It all started in year 2012, when I volunteered as a first-aider for the Malaysian Games. It was that occasion that I met two other Malaysian seniors who kindly shared with me their study tips and means of adorning my CV. Internship application is getting tougher each year in Victoria, especially for international students. Therefore, I certainly appreciated the survival tips to keep me in the game. While being grateful for what happened that day, a revelation occurred to me. I have been really really lucky since the day I entered med school: I managed to make friends in a course that is isolated from the rest of the world (well at least we don't share the same uni calender with the rest of the Monashians), I met seniors who have been guiding me through med-school academically, and I received support that inspired me to constantly develop myself holistically. Then, I think about the other Malaysians. I certainly know people who fell between the cracks. We need a network, I thought. A network to bring the Malaysians together, to facilitate communication and information sharing, to come together to create something bigger and better. This spark of idea is the seed of MAMSA Vic (Malaysian Medical Student Association Victoria).
In the process of creating something from nothing, I certainly have doubts and fears. Hereby, I would like to thank my biggest benefactor, Leanne who encouraged me to undertake this commitment and offered me invaluable advice at times. After three months of contemplation and planning, I took my first step - I called Kelsey, who was MAMSA Vic's vice-president later. Together, we created a petition to garner interest, contacted the government for recognition, wrote the constitution, set up the skeleton of the organization, recruited MAMSA Vic's committee members and all other background work. In February 2013, MAMSA Victoria made its first debut in public. As MAMSA Vic progresses, we've created our webpage, logo, motto, and offered services to the Malaysian medical students in Victoria. This all couldn't have happened without the dedication of the committee members
A big thanks to the people behind the scene who made MAMSA Victoria possible.
I'm proud to introduce that MAMSA Victoria is a non-profit organization that aims at:
1. Serving as a representative body for Malaysian medical students in Victoria.
2. Equipping Malaysian medical students with the aptitude, attitude and experiences in preparation for their future career.
3. Facilitating networking amongst members from different year levels, universities and background.
4. Providing social support and a sense of community for its members.
5. Providing leadership experiences and hone administrative prowess.
To break it down, the services that MAMSA Vic provides are namely:
1. Academic - providing lectures, organizing OSCE practices, creating an academic database
2. Social - organizing orientation and social events
3. Training and Development (T&D) - organizing talks, seminars, mission trips and other developmental events.
In retrospect, these services echoed the list that I was thankful for as the epiphany of creating MAMSA Vic struck me.
As an organization that started out newly, we encountered many challenges and obstacles. Nonetheless, I'm thankful for the committee members' dedication in carrying out their role and bearing with me at times. The feeling is ineffable when you see increasing people attending MAMSA Vic's lectures and OSCE practices, tell people you're going on a mission trip organized by MAMSA Vic and hear comments about MAMSA Vic's social events cultivating a feeling of "home away from home". What touched me the most is the internship application seminar. Guess what?! The speakers are the two seniors who enlightened me to start off MAMSA Vic 2 years ago. It is as though I am seeing my vision being incarnated, vividly - a reassurance that everything is worthwhile. Although there is plenty of room for improvement, I'm still proud to say that we've somewhat achieved our goals!
A season comes and a season goes. Well, now I've completed my tenure. The baton is now handed to Sean an Sylvia which I'm confident that they will bring in new colours to MAMSA Vic. And hello retirement life!!!
Finally, I would like to thank EMAS for recognizing and supporting MAMSA Vic, MASCA Victoria for the constant support, Kelsey for the lovely partnership (and auntiness), the committee members for making MAMSA Vic possible (I will have to write 500 essays to detail all your contribution), Leanne for the encouragement and advice, MAMSA Vic's members for entrusting your AUD$20 in us, and everyone that supported me or MAMSA Vic in any way.
Let's balter in the rain, let's banter in the dark,
embrace the vicissitudes of life, for they keep us moving.
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