At the age of 14, I witnessed my grandfather experiencing depression and observed its impact on my family. This experience made me understand that individuals respond variably to both mental and physical health conditions. Mental health concerns are often subtle, thus we tend to overlook or downplay them. Sadly, there exists a notable social stigma around mental health issues, particularly in Asia where they are typically concealed and rarely discussed openly.
Throughout high school, I have developed a natural interest in psychology, particularly in the process of unlearning. This fascination stems from my realization that certain behaviors and beliefs I acquired from my parents are not desirable, such as making inappropriate comments about a young girl’s body or harboring prejudices against certain groups.
When observing individuals, I often contemplate their unique realities. According to Kenneth V. Hardy, reality is constructed through self-references, resulting in each person having an individual perspective. This quote has deepened my understanding of others. In my South Australian Certificate of Education (SACEI) Psychology course, I studied Freud, Jung, Erikson, and Maslow and became certain that psychology is the perfect career path for me. Although my grandfather’s mental illness sparked my passion for this field, two specializations particularly interest me: social psychology which examines people from diverse perspectives; and UI/UX psychology where cognitive and behavioral psychology are applied to investigate how individuals interact with designs and technology.
Over the course of 12 years, I have honed my piano skills and also learned valuable time and effort management techniques. These abilities have allowed me to successfully balance my academic studies with practicing the piano. Throughout this journey, I have developed discipline and a strong work ethic, which has been instrumental in achieving my personal goals. Despite facing moments of doubt where quitting seemed tempting, my determination kept me going.
In addition to my musical pursuits, I had intermittent exposure to art during my childhood that ignited a passion for design within me. During my free time, you can often find me drawing or painting as it brings me joy. However, as I matured, technology captured more of my attention and now I aspire to create digital works.
During my first year of University at Taylor’s Lakeside campus in Malaysia, I often took on the role of leader for group projects. This was a new experience for me as I typically played a passive role in teams. Through this opportunity, I aimed to enhance my leadership skills. Over the semester, I developed the ability to handle conflicts and criticism more effectively. Additionally, my time management and work ethic improved. I found that taking on a leadership role allowed me to engage more actively with the subject matter and boosted my self-confidence.
My dream has always been to study in the UK, where I can encounter various weather conditions and encounter diverse individuals. In 2019, while I was in Japan, I had the opportunity to witness cherry blossoms and snowfall for the first time. It was a delightful experience accompanied by breathtaking landscapes. Consequently, I aspire to pursue a psychology degree in the UK, as it will enhance my cultural intelligence and provide unique perspectives that are unattainable elsewhere.
Currently, my aspiration is to become a UI/UX designer, and obtaining a psychology degree in the UK would significantly aid me in achieving this career goal.
