Beyond Borders: Finding the True Meaning of Learning
By Mr Roham Yeganeh, Year 4 Teacher, Knewton Global Schools Rawang

Looking back, I often think about how much of life begins by chance.

We are born into a country, a family, a language and a culture that we have no role in choosing. In many ways, the beginning of every journey is random. What matters most is not where we start, but how we respond to the opportunities that come our way.

One of the biggest decisions in my life began in much the same way when I decided to continue my studies in Malaysia simply because my brother-in-law encouraged me to do so.

From tasting nuts and sambal together for the first time to the stress of trying not to go the wrong way around a roundabout because I had never driven on the left, I never saw any of it as culture shock. To me, it was simply a new flavour of life. No matter where I went, I always tried to carry something meaningful from my own culture.

One saying often connected to the ancient Persian teacher Zoroaster has stayed with me:

“Helping hands are more valuable than praying lips.”

To me, this means that good thoughts and good words should lead to good deeds as well.

Even though I come from a family of educators, I have realised that the most valuable lessons I have learnt were never found in textbooks. One of the most valuable lessons I learnt about education came when I read Think Again by Adam Grant, one of the books that deeply changed my view of life and education.

One idea from the book stayed with me: intelligence is not simply about having the right answers. It is about being willing to question our assumptions, rethink our ideas and continue learning throughout life. It takes humility to accept that we may need to unlearn something before we can truly grow.

As I reflected on my own journey, I realised I had already been living that lesson. The further I travelled, the more I understood that education is less about collecting certificates and more about collecting perspectives. True learning, perhaps, begins when we are brave enough to change our minds. I realised that my journey from Iran to Malaysia was never simply about changing countries. It was about learning to embrace new experiences, rethink old assumptions and continue growing as both a teacher and a person.

Just a few days ago, someone asked me,

“If you could go back ten years, what would you change?”

I told him,

“Even if I went back and changed some things, I believe that ten years later, I might still look back and wish to change something else.”

Life is not about fixing every mistake until the story becomes perfect. It is about learning when to change direction, when to bend and when to keep moving forward.

Every wrong turn can reveal a new path.

Every disappointment can carry a lesson.

Every challenge can quietly shape the person we become.

Life is often about give and take, and many times we must give more than we expect to receive before we truly understand the value of what we gain. Perhaps wisdom is not found in having a perfect past, but in allowing every experience to teach us something valuable.

If I want my learners, or you who are reading this, to remember only one lesson from me, I hope it is this: growth begins when we are willing to rethink, to unlearn and to begin again.

 

Key Vocabulary

Opportunities – chances to do or achieve something.

Deeds – actions or things that people do.

Ancient – belonging to a very long time ago.

Intelligence – the ability to learn, understand and think well.

Assumptions – things we believe are true without being completely sure.

Humility – being modest and willing to accept that we may be wrong.

Unlearn – to let go of something previously learned or believed.

Perspectives – different ways of seeing or understanding something.

Embrace – to accept something willingly and positively.

Wisdom – the ability to use knowledge and experience to make good decisions.

At ILTI, we believe true education begins when we are willing to question what we know, embrace new perspectives and continue growing.

Join us at ILTI and discover a learning journey that goes beyond certificates — one that challenges you to think differently, learn boldly and see the world through a wider lens.

Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

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