{"id":18176,"date":"2018-08-06T15:35:39","date_gmt":"2018-08-06T07:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shopee.sg\/blog\/?p=18176"},"modified":"2018-08-06T15:35:39","modified_gmt":"2018-08-06T07:35:39","slug":"lifeatshopee-shopee-career-quality-assurance-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shopee.sg\/blog\/lifeatshopee-shopee-career-quality-assurance-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Slippers, not Shoes: A QA Lone Wolf Takes on the World"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bahasa Indonesia translation available here<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Black bomber jacket, high-end earphones, and sideswept hair – Roozi exudes an old-school biker vibe that belied his charming, eloquent personality. He speaks with maturity beyond his years, and takes me on a journey halfway across the world with his stories, before offering insightful takes on the unsung merits of local culture from a traveler’s perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roozi is a Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist who ensures that users get to experience a flawless, seamless Shopee interface. When he\u2019s not spotting and rectifying server issues before anyone else does or building frameworks to automate testing and analysis, he\u2019s out looking for the best speakeasies in the city, or checking another country off his travel list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what went down during the hour-long conversation I had with the one-man globetrotter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi takes in the breathtaking Transfagarasan view with a fellow traveller<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Perry: <\/b>Hi Roozi! Tell us a little more about yourself, and what you do here at Shopee?<\/span><\/p>\n

Roozi: <\/b>Hey guys, I\u2019m Roozi. I\u2019ve been working with Shopee SG for about 3 months, and I\u2019m currently part of the QA team in charge of Shopee\u2019s core server. I was born in Surabaya, Indonesia. I lived in various parts of Malaysia whilst doing my undergraduate studies, before making my way here to Singapore. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi dressed to the nines at his graduation ceremony<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>What brought you to this side of the region?<\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>I\u2019ve wanted to uncover the secrets hidden in this little island since I left Indonesia! It\u2019s such a vibrant city despite its size, which is a stark difference from the places I lived in during my university days. I studied in <\/span>University of Malaya<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for 3.5 years, and snagged an internship at Intel further up north in Penang for 6 months. KL was next – I got a full-time job at Quintiq and stayed there for a year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Malaysia\u2019s a very quaint, cosy place with plenty of chill spots, but I wanted to experience something a little more exciting. Therefore, I started traveling right away in my first year and never looked back since.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi putting his best foot forward whilst venturing through the UAE\u2019s deserts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>Four and a half years of being stuck in the same country must\u2019ve been quite a drag for you then! Where have your travels taken you?<\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>Oh, plenty of places. I\u2019ve been to almost every nation in the Southeast Asian region, and I\u2019ve covered a fair bit of Europe as well. During my time there, I crossed Romania, France, and Germany off my list. I\u2019ve also been to Korea and the Middle East.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi with the outgoing batch of AIESEC students, all leaving with new experiences<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/b>P: <\/b>Romania\u2019s not usually the first thing that comes to mind when people mention Europe – why the decision to go there?<\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>It\u2019s a country less travelled, but it has one of the richest cultures in the continent. I first learned about it as a member in my university\u2019s <\/span>AIESEC programme<\/span><\/a>. AIESEC is a global youth-run NGO that gives youth the chance to volunteer or work in places outside the comfort zones of most. It was a leap of faith for me as well, but I\u2019m glad I did it!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi stops for a break and a picture beside one of Muzeul Astra\u2019s many heritage huts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>That sounds incredible. Where did AIESEC send you? <\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>I managed <\/span>Muzeul Astra<\/span><\/a>, one of the largest open-air museums in Central Europe. Found in Transylvania, Romania, the museum showcases artifacts from several different cultures and concepts in thematic huts and houses scattered around the museum grounds, making for a experience that\u2019s very different from the usual indoor museums we typically see in this region. Travelling and working alone in a foreign land were two things I had never done before at that point. That could\u2019ve been why the opportunity was irresistible. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi enjoys the breathtaking Transylvania landscape perched on one of its rustic castles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>Hmm\u2026 Museum in Transylvania, huh? Is the Count Dracula rumour true? <\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>Yes! Everything about Transylvania and Count Dracula is true – \u00a0except the part where he was a vampire. The real story\u2019s a little too graphic for easy reading, so I\u2019ll leave that out! (laughs)<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Romania\u2019s streets, refined and peaceful, exude a characteristically European vibrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>Guess I\u2019ll find out more about that on my own! I\u2019ve heard how Romania\u2019s not quite developed – were there any difficulties you encountered along the way? <\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>What you\u2019ve heard is true. Romania doesn\u2019t have access to rest of the world the same way Singapore does, so most residents speak the Romanian language exclusively. Network coverage in Romania was also bad in many places, which restricted my Google Translate use on the go. I often had to resort to gestures to make my way around most of the time. That\u2019s particularly difficult when you want something specific, or are trying to inform them of dietary needs. Or cravings! <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi conquers new-found lands in the Transfagarasan mountains with his new-found friends<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>Sounds like the trip involved many personal challenges. Any other memory of Romania that excites you till this day? <\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>There\u2019re too many to recount. The first one that comes to mind is the treacherous climb through the rocky mountains, along the famous Transfagarasan road. Look it up, and you\u2019ll be surprised at how many times you\u2019ve seen it without knowing its name! (laughs) It was quite the experience for me as most mountain ranges in Southeast Asia are forested. Being able to see the peak while trekking up the mountain added quite the rush to the entire journey!<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the new stuff I\u2019d gotten the chance to experience is situated outside the beaten path, and based on my experience, the road less travelled is always more beautiful and of course more challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi gets in touch with his spiritual side at the Angkor Wat in Cambodia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>It takes an adventurous spirit to say that. You have photos to prove your appetite for adrenaline too!<\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>(laughs) My friends often comment that my travel paths differ greatly from those listed on most travel guides, and I think it has something to do with how I travel. When I decide to pack up and go, it\u2019s usually very impromptu – I\u2019ll have my flight tickets, but nothing else. I have to plan for accommodations and meals only after touching down, and that has forced me to interact with locals, who usually turn out to be much nicer than most people expect! It\u2019s also helped me save money in some instances – I\u2019ve stayed in a S$2\/night backpacker hostel in Cambodia before!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi walks the streets of Frankfurt with his home temporarily packed into a backpack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>Travelling extensively must have been rather difficult to budget. How did you manage?<\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>I\u2019ve always believed that the cost of travelling is secondary to the memories gained during a trip. That being said, I tried to save as much as I can while I was studying. Cutting down on material pleasures, like switching to a new phone every couple of years instead of months, helps a lot, as does being frugal in general.<\/span><\/p>\n

I also try to make sure that I travel entirely for myself. If a particular landmark appeals to the masses but not to me, I tend to skip it, and save quite a bit in the process. This is your holiday – do what you enjoy!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi cracks a smile during the interview while reminiscing about old times<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>It\u2019s rare to see someone this self-assured at such a young age. Was there ever a time where affirmation by others was a priority?<\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>Did you ever have a phase where you would wear shoes to the beach just to look good? I was like that once as well! (laughs) We\u2019d do things just to impress, with little regard for what was most important – our own personal welfare. I think solo travelling has taught me to focus on what\u2019s important, which becomes very obvious when you\u2019re in trouble in a foreign land.<\/span><\/p>\n

The concept of \u2018coolness\u2019 is relative, and I\u2019ve learned from experience that being yourself always pays off better in the long run. Being yourself brings truly like-minded people to you, and that\u2019s when you will truly enjoy yourself. A facade merely attracts people who don\u2019t appreciate you for who you truly are, and you\u2019ll get tired out keeping up with trends or matters you don\u2019t even enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi\u2019s mother and sister send him off on yet another one-of-a-kind journey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>Letting go of excess baggage is something we all could learn! Conversely, has there been things or people you\u2019ve learned to appreciate more after all your travels?<\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>Family, for sure. When you grow up around them, you eventually take them for granted. I was always adventurous and wanted to leave Indonesia for greener pastures, but after two years of Hari Raya celebrations away from home for summer programs in other countries, I found myself missing them the most. <\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t wait to finally be home again to see my sister and the rest of my family! One\u2019s mind may wander, but home is really where the heart is. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi and his colleagues gear up for an intense game of Laser Tag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>How has Shopee complemented your burning sense of adventure?<\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>Shopee\u2019s been a fresh breath of air compared to other firms I\u2019ve worked at. I\u2019ve interned and worked full-time for MNCs and met many helpful and talented people, but the pace was always a little slow. Here at Shopee, I\u2019ve been asked to step out of my comfort zone. Seeing how my hard work makes a real difference makes the discomfort worth everything. The fun and open community here turns every workday into an experience as well!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Roozi ventures on, undaunted by hell or high water – or mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P: <\/b>(laughs) You\u2019re an adrenaline junkie to the core! You mentioned having a sister. Come the day where she tells you she wishes to follow in your footsteps and work outside of Indonesia, what advice would you give her?<\/span><\/p>\n

R: <\/b>Three words: just do it! (laughs) It\u2019s the figurative deep end of one\u2019s personal journey: getting a job, moving to a new place, and adapting to a new environment. Don\u2019t be overly concerned with naysayers who speak of the horrors of working overseas – there will be problems, but those can be solved.<\/span><\/p>\n

A friend once said something that really struck me: \u201cEverything is going to be alright. If it\u2019s not, it\u2019s not the end!\u201d Wandering into the great beyond will always come with its own trials and tribulations, but getting through them will only make you a stronger, more adaptable, and more appreciative person. Taking that big step out has been great for me so far – so to my sister or anyone who wishes to take the plunge, I\u2019m confident it will be for you too!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Your adventures have made our day, Roozi! Have you been bitten by the travel bug, or simply by Roozi\u2019s exciting travel stories? Satiate your wanderlust with another <\/span>global adventure<\/span><\/a> by a fellow Shopee warrior, or <\/span>join<\/span><\/a> these globetrotting individuals at work and hear their stories firsthand!<\/span> \t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bahasa Indonesia translation available here Black bomber jacket, high-end earphones, and sideswept hair – Roozi exudes an old-school biker vibe that belied his charming, eloquent personality. 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