor all sorts of yummy delights which can be found on sale in small booths and has some pretty scary amusements rides as well.
And then there was this beautiful pebble beach, which I considered unique where the sand is not in sight and seagulls rule the skies. Brighton is such a picturesque place and considered to be a popular destination as it is less than an hour from London by train. Brighton is also a vibrant place, full of life and colour and anything by the sea would always be a winning combination.
There were few halal restaurants that cater food for the Muslims around the area and halal meat or poultry made available at certain shops. And for gastronomic adventurers, an array of seafood dishes and most notably, the famous fish & chips were readily available.
A really great university
For the scholarship, I was studying at the University of Sussex which was established in 1960s and situated on the edge of Sussex Downs. The University campus is a large, self contained village, where lecture theatres, seminar rooms, library, labs, accommodation, restaurants, bars, shops and sports facilities are all within walking distance.
Apart from being a leading research university, as reflected in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, it was also ranked 8th in the UK, 16th in Europe and 79th in the world; mentioned in the 2010 Times Higher Education magazine’s World University Ranking. In the aspect of learning, I had some incredibly interesting, accommodating and engaging lecturers.
The first week
I was fortunate to meet a fellow Bruneian, doing his PHD in the Sussex University at that time. He provided me with great assistance, while I was settling down during my first week in Brighton. As a newbie to the place, you need to be a fast learner. It was such a fun experience hunting for a house to rent and at the same time attending the orientation week at the University. I admitted it was hectic but worthwhile, because the faster you settle down, the more time you have to focus on other significant matters.
The orientation week was very helpful, besides meeting new people from all over the world and to get familiarized with the buildings around the university, we were also informed on personal matters such as setting up a bank account, getting involved in social activities planned by the university and also to register with the local health services.
MSc in Mathematics
It is a one year course and a full-time taught programme assessed by written examinations, coursework, projects, a talk and a dissertation. We have the freedom to choose our own modules from a list of modules offered by the department where we had to choose four modules for the Autumn term and another remaining 4 modules for the Spring term. During my Autumn term, I had Probability Models, Method of Applied Mathematics, Measure and Integration & Monetary Theory Analysis. For the Spring term, I took Coding Theory, Random Process, Functional Analysis and Mathematical model in Finance and Industry. Personally, choosing the right module is very crucial as it should be relevant to the dissertation that I am going to do and also it should be very useful not only to myself but also to my nation back home in Brunei.
A Time of Self-Doubt
Honestly for the first two weeks, it was really hard for me to follow the course. At times I questioned my proficiency in learning this higher level of mathematics, wondering if I really had the ability to complete my postgraduate course since I left my undergraduate life for almost six years. My doubts intensified as time pressured and then exhaustion took its toll and my ability to learn, make decisions, and perform complex tasks deteriorated. At hard times like these, I sought solace by flipping through my family photos and that, had reminded me of their hopes for me to excel.
Time Management
I believe time, pressure and stress are common among postgraduate students. Since my course was a one-year course, I was able to manage my time well by meeting the assignment deadlines, disciplined myself to do revision and balanced it with productive leisure time. I am still amazed with my time management skills as I have also managed to squeeze time exploring around UK. With free time at hand I travelled around places in the UK which I love. So far my journey then took me to Bristol, Birmingham, Wales and also other parts in London. Besides, I also travelled around Europe that included Paris, Zurich, Amsterdam and some Italian cities. It’s amazing what one may find at these different places, considering that each place is distinctively beautiful and rich in its own history.
Let it snow, Let it snow!
An experience that I shall never forget in my life was the heavy snowfall in Brighton. With a heavy snow, I was able to make myself a snow man. You could say I was happy as a child for that brisk moment. At the same time I thank Allah for giving me the opportunity to experience such a beautiful weather.
The reception in Sussex University
I was lucky enough to have been invited for the ‘Scholars Reception Day’ at the university where I got to meet the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Micheal Farthing. It was indeed an honor and an opportunity that I will always remember. I took time to socialize and did some networking with other scholars where we exchanged studying ideas, tips and techniques.
The Royal Wedding
As it was a part of history in the making, I was fortunate enough to make my way to the Buckingham palace area, despite it being flooded by thousands of people. I fought my way to witness the royal wedding that was anticipated by people all over the world. It was indeed a fairy tale wedding. Right after the famous kiss on the balcony, I moved down to Hyde Park where everyone celebrated and had a jolly good time.
HM visits to UK
On the 1st May 2011, marked another memorable day for Bruneians who were residing, studying, working or even on holiday in the UK as we were told that our beloved king, His Majesty the Sultan And Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam and other royal families will be meeting and greeting the Bruneians on that day.
As required, we were all dressed to the nines and headed to Hilton Hotel in London. The atmosphere was just electrifying as we got to meet and mingle with fellow Bruneians while waiting for the arrival of our benevolent king.
The titah given by His Majesty was an eye opener to most of us and it also boost our spirit to strive higher in our pursuit for higher education. To end that special day I had the privilege to get a picture taken with His Majesty. And again, this was not an easy as everyone else too wanted their own photo opportunity with the king, but I must say I was among the lucky ones.
The Exam
And now for the moment of truth, after the continuous months of intense hardwork, sleepless nights and stress, my efforts are now being put to the ultimate ‘test’. It was a nail biting experience as it had been years that I sat for an exam. The two weeks of exam went by in a blink of an eye. It is true that the stress is over (Thank God) but the painful wait for the results can be a nerve-wracking experience.
Dissertation
While waiting for the exam result, I did my dissertation with kind assistance from my supervisor. It was an exciting project where I got to collaborate with the medical department and conducted some data analysis. The project involved mathematical modelling where I got to create a model for a certain disease and compare my analysis of this new created model with the data provided by the Medical Department of Sussex University.
We were given 3 months to complete the dissertation and personally it was an intense and stressful months for me but the experience was priceless. After handing the dissertation over to the University, my family came by to pay me a visit and it was the perfect time for me to show them the very interesting sights and sounds of Brighton had to offer.
October 2011 arrived and as quickly as it began, I realized that it was time to pack up and sort out what I needed and what’s to leave behind; and suddenly I was boarding the plane bound for home.
Back to Reality
I was back at work and teaching once again and seeing familiar faces at the place where it all started, that is Sekolah Menengah Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar. The knowledge and the experience that I gathered came in handy as I tried to implement them at the school for the academic programmes for 2012.
All that hard work did after all pay off where at the end of October, I received my results and was pleased to know that I achieved a Distinction for my Masters, to say the least I was over the moon. I thank Allah for His blessing and also to my family and friends for their prayers & warm wishes that have kept me going through this journey.
It was indeed a great year, despite the fear, excitement, stress and joy and other ups and downs, but it was all worth it. Now I can’t wait to head back to UK for my graduation and indeed it shall be something I am looking forward to again.
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