When I first arrived in Malaysia, I was a wide-eyed student with little knowledge of how to adapt to the new life I was about to start in this foreign country. But over the years, I’ve learned a thing or two that has made my undergrad life easier in Kuala Lumpur.
So, if you’re a Maldivian student about to start your studies in Malaysia, or you’re just settling into life in this tropical melting pot of cultures, consider this your big sister’s guide to thriving here.
MQA Approval
Before you even get enrolled into the programme of your choice, make sure the programme is approved by the Maldives Qualification Authority. You don’t want to find out half way into your studies and end up in crisis mode.
The process is simple. All you have to do is go onto www.mqa.gov.mv and look up the application form for recognition of the intended programme, fill it up, and submit it with all the necessary documents attached.
Accommodation Options
Students often choose between on-campus accommodations or renting out an apartment privately. Either way, it’s still good to look up potential options before your big move.
If you decide on campus is the way to go, you’ll have to liaise with your university to book your space. For private renting options, www.iproperty.com.my, www.propertyguru.com.my and www.speedhome.com are some options Maldivian students use to scout apartments, but it’s always best to do your own research to make sure the listings are legitimate.
It’s also good to keep in mind that you may have to pay anywhere from three and a half to four times your monthly rent before you can move in.
Furnishing, kitchen supply options are easily accessible too. You can order online via Shopee or Lazada and have them delivered to you. But make sure to check reviews and buy from authorised stores.
If you’re on a time crunch however, and need something immediately, head on over to IKEA, Aeon or my favourite for handy items, Mr. DIY.
Settling In
Once you arrive in Malaysia, your university will instruct you on getting your passport stamped, getting your iKad and health evaluations done. This might take a few weeks, but you can check your visa application status via https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my
As a rule of thumb, it’s always best to carry your passport with you when going out. Although some may say the iKad is sufficient, students have faced issues without their passport. Throughout the time Immigration has your passport, you’ll be given a letter of undertaking by your university, which you’d have to return to get your passport back.
Once you get your visa sorted, remember to register with the Maldivian High Commission in Malaysia via the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3kLHY8j_JaJ5xM50mGSG1rE6jLZ56Hh1KRbSp1vM3ZlYLFQ/viewform
This will get you added to a Whatsapp group where you can stay updated on general notices and events. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on the annual Maahefun and Iftar!
Also, something incredibly important to remember: Your visa renewal depends on your class attendance and grades. A minimum of 80% attendance and a CGPA of 2.0 is the threshold. If you slip up, you may get your visa denied, so be careful!
Health Coverage
You’d most likely get a basic health insurance policy along with your visa. Different institutions offer different policies, so it’s best to check this directly with your university.
Maldivians on a long term visa of more than six months also get access to Meranaa Aasandha. Generally you’ll have to pay up front and claim partial reimbursements later.
Food
We all know every international Maldivian student ever has a stash full of Maldivian snacks and condiments in their pantry - it’s a right of passage at this point. But always make sure they’re packed and labelled properly - and as unfortunate as it is, you should also be prepared to give up your beloved treasures if border security asks to do so.
Malaysia having a significant Muslim population, finding halal food is no trouble at all. But keep in mind to ask restaurants if you don’t see a halal sign out front. Cuisines are abundant and price points vary, so you just have to explore and find options that suit you best.
One thing that was a bit of a culture shock for me when I first arrived here was that Malaysian breakfasts often include rice - with Nasi Lemak being one of the most popular breakfast meals here. But with time I’ve come to love rice for breakfast, and who knows, maybe you’d like it too!
Now let’s talk about groceries. Aeon, Aeon Big, MyDin, EconSave, Village Grocer and Jaya Grocer are some of the more common grocery stops here - although Village Grocer and Jaya Grocer may be on the pricier side.
You can also choose to order your groceries or outside food online via Grab Delivery if you don’t feel like going out. A cool thing about Grab is, if you make any transaction (food, rides, groceries, etc) via Grab’s digital wallet Grab Pay, you get loyalty points, which you can use for discounts later on.
If you’re cooking at home, Rashu Badhige and Lonumedhu have every Maldivian recipe you could ever think of for free. And if you’re anything like me and get the occasional craving for local food like ‘garudhiya’, ‘ala’ or even ‘boashi’, you’re in luck because you can make garudhiya with tuna cans and ala and boashi are available in grocery stores.
Transport
Malaysian traffic can be brutal, especially around rush hours and holidays, so be prepared to plan ahead or get stuck in a traffic jam - sometimes even hours!
The most common e-hailing platforms are Grab, InDrive, Air Asia and Bolt. Grab is easy and convenient, but InDrive allows you to negotiate prices with drivers. Even then the prices, especially during peak hours, can be exorbitantly high - not to mention the tolls that would be added to the fare - which is why I prefer public transport.
With a letter from your university, you can get a student pass for public transport that gets you about half price off on all the already very affordable public transport prices. MyRapidPULSE is the app you want to install to check bus and train routes as well as timings.
Banking and Payment
As soon as you get your visa, you want to get your Malaysian bank account sorted. It’s typically an easy process, and sometimes takes less than a day to get everything done. Most students go for Maybank but CIMB and HSBC are also used.
To convert your Maldivian Rufiyaa into Malaysian Ringgits, you have three main options. The first option is buying US Dollars in cash and getting them converted at a money exchange location. If you have US Dollars in your Bank of Maldives Dollar account, you can also do an International Transfer directly to your Malaysian bank account.
If you don't have US Dollars, your next two options are doing a TT (Telegraphic Transfer) or withdrawing directly from a Malaysian ATM using your Maldivian bank card. MIB and BML both offer different limits, so make sure you’re registered with the banks as an international student to get the maximum limits available. Charges can also vary, so check with your bank and decide which option is best for you.
Generally, I’d recommend doing a TT to pay your uni fees for the whole year as a lump sum to save up on transfer charges. For monthly spending, doing a TT for every three months’ worth of expenses to your Malaysian bank account, or just withdrawing from your debit card should be sufficient. Keep in mind that daily withdrawal limits are between RM 1500 to 1700.
You can also do Grab top-ups to your wallet if you have a Maldivian bank issued Mastercard debit card. The issue is, however, it’s limited to RM 500 per day so frequent small top ups can rack up transaction fees. I keep this as a backup option.
Living Alone
As an international student living abroad, this change can be a lot. And it gets even more demanding navigating your new life away from friends and family. So, I hope these tips make your journey a little bit easier, and your time in Malaysia a bit more beautiful - because even though this will be a challenge, it will also be the experience of a lifetime.
If you’re facing difficulties, always remember that there are resources and people you can reach out to for help - seniors, relatives, your university and even the High Commission. So, all the best with your studies, and make the best of what Malaysia has to offer.