What are some key considerations to take into account when choosing a school or university in Malaysia?

A primary element parents and students must consider is what their expectations are in terms of the educational and extracurricular contributions a school has to offer, be it the programme itself or outside the-classroom activities or both.

Doing your research before you put your kid on the plane is crucial. Once your mind is made up about the school, then proceed to look into logistics, finance, lodging and taking a trip down. During the planning stage, it’s wise to devise a sound financial plan for working within a budget.

Factor in the costs and expense of tuition fees, lodging and living (food, drink, clothes and so on) expenses, transportation and leisure.

Another inevitable factor is ethnic diversity. Generally, Malaysian hospitality is outstanding and one could easily come to appreciate the diversity embedded into everyday living here.

Consider also public transportation. It’s good to know that your kid will be able to get from one location to another hassle-free, because commuting will soon become a daily routine.

Also, talk to the locals or school to see which locations and routes are safest. It’s vital to guarantee that the place your child lives in is equipped with adequate security systems and personnel who are dedicated to ensuring the safety of all residents.

What are some effective ways of coping with the stress of studying in a foreign country?

Finding yourself in a foreign destination where cultural diversity is inevitable and having to learn how to get around and adjust can be overwhelming. But it does get better. There are steps one can take to get there. There are many people you can approach for help or just to connect with.

Talking to someone helps ease your emotional burden because a sense of belonging can make adjusting to your new surroundings less demanding. Exchanging experiences with New found acquaintances could be uplifting too because you’ll quickly realise you’re not alone.

However, if you haven’t taken to making new friends just yet, talk to a teacher you’re comfortable with or on-site counsellors who are there for this purpose. Join an activity club or society under the university if you are into sports and recreation.

Staying active by immersing yourself in things you enjoy can take some of the edge off. However, if college games aren’t your fancy, then play a game of futsal at a nearby indoor arena, shoot some pool, go shopping or catch a movie.

Thirdly, learning how to strike a balance between study and play is just as crucial. University education need not be a solo voyage. If help is required with your learning material, consider study groups. Get together with friends for tutorial discussions.

If you prefer to study on your own, then establish a routine which works best for you. Finally, keep the connection with your friends and family back home going. You will need a go-to place or person to confide in, which in turn will better help you cope with the transition.

How much of an impact does getting involved in extracurricular activities have on a student’s overall excellence?

In games, there is no distinction between foreign and local students because the set-up is a mixed one. Students love team events and especially in a university setting, you can really see the competitiveness shine through.

Being part of a team provides purpose to achieve a unified goal together, helping kids unwind and relax. It gives them something to look forward to beyond books, lectures, assignments and exams.

The motivation garnered here contributes to their overall excellence because it drives them to excel, fuels their passion to perform and keeps their batteries charged.

In your opinion, do universities in Malaysia make the cut when it comes to offering students state-of the art facilities and amenities beyond just the educational element?

They attempt to. If you look around, the number of construction exercises going on should be indicative of the initiative of local schools to keep upgrading and improving their facilities and offerings to serve their students better.

Universities are making every effort to create the kind of college or university atmosphere one would expect.

Often people tend to hold to the long-standing notion that “cheap” means below average. What are your thoughts on the quality and cost of education in Malaysia?

By Malaysian standards, we’re not cheap. “Cheap” is a relative word to me. Someone who wants to put their child in a university would be looking at spending at least RM20,000 a year (for about three years).

Now, to spend that much on education, it means you’ve got to have a healthy income to begin with. Another thing I would imagine is the money you’re paying is really aftertax dollars which is take-home dollars. Somebody who’s making that kind of money is in the high-income tax bracket, paying 25–30 per cent in income tax. So, I disagree with the idea that it’s inexpensive.