A Whole New World? Malaysian Student's Life in the UK

Studying in the UK is, to most of us from Malaysia, a golden opportunity to get out of the tempurung (well) and see the world. Not to mention having some fun exploring and experiencing it. And yes, we are being encouraged to get pendidikan overseas all the time, by parents, by the government and by the mahasiswa..

Getting to a new place means adapting is essential. To various degrees, people miss home and crave the sense of belonging back in the motherland. So what have we been missing as well as experiencing the new life in a new place?

1. Weather
To have a weather conversation in Malaysia is like saying hi and bye to a friend and that's it. After all, there are only two words describing the weather: hot and humid. The most you can go is "Today you think will rain ar?" Here in the UK, however, we are always concerned about the weather. What is the temperature today and for the next few days? Too cold to go out? How many layers of clothes do we need to go out? Is it going to snow? Is there any disruption to transportation due to weather? Why is the heater not working as it should?

And yes, the anticipation of the sun is part of the life here as well. It is such a far cry from Malaysia, where avoiding the sun is the primary mission for the day. Here, you embrace it.

Weather plays a big part in UK's daily life

2. Food

If it is not for globalisation, I think most of the food we expect will be mostly western. Fish & Chips, various chops available and pasta. It is true that with varieties such as Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Middle-Eastern food now available at most places, choices of food is wider nowadays.

But nothing beats the variety we have in Malaysia. And being a food enthusiast, I am for one, miserably missing the food back home. Nasi lemak, curry mee, law mee, tosai, wantan mee, nasi beriani, you name it.

Unless you are filthy rich or picking up decent wages in the UK, eating out is almost not an option. One meal is up to GBP4 average for a fulfilling meal. Good thing is, you pick up lots of cooking skills and recipes during the time in the UK.

Also, the hang out place here are the bars and pubs. That is the equivalent to mamak stores that we have back in Malaysia. Alcohol drinks instead of teh tarik. 

The usual template of food in the UK

3. Language

Malaysian's resume tend to look good, especially the language section. Most of us are at least bilingual. Yes, our education system is pretty complicated, but to be able to converse in more than one language is a huge advantage. For example, if you can speak Mandarin, you are able to converse to at least 300,000 people in the UK with their mother tongue. Imagine that. Most of the time, a typical Malaysian's English can't be wholly rotten and faced extreme difficulties to survive in the UK. So, being the prime example of a multilingual nationality, this is one of the things that we are proud of. Of course, being with the ang mohs, we can't simply blurt our beloved Manglish when conversing with them. It is a tad unnatural sometimes, when we can't say lar or lor and have to be beating around the bush to get to the point. Sometimes, you just wish you can ask "Can meh?" instead of "Do you think that's possible?".

4. Transportation

One thing that is not within our list of concerns here is the traffic jam. As the public transports as well as the town planning are largely systematic, to have a car is the least of concerns getting from one place to another. Getting around one typical city (apart from London), is mostly by foot, which is sufficient. Trains, buses and light rail transits are, most of the time, right on schedule (unless there are disruptions mostly due to bad weather). Cycling is a great alternative as well here. 

Walking is a large part of our travel options in the UK

Other things like air conditioners, fans, rows of high walls in residence area, haze, a hoard of Myvys on the road, reckless motorcyclists are pretty much non-existent here. Is that good or bad, you asked. I would say both. After all, Alladin once sang: "A whole new world; a dazzling place I never knew".

Sultry Sunderland Part 2

Taking the streets of Sunderland is not difficult. It is as straightforward as the signs showed. There is however the problem of finding St. Peter's Church, as it is a small church in a remote area. If we do not intend to visit University of Sunderland's Sir Tom Cowie campus, we would not have stumbled upon it.

St. Peter's Church, Sunderland

Ain't it small? So what's so special of this church that is worth the hunt. Well, truth to be told, I don't regard it much initially as it is part of the itinerary and this church was one of the recommended sites. However, this church do hold a significant history value. It is one of the first stone built churches in England, circa 7th century.

St. Peter's Church scenes

Next up, we checked out the Monkwearmouth Station Museum. Prior to being a museum, it was a station connecting Sunderland to Gateshead and Newcastle. By 1978, it was remodeled to become a museum for transports and local history.

University of Sunderland was the next destination. In fact, next two destinations. As mentioned, the Sir Tom Cowie Campus is just nearby to the Station Museum and St. Peter's Church. Hence, a drop-by at the campus is just 5 minutes walk away from these destinations.

This lovely scene gets my attention: St Peter' Wharf. Neighbour of the university campus.

Directions to the different faculties

Sir Tom Cowie Campus, University of Sunderland

The main campus is..well..main, so much so they have their own metro station: University. It is pretty much a city-based campus with all the houses and flats surrounding the campus.

University of Sunderland Main Campus

Overall, it is a pretty modern campus. Everything's either refurbished or newly built, with large compounds for students to chill.

It would be a sin not to drop by at the Stadium of Light, home to Sunderland AFC. Therefore, a short ride via the metro to the stadium is the last destination to cap the Sunderland visit.

As we are way late for the inside tour of the 49000-capacity stadium, we decided to stroll around the decently big  surrounding before rushing back to Newcastle.

Conclusively, I would have consider Sunderland as more of a suburb, as Subang is to Kuala Lumpur. It won't attract much attention, but it is a place worth living if you love the average buzz that the city can offer.

Hello 2013

2012 has been a roller coaster ride. There are ups and downs, but mostly downs. They say it is good to be reflective. Study and learn from the past, beckoning for the future.

My tendency to focus on the positives have basically served me well. It wasn't always that way. I have been very critical of myself. Sometimes beyond the limits, and put a hell of burden on my self-esteem. However, I learned to control the thoughts and focus more on the good. It is via these self-reflections that I tend to think that I lived life better. Stress does not become depression. I learned how to snap it off. Then again, I still dwell on the gloomy side. As mentioned, it is part of the learning curve.

Sorry for the digression. Setting things into perspective and getting it into motion is important. Hence, I would like to think a new year is a good start. Resolutions are deemed cliches. And yes I did think they are just bullocks. However, to be able to say "I want to try this shit out this new year and better myself" could work. I know I sound like Gollum talking to himself. But I gonna give planning a chance.

1. Completing the Masters
Well, this is not a new plan. But to actually complete it is crucial. I would love to see that I succeed on this. I believed it opens new doors and windows. So, being serious on the course is a must-do. I love what I picked and I am sure I will see this through.

2. Mastering Kendo
Yet another opportunity for me to delve into something new. At this time of life, I tend to stick to things I am familiar with. I have actually pondered to leave it be after some trial sessions. Three months into this thing, and I already have my shinai and uniform. That should signal progress. And I don't think I would want to discontinue it. It is good to learn new stuff, that's what life is suppose to be; to be able to explore new challenges. Who knows what I can do with the new skills I have acquired.

3. Lead an healthy life.
I believe that I am no health freak. However, to lead one is on the agenda. I have seen my heavier days and it could be quite disorientating. My recent kidney problems gave me an enhanced motivation to be more serious about it. I used to scorn gyms and I have taken myself by surprise that I actually joined one last year and now I actually frequents it. Things change and I have to go along. There is no way that I can play football every evening like I used to. Hence, this is the part where I should do some alterations and adaptations.

4. Travelling
This involves money and a department that I wish I could enforce better with lots of greenbacks. I think I can make this happen via some part-time jobs. Also, my perspective of my energy level seems to always halt me back. Time to get that changed as well. Destinations? Scotland is top of my list. The Nordic countries, the Iberian peninsular, Iceland, Ireland and some parts of Eastern Europe should complete it. I would not have mind if I got a job in the US or Australia. It would be great as well if it is in Africa too. I do not have any luggage on me and adaptability is one of my strength. I can't see why I shouldn't work and travel abroad.

Isle of Skye could be a great destination for a Scotland trip

It might sound general, but it's a start. Putting it in black and white makes it more desirable and concrete to achieve it. Cheers to 2013.