EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 July Issue | Page 26

A Mum’s Story

We spoke to Lena Koh Maltesen who has three university-going children
studying in top universities: one in RMIT, one in Stanford while another
who is busy applying to good liberal colleges.

For such a huge moment in their
lives, a parent’s moral support has
never been more important. Can
you share with us how you show and
provide support to your children?
Each child is different. My oldest, Brandon,
graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of
Technology (RMIT). He knew what he wanted, so
we only helped him with his lodging and other
practical needs. He was 21 years old. Our middle
child Sophia is a sophomore in Stanford and is
self-motivated. We remind her to balance her
life with fun and healthy living whilst studying.
Our youngest child, Sara-ling, is a lady of her
own mind. We try to steer her to think of her
priorities. We do this by ensuring that we have
regular family meetings with her and check that
she is on track with her objectives and deadlines.

Not one but two of your children
are studying in top universities.
Needless to say, the stress and
anxiety must be so overwhelming,

24

EASYUNI Guide 2013

having to prepare two kids at a time.
How do you cope v?F??C??6&???r?2???rF?V??fW'6?F?W2??`?v??6????Gv?&R??F?RF?3?BF?R&W7@?&R?W7Bv??B?&W&?6???VvW2????rF?U0?V??fW'6?F?W2?26???W?&?6W726?vRV?vvP?6???VvU6V&6?W?W'BF??V??&v??6RF?V? ?F??R?&VGV6RF?RW'v?&??Bv?fRwV?F?6P???&?fW76???????W"??N( ?2?gFV?V6?W"f? ???BF??7FV?F?F??&B'G?F??F?&V?@?v?W&R6FV?72?26??6W&?VB???vWfW"?vR7F????7V?BWfW'?vVV?V?B?fW"6??????F?W&??@?F?67W76??r?B&W6V&6???rV??fW'6?G?6???6W2?@?'&??7F?&??rW76?F??72???W"6???G&V??W7B7GV??&P?V?FW"7G&W72v?V?F?W?&R???p??Bv?F??rf?"F?R&W7V?G2?bF?V? ??6F????F???R?fR??Gf?6P?f?"&V?G2????rF?FV?v?F?F?V? ???G2GW&??rF??2W&??B?bF??S??2F?R?6F???&?6W72?26??WF?F?fP?&?6W72?W7V6???f?"?g??VwVW2v?W&R?fW ??R?6?G2&RV???VB?F?W&R?27F?????