To be honest, I have never thought I would ever get a chance to learn Spanish, let alone doing a Spanish Linguistics Degree, ever. It all started when I had to decide what to choose for the application to University of Malaya. During that time, I was doing a Diploma in Human Resource Management. I like HRM, but I learned that I have a strong keen towards Linguistics so I decided to choose English Linguistics. The thing is, the requirements for English in UM was either STPM, Matriculation, Foundation/Diploma (related to language or linguistics) and at least Band 4 for MUET.
I went to the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics booth at the UM Education Carnival to seek for consultation from the lecturers. Despite the fact that I got Band 5 for MUET, it still seemed like the chances for the application to get rejected is quite high according to the staff at the undergraduate section. They even told me that I couldn't apply for English. However, a lecturer with a Dr. title (but I couldn't remember her name) suggested that I choose a foreign language as my first choice and put English as my second choice.
I obviously couldn't choose Arabic because it requires a STAM certificate. So I thought of either Spanish or French. I even asked my dad. He said that I should definitely go for Spanish since it has a large number of speakers. 21 countries. Even without him telling me that, anyone who knew me well enough would know that I have always had a thing for Spanish. I grew up watching telenovelas on TV3. My favourite was Rosalinda :D
So I had put Spanish Linguistics as my first choice, English Linguistics as my second choice, Media Studies and Anthropology as my third and fourth choice respectively. I even started playing Duolingo to learn Spanish haha. The first two choices are the courses that would have an interview. I was not called for the interview so I thought I did not get neither Linguistics courses that I had chosen so my mind only thought of Media Studies and Anthropology. Meanwhile, I had also applied for English at UKM and UIA but I was really rooting to get into UM because I was already comfortable there.
Upon getting the results, I was not only surprised that I got into UM, but also due to the fact that I was offered to do Spanish when I deadass thought that I didn't get it because there was supposed to be an interview. Of course I accepted the course despite having mixed emotions about it. I was grateful, excited but also quite nervous. I looked for a senior on Facebook to get an idea about the course. From her perspective, the course is hard. And that definitely made me hesitate my decision. But to overcome that fear, I studied the grammar on my own as a preparation.
Now it has been a year since I studied Spanish. Turns out, for me, it is not that hard. Well actually, the grammar is way more complex than English but in spite of that, I managed to grasp it. And surprisingly, I stand out in my course. I mean, getting an A when everyone else can get it too is one thing. But when you're the only one that gets an A, it's quite a big deal, don't you think? I'm not even trying to downgrade anyone, or blow my own trumpet. I strongly believe that everyone has their own strengths, and maybe, Linguistics happen to be mine. Perhaps that's why I am ahead of others. I remember this one senior coming to our class and gave a brief talk about his studies. To be frank, he didn't look like a bright student. But I thought wrong. He's one of the best students in our department. He said, "it all boils down to niat (intentions)."
One of the frequently asked questions that I get is "what are you going to become after you graduate?" My answer is, I haven't really planned yet. But I somehow feel like I'm looking forward to do written translation or subtitling. Well, we'll see. For me it's really important to just focus on my studies first and explore myself, what I'm capable of. I believe that as long as I do well, I will be able to find a job, regardless whether if it has anything to do with Spanish or not.
It still feels like a dream, yknow, to be doing this course. I remember always thinking that it would be really cool if I knew Spanish, as a kid. It's amazing what God has planned for me, how He leads me to choose something that always seemed impossible while exposing my potentials in it. I am forever grateful that I made this choice :)
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