IELTS Journey

IDP Manila, May 2019

IELTS, or International English Language Testing System,  is one of the most widely accepted english language exams  for non-native English speakers necessary for purposes such as immigration, international studies, and employment in English countries across the globe. And never in my dreams have I considered giving this a try. Yes, being employed  as a health care provider overseas crossed my mind but I didn't have a clear vision of how to realize this ambitious daydream. Not until such time that I've learned how necessary it is to sit an IELTS exam in order to meet the language proficiency standards of English countries such as US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Each country has its own required Overall Band Score which will serve as an individual's basis for qualification, and as a radiographer wishing to apply in the UK, I needed an OBS of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in any of the four subtests.  

You might be wondering or asking why I'm sharing my experience. Truth to be told, I really wanted to document this because on a personal level, it was more than just a test of English. For me, it was a test of character. The overall journey began with a wild dream of being successful and future-ready, of fullfiling my aspirations for myself and  my family, a dream which no one could seem to see but me. So, I started to figure it out as soon as I realized  I had to rekindle with my priorities. During that time, I could feel that I am about to become rusty, aimless and complacent which were hard to admit to myself. I was wrapped with an overwhelming uncertainty but even in the most unlikely circumstances, maybe God has His own mysterious ways  of reminding us of His divine plans and promises. I honestly did not understand but I chose to believe and trust the process. Because of this journey, I became closer to the one and only Author of Life.

It was not easy. The exam preparation required so much financial, emotional, physical, and mental demands. I had to sacrifice a lot of time, amounts of money and effort, something which I haven't really done in a while. This was far beyond my comfort zone. I remember attending classes post-graveyard shift, taking mock exams on NPO status because I was running late, overstaying at nearby  coffee shops and fast-foods to study and practice, pulling an all-day and all-night preparations, hopping from one review center branch to another,  and getting up early to reserve coaching slots for writing and speaking. It was a case of four months of perpetual unrest, and all I ever wanted was to not to prolong the agony and just get it all done. 

So, I took it as a challenge. With full conviction, I decided to book the test date on the 4th of May in the hopes that somehow, "May the Fourth" be with me. I'm actually serious. :) Kidding aside, I have tried to become sensitive and receptive of all the possible signs which I felt could lead to a successful test result. I've carefully planned my schedule at work ahead of time to meet the target and make sure that I am still in the working time frame and it was as if God was in full control of it all because He allowed everything to happen as it should be. A week of exclusive and thorough review helped to get me through. As the test date came near, too much stress, anxiety and pressure almost consumed my entire being. Along with this, I was even battling some form of depression on the side because of various personal reasons. I couldn't imagine failing after all my sacrifices and efforts on my first try, but I didn't entirely neglect this possibility. So I PRAYED hard and surrendered everything to God, and gave it my all. 

Took the speaking test a day before the other  3 subtests. I was so nervous before and during the speaking exam and it was the most nauseating 15 minutes of my life. But getting through it was half as much of a relief. Then I went home as soon as I finished, hoping to get enough rest to fight for the next day's another round of battle. However, reality failed to meet expectations. I was restless. I took the 3 subtests without getting any sleep the night before the exam. I honestly tried by best to put myself to sleep but I failed. My mind must be overstimulated by various thoughts and feelings and it was beyond my control at the time. I never thought this would happen but I had no choice but to work on it and just bear with myself. I knew I had to unleash all the fighting spirits within me to last this very challenging exam. I kept myself wide awake the whole time because certainly, losing my attention would also mean losing important marks. I kept myself up until the last word in my essay. And then I realized I just made it through.

I knew I wouldn't have done it without God's grace and guidance. I just felt He was right there beside me this entire journey. He was my only source of strength during this difficult and low point of my life. He is my guiding Force. Indeed, we just have to acknowledge God that in all things, He is in full control. 

The best part of it was being able to meet the required scores on first take. But it doesn't end here. In fact, it was just the beginning of my journey to reaching my dreams that God has graciously placed in my heart. 

"God makes all things beautiful in His time." 

-Ecclesiastes 3:11