24 February 2021
Peng Wong (1989) is a Marketing Communications Specialist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With a marketing career spanning over 16 years and her experience working in the travel, hospitality and technology industries, Peng was asked to be one of our South East Asia POS Ambassadors in 2018. We caught up with Peng to find out a bit more about her.
What is your favourite memory of your time at Pembroke?
I have so many memories of being at Pembroke, especially of boarding life. (I’m not sure if some of those stories could be repeated for publication though!)
I would say that an experience that stuck out the most for me were all the various school camps that we had to go on. As tough as some of them were, the bonding we had as a class and the various incidents (funny, tough or otherwise) definitely showed us a different side to school life and our classmates.
What is your biggest career highlight?
When I worked for a publishing house we produced an Asian travel website, and eventually a spa magazine. As the Managing Editor, I had the opportunity to travel all around Asia working with various national tourism agencies to promote their national landmarks and destinations.
The best advice I have ever been given was…
“Failure is an option – when you fail you learn. Learn to embrace failure as a necessary step forward, not a stop sign.”
Who was your favourite teacher at Pembroke and why?
There are many teachers I remember fondly at Pembroke. Mr Shephard, who was the Yates homeroom teacher was so welcoming and almost fatherly to a little foreign student new to the country and the school. And Reverend Pill whom we had for English one year – drawing a scene from Animal Farm, as the class read aloud one day.
Something you miss about Adelaide?
The easy, reasonably laidback lifestyle and the wide open spaces. I grew up there, arriving at the age of 12 and leaving just after my 21st birthday. My brother still lives in Adelaide, and I’m still in touch with many classmates, and we try to go back every year.
Name three places that are on your bucket list
Finland, Santorini (Greece) and Florence (Italy).
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world, who would it be?
Any of my great-grandparents – I never really knew them, and I would really love to hear their stories and learn more about the family history – where were they from, their experiences as migrants from China to Malaysia, and what their hopes were for their future generations.
Name a dish that reminds you of your childhood
That has to be traditional Malaysian staple food – Nasi Lemak and Roti Canai!
How did you and your family celebrate Lunar New Year this year?
This year Chinese New Year was a quiet affair. Malaysia is in lockdown due to the current covid-19 pandemic. The eve which is traditionally a big affair where families get together for reunion, was limited to only 15 pax and those living within a 10km radius. With most of our family interstate and overseas (or living more than 10km away), this year it was really very quiet.
What are your memories of celebrating Lunar New Year when you were at Pembroke?
Most of the time, it was a regular school day! There would be letters and calls home to wish my parents, but no real festive celebrations that I recall.