My International Student Experience in Malaysia - A Student's Honest Take

Malaysia surprised me in the best way possible. My name is Shiphra and here's what my journey has looked like as an Occupational Therapy student at Perdana University Malaysia.

Arrival 
From the moment I landed, I felt taken care of. The EMGS International Student Arrival Centre welcomed me at the airport, and my university representative was waiting on the other side of immigration.

The Visa Process 
Honestly? Straightforward. Submit your documents, and EMGS handles the rest. Renewals are the same, my student portal sends a reminder, I submit my passport, and I get an email when it's ready for collection. Stress-free.

University Life 
I'm in my second year of BSc (Hons.) Occupational Therapy at Perdana University. Classes are small, which means sessions feel personal and faculty are genuinely invested in you. I arrived to a full orientation covering classes, the student portal, how to open a bank account, and get a student MRT card with a 50% discount. I'm also part of the Student Occupational Therapy Club, which has been a great way to stay connected on campus.
 

Image 1: Hippotherapy (Horse Therapy) Event organized by Student Occupational Therapy Club


Daily Life 
I really love how I can get any cuisine here, from mamak stalls to Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and even Nigeria. My favorite Malaysian food would definitely be chicken rendang but it doesn’t top my love for kuih, especially kuih keria and popiah!


Image 2: My Plate from Raaya Potluck with some of my favorite Kuih Raaya


Getting around is easy because the train system is straightforward and I use Moovit to plan routes. For areas not near the train, I go to the nearest station then use any e-hailing services (Grab, Bolt, or InDrive). The amount of public holidays was definitely a pleasant surprise for me, experiencing Yee Sang on Chinese New Year and Raya potlucks has been so much fun.

Community 
I found my people at university and at church. Malaysia is religiously diverse and respectful, I met an incredible international community, and we've done potlucks, Africa Day celebrations, and so much more.
                

Image 3 and 4: Africa Day Potluck with Malaysian Friends (we cooked for them)

This year, I started "Shiphra's 2026 Side Quests" committing to at least one fun activity a week for myself. So far I’ve done: yoga, ice skating, Melaka, Penang, Johor Bahru, golf, flower arranging, volunteering, and so much more because of how affordable it is.
 

Image 5: Volunteering with Malaysia Red Crescent

 
Image 6: Flower Arranging Workshop



Top Tips
•    Buy a portable fan; it's hot and humid outdoors
•    Carry a jacket ; indoors can be freezing with the AC
•    Always carry your i-Kad (ID); it identifies you and helps in emergencies
•    Budget wisely; balance Grab with public transport, and eating out with cooking at home
Malaysia has been welcoming, exciting, and full of growth. If you're considering it, this is your sign!