By FOONG KAH MEI
“The memory that triggered my homesickness was when my friend invited me over to her house for her grandmother’s birthday dinner celebration.”
“It was heart-warming to see their family portrait. It reminded me of my family in China.” added School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts student Lee Li Fang, 20.
Like many international students, there is never a moment where Lee does not miss home.
No matter their origin, international and local students alike share one thing in common: they want a place they can always call home. However, adapting in an unknown environment can sometimes be more challenging than we thought.
Taylor’s Business School student Andy Wiguna Harsono, 21, shared, “Even though my stay in Malaysia was rough at first, I consider this place as my second home now.”
Wiguna said that one of his challenges when he was new in town was getting used to the mode of transportation.
“My family and I were afraid of getting lost while using public transport like the LRT and taxis were selective of places in which they pick up and drop off passengers.” he added.
Language was also another challenge that Wiguna faced in his student life. His grasp of the English language was not as fluent as other local students and often misunderstandings took place between him and the other party.
He overcame this barrier by watching English movies and observing the way other students speak. Wiguna participated in club activities which enabled him to socialize with new friends.
International student from Maldives Aishath Zilma, 24, faced the same challenge as Wiguna.
“The buses are always full and I used to wake up very early just to take the bus to Taylor’s.” explained Aishath.
Similarly to Lee and Wiguna, Aishath experience homesickness as much as any other international students. Her family back in her home country is what she think of every single time.
Aishath expresses her desire to mix around with people of different nationality and make new friends. It took her time to adapt to the new environment but looking back now, she realised how much she has grown since coming to TU.
So what are her advice to international student who has just started their life in Malaysia?
She commented, “Life is just starting and we have such a long way to go. Whenever in face of an obstacle, remember to just hang in there. Always stay positive and keep on going.”
Lee commented that if you are an international student facing difficulties in conversing in English, she suggested joining more club activities and events. That is where you meet different types of people and improve on your language.
Everyone has their own story to tell. There is no denying that everyone wants a place that they can truly call home. In a country where diversity is at its best, differences between cultures are often seen as a way of learning and acceptance.
“The memory that triggered my homesickness was when my friend invited me over to her house for her grandmother’s birthday dinner celebration.”
“It was heart-warming to see their family portrait. It reminded me of my family in China.” added School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts student Lee Li Fang, 20.
Like many international students, there is never a moment where Lee does not miss home.
No matter their origin, international and local students alike share one thing in common: they want a place they can always call home. However, adapting in an unknown environment can sometimes be more challenging than we thought.
Taylor’s Business School student Andy Wiguna Harsono, 21, shared, “Even though my stay in Malaysia was rough at first, I consider this place as my second home now.”
Wiguna said that one of his challenges when he was new in town was getting used to the mode of transportation.
“My family and I were afraid of getting lost while using public transport like the LRT and taxis were selective of places in which they pick up and drop off passengers.” he added.
Language was also another challenge that Wiguna faced in his student life. His grasp of the English language was not as fluent as other local students and often misunderstandings took place between him and the other party.
He overcame this barrier by watching English movies and observing the way other students speak. Wiguna participated in club activities which enabled him to socialize with new friends.
International student from Maldives Aishath Zilma, 24, faced the same challenge as Wiguna.
“The buses are always full and I used to wake up very early just to take the bus to Taylor’s.” explained Aishath.
Similarly to Lee and Wiguna, Aishath experience homesickness as much as any other international students. Her family back in her home country is what she think of every single time.
Aishath expresses her desire to mix around with people of different nationality and make new friends. It took her time to adapt to the new environment but looking back now, she realised how much she has grown since coming to TU.
So what are her advice to international student who has just started their life in Malaysia?
She commented, “Life is just starting and we have such a long way to go. Whenever in face of an obstacle, remember to just hang in there. Always stay positive and keep on going.”
Lee commented that if you are an international student facing difficulties in conversing in English, she suggested joining more club activities and events. That is where you meet different types of people and improve on your language.
Everyone has their own story to tell. There is no denying that everyone wants a place that they can truly call home. In a country where diversity is at its best, differences between cultures are often seen as a way of learning and acceptance.