International Student Exchange Experience in Malaysia
Whoever said school is boring didn’t go on an International Student Exchange!
It’s hard to believe it’s already been 6 years since our unforgettable time in Malaysia. As the cliché goes, “it feels like only yesterday!”
When the opportunity to attend an international student exchange was presented it seemed like an interesting proposition, one of those “once in a lifetime opportunities” that must be taken.
What better way to end your university experience than spending the final semester abroad?
Most of the program attendees were enrolled in Europe or Australia, a fairly safe and standard approach to the international exchange. After all, studying in foreign countries can be quite challenging if English is not widely spoken or understood.
After careful consideration, it was decided that Penang, Malaysia was the best fit.
When the exciting news was broken to friends and family the initial response was, “Malaysia? Why would you want to go to Malaysia? Can’t you go to Australia or Europe?”
Most of them couldn’t even point out Malaysia on a map and typically got it confused with Mongolia or Taiwan.
The answer was simple. Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia has awesome white sandy beaches, hot tropical weather, amazing cuisine and it is centrally located.
Who wouldn’t want to go there?
Coming from Vancouver, Malaysia was literally one of the furthest locations from home. Being a predominately Muslim country, Malaysia seemed so foreign and different, so interesting and remote.
This introduction to Asian culture was unlike anything we’d ever experienced before, and ultimately led to a serious travel addiction that has yet to be satisfied!
Where did we live?
The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is located in Penang, a heavily populated island in northwest Malaysia, near the Thailand border. After partnering up with two Canadians girls that were also in the exchange program, one from Alberta and one from Ontario, it was time to find an apartment for the five month term.
We lucked out and found a huge three bedroom for only $300 each per month, conveniently located just a short walk from the university and within steps of a bustling hawker market. We used a local realtor that was referred by the university, which ended up being a smart move because we ended up in a decent building that housed several other international students.
And the pool was pretty nice too…
Why do an International Student Exchange?
- Meet People from all over the World
One of the best parts about being on an exchange is that you’re going through the program with many other students from around the world. Not only do you get to learn about the local culture, you get to learn about other countries from the students in the program. Our cohort included a mix of local students, which created a great learning environment for everyone involved and allowed us to learn the language and customs first hand. - Travel More, with Less
Being in Malaysia with an apartment gave us the freedom to travel throughout SE Asia, taking only what we needed. Every weekend we would explore a new part of the region. Sometimes we’d have up to a week off (okay, so a few classes were skipped), which gave us the opportunity to travel to Thailand, Laos, Singapore and Borneo.
Each time, we’d only fill a small backpack, making it much easier than slugging around heavy long-term backpacks. After returning from our weekend travels we had the luxury of an apartment to return to, which meant the ability to do laundry and regroup before the next adventure. - Live Like a Local
There is no better way to experience a culture and country than actually living there. Going to school meant creating daily routines, just like at home. Taking local transit to the mall to purchase groceries was a much richer cultural experience than any museum, temple or tourist attraction. By mingling with local students, we learned where to eat, where to drink, where to shop and how NOT to get ripped off like a regular tourist. - Shake up your Education Experience
You’re only a university student once (well, at least in most cases). Why not take advantage of your youth and learn at another institution in another country? Although text book learning is not typically the primary objective for an exchange, you’ll learn a lot while in a foreign classroom. - Find Travel Companions
Worried about traveling through foreign lands alone? Being on an exchange gives you the opportunity to team up with other solo travelers that are looking for adventure. You can pretty much bank on the fact that every weekend someone is looking for a travel buddy, all you have to do is ask. - Learn about Travel Experiences from other Students
As noted above, every weekend someone in the exchange program is traveling somewhere. One weekend, we teamed up with seven students and traveled to Kuala Lumpur. Our other friends from class spent the weekend on the tropical island of Langkawi.
When we returned, we swapped travel stories and learned from their experiences, and vice versa. We informed them about bus schedules and city hostels in KL, and they informed us about ferry schedules and beachfront bungalows on the island.
Things to Consider when doing an International Student Exchange
- Choose a country that has a cheaper cost of living
As a student, you’re probably limited on funds. By choosing a country that has a lower cost of living and poor currency exchange, you’ll be able to take advantage of your cash position and do more for less. - Select a school that has an International Airport
The reasoning is self explanatory. If the goal is to travel more, it helps to be close to an airport. Take it one step further and research airports to find out where the discount carriers fly. We often used Air Asia, a popular Malaysian discount carrier, and flew from Penang International Airport (very close to where we were living). - Avoid selecting classes on Monday and Friday
This will allow more flexibility and freedom to take weekend excursions. When you factor in travel time, a normal weekend goes by very quickly. It may take some negotiating but you’ll be thankful that you did! - Arrive early or depart later
Obviously this will depend on your school schedule. Typically there are only two or three semesters in a school year, meaning you can either show up to your destination the month before or extend your stay afterwards. Take advantage of the airfare already purchased and get more traveling done. - Wait until you arrive to find accommodations
Going on exchange is not like backpacking. You want to be comfortable and you need a place where you can study. It’s best to check out the apartment firsthand before committing, especially if you’re staying in a developing nation. Make sure the accommodations are close to the school or within a short distance to transportation. If you plan to find a roommate, it’s best to meet students at orientation and decide after introductions are made. - Take advantage of school resources
Read about the different options available. Meet students that have already completed the exchange; take them out for coffee and pick their brain. Get prepared by asking questions.
Final Thoughts
Don’t pass on the opportunity to take an International Student Exchange because of money or fear. It will provide you with so much more than you could ever imagine, so put in the extra effort and make it happen!
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Have you been on an International Student Exchange?
Share your story in the comments section below!
Yes, yes, yes! I second everything you said here. I did not take advantage of international student travel when I was in college, and I have been kicking myself for it ever since. It’s the perfect time to do it.
We were very glad we did… well, Nicole was the one who went to school, Cameron tagged along for the ride 😉
Always wondered what it would have been like to have done a student exchange. Sounds like it was a great experience for you!
Yes – it was a great experience. We’d recommend everyone do an exchange, at least for one semester. You typically only get the chance once or twice!
wish i was young enough to be a student again!
I hear that! 😉
the family i stay with in KL, their father works at the uni in penang! cool place and nice beaches as you say! Famous for the most delicious food in malaysia too.
It was great that you guys had the courage to turn down Oz or Europe, no doubt that was the easy choice but i’m sure your glad you didnt chose them now!
Hey Johnny – you’re bang on with the food in Penang. It’s been very hard to find another place that can match it’s culinary delights!
Thanks for sharing guys. I did an exchange program after high school and loved the experience. Truly life changing. It’s amazing how quickly the time flies and when you leave how much like a local you feel.
It really is amazing how it changes you. We’d love to return one day, but I fear it will never be the same as it was with all of the other students around.
What’s the saying, “you can’t go home twice” or something like that?
I wanna be an exchange student to Malaysia how can I appply? any scholorship? now i m studying in one international university in Thailand and my major is public relation. I am really interested in this country, I have a lot of Malaysian friends so I wanna learn their language and culture : ) I fall in love w/ this country <3 anyone can give me suggestion?? I really wanna go there (got bores of Thailand haha)
I’m actually deciding over the next 2 weeks whether to go to University Sains in Penang Malaysia or to Poland. I would think Poland has more of a culture (not as mixed) with opps for training it around eastern Europe…whereas Malaysia has thailand and borneo nearby…
is this the uni you went to?
Hey there
So I was was wandering and googling from one to another of every traveler cum blogger and I found TravellingCanucks! And so whenever everytime I read to anyone’s post in the blog I’ll tend to scroll over to destination and seeking if they made it to Malaysia, I’m eager to know what the foreigners think of Malaysia so yeah I found you. Well I’m the local. Staying in Kuala Lumpur.
What makes me intrigue to post a comment on this entry (pardon me although it was posted years ago) is because you were an exchanged student at my university! FTW. I was studied in USM too, graduated in 2008. One makes it more interesting is that I think you are one of the Canadian who involves in exchange program with our School of Biological Science with my lecturer, Dr Nurul Salmi.
If this is true, it was nice meeting you here. You’re partially USM, and to say this is somewhat awesome.
Take care.
Kerol.
That pool looks familiar! I also lived in E-park 2004-2005 and studied at USM 🙂 Good times!!
I just arrived in Malaysia for the first time tonight. While I probably don’t plan on teaching or studying it’s really cool to hear about your experiences. I think the mark of a great place is you’re able to stay there for a while and you still like it when you leave.
your experience sounds very good, I am going to USM for Exchange this fall. Kindly guide me what are the suitable options for me where i can stay for some time once I am there and finding people to share a more permanent accommodation with me.