This blog is written by each of our group members regarding the assignment about how this school shaped our identity. Referring to the 3 materials that we studied, we are able to relate them with those real life situations, whose main purpose is to prioritize education and apply it in daily life. Each of us has shared our own personal reflection on how the school experiences shaped our identities today.
I study at Kolej MARA Banting, world school that offers the International
Baccalaureate (IB) programme to the students. As an IB student, I am
encouraged by the school to develop the attributes of the IB Learner Profile
which is valued by IB World Schools such as being open-minded, caring and
risk-takers. My school focuses on helping their students' holistic growth
which means nurturing not only our academics abilities but also our emotional,
social and personal development.
The school also managed to create a supportive environment where student can
be confident and express their feelings freely. Teachers will always motivates
us to take risks in learning, become an active member in a community and learn
how to have a communication skills with others. This positive atmosphere allows
us to grow into independent individuals who are ready to face all the challenges
both inside and outside the classroom.
My time at Kolej MARA Banting has taught me how to balance independence
and collaboration. When I first arrived, I was shy and unsure of myself.
However, the supportive lecturers and group-based projects encouraged me
to speak up and trust my ideas. Studying at Kolej MARA Banting has
shaped my identity as an independent, resilient, and empathetic learner.
The rigorous environment taught me to manage challenges on my own, while
the diverse community reminded me that everyone's journey is unique and
valuable.
Malala Yousafzai's story taught me that education is a form of
strength and freedom. Her courage to continue learning despite facing
violence reminded me how powerful the pursuit of knowledge can be. At
Kolej MARA Banting, I may not face the same dangers she did, but I've
learned to appreciate the privilege of education in my own way. The
demanding environment, endless assignments, and high expectations often
challenge me but they also push me to grow stronger and more determined.
Like Malala, I've come to see learning as more than just a path to good
grades; it is a way to shape who I am and how I think. Her story inspires
me to use my education to create change, no matter how small, whether it's
helping others, sharing knowledge, or simply believing that my voice matters.
Through this, my school has helped me build an identity rooted in courage,
perseverance, and a deep respect for learning.
Salma Pérez's story about her indigenous school in Los Angeles made me reflect
on how my own school shaped my identity. Her experience showed how powerful
it is when education embraces and celebrates who we are. At Kolej MARA Banting,
I may not have been surrounded by lessons on cultural heritage like Salma
was, but my school still taught me to value my identity in different ways.
Through its challenging academic system and diverse community, I learned to appreciate
my own strengths and to respect others' backgrounds and stories. Like
Salma, I realized that education is more than textbooks and grades but
it's about understanding who we are, where we come from and what we stand
for. My school encouraged me to be confident in my goals and proud of my
individuality, reminding me that growth begins when we learn to embrace our true
selves.
The movie Freedom Writers taught me the importance of compassion
and perseverance in education. It showed how one teacher's belief in her
students could completely transform their lives. Watching Erin Gruwell guide
her class of at-risk teenagers reminded me of the teachers at Kolej MARA Banting
who constantly motivate us to reach our full potential, even when things feel
overwhelming. Like the students in the movie, I've learned that education
isn't only about lessons and exams but, it's about discovering our own
voices and learning to understand others. Being surrounded by classmates
from different backgrounds has taught me empathy and respect, while our
lecturers' dedication reminds me that belief and encouragement can change
a person's path. Freedom Writers inspired me to see learning as a journey
of self-discovery and connection, just as my school continues to shape me
into someone stronger, more aware, and more hopeful about the future.
Kolej Mara Banting has played a significant role in shaping my identity
today. It has helped me to be thoughtful, brave and confident learner.
When I read I Am Malala for the first time, I was amazed by Malala Yousafzai's
courage to fight for women's education. She shows few traits on the IB
Learner Profile, which are risk-taker and principled in the story. Her
story made me appreciate how lucky I am to be given a chance to study
freely and also encouraged me to speak more confidently and not need
to be shy in class or any group assignments.
On the other hand, I also learned that being open-minded and having
cultural understanding is important in my school. This is due to the
students coming from diverse cultural backgrounds from all over Malaysia.
My school showed their support for intercultural understanding by organizing
events like collaborative projects and various cultural festivals. This
relates to Salma's article, in which she learned how to balance tradition
with personal goals. These activities help us to see the world from other
perspectives and prevent us from becoming racist or judgmental.
The movie Freedom Writers highlighted the importance of being caring and
communicating. Ms. Gruwell's empathy towards her student had shown how
kindness and communication can heal one another by looking at her student's
transformation. Similar to what I've experienced here, my teachers have
always encouraged me and my classmates to share our thoughts openly and
support us. This has helped me realise that building positive relationships
with those around you can lead to a better educational environment while
encouraging a strong sense of belonging and purpose.
Through these lessons, my school has helped me to develop several attributes
of the IB Learner Profile, which are essential traits for me to have as an
IB student. I have changed to someone who loves to learn, a thinker who
solves problems thoughtfully and a reflective person who learns from past experience.
Wherever we go, we are subconsciously constructing our own life story. Being in college
is one of the situations where we are constantly changing and even observing changes. The
hustle and bustle of college life impact the way we think and also influences how we view
ourselves. When I first walked through the gates of my college, I thought I had a vivid vision
of who I will become in the future. I could clearly picture myself becoming someone in the
computer world, having a career tied very close to the industry. But as things progressed,
I have realised that I can be more than that. Not only do I learn about science, language
and maths, but I also learn about something very important in life; being myself.
As everybody does when they go to college, I get to know people from backgrounds
that vary wildly. It turns out that you don't have to go too far out of the country to
discover different mindsets, customs and traditions. People were often curious about things
that I do different, things that I consider to be normal and that is completely okay because
knowing each other is a part of building empathy and understanding. Empathy is what makes us
human, I personally believe it is a big part of our identity as different communities might
have different views on what is meant by “empathy.” Getting to know about my friends, their
struggles, cultures and what they are proud of enables me to understand that identity is
something you build as you face the ever-changing world.
I often think of Salma Perez who wrote about how her indigenous school in Los Angeles
celebrated her Zapoteca and Mixteca heritage. Her story brings a message about affirming
who she was. In relation to my situation, I find Perez’s story to resonate with me as a
student in a place where the majority of others do not even know about my culture. Seeing
other friends taking pride with their roots also encouraged me to not feel inferior, and
to instead affirm my identity.
To affirm my identity isn't always easy, sometimes I feel misunderstood. Despite so,
I have found that with courage and dedication, I can own my voice and let people know that
I also matter in this place. I remember the first time I had to work in groups, as my
classmates were still unfamiliar with each other, we had to break the barrier that makes
us feel like we do not belong. I was very shy at the moment, and I had to gain the courage
to start communicating in order to progress. We started to know each other and share about
what we believe which helped us not only work together but also open our eyes to different
angles of thinking. Reading I Am Malala reminded me that courage is not simply the absence
of fear, but it is the determination to keep your head up even when the odds seem to be
against you. My fear of communicating might seem minuscule when compared to Malala's fight
for women’s right for education, but to some extent she was the inspiration for me to keep
pushing myself to be a socially active.
Lastly, let's talk about empathy, the thing I have mentioned from the beginning of
this blog. Watching Freedom Writers hit me in the heart by showing how education bridges
worlds that seemed very different. As Gruwell had inspired the students in the movie to
write journals, I had also become inspired to start writing about new things I discover
or feel in college. I and my close friends started sharing our own stories which opened
up our eyes to the fact that in this college, everyone is fighting an invisible battle.
This had definitely nurtured a sense of empathy in me.
College did not just teach things that grant me a diploma, it educates me in
subtle ways on how to be human. As Michael Stevens, an educational YouTuber said, "What
makes us human is asking 'why?'" In the end, curiousity, empathy and courage are not only
what lets us build our identity, but they are indeed part of what makes us who we are.