Melissa Michelle Albert

I came from a middle range family. My parents tried to provide me with the necessities while I was in school up until now. We were doing fine until my mother got sick. One day, she just fainted and was rushed to the hospital. It was then we found out my mother was suffering from a brain tumour. She needed to undergo a surgery but refused to as it was costly and there was a chance she would not make it. For a year I took care of her and stayed home. I did not want to burden my parents, so I tried my best to find colleges with a full scholarship. It was harder than I thought as I was turned down more than once. Frankly, more than once would be an understatement. All the trouble I went through was proved fruitful when I got the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Community Scholarship.

I am now in my last semester of studying Diploma in Hotel Management and I look forward to my future. All those hopes I’ve had of finishing my studies and becoming a lecturer can finally become a reality. Seeing my parents being so proud of me was my greatest accomplishment. This opportunity has helped me enlist in a great University with amazing facilities, such as the library - my favourite place - and I am able to join great clubs such as the Swimming Club and the Christian Society Club.

This is #MySunwayStory. I hope that I am enough to prove to other students out there that even with unexpected adversities coming my way, there is no reason to back down!

Melissa Michelle Albert
Diploma in Hotel Management
Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Community Scholarship