Memories for a Lifetime

My Highlights in Kuala Lumpur at APU

Hello, my name is Naomi, and I had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at the Asia Pacific University (APU) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During my time at APU, I was enrolled in the MBA (Master of Business Administration) program, which I really enjoyed. The courses were both interesting and practical. However, it is important to keep in mind that teaching methods in Asia can differ significantly from those in Germany.

Now let's move on to the more exciting part of this report: my personal highlights, my travels, and some unforgettable experiences during my semester abroad.

One of my biggest highlights was definitely checking something off my bucket list. I had always wanted to run a half marathon, and I finally did it in Kuala Lumpur, without any prior training. At first, my friends thought I was joking or that I would never make it to the finish line. But I actually completed it, and it was an incredible feeling. Achieving a goal that I had been dreaming about for so long, especially during my semester abroad, gave me a memory that will last a lifetime. The funny part was that, because of Kuala Lumpur's hot and humid climate, the race started at 4am so that runners could enjoy cooler temperatures. My friends were tracking my location throughout the race, so they always knew where I was. It was hilarious to keep spotting them along the course, cheering me on. For the event, the entire city center was closed to traffic, which happens quite often during major races. Running events and marathons are extremely popular in Kuala Lumpur, and I had never seen so many participants at a race before.

Another experience I almost always include when I travel is attending a football match. I am a huge football fan, and whenever I support a team, I try to visit its stadium. If there is one thing I can tell you, it is that football is also very popular in Kuala Lumpur. The stadium was packed, and the atmosphere was absolutely amazing. What impressed me most was that there was no violence or disorder, and no alcohol was sold inside the stadium. People were very respectful, took great care to keep everything clean, and everyone cleaned up after themselves. There was also no pushing or overcrowding, which I especially appreciated as a rather short person.

Since my semester abroad began in September, I spent both Christmas and New Year's away from my family in Germany for the very first time. One thing I found particularly beautiful was that in Malaysia, every major holiday is celebrated, whether it is Christmas, Chinese New Year, or Deepavali. And they are not celebrated modestly they are celebrated in a truly spectacular way. I have never seen so much beautiful Christmas decoration anywhere else. Every shopping mall, restaurant, and even public space was filled with large, beautifully decorated Christmas trees. It was fascinating to see how people from different cultures celebrate Christmas. Of course, the combination of Christmas decorations and 30 degree weather was especially funny it is definitely something everyone should experience at least once.

Another thing is that I actually spent New Year's Eve in Sydney, Australia. That was another unforgettable experience. Sydney is famous for its spectacular fireworks display over the harbour, and seeing it live was simply incredible. It was the perfect way to end an eventful year during my semester abroad.

To sum up, I can confidently say that my semester abroad in Kuala Lumpur was one of the best experiences of my life. It was much more than just studying in another country I grew personally, discovered new cultures, and created countless unforgettable memories. The combination of academic learning, travelling, and building new friendships made this experience truly unique. I can only encourage every student to take the opportunity to study abroad while they can, because it allows you to see the world from a completely different perspective.