The big and ugly decision.

To be able to work in a place that produced 6 noble laureates is a golden opportunity. In fact, it will be good for my CV, especially in carving my career path among the scientific community. However, I have never felt right about it since the first time I decided to accept the conditional offer letter from Cambridge. It was a strange and indescribable feeling.

For that odd reason, I decided to forgo the offer. However, I need to write a very nice and apologetic letter to him, so as not to jeopardize the chances of Malaysian who intend to study there.

So I wrote one.

Dear Dr. XXXXXX,

How are you? I hope you're doing well.

I would like to inform you that, sadly, I will not be able to join your research team at Cambridge this year.

I was unable to obtain sponsorship from my school on the account that my scope of study is viewed as redundant, having been pursued by another colleague at the school.

It is suggested instead that I explore studies in industrial food microbiology, which has potential for further development in Malaysia.

I am truly disappointed to say the least, and I apologize to you for the turn of events. I would like also to apologise for the long silence as I was trying to work out for the sponsorship too.

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to explore the possibility of me being a student at your lab, and I hope I may someday have the chance to collaborate with you.

Wishing you all the best in your future undertakings.

Warm regards,
Fauzan Ahmad

Almost in a week, I got his reply.

Dear Fauzan,
My apologies for the slow response - I have been busy preparing for a meeting next week in London, and time has been short.....
This is not great news, since the project is a nice one and I think you'd have fitted in well. 
If you are still interested in re-applying for next year, do please let me know. 
By the way, we do also work on one aspect of food microbiology.... the "other half" of the lab works on the potato pathogen, Pectobacterium atrosepticum, and we have projects availble there too.

Kind regards,
XXXXXX

He is very professional. Salute.