Malaysia launch: Henley student Chessa shares her experience

Thursday, 25 February 2016

In all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect in Malaysia. Just getting an opportunity to study there was an accomplishment for me. But I knew that I wanted to experience studying and living in a different country, and felt prepared for it.

The application process had been relatively straight-forward. My study admin coordinator, Mr Joe Doak, was very supportive and guided me throughout. I even applied for a student bursary, and managed to get it.

I am an undergraduate studying BA Business Management. As the Malaysia campus had just opened up, this course was not available yet. So, I moved there as a student in BA Finance and Business Management.

Everything in Malaysia was different – the class sizes, the interaction between students and teacher and even the “Freshers’ Week”. But the students were really warm and welcoming, and helped me settle in. I couldn’t really have asked for more.

There were 10 of us in my class and everyone was friendly towards each other. We did everything together – learn, relax, eat and discover the area around the campus. From my first week at the campus to the last one, my classmates ensured that my time in Malaysia was as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Some even invited me to their homes, and their families treated me like I was their own child.

The country offers a rich mix of Malay, Chinese and India cultures. The food is delicious and the festivities bring together different communities. The Hindu festival of Diwali happened while I was in Malaysia. Students from other universities at Educity got together to celebrate this festival of lights and it is an evening I really cherish.

With my Asian background, I am familiar with the food in the region. But the confluence of different cuisines and the range of delicacies on offer was a major discovery for me. With my friends, I explored different parts of Malaysia and Singapore and the food on offer.

Studying at the University was an enriching experience for me. The different perspectives that my classmates brought was interesting to hear and learn from. I did two modules in Malaysia, one of which was quite tough but I enjoyed and got through it.

Even though the University has just opened, its commitment to students is very obvious. The energy of an Alumni Day or an Open Day is no different to what you see at Whiteknights. The University also seems keen on developing the strengths of its students and offers opportunities and support to them to take on leadership roles, like starting a new society.

My time in Malaysia taught a lot about myself. I faced my fears, overcame any obstacles that came along and successfully achieved my goals. If anyone is thinking about studying abroad, I would recommend them to just go ahead and do it. There may be obstacles along the way, but at the end of it you will proud and happy at what you have experienced.

Also on the launch of University of Reading Malaysia: