2007 ~ 2012 |
A NEW CAMPUS AND THE BIRTH OF SASS
Learning: The SASS Way
Sashikala Rajaratnam
Helping out during Open Day (2010). ▶
I remember my time in SASS as one that was very
busy, yet carefree and spontaneous. SASS was a
small school, therefore, everybody knew everybody –
students and educators alike.
102
Being part
of SASS
awarded
me with a
perspective –
a perspective
that had
let me feel
comfortable
in my own
skin.
I recall first meeting with Kevin Tan, who sat in the
office behind that legendary mural. He was often never
pleased to see you but if you caught him at the right
time, he had an incredible sense of humour. Kevin Tan
encounters were always so unpredictable!
If you’d walked past the corridor, you would have seen
the ever so flamboyant, late Ben McKay who always
had a smile on his face. Further down the corridor, I’d
bump into Dr Yeoh with his comical expression calling
out: ‘Yes, Sasi?’.
The educators I had in Monash, even during the
semesters abroad on exchange in Caulfield and
South Africa, were always approachable and were
always open to our curiosity and inquisitive minds.
In fact, they nurtured me into being brave enough to
question everything. While university made me bold
enough to question, my professional work life taught
me how to cushion that boldness. I later learned that
while it is important to question everything, timing and
mannerisms are equally important.
Stepping into Dr Wong Chin Huat’s Feature Writing
course was a whole other matter though. I have never
read news the same way again! That fancy journalism
lab, with sleek and shiny Macs made me so excited
to learn. Of course, a Mac virgin myself then, I had
only figured out what ‘Safari’ was in Week 5 of my first
semester. Then there was FTV (Film and TV Studies)
in first year, when we were objects of envy for every
other non-FTV student. I mean a film every week was
simply rewarding but learning about it from the late
Ben McKay was a great honour.
Lectures and tutes weren’t the only parts that I liked
about SASS. There were great student initiatives taken
to bring SASS students together. You see, you had to
belong in the Arts. SASS students were born to stand
out. It’s part of our DNA. There was Crazy Hats Day,
Nerd Day (or something like that!). We dressed up and
had the whole student body wondering if we were
bonkers! I mean, as the saying goes: ‘why fit in when
you’re born to stand out?’
◀ Teaching English the fun way! (2018)