OQEANOUS Plus ProgramOversea Quality-assured Education in Asian Nations
for Ocean University Students Plus

OQEANOUS Plus-IJP Report (UM 2024 March-2024July)

2024.09.26

Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology
Course of Marine Resources and Environment
First Year of Master's Program
M. E.

【Motivation for Studying at the University of Malaya】

In considering my career, I wanted to work abroad. A senior student in my laboratory studied in Indonesia under the same program, and after hearing about his experience, I decided to study abroad as well.

I chose UM because it is a country whose culture is different from that of Japan, and because it is one of the top universities in the world.

【Preparation for Study Abroad】

Preparation of student visa. There are many steps to follow, but when I asked questions via email, they were slow to reply, which delayed my travel date. It needs to be completed as soon as possible.

【About the Class】

I chose the Master course of Safety, Health and Environment Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering. UM's Master course of Safety, Health and Environment Engineering was taught only on weekend, and many of the classes were online. Specifically, I took a class on environmental monitoring and assessment and a class on hazardous waste management, which included a study of management methods at a site where hazardous waste is generated and a group assignment to select a river or pond in Kuala Lumpur (KL City) and devise monitoring procedures and methods. Preparation was hard work as the report and presentation were always a set.

Photo 1: Scene in class

【Contact with Advisor in TUMSAT】

I contacted with laboratory supervisor, as necessary.

【Job Hunting While Studying at UM】

I started participating in online information session in May and submitting the entry sheet in June. My roommate was supportive and let me use our shared room when I had the online interview and SPI (Synthetic Personality Inventory). I was able to proceed with my pre-summer job searching online, so it was not particularly inconvenient. However, since I did not know the progress of other students, I frequently shared information with my friends in Japan. You should bring a suit because some companies have online interviews for selection.

【Life in Malaysia】

I lived in an off-campus dorm called International House. There are buses to the university from in front of the dorm. The rooms are shared by four students, and there are two bedrooms, so two students sleep in each room. There is a kitchen and a shower with hot water, but the facilities vary slightly from room to room. (My room had a microwave, but the room next door did not.) There is a mall called JAYAONE near the dorm, where you can get some groceries and daily necessities. You can also take a cab to a mall called Mid Valley where you can buy various other things.

There is a kitchen in the building, so I cooked my own meals. And there are more and more Don Quijote stores in KL, so I used to buy seasonings and such there.

             

Photo 2: Chinese Restaurant (Buffet style)near the dormitory           Photo 3: Night Market behind the dormitory        

【Holidays】

I was able to spend a lot of free time from Monday through Friday because I only had classes on weekend. I usually reviewed my classes and did assignments or went to the gym near my dorm to exercise.

After Ramadan (the second week of April 2024) the university had a mid-break and there were no classes, so I went on a trip to Singapore at that time.

Photo 4: Beach in Bali island during my trip

【Messages to students】

UM is a good place for female students to study abroad since the campus is in safe neighborhood and the dormitories are well-equipped. In addition, the semester starts in March, so you can go to Malaysia after finishing their graduation theses.

I found it very stimulating to spend time in Malaysia, a country with a completely different religion and culture. I love the chaotic heat of Southeast Asia. Let's go there and feel it for yourself.

Photo 5: Sunset in front of the dormitory