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13 Jul 2022
7 Min Read
Ali Moossajee (Guest Contributor), Ailyn Low (Editor)
We share 5 most commonly asked questions by international students to our Unibuddy ambassadors about studying in Malaysia.
If you’ve stumbled upon this article of what you should be asking a Unibuddy ambassador, I'm sure you've already figured out who we, the Unibuddy ambassadors, are and why we're here.
If you’re still unsure about what we can offer you, here’s a quick recap. Choosing a university to attend after high school, college, or even graduate school isn’t always easy. When making a short list of potential college options, factors including proximity to home (for both local and international students), accreditation of the university and subject, tuition fees, financial aid, and other student life aspects will definitely be taken into account.
Amidst the different universities trying to win your attention and pick them, it’s hard to make a true, honest, and informed decision of what it’s really like at that university. And that's where the Unibuddy ambassadors come into play. There are so many unknowns when you're considering studying in a new country.
Asking someone who has been in your shoes is the best method to acquire first-hand advice. The Taylor's Unibuddy ambassadors represent a diverse cross-section of academic disciplines and nations which implies that there's somebody out there who can represent your interests.
Now, you’re on the Unibuddy ‘Chat with me’ section and you’re wondering, “What kind of questions should I even ask a Unibuddy ambassador then?” right? Well, don’t scratch your head too hard, I'm going to give you a brief breakdown of the most often asked questions among our ambassadors, our answers, and my thoughts on them to help you get started!
Honestly, whenever someone asks me this, it makes me wish I’d someone who could have sat down with me before I started studying at Taylor's and helped me answer this question. A simple Google search of accommodation within and around Taylor’s will show that there are a few main options you have. We’ll categorise this into on and off-campus choices.
U-residence and Reumz are the two on-campus options at Taylor's. If you're searching for a way to wake up 10 minutes before class and still make it to the lecture hall before your lecturer arrives, they’re the best options for you. At the U-lounge, you can hang out and meet new people, plus it's only a 10-step walk from the university gym! Believe me, I’ve counted. As a negative, there isn’t any kitchen in the unit itself, but this might be a bonus for those who enjoy cooking with others because there is a shared kitchen. Hostel-style living means that the rooms aren't quite villa-sized and you may need to share a bathroom with your roommates depending on your room type, so keep that in mind before booking.
DK Senza and D'latour are two options for off-campus housing that are both close enough to campus and accessible by foot. Because of the high standard of living and the ample amount of space, I believe these are the most popular options off-campus for students attending Taylor’s University. Staying off-campus also gives you more flexibility to live your own life and do what you want, whenever you want though your parents may not be thrilled about this, but it’s better for you in the long run.
Even though it may appear to be reckless, my experience off-campus has taught me to be more responsible, independent, and organised. Additionally, there are other fantastic and more reasonably priced options for housing just outside the campus at PJS 7. If you decide to go the off-campus option, my sole recommendation is that you hire a reputable real estate agent to help you find an apartment. It's ideal to receive a recommendation from someone who's actually lived in an off-campus housing.
I’m sure like me, you’re hoping to get a credit card with no limit, but this is real life, son!
To be honest, this is the most difficult question for me to answer simply because of the subjectivity of it. To offer my two cents, the unique thing about Malaysia is that there’s a lifestyle available for you no matter how much you want to spend. You can go out there and spend RM10 (around USD2) on a meal in the area around Taylor’s or also spend RM100 (USD22.50) in the same environment.
As a result, your options are limited to what you want for your own life and what you can afford.
Taking rent out of the equation, I'd estimate that an average student's monthly allowance in this region would be somewhere between RM1300-RM1700 (USD293-384), giving you enough to eat 3-meals a day, have some extra for a few hang-outs with friends, and, if you’re really good at managing your money, some left over for that rainy day emergency fund. So remember to start working out your budget because it will be useful.
At Taylor's, student life revolves around clubs and societies. There are more than 70 clubs to choose so you’re bound to find one that fits your interest.
Even if you may not find something that piques your interest, don’t be afraid to try something new because the experience you get is priceless.
Taking part in student organisations has let me enjoy every aspect of my university experience to the fullest. I've gained so many friends and connections because I've joined clubs, and that's something I truly cherish. In addition, I've had the opportunity to improve my public speaking and leadership abilities, two things I never expected to learn more about. It doesn't matter what you're passionate about; there's a club for you. You'll learn and meet new people, and who knows where these connections will lead you in the future?
Say you can’t find anything that you really want to join. Don’t be afraid to start, or resurrect, a club that suits your needs. While it may be a process setting it up, it’s definitely a fruitful experience. Read more about one of the past presidents of Taylor’s University Student Council experience in reviving the Taylor’s Lakeside Rotaract Club.
Wherever you are in the world, I’m sure the COVID-19 restrictions feel like old news. The honest answer is that it feels the same at Taylor’s.
Apart from wearing masks in classrooms, there’s really no big difference between pre-pandemic and post-pandemic classes with the exception of one or two online classes a week. It feels really good to see the campus full and vibrant again with club events happening physically now, classes going back to normal, and...new restaurants coming to campus!
Back to physical examinations... ughh! That's the one drawback, in my opinion. In essence, if you’re worried you won’t get the full student life experience, you’ve nothing to worry about.
Frankly speaking, this is the area Unibuddy ambassadors probably won’t be the most helpful. The ambassadors are here to provide student life information based on their experiences but that’s where you can make use of this cool feature where you can talk to a Unibuddy staff representative instead!
Alternatively, you could also schedule an appointment with one of our many education counsellors. They’d be able to provide you the most recent information available by tailoring it to your particular preferences, requirements, and profile information.
Remember, when chatting with an ambassador, whether staff or student, no questions are off-limits. However, if you’re looking for ways to start the conversation with the ambassadors, here’s a list that should serve as a good starting point. To acquire the most relevant information, it's ideal to choose an ambassador from a location near to where you live or a student in a programme that you’re interested in. The more ambassadors you talk to, the more diverse the viewpoints you'll obtain when weighing your selections!
So what are you waiting for? Start chatting with a Unibuddy ambassador today!
Ali Moossajee studies a Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Hons) at Taylor's University. He is the president of Taylor's Unibuddy Ambassadors as well as a Senior Taylor's Global Ambassador. He also enjoys cultivating connections with others and hopes to inspire others to grow and develop their purpose.
