Christopher Slice of Life

We see most teenagers are busy with their academic studies or even enjoy their free time. Most teenagers are afraid and not ready when it comes to working or being involved in any work environment. They prefer to relax, enjoy their own time, hang out with friends, play games, and try to avoid any heavy activities. However, this does not apply to Christopher. "Working, especially in a new environment, is always a fun challenge for myself," Christopher says on working in an unfamiliar environment and new country, Malaysia. 

At the age of 20, Christopher shows how enthusiastic he is as he talks about working and he believes that teenagers can start working as long as they are enthusiastic about it and being serious. He also says that working is all about experience, especially at a young age. Christopher, from Indonesia, travels alone to Malaysia to work in a new completely different environment and different country. Against the odds, he finally got a job and started working in a factory. He proves that even if you are a teenager, you can still obtain a job and enhance your skill and experience instead of doing nothing. Andrew in his spare time was able to have an interview and share some of his ideas with us.

1. What made you decide to work, especially working abroad? Is there a somebody that influences you or is it your own decision?

The thing that made me work abroad was that I think that working abroad felt challenging and fun. My desire to work abroad was also supported by what I had dreamed of since I was a child wanting to travel abroad. For me, working abroad is a fun challenge for myself where I can improve myself and become a better version of myself. No one influences me on working in another country, this is purely my own decision.

2. Can you explain during your work, what things make you most happy and inspiring?

The thing that makes me most happy doing my job is when I serve the customers. Sometimes when serving a customer, there is usually a customer telling me about his personal problems or just making a little joke with me. Hearing costumer's stories and telling their problems makes me happy and motivated. Sometimes, I try to give them a solution to their problem. There is also a customer who tells us bad things about his partner or neighbor.

3. At the age of 20, your choice to work abroad is different from other young people, has anyone provided positive support? Or is there someone who doesn't even support you and tries to bring you down? If so, how did you deal with the negative talk?

Thankfully, I mostly received positive feedback from my family and friends because they support me to work abroad for a better life in the future. There is also someone who does not like my action and my decision. Sometimes, they also say negative things about me. However, even if there are negative words, I tend to ignore them and take them as motivation and criticism for me to be better in the future.

4. During the time you went abroad to work alone, did you learn anything about yourself that you did not know before?

During abroad, I got the chance to have a direct and indirect practice of foreign languages ​​without having to do theory again. I feel my English before coming to Malaysia was not great but as time goes on, I feel my English is getting better, and communicating with other folks is not as difficult as before. I also get the experience the feel of cooperating with other workers. I feel that communicating is an important skill to have in a working environment. When customers tell me their problems to me, I was able to give them solutions and they give a big thanks to me. I learn that 'being considerate' and 'kind' to others is very important and it is not something to be ignored.

5. While you were working there, what advice impressed you the most and how did it affect you?

The advice that impressed me is that our culture and comfort must be sacrificed in order to survive the current situation. Because if we are selfish, we will not be able to last long whether it is in a job or even in a new place. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." This effect has become the biggest push in my life. If I don't follow this advice and always selfish and prioritize my comfort zone, I will not be able to adapt to the work environment and might fail my job. 

At a young age, Christopher is an amazing and dedicated person. He is a teenager and already build a great mindset and skills for his future. He prefers doing something serious, improving his skills, and doing other things instead of relaxing all day. Christopher teaches us as teenagers we should spend our time enhancing our skills and improving ourselves for a better future. It is okay to relax and have time for ourselves but try not to overdo it.