Preparations for my semester abroad in Malaysia

The journey to my semester abroad at the Asia Pacific University in Malaysia

Anyone planning to do a semester abroad far from home should definitely be prepared for more challenging preparations compared to an Erasmus semester. This is primarily due to sometimes lengthy visa processes, but the time difference can also pose a challenge for communication. However, it’s worth it. Guaranteed!

It was a similar experience for me when I decided in late fall 2023 to spend a semester abroad in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) a year later through World of Students. The Asian continent has always fascinated me, partly because I had already visited several times. Escaping the German winter and instead living in a bustling city with a skyline, culture, diversity, and possibly the best street food in the world had an incredible allure for me. And any doubts or worries I had about the preparations were quickly and consistently addressed by the team at World of Students. Communication was always smooth and hassle-free, allowing me to take my first steps toward Kuala Lumpur (fondly referred to as KL) without delay. These initial steps included getting in touch with the Asia Pacific University (APU) there and coordinating with my university in Germany. Most public universities here recognize foreign courses (or at least part of them), making the semester abroad meaningful from an academic perspective as well.

I officially began the enrollment process six months before departure, in my case in March 2024. APU does not require a minimum GPA or English proficiency tests. They assume that students from Germany possess and can apply the necessary English skills (which I can confirm, by the way). During this time, the first challenges in planning arose. The Malaysian time zone is six hours ahead of Germany (seven hours in winter). When we wake up in the morning, Regine—the primary contact person on-site—is almost done with her workday. Smooth email communication can sometimes be tricky, though everyone in Malaysia tries their best. In general, Malaysians are extremely friendly and helpful, and I never felt left alone during my preparations. The biggest challenge in my planning was that I was traveling in Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, as late as August 2024. If this applies to you, make sure to inform Regine, as a prior stay (even a transit at the airport!) can negatively impact your student visa. However, the bureaucratic processes in Malaysia are relatively quick, so I could still apply for the tourist visa and on-campus housing in September after my trip. Initially, all communication is handled through Regine, who forwards submitted documents, payments, etc., to the relevant authorities. Behind the scenes, the groundwork for my semester abroad was laid. In October, I received the good news that my student visa had been approved, and I could book my flight to KL.

From that point on, the excitement grew. A semester abroad is always a challenge: being alone at first, meeting new people, adjusting to a new environment, new teaching methods, new subjects, climate, food, and so much more. Being so far from home, however, is a different experience than staying within Europe. Anyone who has been to Southeast Asia knows what I mean. Only a few European faces or Western brands like Coca-Cola or the occasional Mercedes on the streets remind you of your home 10,000 km away. It’s something you have to cope with, and while the first days might be overwhelming, the days, weeks, and months afterward will be amazing. Luckily, I had been to Asia and KL before, so I knew how to get started: don’t exchange money at the airport due to poor exchange rates, quickly get a SIM card, download the Grab app for fast and cheap taxi services, and avoid packing your suitcase with unnecessary jackets in 35°C and extreme humidity.

Speaking of suitcases: what do you pack, and how much? Ideally, pack enough to last two weeks without needing to do laundry. By then, you’ll have settled in and figured out things like the washing machines on the APU campus. Besides clothing, essentials include a tablet/laptop, all necessary documents (passport, visa, flight ticket), and other basics. My suitcase wasn’t much different from one for a vacation. Many items are incredibly cheap in Malaysia, so instead of paying high fees for excess luggage, consider buying things like towels or bedding locally.

On November 4, 2024, it was finally time: I flew 12 hours from Zurich to KL. APU arranges a shuttle service for all students from the airport to the university, which worked seamlessly. At the airport, it’s crucial not to go through the tempting e-gates but to head to the special counters for students and business travelers. With proper preparation in the months prior, this process takes only about 30 minutes.

And there I was: in the country, the city, and the university that Marisa had told me so much about 12 months earlier. I absolutely agree with her: even though the slightly more complex bureaucracy for enrollment, credit recognition, visas, and the time difference may be more nerve-wracking than an Erasmus semester, it’s 100% worth it. Come to KL!