Kuala terengganu: For 17-year-old Sudanese student Matab Galal, staying with a Malaysian foster family offered more than just a glimpse into local culture - it gave her a memorable experience of Malaysian hospitality and daily life.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the experience was made possible through the Malaysian Cultural Discovery Community Immersion Programme organised by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), which aims to strengthen efforts to introduce Malaysian culture and hospitality to international students. Held from August 21 to 23 in Terengganu, the programme allowed more than 50 students from over 20 countries to experience life with foster families while gaining a deeper understanding of local customs, traditions, and the way of life of the Malaysian community.
EMGS chief executive officer Novie Tajuddin said the inaugural programme provided international students with first-hand exposure to Malaysian culture and the opportunity to experience living with foster families in Kuala Terengganu. "This will continue to expand as it provides broader exposure, including our hospitality as Malaysians, to international students," he said when met at the Malaysian Cultural Discovery Community Immersion Programme at Pantai Teluk Ketapang.
Novie emphasized that understanding Malaysia's diverse culture is crucial as the country is a melting pot of cultures comprising various communities and ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazan, Iban, and other Bumiputera communities. "When they understand the customs practised among our communities in Malaysia, they will become more attached to our country," he added.
Novie also highlighted that the programme benefits foster families and local communities by creating opportunities for direct interaction with international students, building wider relationships in the future. EMGS plans to expand similar programmes to other regions, including the northern, southern, and East Malaysia zones.
For Matab, who is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Banking and Finance at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), the programme was a valuable opportunity to learn more about Malaysian culture, traditions, and the lives of local communities. "I really loved it. We were welcomed by our foster family and they treated us like their own family," she shared.
Turkmenistan student Anastasiya Mihaylova, 23, pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing at Albukhary International University (AIU), echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of such programmes in helping international students gain a closer understanding of Malaysian culture. "Besides education, there are many other things that international students can experience in Malaysia, including its culture and food," she said.
Yemen student Abdullah Mohammed Abobakr Alshateri, 22, who is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management specialising in Human Resource Management at APU, said the programme allowed him to better understand Malaysian culture and lifestyle while experiencing the warmth of the local community. "I would like to thank EMGS for organising this programme. It has been a very good opportunity," he noted.
Meanwhile, homestay operator and retired teacher Hayati Othman, 61, stated that the programme serves as an important platform to introduce international students to the lives and culture of local communities. "International students who come to Malaysia usually only know about their studies, but through programmes like this, they can understand how to adapt and become part of the community," she explained.
The three-day programme also featured activities including sampling local food, traditional fishing, batik and songket making, traditional games, and cultural performances, providing participants with exposure to the heritage and traditions of the Terengganu community.