Written by Natalie Mullins
Arriving in Malaysia was an adventure that brought along with-it unexpected challenges but ultimately led to valuable experiences. Adjusting to a new country came with hurdles including resolving passport issues, navigating the accommodation search, and ensuring all visa requirements were met.
Achieving these tasks while exploring and learning a new city, adapting to a university campus when I am used to remote learning, and making new friends was no small feat. Thanks to the support of my host university, a trip back to the airport, a five hour long wait to meet visa requirements, a five week-long wait for my passport to be returned and many tears, I was thrilled to finally receive my student visa. After three weeks of searching, I settled into my long-term accommodation, giving me a sense of stability and the freedom to discover more of Malaysia.
The move to Malaysia happened quickly which enabled me to keep an open and curious mind. As someone accustomed to moving around, I thought settling in would be straightforward. In Australia I studied remotely working in outdoor recreation often stationed in peaceful rural areas with natural surroundings.
Coming to the vibrant, bustling city of Kuala Lumpur was a change of pace that introduced me to an entirely new lifestyle. Malaysia is unlike anywhere I have lived before, and the size of Universiti Malaya’s campus is contrastingly opposite to my experience of studying online.
Along with adjusting to a lively city environment I have embraced face to face learning, new public transport, local cuisine and the surprise of tropical rains and flash flooding. Despite the settling in phase I have managed to visit some of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic landmarks like the Petronas Towers, the Pink Mosque, Batu Caves and Thean Hou Temple.
After settling into my accommodation I had the opportunity to explore beyond the city out to places including Malacca, Tioman Islands and the Cameron Highlands, each of which offering it it’s unique beauty. From swimming with reef sharks and turtles at Tioman Island to the lush green scenery of the highlands, each experience has been truly memorable.
One of the highlights of my experience has been meeting new friends and learning alongside them in this dynamic environment. Having already attended one field trip and still another yet to come, I am looking forward to exploring more diverse landscapes around Malaysia. As I continue planning the next steps in my New Columbo Plan journey I am excited for what is to come in this semester and after.
Find out more about the New Columbo Scholarship Plan.
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative.
