"Before receiving my Chevening Scholarship and starting my MSc in Dementia Studies at Bangor University in 2022, I already knew Bangor as the home of many important papers on dementia services and care. As a speech and language therapist working with limited resources, and at a time when dementia care in Malaysia was still at its very early stages, Bangor was naturally my first choice. Studying there gave me invaluable insights into how to start building a stronger foundation for dementia care back home.
The move from “bright, sunny, all-year-round tropical Malaysia” to “gloomy, wet, and windy coastal Wales” was a big change—but one I grew to love. The university’s amazing student support services helped me settle in, and living in halls gave me the chance to enjoy Campus Life’s many events and programmes, which opened the door to Welsh culture and breathtaking landscapes. Even though I missed home, the Mountain Walking Club quickly became my safe haven. Weekends filled with long hikes gave me relief from assignment pressures and brought me to the most majestic mountains in Eryri. From the rugged beauty of Tryfan to the iconic Yr Wyddfa, I was lucky enough to experience the mountains in every season during my time at Bangor.
I also found joy in learning Cymraeg through the university’s free beginner classes. Volunteering with AgeCymru at Caffi Hafan through Student Volunteering Bangor (SVB) gave me something even more special—a community. Spending one day a week at the little café by the bus stop connected me with older members of the Bangor community, and those friendships are some of my most treasured memories. Our laughter even made its way onto an episode of Prosiect Pum Mil, where the café’s revival became a story of joy for so many.
Returning home after graduation, I carried Bangor’s lessons with me. In my role as Service Lead Speech and Language Therapist at Tung Shin Hospital, I draw every day on what I learned in Wales. And in serving as president of the Malaysian Association of Speech-Language and Hearing (MASH), I often think back to Bangor’s example of meaningful public involvement. Inspired by that, I encourage my colleagues to listen closely to people with lived experience, to centre their voices, and to let their needs guide our work.
Looking back, Bangor gave me so much more than a degree. It gave me friendships that will last a lifetime, the memory of standing on mountaintops in every season, and the confidence to bring change to dementia care in Malaysia. Most of all, it gave me a second home—and for that, I will always be grateful.
Diolch yn fawr iawn!"