1. Cultural influence
20/3/2014
In this lesson, I have learned about cultural influence. There are contains two types of
cultural influence, which are individualistic cultures and collectivistic cultures. What is
individualistic culture? Individualistic culture is the focus of the culture that is very much on
oneself more than the group. For example, western countries. They can randomly immigrate
to another country without seeking parents’ permission. They can just do whatever they like;
likes quit a job for a year and then go to travel. Secondly, what is a collectivistic culture?
Collectivistic culture is a group preservation that is more important than self. Whatever
decision that our make will make our group harmony. We won't do thing that will upset our
family. For example, Asian countries. They always concern for each other and family come
first. After understanding these theories, it recalls my past experienced.
Graduating from high school is like the end of an era. Once I graduated from high school, my
real life began and how that life is going to look like is based on what I decide to do.
Therefore, I wish to further my studies, enjoy a certain subject so much that I want to study
it at the next level. Thus, I did some research about the career that I am interested in, to
ensure that this path is the right path for me.
Thus, this is a story about my friend, Sheryl Chan and I. Sheryl is my senior. She has already
finished her A-levels in Taylor's college. One day, Sheryl and I went to an education fair
which was located at Pisa stadium, Penang to get free advice. She was interested in lawyer
field while I am interested in quantity surveyor. Therefore, Education fair has provided

2. “counselling booth” where students can get guidance and ask questions about specific
colleges and programs offered in the events.
We were walking around to get more information about our ideal school, which is Taylor's
university. At the fair, a counsellor served us. We asked about the fees, intakes, scholarship,
twinning programs and others. Sheryl take turn first as she was sitting right beside him.
During the conversation, the counsellor suggested her to go study abroad which Is United
Kingdom to study lawyer rather than studying it in Malaysia. This is because United Kingdom
is a rather famous place to study law. But the fees to study in United Kingdom are five times
more expensive comparing to local. She was interested with what the counsellor had
advised. She doesn’t care about the fees. She immediately started filling out the registration
form and took out her credit card to pay deposit and half of the courses fees without
informing or considering her parent’s feelings. I was very surprised when she had made the
decision without giving much thought about it.
Right after Sheryl finished her session with the counsellor, it was finally my turn. The first
question I asked the counsellor was how much is the fees throughout the whole quantity
surveyor course. He started replying me by explaining it with a piece of paper which consist
the amount of fees required. It was around 100K in local which included tuition fees, deposit
and others. The duration was three and half year. Besides, the currency was around 3.3
times if you wish to study at Melbourne comparing to local. The duration at Melbourne was
five years. It was huge amount of money for my parents to pay for no matter where I
decided to study at, local or abroad but my parents asked me not to worry about the money.
After that, the counsellor showed me the scholarship requirement. He point out I can get

3. scholar based on what I got in SPM Examination which was got 9 As. I was very excited
about the scholarship because I can relief my parent’s burden once I got it. I kept on asking
counsellor if there are other scholarships that I could possibly take. The counsellor was very
helpful; and he kept on explaining various details to me. I am very thankful for him.
Other than Taylor’s university, I have also gone through different colleges that have
provided quantity surveying course like UTAR. UTAR can offer me full scholarship based on
my result, which means that I can study in foundation for free once I decided to study at
UTAR, its can help save me around 8k. UTAR’s offer is more attractive than Taylor’s
university. Besides, it was only 57K in degree which included tuition fees, deposit and others.
The duration was four years. It could be more relief my parents burden if I choose to study
at UTAR. I was hesitating whether to choose Taylor’s university or UTAR as the tuition fees
are different a lot. If I choose UTAR, I will be able live near my hometown which means that
I can go back home frequently. But if I choose Taylor’s university, I will have to live far away
from my hometown meaning that I won’t be able to go back home frequently.
Beginning life at university naturally generates both excitement and anxiety about the move,
academic work, meeting new people. For some, this apprehension is quickly overcome as I
adapt to a new environment, for others the transition takes longer and sometimes emerges
as homesickness where there is a preoccupation with home-focused thoughts. There is a
yearning for and grieving over the loss of what is familiar and secure, most often it is about
the loss of people like family and friends. For example, I will often worry about whether
family members at home are well and happy. I am worried when my mum goes to the
market alone and there is no one to help her. I am worried about my siblings’ homework as

4. they are weak in mathematics and science. Moreover, I scare I will get lost contact with my
friends because we have far distance between each other. Besides, it is also about the loss
of places and routines, and the realisation that family life continues without you.
After I have these thoughts and got all these detail information, I filled up the register form
without paying anything because it is not just big matter for me either but for my parents as
well. I need to discuss it with them before I make decision. During discussion, my parents
suggested me to study at Taylor’s university as they are afford to pay it even I study abroad.
Besides, they promised will pay a visit for me once a month. I am so touch with what my
parents have promised. Therefore, I am willing to seek my parent precious advice. In
conclusion, I really appreciate that my parents have given me a great opportunity to study
at such a nice school and what they did for me.
Overall, Individualistic culture is the focus of the culture that is very much on oneself more
than the group. For example, Sheryl Chan is an Individualistic cultures type of person as she
can make the decision immediately without any concern and do not have to think about her
family, how her friends feel and opinions. Collectivistic culture is a group preservation that is
more important than self. Whatever decision that our make will make our group harmony.
We won't do thing that will upset our family. For example, for me, I am a collectivistic
cultures person as I fathom about my family background and the problem encounter by
them very well. So when I want to make a decision, I will think about my family and friends
first. Besides, I will discuss with them before I make the decision.