Californian Living in Malaysia Excels with TTU K‑12

By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

Even in the pandemic, living in Malaysia, Texas Tech University High School senior Abigail has found ways to make life an adventure while attending school through TTU K-12 since January 2017. Originally from California, she has been in Malaysia since age five, where they've been living for her dad's employment. Abigail previously attended a Christian charter school and a local international school in Malaysia.

For Abigail, the benefits of studying through TTU K-12 on her own schedule have been many, including academics, time freedom and even technology.

"I have been able to cover many different subjects that I would have never been able to study, like agriculture, psychology and even forensic science," she said. "That has helped me recognize what I may want to do in the future, as well as things I definitely do not want to do. Taking such a variety exposed me to new ideas and ways of thinking, especially with the discussion assignments where I can read my classmates' replies."

Abigail's love for learning flourished with the variety of courses she's been able to take. The sciences, especially, have been of interest to her, but she found other courses fascinating as well.

"I love to learn and explore the world around me and I was able to do that with so many of the classes. I absolutely love science, and I have been able to take about eight science-related classes over multiple semesters," she said. "Even some classes that I thought would be boring or would not be to my liking, such as advertising, which I took on a whim, I actually learned a lot during the class – though I won't be pursuing a career in advertising any time soon!"

Aside from academics, her flexible schedule has allowed her to travel around the area and pursue other interests – until COVID-19, of course.

"My dad travels a lot for work especially since Malaysia is a central location in South East Asia, making it quite easy to travel to areas nearby. Because I can make my own schedule, I can travel with my dad and not fall behind in work," she said.

"I have also been able to pursue activities that I would have missed out on because of rigid school hours, like, performing in a professional production of 'The Mikado,' setting up a stall for a few days and selling cakes, or even going to museums and cultural events nearby."

With the pandemic, much of what Abigail can do is limited. She explained, as they are still partially under lockdown, they can't travel outside the country and many activities and events are cancelled.

"We can at least go outside now. When our lockdown first began, we couldn't even go outside," she added. "So, I am enjoying being able to go out and about. I am still working on different projects at home, like experimenting with graphic design and trying to grow plants. Now that I can go outside, I have taken up running."

Among all the other tasks, projects and adventures, Abigail has also been working, with the help of tools she has learned doing school virtually.

"Schooling online for the last few years has helped me improve in terms of technology use. When everything else went online, I could apply the skills I learned through school," she said.

"I have been fortunate to keep working. I tutor two students in science and English, though, I usually am creating my own lessons and syllabus to cover for each student based upon their needs. Because of the pandemic, I was able to transfer to an online setting. The transition was bumpy in the beginning, but I have gotten the hang of it now."

Yet another personal lesson learned by taking her own education online, is one of time management.

"I have been able to manage my time because I have had so much practice with crafting my own schedule and self-monitoring while I work. I find that time management skills have been a valuable asset, especially since I can easily become overwhelmed."

Once she graduates, Abigail plans on serving a mission for her church. Afterward, she plans on going to a university and getting a degree in something.

"I don't really know in what yet, but it will definitely be some kind of science. At the moment, I have been considering a degree in agriculture or some other kind of environmental science."

Abigail says with Malaysia being so multicultural, she has learned to communicate in three languages – English, Chinese and Malay; although she adds that she's not fluent in Malay or Chinese but can order food and get around.

She also has a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. She was on track to become a third-degree but with the pandemic, the classes have been suspended, so she's been practicing at home.

Abigail has a hint for others considering moving to a virtual education platform, like TTU K‑12.

"Whenever I have told others that I am doing online school, I have always been told that it requires self-discipline. I would say the same thing but add a twist. It requires self-discipline or a parent who is willing to push you along the way!"