Double the Delight, Double the Triumph! Evon Kan Kuan Lam and Eva Kan Kuan Yee, twin sisters, recently celebrated a remarkable achievement: earning their Bachelor's degrees in Chemical Engineering (Bioprocess) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This is a story of shared journeys, individual growth, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood.
These 24-year-old sisters, hailing from Tampin, Negri Sembilan, have been virtually inseparable since childhood, sharing classrooms from primary through secondary school. Imagine growing up with your best friend always by your side!
The university years, however, marked a slight shift. Starting in 2021, they moved into separate hostel rooms, a first for the close-knit pair. Evon shared, "Having Eva by my side really helped reduce my homesickness." It's a testament to the comfort and support that siblings can provide, especially during significant life transitions.
But here's where it gets interesting: after their SPM exams, the twins took different paths, with Eva focusing on physics for her STPM and Evon choosing biology. This is a key point: even though they diverged academically, their support for each other never wavered. Evon explained, "We still supported each other. We took the same course in university but studied separately. If the question was physics-related, I would ask Eva about it and if it involved biology, she would refer to me."
Their four-year journey at UTM was made even more special by the care they received from their grandfather, aunties, and uncles. Family support clearly played a vital role in their success.
And this is the part most people miss: The most challenging period came during their internships. Evon completed hers in Melaka, while Eva remained in Johor. This separation was a significant test of their bond. Evon admitted, "I did not feel sad at the time because I was too stressed and busy learning new things in a semiconductor company, which was completely outside my field." Despite the demanding workload, she made three trips back to the university just to see her sister. "You have your close friends, but my closest friend has always been my twin, so being apart was tough."
Eva, too, had her own struggles. She shared, "I was sad at first and cried almost every day in the first week because I was alone and I am sort of an introvert." But she found strength in staying busy and focused on her tasks.
Now, with their studies complete, the twins are preparing for the next chapter: entering the engineering field. They haven't ruled out further studies, but for now, they're ready to apply their knowledge and skills.
What do you think? Do you believe that having a close sibling or friend helped you overcome challenges? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
