Ruth Pong is one of the cohort 4 medical students. She is one of the friendliest students here in IHS. She is particularly very active, one of which she organized the orientation event for juniors intake 2010/2011. She is also the founder of IHS Student Council.
Lets know more about this student
Ruth in general
What is your full name?
Pong Fui Xuan
Where are you from?
Tutong
Which high school were you from?
SM PJN PHAB in KB, Form 6 in MS
What do your friends usually call you?
Ha! They usually call me Pong. But I have decided to use Ruth instead in University.
What is your hobby?
Badminton ranks highly
Describe yourself in three words?
Hm… This is difficult. I prefer to let the people around me to describe me. ‘’,)
What are the 3 things you can’t live without?
Friends
A phone which could use internet.
Music
What is your favourite quote?
What is your deepest fear?
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Marianne Williamson
Do you have any idol in particular? Who?
Haha… I refer this group of people as ‘great people’ in my life. They come and go in my life. For now, I have two. One was from IHS. One is from IHS. They inspired me to be a better person. I am working to be similar to them. Different person inspired me in different area. I guess, people who know me well will know who my great people are. Go figure!
Ruth as a medical student at IHS
Ruth with her fellow cohort 4 colleagues
Describe your life as a medical student.
I have to say it’s nothing of interest until I became active. In second year, I was a hardworking student. I studied everyday, though minimal but it was the reason why I managed to maintain a grade B. In second half of second year, I started to become active. This was the time all the fun came in. I have to balance between my studies and my activities.
I have learned a lot as a medical student. I have presented a lot of time. Gained confidence. Went to Japan. Medicine course is building my character in a good way.
What do you think about IHS?
Personally, IHS is a place where I was being nurtured into a better person. Though I have to admit that the process will continue.
If I am given a chance to re-choose my choice to enter UBD, I will choose UBD still. I never regret the decision of entering Medical Course in UBD, though I was peer pressured into believing that ‘I must go abroad after A’Level’. I believed most would have this attitude.
Appreciate what you have people!
What is your favourite medical subject?
Hm………. I don’t think I have. Haha..
What is your favourite PBL case?
Hm…. Nah.. No preference.
Describe your happiest moments IHS.
The scene that I remembered the most was when my batch was in first year. Then, we had to move from place to place. For instance, we would be having Expert Forum in Chancellor Hall (CH) basement room. Right after that, we had to go to the old IM’s building. Due to limited parking spaces (students usually park on the bus stand!), we would fight for parking by racing each other out of CH. I would laugh at the scene where we had to run out of CH towards the car, though I was not driving then. I enjoyed that moment. How I wish I could still relive that moment.
Who is your best buddy at IHS?
Do I need to name? Nah, better not. “,)
Ruth’s opinions
What is the most important thing in life?
Life itself is an amazing gift. That is why I am in the field of dealing with life biologically.
I think mentality is very very important for me. It defines one’s outlook of life which eventually lead to how a person would handle things. I think I am fascinated with this.
If you have one thing to change in this world, what would it be and why?
If one is in a beauty pageant, one would answer, world peace *wave the hand with pride*. Personally, there is nothing in my mind.
If you have one million dollar, what would you do?
Ha! I will keep it in the bank and use it in time of needs. Anyhow, when this happens, I am sure there will be people advising me on how to use the money. Actually, I don’t really think about this.
If one is in a beauty pageant, one would answer, ‘I will donate all my money to the poor!’. *wave my hand slowly* to the applauding crowd
If you were given one chance to turn back time, when would it be and why?
In life, time waits for no man. Once the time has passed, it’s a past. Live life to the fullest, so that there will be no regrets. The reason I answered this way is because I don’t know when and why I would turn back in time.
Ruth as a future medical doctor
Why do you want to be a doctor?
This is a million dollar question. Always being asked. My reply has matured as I answered the question repetitively.
As a young child, I love to watch tv. I am always amazed by how a doctor could handle stress. In a stressful situation, he or she would be able to make decision in the nick of time. A doctor deals with life that I think it’s more valuable than any other thing the world has to offer (especially referring to money).
From young, I always have this feeling of excitement and heart pounding whenever I watch or being exposed to the health field. The feeling is just like when one meets the love of his/her life. You just know at that very instance that it will be your life and there is no such need for a reasoning anymore.
Which area do you want to specialize in?
I have a few interests currently that include Accident and Emergency Department, and Child Psychiatry (more like Psychology rather than Psychiatry). However, anything could change after this.
What will you miss most about IHS?
I will miss everything, especially my friends and lecturers.
Any advice/words of success to the juniors?
First, cope with the studies. Once that is done, then explore your environment! UBD offers a lot of opportunity to go abroad! Grab the chance while you can! Just be yourself!
Study smart, play hard.
Time management and motivation will be the answer.
Thank you Ruth for today's IN-FOCUS. Ruth will be continuing her medical education at King’s College University of London.
Good luck and all the best to you Ruth!
IHS Student Council IT Department
Before the event started, we had aerobic session.
Participants getting ready for the event
