Today is the 30th of December, 2024, and I recently had one of the most significant meetings of the year. It was with my former student, Alicia. I feel a little guilty admitting this meeting was significant, not because it wasn’t important, but because I didn’t put in enough effort to make it happen earlier.
As an introvert, meeting people after a long time often feels awkward. Even with family, I sometimes struggle with what to say or how to act unless the person I’m meeting is naturally chatty. Alicia, being an introvert herself, mirrors this sentiment.
Alicia’s Story
Alicia, now married to an Australian, had been living in Malaysia for the past two years during the pandemic. Her husband was able to work remotely, but as life normalized, he was required to return to Australia for work. With this transition, they decided to relocate permanently.
Alicia reached out to request a final meet-up before leaving. Despite my procrastination, the meeting happened yesterday. I reflected on how we often let commitments and discomfort hold us back from connecting with people. If I felt awkward meeting her, perhaps she felt the same.
Alicia’s Journey: Breaking Through the Walls
Alicia was a very special student to me. When I first met her, she seemed trapped in a box, always on guard, projecting defensiveness. Her gaze carried a silent message: “I know you’re going to judge me.”
She was always trying to present herself perfectly—pretty, composed, but also insecure. It was as though she sought validation while fearing judgment. Her family, too, carried visible worry. Every time I spoke to her parents, their faces reflected deep concern for her future.
The Challenges of Home Schooling
One major hurdle Alicia faced was her lack of formal qualifications due to being homeschooled. This limited her options for tertiary education and career advancement. Her parents consistently sought ways to help her to pursue higher studies.
I explored options and found a vocational diploma for her which offered a pathway to employment. However, when Alicia tried to enroll in universities, her application was often rejected because the diploma wasn’t accredited by the local education system.
Overcoming Rejection and Finding Hope
One rejection was particularly harsh. A university representative told her, “Consider this a lesson. You paid to learn that this was a mistake.” Such remarks can crush anyone’s confidence, and Alicia’s journey could have ended there.
But Alicia persisted. She kept me updated on her efforts and shared every rejection she faced. When her application to a private university in Malaysia was denied, I discovered that the issue stemmed from the Ministry of Education not recognizing the modules in her diploma.
I intervened, contacting the Ministry and the university in the UK to clarify the diploma’s curriculum. After writing an official endorsement, Alicia was finally accepted into the university. From there, she transferred to Swinburne University in Melbourne, where she eventually graduated.
I still remember her text after her graduation:
“I owe you a thank you.”
I replied, “You owe me nothing. You earned this. You deserve it.”
Alicia’s Story: A Starfish Moment
Alicia’s story reminds me of the timeless Starfish Parable, a tale that beautifully captures the power of small, meaningful actions.
Once upon a time, an old man used to go to the ocean to do his writing. Every morning, he would walk along the beach before beginning his work.
One day, after a big storm, the old man found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions. The tide had washed them ashore, and now they lay stranded under the rising sun.
In the distance, the old man noticed a young boy. As the boy walked, he paused every so often, bending down to pick up a starfish and toss it back into the ocean.
Curious, the old man approached and asked, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you’re doing?”
The boy paused, looked up, and replied, “I’m throwing starfish back into the ocean. The tide washed them up, and they can’t return to the sea by themselves. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die when the sun gets too high.”
The old man, looking at the seemingly endless expanse of starfish, shook his head and said, “But there are tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”
The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Turning to the old man with a smile, he said, “It made a difference to that one.”
The Ripple Effect of a Small Action
The boy in the story didn’t just save a starfish—he created ripples in the ocean, restoring life and possibility where there was none. Alicia’s story is no different. By pushing through obstacles and finding strength within herself, she not only changed her own life but became a source of inspiration to everyone around her, including me.
Alicia’s success is a testament to the fact that even small acts of belief and support can make a profound difference. While we may not be able to save every starfish, we can create ripples of kindness, courage, and hope that extend far beyond the moment. One person saved can go on to save many others, spreading light in places that once seemed unreachable.
The Bigger Picture
Alicia’s story is just one example, but it reflects a larger challenge within our education systems and societal expectations. For every Alicia who finds their way, there are countless others who remain stranded on the shore, held back by limiting beliefs, systemic barriers, or the weight of rejection.
Our world often values academic achievements as the sole measure of success, dismissing the potential of those who fall outside these narrow standards. However, times are changing. Increasingly, organizations are recognizing that true talent, creativity, and innovation don’t always come packaged with degrees or certifications.
A degree today feels like a 21st birthday celebration—once a privilege for the elite, now a widespread milestone. It’s worth acknowledging as a rite of passage, but it no longer carries the exclusivity or significance it once did. Much like the 21st birthday, earning a degree doesn’t inherently define a person’s worth or guarantee their success.
The true measure of an individual lies in their character, potential, and the opportunities they seize—qualities that go far beyond the mere possession of a certificate.
A Vision for Purposeful Education
My passion lies in helping people break free from limiting beliefs. When we unleash someone’s potential, we create a ripple effect:
- Families grow stronger.
- Communities flourish.
- Nations are built on the foundations of empowered individuals.
The challenge is immense, but even if we can only save a handful of “starfish,” the impact is profound. Imagine a world where everyone believes in their worth and capability—a world where education empowers rather than limits.
Final Reflections
Alicia’s story is a testament to the importance of persistence, hope, and support. It reminds us that while we cannot save everyone, the effort to help even one person can create lasting change.
Each life we touch creates ripples far beyond what we can see—ripples that strengthen families, empower communities, and build nations. Because when you save one starfish, you don’t just change their world—you remind the world that every life is worth saving.
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