Where Are Taylor’s Students Travelling During the Semester Break

KUALA LUMPUR — Every time semester break arrives, Taylor's campus quickly falls silent. Students pick up their suitcases one after another, getting ready to start their own vacation journey. However, different student groups have different choices and considerations when it comes to traveling—these differences are quite thought-provoking.

Postgraduates: The Ultimate “Power Travelers”

For the master's students at Taylor's University, especially those from China, the break time always seems insufficient. With a relatively short duration of one to two years for their postgraduate studies and a high degree of freedom in their schedules, coupled with their general possession of work experience and greater financial independence, the time spent studying abroad is regarded as "a break from real life," making travel a standard feature.

Zhou Lili, a 30-year-old law student from Chongqing, China, who worked in a court, chose to pursue her master's degree in Malaysia not only to fulfill an academic dream but also to provide a transition and break for her career. Over the past two years, she has almost visited all the countries around Malaysia: the murals in Penang, the blue sea in Semporna, the Merlion in Singapore, the street food in Bangkok, Hanoi in Vietnam, Hong Kong Disneyland, and the Ruins of St. Paul's in Macau... "After the pandemic, it's so hard to come out for study. Of course, I have to enjoy myself to the fullest!" she said with a smile.

    Zhou Lili in Senbonna     Photo credit: Zhou Lili

Chen Chunyan, from the Master of Teaching and Learning, also mentioned that all her classmates were traveling on holiday. "Seeing them constantly posting photos on WeChat Moments, it's hard not to be tempted. After all, flights aren’t expensive—in Southeast Asia, you can just buy a ticket and fly anytime. It’s so convenient.” An interesting phenomenon is that many students from China often recruit “travel buddies” through WeChat groups. Even if they didn’t know each other before, they can quickly become familiar through the shared journey. During every holiday, Taylor’s University WeChat groups are filled with similar posts like: “Going from XX to XX — anyone want to join?”

Undergraduates: Home Feels Closer Than Any Destination

Compared to postgraduate students, undergraduate international students at Taylor's University seem to be more homesick. The long duration of a bachelor’s degree programme and the pressure of studying abroad often intertwine with the longing for home. Ma Yu, a third-year student majoring in Mass Communication, admitted, "As soon as the break starts, my first thought is to book a ticket back home. I miss my family so much." Although she sometimes visits nearby cities during the holidays, her attitude towards traveling is much more casual than that of postgraduate students who tend to visit everywhere. "There's still plenty of time. I'll have chances to go later," she said.

Au Yong Shannon, a local student majoring in journalism, pointed out that for Malaysians, short vacations can be spent within the country, but when the vacation is longer, "the vast majority of people will choose to travel abroad with their families, especially to Thailand, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan."

Top Travel Spots: Why Are These Places Always Packed?

For Taylorians, domestic travel in Malaysia has almost become a daily activity. Genting, Cameron Highlands, Langkawi, Semporna, and Penang are basically the must-visit destinations for every holiday. 

When it comes to overseas travel destinations, the popularity of Japan and South Korea remains undiminished. The K-pop culture of South Korea and the cherry blossoms and anime culture of Japan always manage to capture the hearts of young people. Singapore, being a close neighbor, is a top choice for short vacations due to its safety and convenience. Thailand has always been the preferred destination for its cost-effectiveness, and the addition of concerts makes it even more attractive. Indonesia is also one of the most popular travel destinations, whether it’s the world-famous Bali or its abundant volcanic sites.

    Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan.               Photo credit: Peng Guangyuan

Taiwan has become a special case. Tan Chiao Yi, a local Chinese from the Bachelor of  Pharmacy, mentioned, "Malaysian Chinese have grown up watching Taiwanese YouTube videos, so it's natural that they are very interested in Taiwan." In recent years, after Taiwan reopened to mainland Chinese tourists who were staying abroad, many Chinese students have taken advantage of their overseas status to apply for entry permits to visit. Zhou Lili shared, “I was passionate about Taiwanese variety shows since I was a teenager, and I’ve always been curious about how Taiwan preserves Chinese culture. On top of that, it’s the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.” During this trip, she also met Peng Guangyuan, a Master's student in Teaching and Learning. The two connected through a WeChat group while looking for a travel buddy, and after meeting in Taiwan, they were surprised to discover that they were both part of the LGBT community. "Seeing gay couples holding hands and walking together on the street in Taiwan was very touching," Peng said. However, Lili also admitted, "It's quite difficult to find a travel companion among Chinese students studying abroad for a trip to Taiwan. Some friends even worry that the record of visiting Taiwan might affect their chances of getting a government job when they return to China."

Meanwhile, mainland China’s emerging travel destinations are also catching the eye of many local Chinese Malaysians. Apart from the most well-known major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, nowadays more and more Malaysians are traveling to destinations that are traditionally considered to be less popular. Tan Chiao Yi and her family will travel to Chongqing and Sichuan in November this year. "It's really convenient to plan a trip on Xiaohongshu. The surreal, 8D-like cityscape of Chongqing and the beautiful scenery of Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan are so attractive." She also specifically mentioned, "The night view of Chongqing is very beautiful, and I know there's the popular 'drone show' from Douyin.

The money-saving tips of Taylorians

The ways of booking tickets and accommodation for Taylorians vary: Local and some international students prefer to book their flights through Google Flights or the airline's official website, while accommodation is usually booked on Booking.com, Agoda or Trip.com. Chinese students, on the other hand, will additionally use platforms such as Tongcheng, Ctrip, and Qunar; Students from some Southeast Asian countries, like Indonesia, often use Traveloka. 

There are numerous ways to save money, such as pre-booking discounted tickets, finding "travel buddies" to share accommodation and transportation costs, purchasing e-SIM cards in advance, and using Wise for currency exchange—all of these are common practices among students. 

Popular Platforms for Taylorians to Book Flights and Accommodation

Travel Tips Checklist:

• Purchase travel insurance in advance 

• Pre-ordering e-SIM cards online 

• Bring a power bank and a converter socket. 

• Back up important documents in digital form

• Prepare local currency or load up a Wise card for easy payments

But ultimately, the most important aspect of traveling is not where you go, but who you go with. Peng Guangyuan said, "As long as you find the right travel companions, even just strolling on the streets of Kuala Lumpur can be very enjoyable." 

Taylorians, what about you? Who are you planning to go exploring the outside world with next time?