Experience abroad in Kuala Lumpur

Adventure in Kuala Lumpur - A semester abroad at the Asia Pacific University in Malaysia

My name is Lea-Mariel, and since the end of August, I've been in Kuala Lumpur for my study abroad semester at APU in Business Management, which will last until the end of January. It's my first time in Asia, and I'm thrilled with everything I've experienced so far!

I chose Malaysia personally because it was the most affordable option in terms of general living costs offered by my university, and it sounded the most interesting to me. Before coming here, I didn’t know much about the culture and lifestyle. After just 1.5 months, I've already learned so many new things.

I’m sharing a room in a hotel with a pool, gym, shared kitchen, laundry facilities, and weekly room service with a friend I met shortly before starting my semester abroad. It’s even cheaper than my shared apartment room in Germany. We usually eat at the university or go to a nearby restaurant, which typically costs between €1.20 and €2.20 per meal. However, eating in restaurants often adds a 10% service charge and 6% tax, which can make it pricier than expected. Contactless or card payment is generally available, except at street food stalls.

As a vegetarian, it was challenging initially, and it’s still a bit stressful when eating out. "Vegetarian" meals here often include chicken, so I tend to eat the same things frequently. There are vegetarian restaurants in the city, but they require a bit of travel. I was vegan in Germany and find it difficult to maintain that here. If it’s very important to someone, I’d recommend finding accommodation with a kitchen to prepare and bring meals more easily.

Everyday life here seems to start later than in Germany. Most stores only open at 10 a.m., and the streets are bustling until midnight or even later. There are many Chinese tourists, and as a white person, I stand out, so I get more looks in local restaurants and areas. Nevertheless, people here are very friendly and generally shy.

When we use Grab, the popular taxi app here, the drivers rarely speak unless we start the conversation. Another taxi app, In-Drive, is also worth recommending as it’s usually even cheaper, but only accepts cash. If you share rides, it’s not too expensive. Still, a trip into the city can cost around 35 RM (€7.50) during peak hours, depending on where you live. Despite public transport not being optimal, we still rely on it.

These are my experiences so far in terms of life here in Kuala Lumpur. There’s still so much to share about university life, sightseeing, and travel. Until then, I hope this provides a good first impression of what life is like for me in Kuala Lumpur so far.