🌸Hirodai Ambassador Activity Report
Mana Sato, 4th year student, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
[Destination] Tunku Abdul Rahman University (Malaysia)
[Study abroad period] August 2022 to January 10.
[Type of study abroad] Long-term study abroad at a partner university
The school route that I always take
As an ambassador from Hirosaki University, I am studying at a university called UTAR (Tunku Abdul Rahman University) in Kampar, Malaysia.This time, I would like to write about a day at my university.
State of class
It varies depending on the day, but classes at my university start as early as 8 a.m.Not only does school start earlier than at Japanese universities, but I also have to get ready in time for the bus that leaves from the apartment complex where I am staying, so I always wake up early in the morning. After finishing each class, which lasts about an hour, students head to the cafeteria.As I mentioned earlier, I often don't get to eat breakfast because I am early in the morning, so I eat rice here that also serves as lunch.Prices in Malaysia are low, and you can eat a full meal at the university for just 1RM (about 1 yen).
After I finish my meal, I often study at the library during my free time before class.English classes in Malaysia are different from classes in Japan in terms of difficulty.With the help of my Malaysian friends who formed a team in class, I write down the contents of the class in my notebook, ask them to explain, and teach each other homework.After coming to Malaysia, I feel the importance of friends even more than when I was in Japan.Studying in a foreign country with a different language, culture and way of thinking is more difficult than I expected in Japan.However, even in such a situation, the presence of friends who are kind and supportive of me is a great motivation for me to go to university, take lectures, and study hard.Lately, I have come to realize that even in a foreign country, friends are the ones you can count on.
I ordered delivery from Subway
After finishing the afternoon lectures, I boarded the same bus that I took when I came and returned to the apartment where I was staying.Sometimes I get home in the evening, and sometimes I get home in the evening because I'm so busy studying that I lose track of time.I eat dinner from here, but in my case, I make it myself and use delivery about the same.When I make it myself, I prepare a simple salad or cook the noodles that I see at a supermarket called Pho Fang.When delivering, I use the delivery app and choose what I want to eat depending on my mood that day.My favorite is the kiwi smoothie.Since Malaysia is a tropical country, there is a wide variety of fruits, and even if you go to a supermarket, you will find fruits that are not often seen in Japan, and these smoothies are sold cheaply.
Free time after dinner.This is the end of my day.There are many difficulties in Malaysia, including studying, but I am enjoying this fulfilling study abroad life and I feel that I am growing every day.