A summer of work and leisure

During the summer holidays of 2024, I flew back to Malaysia almost immediately to escape Hangzhou’s sweltering heat. In contrast, during the summer of 2025, I chose to remain in Hangzhou throughout July before returning to Malaysia in August. These two distinct decisions over consecutive years brought me entirely different experiences.

Initially, I had planned not to return home this summer, hoping instead to participate in some projects and gain internship experience. However, due to time constraints, I had to give up that plan. By chance, I secured a position as a student assistant at the university, so I decided to stay in Hangzhou for a month of work before heading home.

As I was the last among my friends to leave for Malaysia, I watched them depart one by one. By the time my work began, I found myself the only one left in Hangzhou. That summer, I worked as a student assistant for three weeks—a role that gave me a genuine taste of office life. Each morning, I rose early to start work, and by the time I finished, the sky was already dark. Those consecutive days of early starts reminded me of my secondary school routine, and by the time I returned to my dormitory each evening, I was completely exhausted.

Although this was my first glimpse into working life, it proved to be a valuable experience. Spending most of the summer holidays alone felt like a preview of post-graduation life. The duties of a student assistant were not particularly complicated—mainly handling documents, delivering files, and managing stamps—so I adapted quickly. The teachers were approachable and often treated me to snacks, which made the atmosphere warm and pleasant.

After three weeks of work, August finally brought my long-awaited summer break. I’m grateful for the decision I made. Although my return home was delayed, I gained practical experience from a summer job that felt neither too short nor too long. Previously, I had assumed that I couldn’t live alone, but two weeks of solitude changed my mind. Being alone isn’t frightening at all—in fact, I’ve started to grow comfortable with it.

In August, I’ll be returning to Malaysia, where I’ve already planned a few trips with friends. I feel deeply content with how this summer unfolded. It has been a season of unique experiences and personal growth, teaching me independence and helping me appreciate solitude in a new light.