Harvard-bound Sabahan hopes to help rural, migrant communities someday

 

Carisma Michaela Wong believes her Harvard education will equip her with the necessary skills to help rural and migrant communities in Malaysia get better access to education.

PETALING JAYA: After being accepted into one of the world’s most prestigious universities, 20-year-old Carisma Michaela Wong now dreams of helping rural and migrant communities in the country with the education she will obtain.

Wong, a Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM) scholar, said she planned on pursuing a career in policy research in Malaysia where she will be able to suggest actionable policies to minimise inequities in education among rural and migrant communities.

“Getting into Harvard will definitely bring me one step closer to addressing these inequities and the systemic issues that Sabahans face in accessing certain privileges,” she said, sounding optimistic.

Wong hails from a small coastal town in Sabah and is one of six Malaysians to receive an offer to study at Harvard University in the US.

“Harvard seemed so mystical and far away…a pipe dream. It is still kind of surreal to me to have got accepted. I am still reeling from the news,” she said in disbelief, adding that the acceptance rate for the class of 2026 was the lowest in the school’s 386-year history, at 3.19%.

She told FMT that Harvard was her first choice because of its state-of-the-art resources and top-tier academics.

“And of course, it is accessible for students who need financial aid. Academia can be such a narrow space that there is no room for people from marginalised communities. So, I appreciate Harvard for opening up its academic bubble,” she said.

Asked what she thought made her application stand out, Wong said it was most likely her sense of authenticity and sincerity.

“I am Chinese, Punjabi and Kadazan-Dusun and in my application, I highlighted my sense of belonging and how my identity has helped me decide what I want to major in whether it is politics, economics or sociology,” she said.

Wong said she hoped the success of the other five candidates would inspire young Malaysians to apply to Ivy League universities regardless of their backgrounds.

“There is no typical Harvard student mould. We all come from diverse backgrounds. Just go in with realistic expectations but most importantly, try,” she advised.

Ishant Shah is thrilled about his acceptance into Harvard and looks forward to playing for the university’s squash team.

Meanwhile, fellow Harvard-bound student, Ishant Shah said he is thrilled about his acceptance and is looking forward to starting classes in autumn.

“I plan on going into the field of biology, chemistry or sports medicine…maybe even psychology or philosophy if my interests change,” he said.

Ishant, who is also a national squash player, said his ultimate goal is to become a professional in the sport.

“I have been playing squash since I was five and I want to go all the way. I intend to join Harvard’s squash varsity team and maybe follow in the footsteps of the current world number two (previously number one), Ali Amr Farag. He studied at Harvard too,” he said.

The 19-year-old told FMT that being accepted has now motivated him to keep working diligently and to focus on completing his pre-university course at Sunway College.

“I do feel a little pressure, but I will take each day as it comes. Balance my studies with my sports career…something Harvard also emphasises,” he said.

“I just have to trust and not rush the process.”

The four other Malaysians accepted into Harvard’s class of 2026 are Lee Ee Jen, Chooi Je Qin, Herman Leong and Alyssa Yap. - FMT