Malaysia is quickly becoming a top education destination for international students. Malaysia’s rich ethnic culture, scenic beauty, and innovative education make it a fantastic study destination for thousands of students worldwide.
It’s always a challenge for anyone moving somewhere new with different cultures, food, and language. What makes the challenge worthwhile is unforgettable experiences that you won’t find anywhere else!
For those considering an education in the heart of one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, this article shares 6 things you can look forward to when living and studying in Malaysia.
1. Experience the Malaysian Culture
Malaysia is known as the melting pot of cultures, boasting a history of being home to some of the most prominent ancient ports for global trade. Despite being home to various nationalities, the major ethnic groups include the Malay, Indian, Chinese, and indigenous populations.
Malaysia’s diverse cultural heritage gets reflected through its people, food, architecture, religions, festivals, and languages. Despite its multicultural environment, people coexist and celebrate life together. Malaysia ranks in the top 30 safest countries on the Global Peace Index.
The capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is Malaysia’s cultural, financial, and economic center. Living there, you’ll get an insight into an authentic side of Malaysia and its historical culture blended with cosmopolitan architecture. These things make Malaysia an excellent destination for students to experience new cultures in one of the most diverse countries in the world.
2. Experience the Malaysian Food
As an international student, if you’re worried about what you’ll eat, that’s the least of your problems. There’s food for all taste buds and dietary preferences, and it’s affordable relative to other global cities.
Malaysian food reflects its diverse mix of ethnic cultures. Malaysian food is known for its balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. It often includes coconut milk, palm sugar, sambal (ground red chili), and tamarind.
Seafood is a common ingredient in Malaysian dishes, especially fish, prawns, and mussels. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan food options too. Some must-eat cuisines include Nasi Lemak (a coconut streamed rice dish with tropical condiments), Asam Laksa (a sour and spicy fish-based soup), and Rendang (a fragrant, slow-cooked meat stew), among many others.
With a wide selection of food options to choose from, ranging from fine dining restaurants among Asia’s Best 50 and mouth-watering streetside hawkers, Malaysia is the country for true food lovers.
3. Enjoy Affordable Living Expenses for International Students
For any student studying abroad, expenses play a huge part. These costs include tuition fees, living costs, food, traveling, among others. But the good thing is that Malaysia is quite a budget-friendly destination for international students.
On a global scale, the country boasts relatively affordable college tuition, costs of living, and a wide variety of private and public universities to choose from. The capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is considered one of the most affordable cities for international students. The affordable living costs and value for money are some of the top reasons that Malaysia is one of the biggest attractions for education abroad.
4. Learn A New Language and Enjoy a Rich Social Life
As an international student, you won’t experience too many language barriers in Malaysia. Due to its large ethnic diversity, there are many languages in Malaysia. Even though the official language of Malaysia is Malay, English is also a commonly spoken language.
Education institutions also offer courses in the English language. If you like learning new languages, picking up Malay is likely to be a breeze, as it’s considered one of the easiest languages to learn.
Socializing in Malaysia is not difficult either. The country’s diversity provides a range of tractions, whatever your preference is. Whether you prefer quiet spaces to read or want to experience the nightlife, you can find it all in Kuala Lumpur.
One of the most popular social experiences in the city is the vibrant street life of Kuala Lumpur. At both day and night street markets, you can shop for fruits, vegetables, clothing, and of course, incredible food. It won’t be long before you find that the locals are warm, welcoming, and tolerant.
You can also take part in celebrating some of Malaysia’s most popular festivals and events happening throughout the year, from “buka puasa” (open houses) during Hari Raya Aidilfitri to Thaipusam pilgrimage at Batu Caves to carols at shopping malls. This allows you to explore and understand the culture better.
5. Sightsee and Create Unforgettable Memories
One of the main reasons Malaysia is a famous education destination for international students is that they find many opportunities to explore new things. Malaysia is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, rich in flora and fauna.
Whatever your interests, there is something for everyone. You can look at the state-of-the-art architecture, climb rough mountains, enjoy warm sandy beaches, or trek lush, humid mangroves.
Talking about some must-see places, Kuala Lumpur is the home to the world’s tallest twin buildings, the Petronas Twin Towers. You can also visit the two historic cities, Melaka and George Town, which are both designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Admire the breathtaking colonial architecture and enjoy the relaxed pace of life in these culturally-rich cities.
No visit to Malaysia is complete without Then the many beautiful Malaysian beaches all over the country. Talking about the must-see places, you can travel to Langkawi Island or head to Tioman Island to enjoy some of the more popular beaches. Diving and snorkelling fans can take a boat ride out to the Redang and Perhentian islands off the east coast.
Nature enthusiasts can visit the wild jungles in Sepilok, home to beautiful orangutans and other animals. Meanwhile, hiking and trekking enthusiasts can explore the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and Taman Negara National Park.
Check out more of these must-see places in Malaysia.
6. Benefit fromWorld-Class Student Facilities in Malaysia
Most of the things discussed in this article are happening off-campus. But student campus life can be just as exciting too. International students studying in top schools in Malaysia have world-class academic and residential facilities at their disposal.
These range from state-of-the-art classrooms, research centers, co-working spaces, sports facilities, and more, such as those found at Asia School of Business’ sprawling 22.2 acre residential and academic campus, which boasts facilities modelled after that of its founding partner school, the MIT Sloan School of Management.
In addition to best-in-class facilities, there are many ways to get involved in student life on campus, such as by taking part in student-managed clubs and committees. Reflecting Malaysia’s ethnic diversity, Asia School of Business boasts an equally diverse student community, consisting of over 70% international students for its full-time MBA program.