Coming Back to Malaysia For The Second Time Round
I’m Shafiyah Rahmah from Pancasila University Indonesia, and I’m a mobility student in Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia, taking the International Law Programme. This is my second time going to Malaysia to study. In November 2023, I went to Malaysia for an exchange programme at University of Malaya for 2 weeks then continued volunteering at Sanggar KBRI Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.
As a student doing International Law, studying abroad is very meaningful to me. As this is my second time round, I get to see many differences compared to my previous time here. For example, there are very specific differences in running a semester-long exchange programme to a shorter one such as academic activities, daily life in the condominium, simple recreational movements to relieve stress as well as the food consumed daily. What was also different was that I travelled to Malaysia by myself, not with the rest of the mobility student group. This was a challenge in itself because I had to carry all my belongings by myself and continue the journey alone from the airport to the condo.
The differences in lecture materials, learning systems, and ambitious learning environments challenged me to adjust and adapt well. To learn new things in the current environment and learn broader knowledge, especially the legal system and international law, made me enthusiastic. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country, this diversity also brings new acculturation in terms of food, where there are many unique foods that I have never tried before, that made me even more excited about exploring them.
The most memorable part of this journey, however, is the invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in a completely different culture. Living independently in Malaysia taught me resilience and adaptability in ways I had never experienced before. It wasn’t just about navigating a new academic system, but also understanding the nuances of life in a multicultural society. Every interaction, from casual conversations with local students to volunteering at KBRI Sentul, enriched my perspective. I learned that international experiences aren’t just about acquiring academic knowledge—they are about building connections, embracing diversity, and understanding the world through a lens broader than my own. This adventure is not merely a chapter in my academic journey; it’s a life lesson I’ll carry forever.
As a student doing International Law, studying abroad is very meaningful to me. As this is my second time round, I get to see many differences compared to my previous time here. For example, there are very specific differences in running a semester-long exchange programme to a shorter one such as academic activities, daily life in the condominium, simple recreational movements to relieve stress as well as the food consumed daily. What was also different was that I travelled to Malaysia by myself, not with the rest of the mobility student group. This was a challenge in itself because I had to carry all my belongings by myself and continue the journey alone from the airport to the condo.
The differences in lecture materials, learning systems, and ambitious learning environments challenged me to adjust and adapt well. To learn new things in the current environment and learn broader knowledge, especially the legal system and international law, made me enthusiastic. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country, this diversity also brings new acculturation in terms of food, where there are many unique foods that I have never tried before, that made me even more excited about exploring them.
The most memorable part of this journey, however, is the invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in a completely different culture. Living independently in Malaysia taught me resilience and adaptability in ways I had never experienced before. It wasn’t just about navigating a new academic system, but also understanding the nuances of life in a multicultural society. Every interaction, from casual conversations with local students to volunteering at KBRI Sentul, enriched my perspective. I learned that international experiences aren’t just about acquiring academic knowledge—they are about building connections, embracing diversity, and understanding the world through a lens broader than my own. This adventure is not merely a chapter in my academic journey; it’s a life lesson I’ll carry forever.
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