As a science student, I was pleasantly surprised after my first Economics and Accounting class. Understanding the science of money for the first time was an intriguing experience. My interest peaked with the recent global economic recession. As I witnessed various nations and corporations take crucial actions to circumvent the adverse effects of the recession, I found myself passionately forming my own opinions on their approach in solving various problems.
With a basic understanding on economics, I decided to expand my knowledge and learn more about the current recession. It interests me how recession can be caused by many factors, from the housing bubble, consumer debts to the increase in oil prices. I also enjoyed listening to my father as he educated me more about credit crunch while encouraging me to read the Economist. As I am passionate to learn more on the subject, I wish to study Economics at university.
The Tun Razak Foundation Leadership Programme provided me an opportunity to engage in a discussion and evaluation of my government’s approach in tackling the recession. This experience inspired me further to study Economics, as making difficult decisions and rationalizing with people’s needs as I learnt from the corporate leaders and ex-politicians present at that time was something I could relate to, having done so myself, in my various leadership positions. I held various leadership positions such as prefect for 5 years, Captain of the Athletics team and Vice-President of the Interact Club. I realise an inherent sense of discipline and structure is vital for one hoping to read economics and finance. Managing yourself as an economist requires firm discipline, as well as having a systematic organisation of information and facts. Through the aforementioned leadership positions, I was able to exercise a level of discipline and organisation.
As an academically gifted student, I enjoy solving and rationalizing mathematical problems. Its concepts supported my accounting abilities when I was the St John’s Ambulance Society (SJAS) treasurer, where I managed the club funds, balanced monthly accounts and produced budget sheets for each activity. I also learnt to make economical decisions when it came to budgeting; only choosing services that would benefit the club. I realised interestingly, much later, that Maths had always been a part in my life as I learnt how closely related maths and music are. In music, we learn about time signature, which tells us the beats of the song allowing us to play at the appropriate tempo, and musical scales which apply the concept of wave frequency and ratios, where the sound of the notes complements one another. Being aware of how Maths plays a big role in our lives has made me learn to appreciate the true value of Maths even more.
I have always had a passion for dance and music, completing my Grade 8 ABRSM examination when I was 15 and obtaining a distinction in my Grade 7 ballet examination. As I studied piano and ballet for a greater part of my life, I realise that the idea behind both artistic subjects is somewhat similar to the study of economics. Although it may both look deceptively easy, the execution of what we learn in these areas requires great practice. I believe that regulating the economy requires quick thinking and swift decision making, which leaves a small room for errors, almost similar to in ballet, where we have to constantly maintain a fixed straight posture with a stretched out stance throughout a performance, which requires a great deal of effort. I hope to be able to broaden my understanding on this subject and learn the relation of economics to life at university.
With that, I believe that I will be able to benefit much from studying Economics in the UK. I look forward to the experience of studying this subject more deeply with much anticipation.
