Playing volleyball with Mr. Thorpe and badminton with Hossain, receiving nuggets of wisdom from Mr. Scheelbeek along the corridor, seeking assistance from Aunty Glenis, managing finances with Ms. Sherry, and receiving a care package from Mrs. Teo when I fell ill—it felt like I had stepped into a time machine that transported me back to 2008! Yet, here we are in 2024, and some things remain unchanged. I am immensely grateful to be surrounded by many of the remarkable individuals who made SJI International feel like home when I first entered to learn as a student years ago. It has always been my dream, since graduating, to return, and I am overjoyed to finally be teaching at SJI International.

My experience as a student at SJI International was transformative and played a pivotal role in my decision to pursue a career in education. Starting in the pioneer IB cohort, I feel blessed to have been able to join the school where I was not only inspired by my teachers (many of whom are still here) but also guided by them toward the path of teaching. I am deeply grateful to Mrs. Teo, Mr. Thorpe, Aunty Glenis, Mr. Scheelbeek, Mr. Rainone, Mrs. Underwood, Ms. Carter, Mr. Wong, Mrs. Kitchener, Mr. Saranam, Ms. Smyth, Mr. Maclehose, Mr. Bennett, and many others who have profoundly impacted my life. Without their support and guidance, I may not have even completed the IB programme, especially after losing my single-parent mother a day before orientation for IB. Moving to a new country for the first time was challenging, and doing so without my mother was the most difficult thing I had faced at the time. However, my teachers supported me every step of the way. To this day, I remain grateful for the care they showed me. I never realized teachers could have such an impact on my life and upbringing, and from then on, it was easy to figure out what I'd want to do next in life. 

My journey to becoming a teacher has been filled with encounters with people from SJI International who have inspired me and pushed me to take the next step. Mrs. Teo, who has been my inspiration and role model, supported me immensely in becoming a teacher. I would not be where I am today without her constant guidance and care. I am grateful to both Mr. Andrew Bennett and Mr. Dennis Tang, who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to start my teaching career at SJI International Malaysia. Not forgetting Ms. Smyth, for being my supervisor at SJI International Malaysia, as well as Ms. Carter, who observed my lessons during my teacher training to help me become a qualified teacher. 

Sometimes, looking back, it's amazing to see how everything fell into place despite being in a different country. At SJI International Malaysia, things came full circle for me—from being a hostel resident to running a hostel, from learning Economics to teaching it, and from playing volleyball to coaching volleyball. At some point, you realize how lucky you were to have been in such an amazing school with incredible people who continued to have an impact on your life years after you graduated. It felt right to continue teaching minds, touching hearts, and transforming lives on my journey into education. It truly felt like I left to serve.

At the beginning of 2024, I was fortunate to realize my dream of working at SJI International. The school feels like a well-oiled machine that has been fine-tuned over the years. It's certainly a change from back in 2008! Seeing the field and classrooms being utilized almost constantly is a reminder of how much the school has grown. Yet, some things remain unchanged—the IB uniform designed during the first year, the school rally sung at assembly, and, of course, the amazing teachers who are still here. It is good to be back! "Enter to Learn, Re-Enter to Serve?" I wouldn’t have it any other way!

In the four months that I have been teaching here, I have always felt blessed to be back at SJI International. The humanities faculty and economics department have made me feel right at home and are amazing people to work with. My hope is for SJI International to continue its outstanding work, and that I can contribute to it in the same way my teachers did. From my own experience, I believe that many students leave SJI International to realize how fortunate they were to have been there. I hope my IB juniors are enjoying their lives and pursuing their passions (and hopefully see the connection it has to their time at SJI International)! Meanwhile, for those still in school, I hope they seize the opportunities available to them. In the words of our current principal, Mr. Bird, “Go forth and do good.”