'True Asia': HSE University–St Petersburg Bachelor's Student on His Exchange Studies in Malaysia
Alexey Shkilev, third-year student of the Bachelor's programme 'Public Policy and Analytics,' spent the spring semester at Universiti Malaya. Read on to find out how the trip helped him explore Asia and improve his foreign language skills.
Choosing the University
I love the culture and traditions of Southeast Asia. I learnt about the academic mobility programme at HSE University–St Petersburg in my first year of studies in the 'Public Policy and Analytics' programme, but back then, it seemed to me that winning the contest was impossible.
In the second year, I happened to end up on the English course in Kuala Lumpur, where I made friends with coursemates from HSE University, and all three of us decided to return to Asia. The competitive selection was simple: points were given for academic performance, volunteer and organisational activities, and so on. My experience in the HSE 3x3 SPb basketball league came in handy.
The Studying Process
Universiti Malaya is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. I studied five courses: the basics of public administration, methods of making managerial decisions, social planning, project and financial management.
The educational process is a little different from ours. Firstly, the information is published on different websites, and I had to search for everything on the internet. At HSE University, we use HSE App X—it's very convenient!
Secondly, here, the boundaries between educational formats (lectures, seminars, tutorials) are blurred. The classes are not different from each other. Also, records of current academic performance are not published, sometimes it's difficult to contact the professors directly, and at least half of all credit hours were online.
What I Liked about the Foreign University
The atmosphere was friendly: on the very first day, we were introduced to the campus and student community, and received some merchandise as a gift. Local students helped us when we had questions.
Most of all, I liked project management. During our studies, we had quizzes, practical tasks, and team building games. We presented projects with real prototypes and 3D models made of the materials we had to hand.
Malaysia is a multinational country where people from China, India, Pakistan, and other cultures live and study. The population speaks English well, so there were no problems understanding each other. Despite our different backgrounds, I felt comfortable in the multicultural environment!
Daily Life
This is advice for those who are going to other countries—regarding a lease, it is better to deal with the Russian-speaking community. In Malaysia, there are a lot of CIS citizens (especially from Kazakhstan), and it was easier to negotiate with them. Almost every housing complex has a free pool, garden, and gym.
Clothes and shoes in Malaysia are three times cheaper than in Russia. Shops offer lots of healthy products and ready-made food, which I also found nice. I didn't try Malay cuisine, but I liked Korean dishes; they're simple and tasty.
Life beyond university was the most interesting part of the trip. We tried to make friends with the locals, travel, and go sightseeing, as Malaysia shares borders with many countries. We were accepted everywhere in Asia without exception!
Things That Surprised Me in Malaysia
Prices
In Malaysia, rent, food, and entertainment are very cheap. Here, you can have a solid meal for just a few dollars. Taxis in Kuala Lumpur are considered to be among the cheapest in any capital city in Southeast Asia: a trip through the city will cost the equivalent of about 400 roubles.
Architecture
Kuala Lumpur is a unique city where colonial architecture organically coexists with futuristic buildings, which look like huge mirrors during the day and are illuminated by coloured lights at night. Skyscrapers are built near two-storey buildings—luxury is side by side with slums.
Three Things to Do on a Trip to Malaysia
Go to the centre
The central part of Kuala Lumpur is full of skyscrapers and large malls, parking lots and islands of tropical greenery. This is where the world-famous Petronas Towers are.
Take a trip to Genting
Genting Highlands is a popular entertainment complex located on the west coast, about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. There is beautiful mountain scenery here and quite a cool climate. It is the only place in Malaysia where the locals wear heavy coats—the temperature is only 20 degrees.
Travelling around Asia
Malaysia shares borders with Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei. I recommend visiting other countries (if possible) to get the most from the trip!
The Academic Mobility Programme at HSE University–St Petersburg
The academic mobility programme at HSE University–St Petersburg helped me to gain new knowledge at a university with a different education system. I am very grateful to the coordinators of the study office, who always kept in touch and helped to solve any questions that came up both during the preparations and the studies abroad.
A trip to another country is an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone. I noticed how the language barrier disappeared over some time, and the foreign language became a part of daily life. I am grateful for this unforgettable experience!
What the Exchange Gave Me
I learned a lot of new things and realised where I'd like to go further. The trip helped me to study the social and economic nuances of Southeast Asia.
I am not afraid of being alone because the amazing experience of life in Kuala Lumpur showed me that neither kilometres nor time zones can hinder friendship!