School Advisor Articles

Hani Aswandi’s Transformative Marlborough Journey

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Jun 23, 2025

For many students, the right school can change their lives. It’s not just about academics, it’s about the experiences, mentors, and opportunities that shape who they become. Marlborough College Malaysia is where young people discover their strengths, push their boundaries, and find their purpose. One former student who experienced this first-hand is Hani Aswandi.

Born and raised in Kuching, Sarawak, Hani began her schooling in a historic all-girls school in the heart of the city — St Mary’s. Later, she continued her education at Kolej DPAH Abdillah, a local secondary school. The turning point in her academic journey came when she received an unexpected opportunity: a chance to apply for a place at Marlborough College Malaysia under the sponsorship of Yayasan Khazanah.

The application process was rigorous from the very beginning. Hani knew she had to give it her best shot. After clearing the initial assessments, she advanced to several rounds of interviews, including with directors from Yayasan Khazanah. Despite the pressure, she approached each round with determination. Eventually, her efforts paid off. She was offered a place at Marlborough, marking the start of a transformative chapter in her life.

At Marlborough, Hani studied the IBDP programme, taking Chemistry, Psychology, Art, Mathematics, English, and Malay.

Studying at Marlborough 

At Marlborough, Hani found herself immersed in a learning environment that was unlike anything she had experienced before. The smaller class sizes allowed her to build stronger relationships with her teachers, known at the school as ‘beaks’. These relationships made it easier for her to seek support and receive one-on-one guidance. 

What stood out even more was how diverse the teaching methods were. From hands-on experiments in science to staging plays in literature classes, every lesson was an opportunity to explore and learn in ways that resonated with different types of learners.

But it wasn’t just academics that made Marlborough special. Hani deeply valued the school’s pastoral care system. “My housemistress takes time to support each and every one of us, on top of having our dame and resident house tutors help with prep time or even teach us how to sew labels on our belongings.”

Boarding life, supported by top-notch facilities and a warm, home-like environment, became a nurturing space for personal and academic growth.

Here, Hani pursued the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a curriculum known for its academic rigour and holistic approach. It was still a relatively new offering at Marlborough then, but the teachers were ready. They took time to help students adjust to the demands of the IB, especially the heavy workload and individual research projects across six subjects. 

“Different subjects require different styles of teaching. For instance, in chemistry, Dr Tomlinson provided various learning materials, anecdotes, and experiments to illustrate the concepts to us clearly. For language subjects, we were given reading materials, media excerpts, and our creativity to express ourselves and practice the language.”

As an art student, Hani was grateful to Ms Gallagher, who never imposed limits on her creativity and constantly pushed her to experiment with different mediums and styles.

At Marlborough, Hani was exposed to team sports such as touch football, lacrosse, football, ultimate frisbee, and many more.

Physical education also played a key role in Hani’s experience. PE teachers Mrs Riley and Ms Nixon weren’t just focused on physical fitness; they helped students develop mental toughness and time management skills too. Sports became a way to manage stress and find balance in the fast-paced life of an IB student. Hani believes her educators, from classroom teachers to boarding staff, contributed uniquely to her personal growth. “We had various teachers take us on trips, and movie nights in the boarding house, so that not a single one should be left out.”

Outside the classroom, Hani discovered a passion for team sports. Marlborough’s seasonal sports rotation allowed her to try everything from football and lacrosse to touch rugby and ultimate frisbee. Among them, touch rugby and lacrosse became her favourites — sports she continued to pursue at university. Being part of these teams laid the foundation for her later achievements. While studying in the UK, she trained with the Scotland Women’s Open Touch Team and even played alongside them in competitions. 

“This then led to my time representing my home country at the most recent Touch World Cup, and it was touching as I had my very own roommate in year 10, Stella Buddell, as my teammate in the mixed open team.”

Music was another avenue where Hani thrived. She fulfilled a childhood dream of playing the bass and drums thanks to the school’s music programme. What began as weekly lessons evolved into performances at school concerts like MCM Rocks, lunchtime recitals, and even school assemblies. Her involvement in music influenced her decision to choose the University of Edinburgh, known not just for academics but for its vibrant music scene.

Hani graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2023 with a First Class Honours degree.

How Marlborough Supported Hani Beyond the Classroom

Applying to university was another phase in which Marlborough played a pivotal role. The college’s Higher Education team was a consistent support system, offering guidance from choosing a course to perfecting a personal statement. Teachers shared insights from their own university experiences and helped students navigate application systems with confidence. Hani felt prepared every step of the way, knowing she had people who genuinely wanted to see her succeed.

The result? She gained admission to the University of Edinburgh, one of the leading universities in the world, where she pursued a degree in food security.

Upon arriving in Edinburgh, Hani found that her time at Marlborough had prepared her well for university life. The cultural adjustment wasn’t overwhelming, as she was already familiar with British customs and ways of life. Marlborough’s international atmosphere had also introduced her to peers from around the world — some of whom she met again at university through shared fixtures and tournaments. 

Academically, she noticed that the varied teaching styles at Marlborough helped her handle the independent learning required at university. The transition from structured classes to self-guided study felt manageable thanks to her previous experience.

As such, it's no surprise that Hani recommends Marlborough to others. “I do recommend Marlborough to parents looking to send their children here, and it's mostly due to the positive experiences I’ve had not just at school but also after that. The connections I’ve made at Marlborough have been nothing short of great, and my time here has built my character to meet the demands of the corporate world that I'm currently in.”