I'm Ni Putu Cynthia Ananda Dewi from Bali, Indonesia, and I am an undergraduate student studying English Education at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam campus in Selangor. I am the youngest in my family and have always been close to them. This is my first time being separated from my family, and it has made me feel very homesick. To be honest, this was also my first time traveling overseas, so I was quite excited. However, after a few days in Malaysia, I started missing my family and often cried in my room. Fortunately, I managed to cope with my homesickness and eventually fell in love with Malaysia, turning this challenging experience into a series of wonderful adventures. Here, I will share how I overcame my homesickness during my exchange in Malaysia.
When I arrived in Malaysia, I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to explore the country. However, I didn’t have any friends at first, so I dealt with my homesickness by calling or video chatting with my family. While this helped ease my homesickness, I still found myself crying after our conversations. I realized that I was lonely and needed someone to share my feelings with. As a result, I started meeting new people and connecting with my peers. I made friends with both local Malaysian students and international students from all over the world. I feel fortunate to have been surrounded by such wonderful individuals, which helped me adapt and feel more comfortable in Malaysia.
Interacting with local Malaysian students and exploring the country with my new friends turned out to be the best experiences of my life. My Malaysian friends were incredibly funny, helpful, and friendly. Both my lecturers and friends at UiTM were welcoming and supportive. One of my lecturers even gave me a baju kurung, a beautiful traditional Malaysian dress for women. I am grateful to her for such a thoughtful gesture and enjoy wearing the baju kurung because it is both lovely and comfortable.
My first adventure in exploring Malaysia began with a visit to Kuala Lumpur alongside my Malaysian and international friends. I was thrilled to see the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and take pictures at Batu Caves. My friends and I were awestruck by the majestic Petronas Towers and the sacred Batu Caves. Beyond cultural attractions, Malaysia also offers modern recreational destinations. My friends and I visited Genting SkyWorlds in Genting Highlands. The weather was very cold there, so I recommend wearing thick clothing to enjoy all the rides comfortably. The thrilling rides and fun-filled moments with my friends made me forget my homesickness and feel genuinely happy in Malaysia.
Exploring Malaysian cuisine and shopping for souvenirs were also significant parts of my experience. At Pasar Seni (Central Market), I bought colorful souvenirs like keychains and magnets. The market is filled with beautiful paintings and exquisite artwork that are both aesthetic and unique. While my international friends enjoyed trying nasi kandar, a delicious Malaysian dish, I found myself missing traditional Indonesian food. Fortunately, Malaysia is a culturally diverse country, and food from around the world is readily available. I found nasi goreng with chicken slices, a traditional Indonesian dish, and its taste was so close to home that it helped ease my longing for my family’s cooking.
In conclusion, Malaysia offers countless ways to ease homesickness. You just have to embrace the experiences and adventures available—whether it’s making new friends, visiting exciting places, trying delicious cuisines, or purchasing memorable souvenirs. Homesickness is only temporary, but the memories and adventures you create here are unforgettable. Malaysia is the most wonderful country I have ever visited, and I can’t wait to share my stories with my friends in Indonesia. I also plan to visit Malaysia again in the future with my family and friends to show them how incredible this country truly is.
