Written by Nur Farhanah Binti Rashdan
To those who didn’t choose social work for their undergraduate degree journey, this story is for you. Hi, I’m Nur Farhanah, a Year 2 Social Work student, at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Session 2023/2024.
When I received my UPU results, I was confused. I was offered a social work course – which was the 8th choice in my application! I couId not believed that as I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology. I believe many of you guys and girls out there have similar experience! During my orientation week, we were asked to visit our own faculty. Later that day, I found myself crying in the bathroom for a good 10 minutes. At that moment, all I can think about is how to survive a course I did not want.
Fast forward to my first year at UNIMAS: our SSF 1104’s assignment requires primary data collection in my first year. We went to interview villagers of Kampung Sebandi Ulu, 94600, Asajaya, Sarawak, to answer the questions of “ICT and Its Impact on the Education of Rural Communities.” I must admit that being a Semenanjung person who has only been here for a couple of months has left me lacking in fluency in Bahasa Melayu Sarawak. However, I must say that this assignment has greatly improved my understanding of the local language! Since then, I have managed to incorporate Bahasa Melayu Sarawak into my daily conversations.
I would state that social work aids in both theoretical knowledge acquisition and practical experience. I’ve seen programmes that only involve in-class instruction as well as others that incorporate more outside learning. I would say Social Work courses help with both theoretical learning and hands-on experience. Students of Social Work programme not only acquire counselling and interpersonal skills, but they also get to interact with locals and gain a more hands-on understanding of their way of life. I participated in the Anak Angkat programme at Kampung Meranek, Samarahan, led by Dr. Adibah Yusof. She exposed us to the lifestyle of the locals. In fact, we have remained in contact with our keluarga angkat to this point!
My group with Keluarga Angkat
This Social Work degree, in my opinion, strikes a wonderful balance between theoretical and practical learning. There was one programme that I handled as Timbalan Pengarah Program: CARE, CBEW Sarawak Mercy Malaysia, and UNIMAS, which took 3 phases to complete. I have learned so much about leadership, volunteering, and event management, and I have applied my in-class knowledge to real-world situations. I also joined the volunteer programme under the NGO YOSH. Special Iftar for Ummah (SIFU) was a programme conducted to provide villagers at Kampung Empila with free food during Ramadhan. I am able to emcee and serve as the exco media for the event. While managing these programmes, I once again put the communication techniques I learned in class into practice.
I still want to continue my journey in psychology. For that, I will make sure I do well in this degree first so that I would still be on track to pursue a Psychology course. So, for those of you reading this and who are about to give up, just don’t. Do not give up just yet! It’s just a 3 year course, let’s make sure we all do well. If you can’t continue your dream, maybe being a social worker was your intended/destined path all along? Give it a chance, and you will see where this degree takes you.
In the past few semesters, I have had great fun at FSSH and UNIMAS. I am an EXCO of the Persatuan Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan (or popularly known as PSSK) and have been very active in organising programmes at Faculty level.
Other than that, I also got the chance to participate in a mobility programme in Vietnam (5th – 12th May 2024). This programme was organised by UNIMAS Global, in partnership with HUTECH University. I spent eight days in Ho Chi Minh City. I have the opportunity to visit cultural sites in Ho Chi Minh City, gain first-hand knowledge of their history, and participate in activities related to their independence. The Cu Chi Tunnel, the History Museum of HCMC, and the Independent Palace were among the sites we visited to gain a better understanding of their past. Even though it is technically a study tour, the most valuable part for me is meeting new people and breaking out of my comfort zone. What I learn from this mobility programme will undoubtedly guide me to value and serve my community.
Dear juniors, it wouldn’t be as lonely to walk this degree journey when you have great company. Immerse yourself in activities that support your growth, personally and academically. I can say that I had a really good time here, being a social work student and being Farhanah. I hope I continue to strive even more in the future.
I have always wanted to talk to my juniors about this story. Now that I get the chance, let me say this: take chances, join programmes, stand tall, and move forward. This might not be the degree that you choose, but you may gain more than you think with this degree. It is safe to say I did not choose social work, but social work chose me.
Note:
STUDENT POV is a column dedicated to showcasing the unique perspectives and experiences of our FSSH student community. Under this column, students share their personal stories, reflections on campus life, and insights on navigating their academic journeys. It offer a glimpse into the diverse and vibrant lives of our students, from memorable moments in the lecture halls to adventures beyond the campus.