Every End has a New Beginning

^{Nion Tan Zhi Hui, IMU Chiropractic Alumna and IMU Scholar (middle row, seven from left) at IMU in Bukit Jalil.}

Since young, I have always wanted to be in the healthcare field, have always been curious on how the body works and have always believed in wellness care. I desire to help those who are in need and empower others to achieve overall well-being. On this path of pursuing my dream, my willingness to progress in life is so passionate that I worked really hard, and my STPM result speaks for my hard work. The best news came when I received a 100% tuition fee waiver scholarship for the undergraduate studies in Chiropractic from International Medical University (IMU).

Chiropractic is a non-invasive, drugless, hands-on healing science that focuses on balancing the nervous system and aligning the human spine. To use an analogy: just as we service our cars to prevent them from breaking down, it is also important to service our spines and bodies to maintain our health. Chiropractors commonly treat musculoskeletal symptoms such as back and neck pain, headaches, pain in the arms or legs and many other conditions. Common medical tests such as clinical examination, x-rays, and blood tests are conducted to determine the most appropriate care for each patient.

Journey as IMU Scholar

I could not been more grateful to be given the chance to study chiropractic and be sponsored at the same time.

Being an IMU scholar, I knew I had the privilege to attend a prestigious university that not many people were lucky enough to which bestowed in me. It gives me a sense of obligation to utilise this opportunity effectively. I am honoured to be part of the IMU Scholar Team, which has led me to initiate many events. If I had only one of them to choose from, it would be the first TEDx IMU in 2018. It was one of my proudest moment to be in the organising team as the Event Manager.

Project experiences

Throwback to my first year, I was overwhelmed with the activities in IMU and became more driven than ever to create a fully rewarding experience for myself so I have joined the IMU Charity Run as a Route Master. My experience in the event has encouraged me to make constant commitment to a community activity and until today I am still committed in giving back to the community.

As IMU offers the widest range of healthcare programmes, we are fully immersed in a vibrant community of students and practitioners from a variety of healthcare fields. This allows for the development of strong friendship amongst peers that will be the foundation of an extensive healthcare professional network upon graduation.

As a Chiropractic student, I was involved in the “Let’s Talk About Dementia” campaign, organised by Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia and Rotary Club of Shah Alam, with a team of spinal screening lead by a Chiropractic Senior Lecturer, Dr Janice Chan Vey Lian to provide spinal health check for those with Alzheimer’s Disease and their caregivers.

In the same year, I was also elected as Vice President of IMU World Spine Day 2017 (photo on the left). It is a big event in chiropractic aiming to raise awareness in the community. Through this event, I was becoming more determined in raising public awareness about chiropractic care in future and also very grateful and realised that through giving, I receive more in the end.

From these events, I learnt that leadership isn’t just about getting a title but was being passionate about what you do and having confidence in yourself and your team whom you have to motivate and inspire.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” –John Quincy Adams. This experience brings new lessons and personal growth opportunities to me.

New encounter and learnings

Future Chiropractic students, here is a piece of advice for you! Start your strength work ahead of your internship year. It is very important to stay fit as a Chiropractic students and that got me involved in group fitness to start my fitness journey.

I joined the Cheerleading team and took part in the Cheerleading competition in IMU Cup 2018 and 2019. Since then, fitness has been incorporated to my life and my experience wouldn’t be better without my group of friends, who gave me tremendous impact as I built a passion for fitness.

It also offered great opportunity to socialise as I got to make friends with those studying Medicine, Nutrition and Dietetics, Biomedical Science, and more, which is definitely beneficial in the future as healthcare professionals.

People you have met which impacted your learning

Chiropractic programme in IMU is fully accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA) and Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA). This means that graduates of this programme are eligible to practice in Australia and many other developed countries. IMU is the only university to offer a Chiropractic Degree programme in Malaysia as well as in all of Southeast Asia.

From Semester 1 onwards, students have the opportunity to experience many hours of hands-on practical sessions at the fully equipped Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre and Clinic, which helps to hone their skills and nurture their confidence to better treat a patient.

The final year Chiropractic internship in IMU has everything perfectly laid out, maximise the learning experience in evidence-based practice and fulfilling our aspirations to become well-trained healthcare professional. The internship experience is very enjoyable – seeing patients, constantly learning from cases and patient education. I am very thankful for all my clinic supervisors who shared their valuable clinical experience and guidance, with a special thanks to Dr Eric Philip Mumbauer who was also my research supervisor. His wise words inspired and motivated me to help my patients better by supporting their discovery of overall well-being.

^{Nion (left) with Research & Clinical Supervisor, Dr Eric Philip Mumbauer}

How the scholarship has helped or impacted you

To me, the scholarship isn’t just an award; it’s an investment in future; it has brought me to many great experiences, fed my curiosity, and led me to stay self-motivated and enthusiastic. I am deeply thankful and it is my hope that everyone has equal access to quality education. Lifelong learning is the “ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated” pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons.

As an IMU Chiropractic Alumna, I will ensure that I keep abreast with the latest developments by regularly attending seminars and courses and ultimately, improve quality of life for my patients so that they can live life to the fullest!

Written by Nion Tan Zhi Hui, IMU Chiropractic Alumna and IMU Scholar

Reviewed by Dr Janice Chan Vey Lian, Senior Lecturer, Chiropractic Department, Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CCAM)

Related articles
IMU News	29 October 2019	A Chiropractic Student’s Experience at an IMU Cares Activity “Let’s Talk about Dementia”
IMU News	22 January 2018	World Spine Day Celebrations at IMU: Your Back In Action