(From left to right) Global Engagement Office (GEO) director Chan Joe Jim, GEO Senior Vice-President Willie Tan Moh Leong, Academician Senior Professor Khalid, Alycia Lauren Renee Bonica, Amelia Mc Callum, Isabella Ruby Farran and UCSI's Head of Psycholog

UCSI University Vice-Chancellor and President Academician Senior Professor Dato' Dr Khalid Yusoff shares his experiences with Alycia, Amelia and Isabella.

Isabella Ruby Farran is a student pursuing the Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) at Deakin University.

Amelia Mc Callum is a student enrolled in the Bachelor of Forensic Science/ Bachelor of Criminology at Deakin University.

Alycia Lauren Renee Bonica is studying under the Psychology department at UCSI University

Beautiful, intelligent and friendly are some words that can be used to describe these three young ladies from Deakin University, Australia; Amelia Mc Callum, Alycia Lauren Renee Bonica and Isabella Ruby Farran. The three of them came under the New Colombo Plan for an exchange programme at UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur campus.

The Vice-Chancellor and President of UCSI University, Academician Senior Professor Dato’ Dr Khalid Yusoff was delighted to have a short sharing session with the three of them on 3 March 2020.

During the session, Academician Senior Professor Khalid welcomed the exchange students and apart from that shared his experience of when he was a student in Australia. He also talked to them about how the different cultures and races in Malaysia live harmoniously together.

Alycia who is under the Psychology department here at UCSI said that it was a great opportunity for her to be able to experience being a student in Malaysia.

“Malaysia is nice country with heaps of places to visit and nice people.  Everyone has been friendly and willing to help, the weather is nice and things here are cheap,” she said.

When asked about the differences in the study environment here as compared to Deakin University, Alycia highlighted that UCSI stresses more on collaborations and relationships with people whereby all of her assignments have been group assignments, whereas in Deakin, they have more individual assignments than group ones.

“What I like about UCSI is the lecturers are more flexible, approachable and friendly,” she added.

Meanwhile, Amelia expressed her excitement to go on a new adventure and experience university life in a different country.

“Prior to this trip, I had never been to Asia. After coming here, I have learnt so much about the world and other cultures such as living situations as well as religious practices. Most of the shops and outdoor activities are almost similar to Australia,” she added.

“I feel safe and that is really important to me,” Amelia highlighted.

In comparing the differences in study environment, Amelia stated that at her home university, attending lectures are not compulsory as the lectures are recorded so that the students have the resources to watch this on DeakinSync (Deakin’s version of CN).

“It is up to the student whether or not to utilise the materials provided by the university,” she said.

“This experience has taught me so much about the culture of Asia. I have made good friends that I will maintain even after I leave,” she remarked.

As for Isabella, she stated that she already had an idea of what to expect upon coming to Malaysia as a student as some of her friends had traveled to Malaysia before while she herself had been to other parts of Southeast Asia.

“Malaysia is fairly similar in terms of transportation, climate, infrastructure and such. Moreover, I had been told my friends and family who have travelled to Malaysia before that everyone here is very friendly, and I have definitely found this to be the case,” she added.

“One of the biggest difference in study environment between Deakin and UCSI is that classes at Deakin University often do not have compulsory attendance,” she said.

Isabella remarked that their attendance at Deakin University would be recorded and posted on their version of the CN called DeakinSync.

“As a student that has travelled and studied abroad, this exchange programme at UCSI has given me a deeper cultural understanding,” she said.

All three Deakin students will be here for a semester ending April and we wish them a memorable stay in Malaysia and a productive time at UCSI University.