A Visit to a Taiwanese Restaurant and Thoughts on Studying in Malaysia
Hello everyone! Today I'm sharing my experience visiting a local Taiwanese restaurant and some thoughts sparked by a news article about Chinese students choosing Malaysia as a study destination.
Discovering Authentic Taiwanese Cuisine
I recently discovered a fantastic Taiwanese restaurant while ordering food online. I was so impressed with the food that I decided to visit in person. What's great is that it's also a pet-friendly establishment. The menu is extensive, with over 10 pages of various Taiwanese street snacks, including my favorites: egg pancakes and unsweetened desserts. They also have a great selection of drinks. Eating there made me feel like I was back in Taiwan! Of course, they also serve braised pork rice, my wife's favorite dish.
We all love Taiwanese food, especially my son, who asks for it almost every day. So, we're always on the lookout for delicious Taiwanese restaurants. This one was a pleasant surprise, especially considering the reasonable prices – around 20 yuan per meal. Kuala Lumpur offers a diverse range of Taiwanese food options with five or six chain restaurants available. It truly feels like a food heaven, with authentic cuisine readily accessible. My son enjoys the ice cream there, and I occasionally let him indulge.
Evening Walk and Discussion on International Student Trends
After a delicious meal, I usually enjoy an evening walk. Tonight, I wanted to share a news story I read in The Star about a growing trend of Chinese students choosing to study in Malaysia instead of the United States. I find this phenomenon quite interesting. The nightlife here is very healthy, with people running, walking, or simply enjoying the lakeside views. The weather is comfortable, around 25 or 26 degrees.
Factors Driving the Shift to Malaysia
Several factors contribute to this shift. One significant reason is the changing US visa policy. The speaker noted visa policy became unstable, impacting international students. This is due to unpredictable rules.
Furthermore, sensitive professional students or those with family ties to the Communist Party of China might face additional scrutiny during the visa application process. The speaker recalled similar questions on their F1 student visa application over a decade ago. There are reports in Chinese media of students facing visa cancellations even in their final semester, sometimes linked to alleged connections with the Chinese Communist Party. While acknowledging the difficulty of proving such connections (given widespread group memberships during schooling), the perception of risk remains. It has also been mentioned that children of high-ranking officials in China might be restricted from studying in the "Five Eyes Alliance" countries, leading them to explore options like Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Malaysia's Growing Appeal as a Study Destination
Malaysia is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for international students. It's now China's seventh-largest shipping destination, experiencing rapid growth of over 30% per year. Its appeal lies in several factors:
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Collaboration with Overseas Universities: Malaysia has numerous universities that partner with institutions in the UK and Australia, like Monash University, providing academically recognized qualifications.
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Pathway to Further Studies: Studying in Malaysia can serve as a pathway to universities in Europe and America, with seamless grade transfers and universal education standards.
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Proactive Approach to Attracting International Students: Malaysian universities actively seek to attract international students through funding and improved academic rankings.
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Improving Academic Standards: Chinese international students reported Malaysian universities are improving the course design and equipment.
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Cost-Effectiveness: Studying in Malaysia is significantly more affordable than in the US or Australia. The speaker compared the annual tuition fees for computer engineering, noting that the UK is three times more expensive than Malaysia, with higher living expenses as well.
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Job Opportunities: There is a lot of technological development in Malaysia, and there are many big companies that invest a lot in Malaysia.
Shifting Mindsets and the Pursuit of Value
The speaker believes that Chinese parents' mindsets are changing. They are now more focused on cost-effectiveness and safety when choosing a study destination. Malaysia offers a balance of affordability, quality education, and a safe environment. For those who haven't studied abroad, Malaysia offers the chance to experience South Asian culture and pursue globally recognized programs like computer engineering and network security. The English-based education system is also an advantage.
Language Advantage and Future Opportunities
Malaysia's full-English teaching environment provides a significant advantage for international students, making it easier to adapt compared to countries like Germany where language acquisition can be a major hurdle. Furthermore, an English-based education in Malaysia can facilitate future applications to universities in English-speaking countries.
Concluding Thoughts
The speaker concludes by expressing their surprise at this trend and anticipating its continuation, with a projected increase of 20-30% in the number of Chinese students studying in Malaysia annually. They invite viewers to share their thoughts on this topic. Until next time, goodbye!
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