By KELLY CHENG CHIALI
“Kamek anak Sarawak.”
“Boleh bah kalau kau.”
These sentences may sound alien to most Peninsular Malaysians but they are actually common phrases spoken by our Sarawakian and Sabahan friends across the South China Sea respectively.
In the midst of foreign faces in a foreign place, some East Malaysian youths may encounter slight culture shock when coming to Peninsular Malaysia for studies.
School of Business student Dorothy Wong Sze Fui, 21, who originally hails from Kota Kinabalu (KK), Sabah was slightly overwhelmed by the pace of life here in Subang Jaya, Selangor. She has not stepped foot in Peninsular Malaysia prior to enrolling in Taylor’s University. She noticed that life in KK is slower paced compared to Subang Jaya.
“At first, I couldn’t get used to the pace here. Everyone seems to be rushing from one place to another. They drive faster and even walk faster,” Wong said.
Speaking about future plans, Wong admits that there are lesser job opportunities in Sabah compared to Selangor.
She said, “Ideally I would like to go back to KK after graduating but right now there seems to be more opportunities to grow and develop myself if I stayed here.”
School of Architecture, Building and Design student Jong Hui Joo, 22, who is a Sarawakian, dreamt of studying in Taylor’s University. “I was fascinated by the lake. In fact, the university is rather impressive.”
Despite being enthralled by studying in the modern-tropical university campus, Jong is troubled by the safety issue living in PJS 7.
Jong said, “I walk to campus every day and constantly have to look out for any potential muggers.”
“I never had to live in this way back in my hometown,” she continued.
Jong also agreed with Wong with the hectic life in Subang Jaya. She likes the lifestyle here to a marathon.
“It’s like a race. People compete against each other for money; every man for himself,” she said.
Jong added that the sense of community is stronger in Kuching. Sarawakians are generally friendlier to each other.
She revealed that she wishes to return to Kuching after graduation but just like Wong, she plans to seek for employment here as she wants to take on bigger quantity surveying projects that cannot be found in Sarawak.
“Klang Valley is an exciting place to be but it’s just a temporary home. I still prefer the simple life back in Sarawak,” Jong mused.
“Boleh bah kalau kau.”
These sentences may sound alien to most Peninsular Malaysians but they are actually common phrases spoken by our Sarawakian and Sabahan friends across the South China Sea respectively.
In the midst of foreign faces in a foreign place, some East Malaysian youths may encounter slight culture shock when coming to Peninsular Malaysia for studies.
School of Business student Dorothy Wong Sze Fui, 21, who originally hails from Kota Kinabalu (KK), Sabah was slightly overwhelmed by the pace of life here in Subang Jaya, Selangor. She has not stepped foot in Peninsular Malaysia prior to enrolling in Taylor’s University. She noticed that life in KK is slower paced compared to Subang Jaya.
“At first, I couldn’t get used to the pace here. Everyone seems to be rushing from one place to another. They drive faster and even walk faster,” Wong said.
Speaking about future plans, Wong admits that there are lesser job opportunities in Sabah compared to Selangor.
She said, “Ideally I would like to go back to KK after graduating but right now there seems to be more opportunities to grow and develop myself if I stayed here.”
School of Architecture, Building and Design student Jong Hui Joo, 22, who is a Sarawakian, dreamt of studying in Taylor’s University. “I was fascinated by the lake. In fact, the university is rather impressive.”
Despite being enthralled by studying in the modern-tropical university campus, Jong is troubled by the safety issue living in PJS 7.
Jong said, “I walk to campus every day and constantly have to look out for any potential muggers.”
“I never had to live in this way back in my hometown,” she continued.
Jong also agreed with Wong with the hectic life in Subang Jaya. She likes the lifestyle here to a marathon.
“It’s like a race. People compete against each other for money; every man for himself,” she said.
Jong added that the sense of community is stronger in Kuching. Sarawakians are generally friendlier to each other.
She revealed that she wishes to return to Kuching after graduation but just like Wong, she plans to seek for employment here as she wants to take on bigger quantity surveying projects that cannot be found in Sarawak.
“Klang Valley is an exciting place to be but it’s just a temporary home. I still prefer the simple life back in Sarawak,” Jong mused.