International Students Adjusting to Life in Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the top international education hotspots in Southeast Asia, which is why students from all over the world come to enjoy the affordable tuition rates, multicultural society, and readily recognized universities. Go abroad can be a great experience to grow academically and personally, but it can also come with its problems when adapting to the new environment. Adjusting to life in the foreign country can be a rewarding and challenging experience from language to culture.

Communication is one of the initial challenges faced by many international students when they arrive in Malaysia. In universities English is generally used, but it takes time to get used to different accents, communication and local expressions.

Li Kunda, a first year student from China studying here in Taylor’s, said he found it difficult to communicate with the locals initially, including the students and lecturers.

“At the beginning of my studies in Malaysia, I was concerned with speaking English, because I was afraid of using it wrongly, sometimes I could hear what was written in lectures but sometimes I had difficulty understanding what was said out of the class.”

Li said he became more confident over time with frequent exchanges with his classmates and group assignments.

He said that his classmates were very encouraging, he would speak more and more and over time he became more comfortable in expressing his ideas in English.

Adjusting to the climate and lifestyle of Malaysia can be difficult apart from the language barrier. Students from other countries with varying weather systems will require time to adjust to the tropical climate.

International student Ya Xuan stated one of the most difficult things she had to put up with was the weather.

“Our weather here is hotter and more humid than what is used to, and the first few weeks I was here, I was getting tired when I had to be outside, but I adapted and learned how to manage my day-to-day life,” she said.

She also noted the importance of food in making International students feel at home in a new country.

Malaysia has a lot of cultural diversity and this is evident in their food, I can find something that reminds me of my home country and it makes it easier to transition.

Even with these factors, many international students feel the Malaysian multicultural environment offers a friendly environment. Student exchange and friendship programs take place at the universities, where students from various countries meet.

Lzhan, an Indian student, said it was a learning and enriching experience.

“One of the most pleasant parts of studying in Malaysia is to meet people who come from different backgrounds: Chinese, Indonesian, African and Malaysian; I learned about a lot of different traditions, languages and ways of life from them.”

Lzhan feels these interactions have helped him to be more open-minded and culturally aware.

“I have learned about cultural differences, and respect their differences and appreciate other cultures when living and studying at the same time.”

The experiences that international students shared provide evidence from academic studies related to cultural adaptation. In psychological terms, by psychologist John W. Berry, one of the foremost experts on cross-culturalistic studies, successful adaptation takes place when the individual can hold onto some of his/her own culture and at the same time be active in the environment he/she faces. Berry states that the social interaction, cultural involvement and community support are key elements to assist individuals in adapting to a new environment.

This is the renowned psychologist John W. Berry.

Picture source: https://icp2024.com/scientific-programme/state-of-the-art-speakers/john-w-berry/

In the case of many international students in Malaysia, their experiences illustrate Berry's level of insight. Student clubs, campus activities and friendships with local and international peers allow students to develop a sense of belonging and to maintain ties with their own cultures.

A large proportion of students are unanimous that the process of settling in to life in Malaysia can be a long process, but that this can help students grow in themselves. Being abroad, being independent, resilient and understanding other cultures is more essential than ever in today's globalised world.

The scene of students from different countries studying and chatting together at Taylor's University.

Picture source: The content that the author captured at Taylor's university

International students have continued to be a significant part of Malaysia's higher education system as the country's efforts to position itself as a regional educational hub keep intensifying. While there will be obstacles, many students discover the friendships, experiences and knowledge acquired along the way are worth the trip. Their learning in Malaysia is not just about degree; it's about becoming worldly citizens in a globalised world.