16 years ago The University of Nottingham opened its campus in Malaysia, attracting students both overseas and at home with its low living costs and tropical setting. Having spent an incredible two weeks at the UNMC Summer School, I was able to comprehend a snippet of what studying abroad full-time would be like. As someone who had never ventured out of Europe before, I gained lots of shocking insights from both studying in and travelling around Malaysia.
Enriching the value of your degree through Nottingham’s growing global network cannot be recommended enough, but if you’re embarking on a study abroad endeavours of your own soon, you’ll most likely come across the more shocking aspects of the journey!
Many Western Vibes
Stepping foot on UNMC ground had me questioning if I was actually in Asia as I was greeted by a surreal hybrid of West and East – a replication of University Park’s most alluring traits – the lake and Trent Building, with oak trees replaced by palm trees. Malaysia’s colonial past is still inherent in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur where the city resembles so much of Western commercial culture, from Gucci stores the size of Nottingham’s town hall, to giant billboards advertising Selena Gomez gigs. You really a feel of New York in KL, yet you turn a corner and become overwhelmed by the vast Eastern food on offer. We even had a busker singing Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ to us at the dinner table…
Surprisingly decent facilities
It’s easy to be apprehensive about living standards when if you’re venturing half-way across the globe into a less developed country. Campus halls always have to fit high standards and requirements of the university so you’ll be impressed by how catered-for you are. Free sports facilities (Malaysia’s campus including an outdoor swimming pool!) and of course the inability to ever get rained walking around campus are a definite bonus.
Impromptu animal encounters
Don’t be shocked if a stray cat greets you in the communal area in halls, if a lizard jumps on you whilst eating lunch, or if you encounter a cockroach the size of your palm in your bathroom – difficult if you’re not an animal lover! There is also a sadness to the variety of bio-diversity on offer abroad; monkeys eating plastic bottles at Kuala Lumpur’s most visited attraction – Batu Caves.
The Study Abroad Team is holding a fair to promote study abroad opportunities to current Nottingham students. It will take place on Wednesday 16 November in the Atrium, Portland Building from 12 noon until 4 p.m.
Edited by Susan Akyeampong
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/feb/25/bu…