Discovering Malaysia: A Journey of Culture, Friendship, and Growth
Hi, I am Salsa, an Indonesian student who has the opportunity to join the ASEAN International Mobility Student program at Universiti Teknologi MARA. I major in Tourism and Hotel Management. Since I arrived in Malaysia in October, I was very surprised by the culture and people in this country. I thought hard about how to adapt to Malaysian behaviour, food, and weather. But I met wonderful people, who helped me a lot during my stay in Malaysia.
Although Indonesia and Malaysia are culturally and geographically similar, I am amazed at how people in this country can live with a wide variety of cultures around them. I feel safe here, even though it is my first time living with a different race. My amazing experience started on Deevapali day. I came to the Batu Caves to see how Hindus celebrate their big festival. Then I went shopping at Bukit Bintang, watched the Lake Water Show by the Petronas Twin Towers background, and had dinner at Kampung Baru.
Not only that, a very memorable experience was meeting international students and having the opportunity to take pictures with the Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, Dato Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir at the Meet and Greet with International Students in Malaysia known as MAGNET 2024. The event that took place in Putrajaya motivated me to learn more about Malaysia, and plan to try to study abroad for my next degree. I was fascinated by the buildings and pink mosque in Putrajaya. All I knew about Putrajaya is the fact that it is the central government city. While I live in a multicultural country, the buildings here were decorated with modern and futuristic Islamic design, with traces of Malay culture in it.
Malaysian people are big on food, and I happen to be a big foodie. For me, food is a source of happiness. On my first day here, I was given a variety of free food by a food seller and that made me very grateful. When I arrived at UiTM Puncak Alam, I got a welcoming dinner from my Liaison Officer, who welcomed me and my group from Indonesia. I also had the same experience when I came to the senior citizens’ activity center (Pusat Aktiviti Warga Emas) in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. They welcomed me, and told me they would cook Soto Malaysia, if I ever visit again. My favourite food in Malaysia is Nasi Kerabu, blue-coloured rice, mixed with a variety of vegetables, coconut, and sambal sauce. The taste of Nasi Kerabu is quite similar to Indonesian taste.
I don't regret coming to this country. Other than the fact that this country has a good economy, security and infrastructure, this country has a lot of history and culture that is interconnected with Indonesia. I still have a lot to learn about this country, such as its history and language. Hopefully after I finish my programme here, I will have the opportunity to come back to Malaysia, to collaborate with Indonesia, for a better and more developed ASEAN in the future.
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Although Indonesia and Malaysia are culturally and geographically similar, I am amazed at how people in this country can live with a wide variety of cultures around them. I feel safe here, even though it is my first time living with a different race. My amazing experience started on Deevapali day. I came to the Batu Caves to see how Hindus celebrate their big festival. Then I went shopping at Bukit Bintang, watched the Lake Water Show by the Petronas Twin Towers background, and had dinner at Kampung Baru.
Not only that, a very memorable experience was meeting international students and having the opportunity to take pictures with the Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, Dato Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir at the Meet and Greet with International Students in Malaysia known as MAGNET 2024. The event that took place in Putrajaya motivated me to learn more about Malaysia, and plan to try to study abroad for my next degree. I was fascinated by the buildings and pink mosque in Putrajaya. All I knew about Putrajaya is the fact that it is the central government city. While I live in a multicultural country, the buildings here were decorated with modern and futuristic Islamic design, with traces of Malay culture in it.
Malaysian people are big on food, and I happen to be a big foodie. For me, food is a source of happiness. On my first day here, I was given a variety of free food by a food seller and that made me very grateful. When I arrived at UiTM Puncak Alam, I got a welcoming dinner from my Liaison Officer, who welcomed me and my group from Indonesia. I also had the same experience when I came to the senior citizens’ activity center (Pusat Aktiviti Warga Emas) in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. They welcomed me, and told me they would cook Soto Malaysia, if I ever visit again. My favourite food in Malaysia is Nasi Kerabu, blue-coloured rice, mixed with a variety of vegetables, coconut, and sambal sauce. The taste of Nasi Kerabu is quite similar to Indonesian taste.
I don't regret coming to this country. Other than the fact that this country has a good economy, security and infrastructure, this country has a lot of history and culture that is interconnected with Indonesia. I still have a lot to learn about this country, such as its history and language. Hopefully after I finish my programme here, I will have the opportunity to come back to Malaysia, to collaborate with Indonesia, for a better and more developed ASEAN in the future.
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