Rashiq during his internship in Kuala Lumpur!

Hey! Where are you from? Where do you study/live/work?

Hey! I’m Rashiq and I’m from the beautiful city behind the dunes: The Hague! Before that, I lived in Curaçao for seven years, so I also consider that a second home. I currently study at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and I’m doing a full-time Business Administration program.

What was the first thing you thought when you arrived in Kuala Lumpur?

The first thing I thought when I arrived in KLCC was: “Damn, this is way more modern than I expected.” KL is such a beautiful international metropolis, and it immediately grabbed my attention—I wanted to explore everything! 10/10 would recommend.

What was the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and Malaysia?

The 24/7 summer weather! Okay, that’s a bit of a cliché. The real shocking difference is seeing run-down buildings right next to brand-new ones. My apartment complex is newly built, but the surrounding buildings are quite dilapidated.

What does your typical workday look like?

My working hours are fixed from 9 to 6, Monday to Friday. The schedule is fine, and I always have something to do. The tasks aren’t too difficult, but they’re very educational, and I think my team actually enjoys having an intern for once (I’m the first intern for the Business Development team).

What is the work atmosphere like at your internship company?

This is honestly the best part of my internship so far. I don’t know if it’s the same at other companies in KL, but at mine, the vibe is super informal and everyone is really close. I remember calling my supervisor “sir” for the first two weeks, until the HR lady told me to cut it out and just use his first name. Even the CEO and COO are super chill. Of course, they can be serious when needed, but they joke around a lot too. Sometimes it feels like I’m just hanging out with friends!

Have you ever felt homesick? How did you deal with it?

The only time I really felt homesick was the first morning after I moved into my new apartment. That hit me a bit hard because I didn’t know anyone yet. But I just did what I always do—I hit the gym, ate about five kilos of food, and kept exploring KL. That really helped me refocus.

Do you feel at home in Kuala Lumpur? Why (or why not)?

Honestly, this city is amazing. The public transport here works similarly to the Netherlands. With a Touch ’n Go card (like an OV-chipkaart), you can get around easily. Everything is also cheap, so I eat a ton—and then have to deal with my colleagues constantly commenting on it (“OH MY GOD, you’re eating again??!”). Grab (kind of like Uber in Southeast Asia) is super affordable, so you don’t even need a car. That’s especially handy after a night out. The weather is amazing! And above all, the variety of cultures and architecture is just breathtaking. I could go on and on about why I love it here, but if you’re even thinking about coming to KL… just do it!

Is there a local dish you REALLY can’t eat (or one you love)?

With all the cultural diversity in KL, there are tons of different dishes, so it’s hard to pick just one. One weird thing is that they put red bean in stuff like ice cream (???). Strangely enough, it doesn’t even taste that bad. Durian is a famous fruit here—you can smell its strong odor from meters away and it kind of feels like you’re chewing on fat. I won’t be craving it anytime soon, but it’s not terrible either. Bottom line: just try everything here!

Any tips on who to make friends with abroad? Russians? Irish? Chileans?

Everyone, of course! If you vibe with someone and they vibe with you, then why not? My company has people from all over the world, so I’m constantly learning new things. When I go out, I often run into other Dutch people, and I usually hang out with folks from Europe or Asia.

Describe the people of Kuala Lumpur in three words.

Relaxed, friendly, and helpful.

What did you learn from your experience abroad? Was it the amazing community, cheap cocktails, the beautiful nature—or was it less than expected? Give us details!

What I’ve learned from my time abroad is that it’s really valuable to step outside your comfort zone from time to time. Kuala Lumpur is a fantastic place to do an international internship. And once you’re abroad, definitely check out other countries in the region—it’s way cheaper to travel from here than from the Netherlands. That’s how I ended up visiting Singapore, Bali, Bangkok, Sydney, and Hong Kong!
The experience has been fantastic, both for my academic and personal development. Malaysia itself also has tons of nature, so if you ever want a break from KL’s busy city life, head to places like the Cameron Highlands!

Greetings from (still) Kuala Lumpur,
Rashiq