“Malaysia, of all places?”
My friends remarked when I told them that I would be living in Malaysia for the next 3 years.
“Why not?” I replied.
I wanted my college years to be filled with new adventures and challenges. I knew I wouldn’t gain the same satisfaction if I had remained in Ireland. Since young, I had travelled to several Asian countries, but Malaysia left a lasting impact. From its friendly, multiracial locals to beautiful rain forests and tropical beaches, living in Malaysia was the perfect plan for a globetrotter like me. I wanted to go back to experience more of what the country could offer.
So, I decided to pursue my degree fully in Malaysia.
Image source: Unsplash
Upon research, I discovered that higher education in Malaysia typically costs lower compared to European countries. A degree in Malaysia costs between 1,350 to 9,300 EUR a year, which I thought was quite decent judging by their impressive global university rankings. With 5 universities that made it to the top 200 of QS World University Rankings 2021, the country’s higher education quality and cost for international students seemed promising.
Growing up in Ireland, my parents have always encouraged me to value education and be adventurous. I enjoyed learning from experience, which was why I liked the outdoors and enjoyed being surrounded in nature. Later on, my love for nature led to a passion for videography and filming. In fact, it had led me to choose my dream major — Media Studies, a branch of Communication — at HELP University.
After deciding on a course, it was time to face the tedious process of applications. I had searched for an agency in Malaysia to help with my applications, but none of them could provide me the information I needed. I was about to give up and apply directly to the university myself when I stumbled on a blog about applying for a Student Visa in Malaysia. It was posted by Eduloco, a student recruitment and study abroad agency, that offered free consultations as well as application services.
I was in luck! I contacted a counsellor an received a reply soon after. She was patient and helpful along the way. I only needed to submit my documents to her, and the rest was history!
My student life at HELP University was nothing short of fun. I made friends right after orientation and they were excited to bring me around. At one point, my Malaysian friends seemed intrigued whenever I spoke, asking me to repeat the same words over and over again. (Could it be my accent?).
I was pleasantly surprised at how well they could speak English, although I noticed that they had a tendency to add lah, ah, and mah at the end of their sentences. Mei Lee, one of my Malaysian friends, said that it was a Malaysian thing. It took me a few months to get used to their accent and lingo, but I noticed that the locals sounded friendlier and warm when they spoke in this manner. I even begun using Manglish myself. Very easy lah. Manglish only mah!
Food Is Way Better Here
Malaysian foods were so different from Irish dishes. Everything here was flavourful and rich in taste. The seasonings were a tad bit too spicy, but I adjusted quickly and learned to enjoy spicy dishes like nasi lemak, chicken rendang, and asam laksa.
The Kuala Lumpur campus was surrounded by food stalls, trucks, and eateries. The variety of delicacies was endless; I never ran out of choices when it came to lunch! The food here was cheap too. I could easily get a hearty meal at approximately 2 – 6 EUR per meal.
Image source: Unsplash
Another thing I noticed while living in Malaysia was the heat. It was summer all year long, with an average temperature between 30 and 34 degrees Celsius. I admit — I really missed the cool, mellow Irish climate so much that I wanted to stay in my room all afternoon.
No wonder Malaysians love spending time in air-conditioned shopping malls and eateries! Additionally, you wouldn’t want to be outdoors when thunderstorms happen. They’re terrifying! In fact, there is an average of 240 days of thunderstorms per year in Klang Valley itself.
My course was mostly hands-on, so I was often outdoors filming videos and taking photos for assignments. I had the privilege of travelling around Malaysia for a group project, and it was one of the best experiences for me.
Image source: Unsplash
Malaysia’s wealth of flora and fauna never ceased to amaze me. I had been to various forest reserves and marine parks that were home to rare species, such as the Malayan tiger, orang-utan, tapir, and even the corpse flower, Rafflesia. My group documented our experience, and the video was even nominated for a national short video competition! Here are some destinations that we’ve visited:
Image source: Unsplash
Living in Malaysia, I noticed that the locals living outside urban areas were laid back and carefree. I had always preferred dining at small coffee shops and food stalls as the food tasted better than their commercialized counterparts in the mall. Therefore, I frequently made small talks with the owners and was humbled by their preference for simplicity.
“My children are well-fed, educated, and happy. What more do I need?” a makcik (aunty) noted, with a broad smile on her face.
This had led me to better appreciate the little things in life.
As an Irish girl living in Malaysia, there were times when I felt homesick and just wanted to leave. However, the positivity of my experience always outweighed my reasons to return home. The most important lesson was to be open-minded and accepting of the different cultures and lifestyle in Malaysia.
I’ve learned so much about the importance of respect and understanding from the multiracial community in Malaysia. My personal growth has also improved with each challenge, which prompted me to conquer my fears and insecurities of living independently in the country. Now, I’m proud to say that Malaysia is my second home!
Are you preparing for university? Check out these articles from Eduloco to find what you need.
Jocelyn Cheng (JC) is an INFP writer seeking to spread inspiration and spark connections through her words. Her dedication to writing has gifted her with an ability to write for multiple platforms (e.g., website, social media, newspaper, magazine, etc) in different fields, namely Education, Travel, and Healthcare. JC personalizes her works by adding a touch of her own experience into the mix whenever she can to relate to her readers. A self-proclaimed poet and currently a freelance writer, she's working on an untitled poetry book at home while juggling between writing for Eduloco, dancing, and keeping her only plant alive.
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