Chelsea Lewis-Greenham

Why did you choose to participate in the Global Study Tour to Malaysia?

I absolutely love travelling and experiencing new cultures. I thought this was a good way to experience what overseas study would be like without the commitment of a whole semester away. I also liked the idea of the Study Tour because you’re going there with a purpose; it’s structured and organised for you. 

How did you find your experience?

I absolutely loved it! I have such fond memories. The students I went with were all really nice, and it was very well supported by all the teachers that came along. I would go back to Malaysia in a heartbeat. 

What were some highlights of your exchange?

The first standout was attending an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) New Zealand Business Council dinner gala held by the Malaysia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce. We were invited along to this black tie event held in a beautiful conference centre. It was awesome to get the opportunity to dress up and practice our networking skills with business people.

A second highlight was definitely the food. I’m a real foodie, and everything was absolutely delicious. 

What is the education like on the Study Tour? 

It’s given me the most valuable learnings in terms of my career. You learn by doing, through experience, which helps you learn on a whole different level.

Prior to the trip, we all stayed at a marae together, which was a good bonding experience and awesome to learn about our own cultural background before going overseas. 

How did you find the classes and teaching styles?

The education in Malaysia is a bit more informal. The classes were smaller and more intimate, but also more relaxed. I liked that teaching style because it made us comfortable and happy to contribute to conversations. All of the students and teachers were very welcoming, accommodating, and approachable.

What were your accommodation arrangements?

We stayed in really nice student accommodation. I was in an apartment with my own bedroom and shared bathroom and kitchen. We were up on a high floor with the most stunning view of the city. It had really nice aircon, a pool, and a gym. It was pretty fancy!

How did you find life at your host university?

There was always a lot going on at the university, like student markets, lots of great food places, and even little robots walking around. Everyone was so nice, approachable, and happy to help you out. 

How did you find life in Malaysia?

We were in Kuala Lumpur, and I got the impression that things are a little faster-paced. It’s definitely very busy, and places were open late. There were always lots of people out. I was happy walking around, and felt very safe going out later in the evening. 

What did you get up to when you weren’t studying? 

During our free time we visited different markets in the city or relaxed around the accommodation with the pool and gym. Our days were full-on, so it was nice to have that downtime.

We also had the option to extend our time and return to New Zealand later for no extra charge, so I travelled to Vietnam afterwards. 

What insights did you gain and how do you think this will be useful for your future employment?

It was valuable to visit a new country and get a sense of if I could see myself living and working overseas.

Experiencing a new country and culture puts your own into perspective. You realise people think and do things very differently around the world, which is a valuable skill to have in the workplace because you will be working with diverse groups of people.

How do you think the overseas experience helped you on a personal level?

I think travelling is just good, in general. It makes you step out of your own little bubble, out of your comfort zone, and gain a new perspective. It’s great for your self-confidence, and it gave me a real thirst for travel! 

Would you recommend other students take part in an exchange experience?

Yes, 100%! It’s a great way to earn points toward your papers. Our assignments were quite reflective in nature, which I think is a nice way to learn. It felt enjoyable to write about my time there, and I felt very well-supported by the teachers and other students. 

Any tips for future students?

UC’s global exchange team is super approachable and more than happy to talk to anyone about their exchange options, so if you’re hesitant or unsure about partaking, absolutely reach out and ask them questions.