While most people are still asleep, 26-year-old Vivian is already on her way to Singapore, catching the KTM train at 4am to report for work as a flight attendant. For the past two and a half years, this young woman from Malaysia has been living her dream job in the skies—while enduring one of the toughest daily routines imaginable.
From Architecture Graduate to Flight Attendant
Vivian never imagined she would end up in aviation. After completing her degree in interior architecture, she realised that starting salaries in her field were low and that she didn’t want a job confined to a desk.
“One day, I saw an advertisement for a cabin crew position,” she said. “I applied on a whim and went to the interview just to see what it was like. I didn’t even prepare.”
To her surprise, Vivian passed the interview and was hired shortly after. That decision changed the course of her life, taking her to more than 20 countries across Asia and beyond.
A Cross-Border Daily Grind
In the beginning, Vivian rented a place in Singapore to be closer to Changi Airport. However, the high cost of rent soon forced her to reconsider. “After a year, I moved back to Johor Bahru. It was cheaper, and I still had access to Singapore for work,” she explained.
Her new routine involved waking up before dawn to catch the early train across the Causeway. “Sometimes, I had to leave home as early as 4am just to make sure I avoided the traffic jams,” she said. The trip to the airport could take up to an hour, and she repeated the journey several times a week.
“Sleep was definitely sacrificed,” she admitted. Still, she found comfort in being based in Malaysia, where food and lifestyle felt more familiar. “I didn’t really enjoy living in Singapore — the food didn’t suit me, and I preferred the slower pace back home,” she said.
Living Her Dream Despite the Exhaustion
Despite the demanding schedule, Vivian’s job gave her opportunities most people can only dream of. She has travelled to over 20 destinations, including India, Nepal, and the United States. “Every flight was a new adventure. Some countries surprised me, and others challenged me, but I learned so much,” she shared.
Even with her busy roster, Vivian appreciated the balance between work and personal time. “On my off days, I would spend time with my family or edit my travel vlogs,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey, she hopes others will consider the experience at least once in their lives. “If your body can handle it, being a flight attendant for two or three years is worth it. You’ll gain a new perspective, meet people from all walks of life, and grow in ways you can’t imagine.”
For Vivian, her story is not just about chasing a dream — it’s about resilience, sacrifice, and proving that even a daily 4am commute across borders can be part of a meaningful life journey.