I’m Sarvesen Chithiramanaalan. I started out my journey as a student at SMK Air Putih in a quaint little town called Kuantan, in the heart of Pahang. It was a school well known for its empathetic teachers and rich culture. Throughout my years in school, I’ve pushed myself to become a much better version of myself today. I was a dedicated student, student leader, peer supporter, good friend, classical dancer and victim of bullying.
In my earlier years at secondary school, I faced racial disparity and prejudice from my own peers. For a moment I did feel the insecurity of being in the vulnerable group but I did not falter. I am grateful for the disciplinary board that stepped in to stop the act of abuse and showed me that help and kindness may come in unknown ways. Although it was a bitter experience being the victim of the story, I was inspired to make a real difference in people’s lives by stopping this chain of hate and disparity.
My days in the Guidance and Counselling Club invigorated me to take steps towards nurturing my caring and empathetic self. These vital steps helped me to realise that dedicating my days and efforts to serving society to become a better place was my destiny. Venturing through the world of healthcare has taught me the ways to love and care for people.
The year 2020 was initially thought to be a year of glory and pride for many but it was also the year Covid 19 struck the world into lockdown causing severe economic fluctuations. That very year I was to sit for my SPM (Sijil Pelajaran SPM), a very essential examination set to determine the path of many students in their educational and life journey.
The pandemic was not kind to the students or anyone in that stance. Students were thrust into lockdown for months without any proper guide to learn or study and it was a nightmare for students who were sitting for critical examinations that very year. Rumors of SPM cancellation and constant rescheduling of the examination did not help the mental health or motivation levels of the students.
Even though persevering through the challenges thrown at us during the time of online education seemed futile, the results did pay off at the end of the day. I scored 12A+, the highest academic achievement a student could hope for in SPM but the dream could not have been realised without the constant support from my family, relatives, teachers, or friends who were there to motivate and inspire me. It was a very humbling experience.
Being the top student of Pahang, I was able to secure my scholarship under JPA (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam). Then, I started on to search for universities that matched my dreams to serve the community through healthcare.
I came across IMU (International Medical University), a university with a dedication towards the betterment of society and known for providing the right opportunities for students’ growth and development. That very moment, I decided to make IMU my alma mater for its resounding success for more than 30 years in serving the community and for its remarkable educational system.
I enrolled myself in the Foundation in Science programme of IMU and started my educational and career journey in one of the highly regarded medical universities in Malaysia. Since the beginning of my journey, I’ve been able to interact with great minds from all over the world in its diverse community. Moreover, the social activities and awakening programmes were very welcoming and receptive toward students.
From winning the best speaker title at Malaysian Humanitarian Conference held by IMU to taking part on a committee of an annual charitable event, Chariofare, IMU has offered its students all sorts of opportunities to develop themselves and their careers. Although the classes are still in a hybrid mode with online lectures and physical practical classes, the lecturers of IMU have made it interesting and interactive for the students to actively take part in classes with ease of mind.
The joy and experience I gained from each practical class and peer interactions were priceless in every aspect. If I was given a chance to do it all over again, I would not change a single thing about it. I am glad to be a part of the IMU family and its receptive student & staff community.
Now I’ve started my undergraduate programme journey in medicine here at International Medical University. The constant guidance and wonderful student community have made the transition into a difficult programme seem so easy and adaptable. I’m eternally grateful to IMU for making my educational years so memorable and inspiring with their exceptional community and opportunities.
