Personal Campus Experience Upon Arrival in Malaysia

Everybody has their own specific goals set to achieve in order to reach their long aspired lifestyle. For some, a prestigious job with more than enough salary and for others heaps of money for a luxurious living. But in my point of view, other than money, an ideal life is accompanied by learning, lots of travelling and at the same time enjoying the journey with your loved ones along the way. To accomplish this aim I have planned to study in abroad. The reason why I came to this decision is due to the lack of opportunities available in my country in the computer engineering sector. 

After doing research on some universities, I decided to take my bachelors degree in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). 

In 27th January, the journey towards the next chapter in my life started when I finally said goodbye to my parents and relatives who came to leave me in airport. The flight departed at 12:30 pm from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. After taking my farewell, I had to leave with a heavy heart but I was also exhilarated at the same time for what was ahead. I reached at KL International Airport at 06: 40 pm. After three hours of transit I started for Senai International Airport by a domestic flight. One of my uncle who lives in Singapore came by the airport to pick me up from there and as I was feeling a bit jet lagged at that time, he took me to the hotel he had booked for me beforehand. He stayed there with me for a while explaining what tasks I need to do next. But, since he is a very busy person with a strict schedule, he had to leave. I stayed there alone for two days.

After acquiring the information about how to proceed with the university registration and to arrange my desired residence, at first I went to KLG campus residence and got myself a room. During checking in to KLG, I met many new students. When I finally assured my accommodation, I took a grab to UTM International. Throughout the way, the driver whom I recall to be a pretty lady had a small chatter with my about my experience here. When I reached UTM International, there were UTM officials who were there to help us and guide us throughout the registration procedure. I had completed some paperwork that led to me the process of becoming a UTM student officially. But, after that, I got to know that I had to go for medical check-up in the same day for satisfying the EMGS requirements. So I wasted no time and went to UTM Health Center. I got myself tested if I had some predefined diseases which would impede me from studying here. The test results were due to be given the very next day. The test results came and the medical personnel designated me as passing the medical check-up. Next day, I went to the Student Recruitment and Admission Department to complete the rest of the admission procedure like receiving the Matric Card, submission of academic achievements, passport submission, UTM portal sign up, etc. 

While staying in the campus residence, I met students from different countries and also the students from my own country as well. It was great to meet with people with different cultural backgrounds. Ironically, I happen to find one student whom I knew back from my home country. As our classes were about to start after 10 days from the day of registration, we had enough time to explore the campus area. However, that time is not enough to explore campus at all, considering the large area it consists. 

In the first Jummah, I went to Sultan Ismail UTM Central Mosque along with my friends. We prayed there together and roamed around the mosque after the prayer. I took some picturesque view of the mosque. 

                                                                Sultan Ismail UTM

Afterwards, we planned that we will visit all of our respective faculties within a day. The faculties are far apart from one another, substaining an area of 1148 hectares. The whole UTM campus premises are filled with greenery. We noticed how fascinatingly the whole university campus area was designed within such a hilly location. When we looked around individual faculty we didn't miss out to see the well equipped libraries which they had. 

UTM has various sorts of sports facilities for their students. Since I am very inclined towards sports, I first visited the well known stadium named Stadium Azman Hashim which can accommodate around 5000 people. We have been to plenty of other outdoor and indoor sports fields like badminton, basketball, tennis, soccer, cricket which are all scattered throughout the campus. Once, one of my friends who owns a car gave us the idea of visiting  the swimming pool which seemed brilliant. We didn't wasted a single time and rushed to get ready and take accessories for swimming. It was a very refreshing experience. 

UTM Swimming Pool

We had to collect our passport from UTM International. So the day, I went to collect the passport, I didn't waste the chance of visiting the Equine Park which was just beside UTM International. It had horse riding facility which was a totally a new experience to me. By then we got busy with our daily class activities. 

Equine Park UTM

Our seniors welcomed all of the new students by organizing a BBQ party at Balai Cerap. It is the highest peak of UTM were I got the view of whole campus.

Balai Cerap

International Student Society of Bangladesh (ISSBD) arranged a cricket tournament on 21 February ( International Mother Language Day) which I took part in and successfully our team got to the final. Unfortunately, we were runner up but it was worth it.

With Runner Up Trophy

I am quite satisfied and enjoying my student life so far in UTM. Although, the course works are not that easy while studying in a worldwide recognized university, we try to devote ourselves  working in intensive assignment and interesting projects. Eventually, I had learnt a lot after all. The lecturers are nice, knowledgeable and willing to share their research outcomes. Also, UTM have lots of workshop & short term training courses to improve the soft skills among the students. I personally gained a lot from it. I love their library system & database and it do have enormous reading materials. UTM also conduct international conference periodically. Overall, based on my experience UTM provides their students with a very charming educational environment which I long sought for.