How often do you get to call a historical monument your office? As the recipient of the first Brooke Trust Bursary, this is Presley Lau’s story of how she came to intern with the Brooke Heritage Trust while pursuing her MA (TESOL) studies.
Written by Presley Lau, Master of Arts TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Back in 2014, I started teaching English at SMK Kidurong, Bintulu. As a young and aspiring teacher, I always felt there was more to learn and understand beyond the foundational knowledge I had picked up in my undergraduate days. Fast forward five years, I finally made the decision to further my studies in order to improve my teaching skills and abilities.
As a teacher with limited resources and funding, I browsed the internet for professional development courses that would help improve my knowledge and understanding of the theories and pedagogy of the English language, yet was still affordable. Swinburne Sarawak’s MA TESOL programme was one of the very few that caught my eye.
The campus was in the heart of Kuching, a stone’s throw away from the airport. Not only did the university have the programme I wanted to study, but it also boasted experienced and knowledgeable lecturers to boot.
As a teacher, I am constantly looking for chances to improve my professionalism as the growing diversity in today’s classrooms translates into students requiring different pedagogical approaches to meet their learning needs.
The Swinburne MA TESOL programme provides a wide range of units that not only helped me to develop as a teacher, but also as a school leader and researcher to identify areas of improvement for my students. When I found out that the programme was conducted during the school holidays and could be completed part time, I was sold.
While I was applying for the programme, I discovered that Swinburne had partnered with Brooke Heritage Trust to provide students who need financial assistance a bursary that offers 50% off their tuition fees. Needless to say, I applied immediately.
A resume submission and an interview later, I was blessed to have received the scholarship. For those of you who do not know, the Brooke Heritage Trust is a charity with a vision to explore Sarawak’s unique heritage to inform, enrich and inspire. They are dedicated to sharing Sarawak’s unique history and heritage.
In return for the scholarship, all I had to do was complete an internship programme with the Brooke Heritage Trust during the school holidays! I was so excited to help the people who had helped me in my time of need and I wasn’t disappointed at all. I had a truly great experience and gained invaluable exposure from my internship at both The Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita and the Ranee Museum.
Thanks to our gallery manager, Liza for sharing some fun learning activities for school children.
The hands-on work experience at the museum was unforgettable, and not something that could be obtained from any classroom setting. I learnt a lot from the staff; Azie, Lydia, Eva, and Liza. They taught me the importance of hard work, dedication, passion and teamwork. From cleaning and setting up the exhibits, to welcoming the visitors and running the souvenir shop, I felt grateful to be a part of the cultural and historical preservation of Sarawak and its heritage.
A pretty cool ‘penambang’ water taxi I get to call my ride.
If you’ve never experienced an authentic Sarawakian boat ride, hop on a penambang water taxi at the Kuching Waterfront jetty, which so happened to be my regular office commute to Fort Margherita. (It only costs 1 ringgit per way mind you.) Growing up in Bintulu and having never sat on such a boat, it was truly a unique experience. Through the internship, I also got to know more about the Brooke foundation, the Brooke family, and what they’ve done to contribute, preserve and promote our Sarawak heritage.
My travel routine for internship duty at The Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita.
As a Sarawakian, I realised the importance of knowing Sarawak’s history as it provided me with the insight into our culture and our origin. Overall, the MA TESOL programme and the Brooke Bursary was the perfect fit for me, and it just might be the perfect fit for you too.
Presley Lau is currently a teacher at SMK Kidurong, Bintulu. Since joining the Swinburne Master of Arts TESOL programme, she has been a Bintulu district finalist for the Sarawak State Education Department 2020 Innovative Teacher Teaching Award.
Applications for The Brooke Trust bursary are open for the MA (TESOL) intakes.
Applicants may apply for the bursary as soon they receive a Letter of Offer for enrolment from Swinburne. Further details on The Brooke Trust Education Bursary can be found at www.swinburne.edu.my/apply-now/brooke-trust-matesol-bursary/.