I have undergone major change. With some trepidation I had accepted a one month internship at Thomas Philip Advocates and Solicitors late last year. Initially I was homesick. I felt challenged inside and outside my apartment. It was all so different, and frankly I was scared, finding it difficult to communicate... I felt overwhelmed.
However, the office environment and the people right through the firm, although very busy, were welcoming. This merged into after-hours too - lunch invitations, market trips, shopping jaunts! As my perceived acceptance level rose, it was easier to speak out. I even found the Kuala Lumpur taxi drivers courteous and helpful... much to the amazement of my new associates! The office really had a good dynamic: everyone got on well under Mathew's open style of leadership. There was a feeling of willingness and commitment that was highly motivational.
I am so glad I took up his opportunity. I learnt from Mathew that I have to have confidence in myself and what I do: I could have the strongest argument, but if it isn't said with conviction, who will believe me? And I definitely gained in confidence.
My heightened understanding of the Law, its translation to the Australian legal scene, attending the Federal and Appeals Courts, drafting Letters of Demand, Statements of Claim, researching and writing case notes touching on Freedom of Information, Australian cases before the AFI Act, Contract Law, Defamation Cases, Wrongful Termination, Discovery Cases and using the Malaysian and Singapore Database... all fantastic outcomes and experiences.
After a while, I realised that I was actually getting excited whenever I found something useful, or a relevant case. Mathew explained that I had to see the names in the cases as real people, which also reinforced their significance. Attending the Federal Court with Mathew and Senior Associate Hean Leng for a Water Rights case was a highlight.
I don't know whether it was all the lawyers in their suits with their fancy briefcases or the way everyone walked around with such confidence and respect for each other, but just being there, I knew! I knew for certain that I was on the path to doing what I truly wanted to do. And that was such a wonderful feeling. This realization was a further reinforcement to go back and complete my studies and take up a position in the profession.
The firm sending me to Singapore for a day was also a huge fillip: I attended cases in the Supreme Court and watched the reviewing and cross examination of witnesses... and some very aggressive defence lawyers in action. I would encourage others to do an internship... the accommodation issues, the immersion in a new culture and environment, the opportunity to fast track your learning and to make many personal and professional connections….you can only come out stronger!
It would be a travesty not to acclaim Malaysia's fantastic food: I will particularly miss the cheese naan, milky teh tarikh, fresh juices and even the durian! I treasure the friendships I made and really appreciated the support I had from go to whoa: Dear Mila even took me to the airport on Sunday evening (70 km from Kuala Lumpur)... after two Malay weddings and a visit to Petaling Street for late minute gift purchases!
Thomas Philip and Staff... terima kasih!!