Friday, September 25, 2009

my (only) 95% resolution

With a 5% heavy heart I wrote this email...

Dear Barts and The London,

I would like to officially withdraw from the UK Foundation Programme (UKFPO) application as I plan to return to work in Malaysia after graduation . Please take note. Thank you.


Yours truly,
Aaron Wilson

3 comments:

Yee Yen said...

OMG you are so brave! I haven't got the gut to withdraw just yet. Going to just fill in the form until maybe do it next year March/April when Petronas/JPA gets in touch and tell me something for definite... They don't seem to be interested in us at all at the moment while I really can't ignore all these buzz of foundation application among all my friends here and now.

Anonymous said...

Dear Aaron,

You don't know me and I don't know you. But, I feel compelled to to drop a line or two to you. By the way, I'm a Kadazan too.

After reading your blog, it reminded me of the similar situation I was in many-many years ago. I as you are now, have to decide on whether to proceed with my post-doctoral studies overseas or to head for home and served my beloved country.

In my case, I took the latter without any hesitation because the beckoning to go home was much stronger. By doing so, I forgo the opportunity to do research in a re-known world class scientific institution overseas.

To cut my story short, I regretted in having made the decision to come back home because I could not practice the knowledge I have acquired and especially the level of discrimination that we the "lain-lain" have to face in our working lives. I have also heard similar complains and regrets from friends who came back under the govt "brain gain" programme. Some have decided to leave the country in frustration after a few years or so.

I also decided to leave the country after 2 years for jobs in our neighboring countries. After several years with working in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, I'm now back home for good and am playing my part to fight for the betterment of our beloved country!

FYI, about a month ago I was asked for advise by a cousin of mine who had just completed her final year medical studies in Australia on whether to come home or continue her training in Australia. To my great relief, she has decided to accept an appointment in a major Hospital in Australia!

Like yourself (who wants to be a neurosurgeon), she also wants to pursue her post-graduate studies to become a specialist. I truly believe that she has made the "right" decision to stay on in Australia for her further training, even though I might sound unpatriotic! Once she qualifies as a specialist, she can then decide whether to come back home or not.

The decision is yours. If you do decide to come back, I salute you for your bravery to come back home and serve your people. We Sabahans have been shortchanged for so long already, where the state is currently facing 60% shortage of doctors.

Sorry for this unsolicited advice.

All the best om poizan noh do balajal.

Izou, Dr. T

Aaron said...

Dear Dr T,

Thanks for your advice. Really appreciate it.

I guess....I'm gonna brave it