My Story
I grew up in a small village in Sabah, in the island of Borneo, from a humble family background. At age 13, I decided to move to another state, leaving everything I knew behind to attend Sekolah Seni Malaysia Sarawak, an art school in Sarawak. Being in a creative environment during high school was a transformative experience for me, I thrived in expressing my artistic side and even had the opportunity to conduct an entire orchestra, performing a piece I had rearranged for the team. This experience, along with others, fueled my love for music and creativity. Throughout high school, I became the highest-achieving academic student and received the Best Student award in music for five consecutive years.
After high school, even though I loved music, I never quite pictured it as my career path. Then I stumbled upon Malaysian YouTubers studying to become lawyers in the UK. I couldn't help but admire how cool they looked in their robes and wigs, there was something inspiring (and admittedly stylish!) about it. With my SPM certificate (GCSE equivalent) in hand, where I scored 9A’s, I was offered a place in UiTM’s Foundation in Law program, a well-known public university in West Malaysia. (Here’s a picture of me and my dad on foundation registration day. We all had to wear the same outfit due to the strict dress code, and, by chance, my dad ended up blending right in with us).
My parents were thrilled, and I heard it was a tough course to get into. Moving from an arts background to a demanding law program was no easy task, and I faced some mental health challenges along the way. But despite everything, I completed my foundation year on time, even if the grades weren’t exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately, because of my grades, I didn’t qualify for a public university, so I applied to Multimedia University’s law degree program, a private law school in Malaysia. I was initially rejected, but after appealing, I was accepted. This placed a financial burden on my family, and I felt responsible to help out. To cover part of the tuition fees, I started working part-time, including long shifts, like a 12-hour shift from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. just for 50 MYR (about £9). It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I had to return home because the university closed, and everything transitioned online as classes surged into virtual formats.
Back in my hometown, I decided to put the money I had saved from part-time work toward starting my own business, Anaz Enterpise. I experimented with selling various products, from shoes to hijabs, and eventually launched a surprise delivery service, crafting handmade floral arrangements, gift bouquets, and balloon displays. The business quickly gained traction locally, growing to a five-figure revenue within the first few months. Below are some examples of my handmade bouquets, each one a proud accomplishment during that time.
Juggling studies and business was challenging, especially with an academic workload of up to 15 modules in one year. When I finally felt too overwhelmed, I decided to transfer universities. However, most Malaysian universities don’t allow transfers, so my options were to either restart my degree from the beginning at a new university in Malaysia or try transferring to the UK. Gathering my courage, I applied to several UK universities and was shocked to receive acceptance offers from four law schools. With the money I had saved from my business and support from my parents, I chose Queen’s University Belfast to continue my academic journey.
Moving to the UK meant I had to work even harder to support myself, as living expenses were significantly higher. While studying, I took on various part-time jobs, babysitting, stocking shelves at Tesco, retail assistant, cleaning offices and buildings, and scrubbing toilets. You name it, I’ve probably done it. However, despite all these jobs, I never had the chance to work in a legal setting. I applied for short law internship and eventually secured it, but it was unpaid. At the time, I was faced with a choice: I needed the experience, but I also needed money to cover rent and groceries, as I was responsible for my living expenses. My parents had already helped tremendously with tuition, and I didn’t want to add to their burden. In the end, I had to prioritize jobs that provided an income.
I graduated in July 2023 and immediately began the endless task of job hunting. My plan was to work as a legal assistant or paralegal before pursuing the Bar, but securing a law job proved challenging without substantial experience. At times, I feel like a disappointment to my parents, and after a year of searching, I became burnt out. Whenever I feel down, I go back to my hometown to reset, reminding myself that everything has its time and that my time hasn’t come yet, but I’ll keep waiting and trying patiently. (Here’s a picture of the sea from my last trip home. You need to visit Sabah, the beaches are amazing!).
For now, I’m working full-time and as a housekeeper at a major hotel chain in Northern Ireland. Sometimes, I joke to myself "a housekeeper with a law degree" but I enjoy what I do, and it’s a step toward my goal. I am committed to saving up for the Bar Course and aspire to qualify as a barrister in England and Wales. I believe that every effort, however small, builds toward something greater. As long as I keep moving forward, I know I’ll reach my destination in time.