Journey to be a leader with FIUTS
Chun Liang Khong (Khong), President of the FIUTS Student Board, reflects on his leadership journey.
Guest post by Chun Liang Khong
Chun Liang Khong (Khong), from Malaysia, first became involved with FIUTS through the Welcome Week Homestay Program, through which he lived with a local host family during his first week in the U.S. Now President of the FIUTS Student Board, he shares some reflections about his leadership journey.
Start of the Journey
Khong, FIUTS Student Board President
There’s a place call home where I get to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter in the US. The home I refer to is actually my host family. In fact, they are the first people I came to know when I arrived to Seattle, and I met them through my FIUTS’ homestay – a program for international students to stay with local hosts during their first week in US. Joining FIUTS homestay is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made! This launched the new chapter of my life at UW, and spearheaded my involvement with FIUTS.
Since then on, I have actively participated in events organized by FIUTS as if there’s some special force that keeps on pulling me back. The events are simply amazing and full of fun. But I know, it is my personal urge to learn the different cultures by meeting people from different parts of the world that brings me back. I believe, only FIUTS has the capability to connect people from different countries together especially on such a diverse UW campus.
Giving Back: Joining the Student Board
Khong (third from right), and friends at FIUTS Global Gala 2013
FIUTS has provided me a better transition to US culture, opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds, and fun college life. I wanted to give back to FIUTS and its community, so I became a Facilitator. However, I knew I could contribute way more in term of helping with programming events and promoting FIUTS values to students on campus if I were a member of the Student Board.
Yes, guess what? In 2012, I applied to be a Student Board member and I was selected to be Treasurer. Other than me, there are about 13 students in Student Board. They have a wide variety of backgrounds, and come from many different countries. It is totally a valuable experience to have the opportunity to work closely with this group of people, and FIUTS staff, to carry out the logistics & programming work for Orientation, Wednesday Lunch, CulturalFest and Global Gala. Aside from honing my leadership skills, I have broadened my horizon and tend to view things in others perspective.
Favorite Memories with FIUTS Student Board
Khong (right), with Student Board and friends at CulturalFest 2014
First, the moment when events organized by FIUTS Student Board are successfully carried out and receive a bunch of good feedback. A well accomplished event marks the efforts that every Student Board members made has paid off. Most exciting is to see everyone in Student Board grow together in achieving their personal goals.
Fun memories are always made during the Spring Retreat. It is the time where each of us spend one night together in Frog Creek selecting next year's Student Board. But, I would say this retreat is more like a reward for current leaders, after serving one year together on the Student Board. Everyone gets to enjoy and have fun at the retreat.
Khong (fourth from left), with fellow board members at the 2013 Spring Retreat
Path to Lead
Now, I am the President of the FIUTS Student Board and I have my own team members. At this point in the journey, I learn another new skill sets and push myself to the next level. I ask, "Would I ever have the chance to develop myself if there was no FIUTS Student Board?" It’s a question that always plays in my mind. Thanks to FIUTS and my team members for giving me this opportunity to shape the learning curve of my life.
Applications are now open for the 2014/2015 FIUTS Student Board! Learn more here.