School Advisor Articles

Riaan Ramachandran: Redefining Success with a Transformative Gap Year

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Oct 15, 2024

For many high school graduates, the most common route after A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is university, followed by a career. But Riaan Ramachandran chose a different path. After completing the IB Diploma at The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), she took a two-year gap year.

Instead of diving straight into higher education, Riaan used this time to work, volunteer and gain valuable life experiences. While gap years are becoming more popular globally, they remain rare in Malaysia, where education is highly prioritised, and the traditional route from school to university is often expected.

According to the American Gap Association, the number of students taking gap years has risen 33% over the last decade, reflecting a shift toward valuing experiential learning. However, in Malaysia, many parents worry that a gap year might disrupt their children’s academic progress, making them hesitant to support the idea.

But Riaan found her gap year to be life-changing. "Taking a gap year was the best decision I've ever made," she says. "The skills I acquired during this time were invaluable, and my experiences were profound."

Now, she’s ready to begin her next academic chapter, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Politics and International Studies with a minor in either Mass Communications or Economics.

Before diving into the details of her gap year experiences, let's take a look at her academic journey so far.

Riaan's deputy head prefect acceptance was a monumental moment. She proved to herself that she could succeed in a role she once doubted.

Starting at elc International School

Riaan's journey at elc International School began when she joined as a five-year-old in Reception and stayed through her secondary school years. Looking back, she feels like she and the school grew together. A key figure in her development was the late Mrs Margaret Kaloo, whose guidance and belief in her potential left a lasting impact. "Her influence inspires me as she saw my potential before I saw it myself."

The school's strong emphasis on traditional values and academic discipline helped shape Riaan’s approach to life and instilled in her a deep appreciation for hard work and dedication. 

In academics, Riaan always leaned toward humanities subjects, particularly art and literature. She fondly remembers her art lessons with Ms Nicole Goodwin, who nurtured her creativity and taught her to think critically about art. Riaan’s IGCSE subjects included Math, Literature, Art, Biology, History and Geography, and she remains grateful for the solid foundation elc provided throughout her academic journey.

During her secondary school years, Riaan actively participated in extracurricular activities that took her in unexpected directions. She was chosen to participate in FOBISIA, a major sports competition, despite not being particularly athletic at the time. However, her true passion lay in public speaking. She joined the Model United Nations (MUN) and Debate clubs, participating in various events in Malaysia and abroad. It was in these clubs that Ms Iris D’Cruz helped Riaan discover her love for public speaking, guiding her toward many successes.

Riaan’s leadership skills blossomed when she joined the Prefect Team in Year 8, thanks to the encouragement of Ms Sheela Rahgu. "This was my first time presenting myself as a candidate for any leadership role. But her support made me recognise that I am no different from anyone else, and it helped me challenge myself in the best way. I was confident enough to know that I had to take a different direction in my speech, and with that, I was able to get the role of one of the two Deputy Head Prefects!"

Riaan found ISKL to be a transformative experience that pushed her beyond her comfort zone and helped her recognize her potential.

Studying at ISKL

After leaving elc, Riaan moved to ISKL, stepping into a brand-new environment that made her feel like a ‘new student’ once again. However, the warm welcome from her peers and staff quickly put her at ease. ISKL offered a variety of programmes and pathways, allowing her to adjust smoothly while embracing the holistic learning experience the school emphasises. Instead of focusing solely on perfection, ISKL encouraged students to engage with the material, which helped alleviate some of the pressures she had felt in the past.

One of the standout features of ISKL is its commitment to mental health awareness. Every student has access to a counsellor, providing Riaan with the support she needs to manage anxiety and stress. This constant availability made a significant difference in her daily life.

As Riaan got into the IB curriculum, she faced fresh challenges. The programme pushed her to develop time management skills and explore new interests. "This is why I chose to pursue the IB programme; it allowed me to study a broader range of subjects and gain new experiences, ultimately helping me decide on my future tertiary education path."

Despite its rigour, ISKL laid a strong foundation for Riaan throughout the IB programme. The school implemented systems to keep students informed about assignments and track their progress in completing CAS, TOK, and the Extended Essay. This preparation has equipped her well for university life.

Riaan particularly benefitted from the exceptional faculty at ISKL, which is comprised of seasoned professionals dedicated to fostering a nurturing academic atmosphere. She appreciated that the school didn’t solely focus on academics; the variety of sports offered throughout the year encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone and try something new, like rugby, despite having no prior experience. The clean, modern campus also invited her to stay after school and take advantage of its facilities, further enhancing her overall experience.

Riaan’s final day at Frankitas was marked by a delicious spread of food cooked by Franki as they enjoyed a lovely lunch reminiscing about her favourite moments at Bungalow18.

Taking a Gap Year

Riaan made a big decision to take a gap year because she wasn’t sure about her future study path. It felt daunting, especially since no one else in her grade was planning to take a two-year break. Thankfully, her parents were supportive, even suggesting the idea in the first place. Riaan knew that rushing into university might lead to regret and stress, so, with her father’s encouragement, she decided to gain work experience instead.

Over the past year, Riaan has explored different sectors by working at five different institutions to help figure out her career direction. Her journey began with an internship at Frankitas and Bungalow18, where she learned about running a business and event management and even picked up some cooking skills. The owners, Franki and Gaya, treated her like family just like how they do to anyone joining their team and shared valuable lessons about entrepreneurship.

Next, Riaan interned at a criminal law firm, Valen Oh & Partners. This experience opened her eyes; she witnessed court proceedings firsthand and even travelled for cases. "It’s one thing to read about murder and crime, but seeing it in person was a whole different experience.” She worked closely with Mr. Valen and lawyer Ms. Mogana on various cases, which deepened her understanding of the legal world.

After that, she joined Ranjit Singh and Yeoh, a corporate litigation firm, where she learned about the technical aspects of law and made valuable connections. "The work was tiring, but I made many friends among the lawyers and staff, which helped me decide what I wanted to pursue."

The best part of her gap year? Learning how to make connections and not being afraid to spark conversation with people who are superior to her. This led her to Mr Palani Narayanan, the director of the Drug Policy Programme Malaysia, whom she had met during her earlier internship. "I interned at DPPM for three months and gained insights into important drug policy issues in Malaysia. I also learned the importance of decriminalising drugs and interacting with various communities such as PENGASIH and KOMITED."

Riaan attended the Asia School of Business's Refugee Conference 2024, a three-day event celebrating refugee communities in Malaysia and addressing needed systemic improvements.

Now, Riaan is working at the Asia School of Business, working on a UNHCR project, helping refugee communities in Malaysia live a better life. “The person I was at the beginning of my gap year and the person I am now are entirely different. During my gap year, I had the opportunity to discover my true self, the values I want to uphold, and the kind of lifestyle I want to lead.”

All of this wouldn't have been possible without her parents, who encouraged her to take a gap year. They understood the importance of gaining work experience and figuring out what she wanted to pursue before diving into university. “With their support, I could make full use of my gap year and be free to discover my passions inside and outside of school.”

This time off allowed her to reflect on how she wants to spend her life and how she can contribute to her community. 

Riaan acknowledges that taking a gap year is a privilege not everyone can afford. However, if given a chance, she encourages others to take a gap year or even a few months off. “You never know what experiences and achievements await you during that time. It’s a chance for growth that can shape your future in unexpected ways.”