Paintballing at Cosford in conjunction with the Brunei’s 23rd National Day. Mrs Imelda's prelude on Sani: Although I did not know Sani personally during his time at SMSA, I have exchanged enough emails with this sweet faced Podiatrist in training to know that he is upbeat, well liked and adventurous. He tells me that "at the moment, there are only three podiatrists working with the Brunei Ministry of Health. And four are still in training including himself. The department is hoping to recruit more podiatry students, and career progression and satisfaction is certainly guaranteed." Sani has the honorable distinction of being the only podiatry student from SMSA. A SMSA legend in the making. "Hey Sani, Keep your feet on the ground!" [Pun intended!] Lurve Mrs Imelda GCY
Me on my placement in operating theater.Prior to SMSA.I was always an average student, who had nothing to proud of other than managed to get promoted to the next year without fail. In 2000 a batch of 7 St. Michael’s School students including myself enrolled to SMSA Pre-University. Having educated from an all boys private school for 11 years, coming to a Government co-ed learning institution was a whole new world to me. Being a shy, introvert and a person with low self-esteem, it was very difficult for me to cope with all these experiences. Due to that, I was not looking forward to studying at SMSA. Besides, the decision for undertaking A’levels was partly my sister’s rather than solely mine. However, I forced myself to attend the registration albeit it was late, and to give it a try. I am glad that I took that decision. Otherwise, I would not be the person who I am today.
SMSA – The Beginning.Within the first few weeks, I slowly shed off the negative thoughts that had pre-occupied my mind prior to being a student at SMSA. Over the months, I felt sense of belonging and I gained the confidence interacting with the tutors and fellow school mates. All these would have not been possible without the comforting words of encouragement from all tutors at that time – Mrs Kamini (Registration/ GP Tutor), Mr Allistair Barr (Geography), Mr Robert Wardle (Business Studies) and Ms Tan (Economics). Often people questioned me, why this subject combination? What do you want to do? And the answer to that would always be, “I don’t know”. This is because I had no idea what I wanted to do and never once I envisioned myself having a proper Post-A level qualification, let alone a degree from a university.
Perhaps, teachers’ instinct could foresee the future of students? They untiringly help their students in whichever way they could in making them a useful person in the society. And, I am the result of this perseverance of teachers who were always there to give their fullest support. One of my achievements to be proud of has to be empowering the art of public speaking, coached by the GP department of SMSA. From a timid public speaker to a flawless speaker in public – evidenced by giving a successful talk to 500 people!! SMSA (2000-2002)
Skiing experience in SwitzerlandPost SMSAAnother aimless decision I had to make was after the A’Levels results were released. I went through a denial state for getting such bad grades, and at the point of acceptance, I slowly crawled towards possibilities with such grades I obtained. The path ahead of me was as narrow as my mind. Jumping onto the band wagon of crowds, I enrolled to the Nursing College to do a Diploma in Nursing.
My learning tool – “Mr Footy”Here, I was totally a different person from what I was. Once bitten, twice is shy. I never looked back into the life of being a lazy and complacent student again. I spat the word “failure” out of the vocabulary of my life. Optimistic is my principle of life now. This point I flourished even further, boost with high confidence and self-esteem which was once alien to me. Slowly, I became a risk taker and held many big roles and responsibilities such as being my intake’s representative for 3 consecutive years and a treasurer for the student council. In the end of my life as a nursing student, I graduated with a Diploma in Nursing with excellent grades in both theoretical knowledge and clinical practice for which I was awarded the “Best Student in Leadership 2006” award on my graduation day.
Outside Herne Bay Hospital, Kent with fellow podiatry mates on placement.Being the new me, I was not satisfied with my achievement at that time and I knew I could go further and wanted to pursue my studies further. I decided to take a Degree in Podiatry at university as there were only 2 Bruneian qualified podiatrists at that time serving the whole country of 380,000 population. With nursing background that I already have, I had no problems getting “unconditional offers” from all the universities I had applied to. The process was a nerve wrecking experience, topped by time constraints. The interviews I had over the phone were tough and very demanding. Came September 2006, I set off to the UK for University of Brighton to read BSc (Hons) Podiatry.
On Bonfire night at Lewes – the biggest Bonfire event in the UK.University Life.From the experiences I picked up along the journey of coming to university, adapting to a new world has now becoming an easy task for me. The new university life, in a country of diverse culture and very different compared to Brunei was not much of an issue. Nevertheless, I had to overcome the usual challenges being a student abroad, and this perhaps is the catalyst of a young adult becoming a matured one.
Having the experience of studying both locally and abroad, the education environment is simply a contrast. Students in the UK are mostly independent and have no luxury of being “spoon-fed” by their professors and lecturers compared to what I had experienced back in Brunei.
Reading Podiatry simply exceeded my expectations. It was no easier than I had thought. Perspectives have changed, and this noble profession has now grown very close to my heart. Being a very demanding medical based course, I’ve had classes from 9am till 5pm everyday except weekends. As clinical practice is integrated in the course directly from Year 1, the timetable has to be shared between attending lectures at the campus, and seeing real patients at the hospital. Time scarcity does not hinder me from joining social clubs like the International Students’ Society, and I was a student Ambassador for the University in 2007.
Driving experience in the UKThe most memorable experience has to be learning the human Anatomy on cadavers (real dead human bodies). It has never failed to fascinate me how the human body is engineered in such a complicated manner. For a moment in the anatomy lab whilst dissecting the cadaver, I pretended to be one of those characters in CSI – hey no harm of having fantasies…at least that cast away the fears of facing the dead! And sometimes a character from the Grey’s Anatomy on my surgical rotas.
Like they normally say, make the best out of your university life. Plus, all work makes Sani a dull boy. I enjoy going out with my mates and colleagues on some nights, trying not to miss the excitement of UK social life but within my limits as a Muslim. From the outings, my circle of friends and whom I am acquainted with have grown tremendously. They comprise of people from all over the world like Africa, Europe, Canada, The Mediterranean, and fellow Asians. Where and when time permit, I will try to spare some time going to the mosque nearby for the usual Friday mass prayer at the local mosque.
Not to miss also travelling cheaply within a student’s budget exploring the neighbouring places within the UK and other parts of Europe. Whether it is with fellow Bruneians or International friends, I have ventured many parts of Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium and The Netherlands. One of the most memorable experiences has to be driving in the UK for the first time from Eastbourne of East Sussex County to the South West of Portsmouth and Southampton. It was indeed a good 12 hour drive experience.
Now, I am coming to my final year of being a Podiatry student. More is expected out of us especially when it comes to clinical knowledge and its safe practice. I shall now look forward to my success and will endeavour to lead this life in a meaningful way.
Taken with Betty Pang and Nicole Chan Suk Chin (both ex-SMSA).From all these, I have learnt not to give up, and see failure as a point of awakening in life and never return to that dark tunnel ever again! When there’s a will, there’s a way. Never once I regretted what I’ve had done in life, without the past, there’s no future. It’s all about making good use of what we already have. So remember, always plan, act, reflect and ponder upon the things we do in life.
The Future.
The academic life expectancy is endless. After earning a registration and licensing to practice Podiatry, I am hoping to pursue a specialisation in Podopaediatric Biomechanics (children’s feet) at MSc or even PhD wherever opportunity takes me. And of course, working for the Brunei Ministry of Health to serve the nation in making Bruneians walking pain-free is my main aim. As a Bruneian and a Brunei MOE Scholar, it’s a big responsibility to carry as I represent the country, my religion and the society where I was brought up.
Let me take this opportunity to express my thanks to all the staffs of SMSA including the ex-principal Mr Koh Hong Puah who always took the pride of motivating the students during his reign. To all teachers, I am indebted of your time and effort for making the better me today!
Group picture after Paintballing featuring Noor Hidayah also from SMSA. 
