51风流

2 Student Testimonials

Read firsthand experiences from the students. They offer insights into the benefits and successes achieved through our programmes.

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  Simo-Pekka, Finland

  Student Exchange Programme

  What I liked most about my exchange programme was the possibility to travel all around Malaysia and nearby countries as well. I didn’t have any previous traveling experience even in Finland, but I quickly learned how to travel using the express bus system, it was easy to get anywhere from Kangar bus station. One of the reasons I wanted to come to Malaysia was diving, and I had some quite amazing diving experiences there.
  
  This was a once in a lifetime experience, and now I feel a lot more confident in intercultural communication and traveling abroad. I made many friends and all the students were friendly and helpful.

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  Marika Katariina Keskinen, Finland

  Bachelor of Manufacturing Engineering

  I don’t think it is my thing” was my answer a couple of years ago when people were asking me if I would ever be an exchange student. I am not quite sure what happened after that, but I guess I just got bored being surrounded by familiar things and wanted to see new things and different kinds of culture. And in Malaysia and in UniMAP, I certainly got what I asked for.
  
  Being one of the two first exchange students had its good and bad sides. Many times you feel like a famous pop star, because almost everybody knows who you are and smiles and says hello and seems to know what you have been doing even if you have never met them before. Lots of people in UniMAP are very interested about other cultures and are keen to practice their English. But sometimes you wish that you could just blend in with the crowd and not be the orang putih who is always noticed. In universities where is lots of exchange students, the students usually hang around with each other and not with the locals that much. For them there is also some special programme arranged to learn about the culture and the country, but here all that relied on my own activity.
  
  One of my aims here was to travel as much as possible, and almost every weekend I went somewhere. I have spent a couple of nights in a jungle, seen wild orangutans, ridden an elephant, explored caves, been snorkeling in bright blue waters, kayaked in the middle of limestone islands and done lots of other things which I will always remember.
  
  During my stay here I have been through all kinds of emotions from frustrations to happy moments. I missed a lot of things from Finland when I stayed here, but I am sure that when I am back there, freezing in the -20 temperature and not seeing sun no more than four hours each day, I will miss lots of things and many people from Malaysia.