Travelling as a Gateway to Knowledge

Today Malaysia is home for many foreigners who have travelled from their home countries for one reason or another. Students, teachers, tourists, asylum seekers, civil servants, even patients looking for medical options have come to this land of opportunity.

This country is also carving a name as an international hub for education in recent years. We went round to find out what motivates foreign students to come here to study.

John Emanuel a student from the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Built Environment, UCSI University said, “I’ve always loved travelling and when I found out I could travel and study at the same time, I took the opportunity. It has enriched my life and widens my perspectives”.

Traveling provides tremendous opportunities for fun, adventure and discovery. When we visit places in Malaysia, we gain a better understanding of the people living there. We learn their cultures, histories and backgrounds. We discover the similarities, as well as their differences. It is interesting to learn from people with diverse backgrounds.
A few international students that we met also told us that they choose Malaysia because of it’s the peaceful nature.  Malaysia is a multi-ethnic society where Malays, Chinese and Indians are the predominantly ethnic groups that make up the multi faceted community.

According to Umar Lawal, a Nigeria a student from HELP University, it is interesting to see how they co-exist in harmony. Another student from Iraq, Hafiz Mikdar had this to say, “Peace is what I love, that’s why I am here to study and live in peace”.

As an English speaking country, Malaysia has a good learning environment, has rich experiences in language teaching and has experience teachers from all over the world.  Studying in Malaysia will allow you to learn and experience another cultures, make new friends and develop your own career that will benefit you and your society. Studying in Malaysia has enabled me to learn both within and outside the classroom.

The cost effective nature of Malaysian institutions of higher learning is another factor that encourages international students to come to Malaysia to study. “The tuition fee and cost of living is very affordable” noted Zainab Isma’il, a Nigerian from Segi College. “Studying in Malaysia means many benefits for you as this country offers international students a stimulating academic, social, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment, which will make their study and living here worth their money, time and effort. Students enjoy high standards of education and internationally recognized programmes”.

“Malaysians are very friendly to the international students. The teachers are also qualified and dedicated to their teaching and learning activities. They also have a cordial understanding with their students particularly at UCSI University” said Rahama Y Bamude from Sudan.

Hadil Ahmad from Tanzania currently studying at Limkokwing University says she came here to study because she was among the students sponsored by her government.  While, her friend Vaishali Kumar from India who is studying Interior Decoration in the same university said she came to Malaysia because her husband is working here in Malaysia.

Malaysia is now regarded as an international destination for acquiring academic qualifications. The existence of both public and private universities and university colleges has made Malaysia what it is now in modern society. The nature of the Malaysian people, their ability to accept and live in harmony with foreigners from different nationalities also brings so much glory to the county.