Getting A Feel Of Local Culture


George Town, 17 June 2019 – DRESSED in a baju Melayu complete with songkok and kain samping, Computer Science student Feargus Powers from the UK, said it was a fun experience trying on the local traditional attire.

“The material is a bit thick and coupled with the warm weather, I feel a little stuffy in it. But, it is an elegant outfit. I now understand the significance of the baju Melayu and when it is usually worn,” he said when met at UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College in George Town, Penang recently.

“It is wonderful to experience campus life in a university overseas. The people here are friendly,” he said of his maiden trip to Malaysia.

They were seen enjoying their crash course on basic phrases in Bahasa Malaysia, learning pleasantries and numbers. The class, conducted by UOW Malaysia KDU Penang’s Bahasa Malaysia lecturer Siti Rashidah Bahrulddin, was filled with giggles as they read off notes, trying hard to get the pronunciations right.

Events Management student Erin Mann said she enjoyed the Bahasa Malaysia class although some of the words were hard to pronounce.

“I have never heard anyone speak in Bahasa Malaysia before this. So, it is quite a challenge trying to speak the language.

Mann, 21, said she had heard of Malaysia, but not of Penang before joining the trip.

“I have not been to any part of Asia, so this is my first. What stands out is the good mix of cultures here. We have mixed cultures back home, but not quite the same. It is nice to see people interact and live together as a community here,” she said.

Mann said some of them were planning a trip to Langkawi in Kedah.

Public Relations student Rebecca Morgan-Phillips, 21, said she wanted to immerse herself in the Malaysian culture and explore Penang further.

“I read up a bit on Malaysia, but I did not expect it to be culturally rich. I am looking forward to more group activities. Speaking in Bahasa Malaysia is a bit hard for me as I am not quite good with languages, but I suppose I can manage with some basic words,” she said.

UOW Malaysia KDU Penang academic and research deputy vice-chancellor associate professor Dr Brian C. Imrie said the visiting students were here for the summer school exchange programme.

He said 30 students were picked from over 100 applicants from the Business and Management, Accounting, Mechatronics, Media Production, Public Relations and Computer Science faculties at Lincoln University.

They had sent in essays on why they should attend the programme.

“We received two batches of students from Lincoln University since the start of this programme last year. So for this year, half of them are here now while the remaining half will come in next month.”

Likewise, he said, UOW Malaysia KDU Penang students pursuing degree courses in Computing, Business or Accounting also have the chance of completing a semester in England, by only paying for their local fees, while their accommodation is free.

“The programme has proven to drive enrolment as it is a unique experience. The students get to experience the different cultures while engaging with the local students.

“Over here, we have lined up various activities, from baking lessons to a batik workshop, team building programmes and local culture exposure for the visiting students,” he said, adding that the students would return to UK on June 22.

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2019年 8月 27日

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活动报道

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马来西亚伍伦贡伯乐槟城大学学院



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