In the past, many international students would not have thought of Malaysia as a study destination. Today, Malaysia is home to many beautiful places such as parks, museums, and so on. The kinds of places one should include in their travel bucket list. Check out the rest of this article to know the places in Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur, that are worth visiting as an international student.
Why Many Students Study in Kuala Lumpur
In recent years, Malaysia has experienced a boost in the number of international students coming into the country to study. In 2019, for example, Malaysia reported hosting over 120,000 international students, with more than 30,000 enrolled in its higher education institutes (HEIs).
Some of the reasons include the country’s affordability, especially for students worldwide. Also, the country has a diverse population, with the majority being made up of Malay, Chinese, and other South Asian races. When it comes to education, Kuala Lumpur is home to high-ranking HEIs in the QS World University Rankings, such as the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, (UMT), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and Universiti Malaya (UM).
Places to Visit
If you are an international student in Kuala Lumpur, you should take hold of the opportunity to explore the city.
Many of Kuala Lumpur’s places of attractions such as parks, museums, and even street markets are affordable to visit, and most of the time even free. Moreover, if you want to have an idea of Malaysia outside your university, this is a good way to learn more about the culture.
Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
Bird and animal lovers will enjoy the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park.
This tropical aviary in Kuala Lumpur will only take a 10-minute drive from its city center. It stretches 20.9 acres making it one of the world’s biggest bird parks. Aside from being a local attraction in the city, this aviary is also a research center for many scientists researching birds’ behaviors. Those behaviors are usually more difficult to observe in the wild.
Moreover, the aviary prides itself on its free-flight concept, which enables the birds to live like they are in their natural habitat.
Petaling Street
If you want to experience Malaysian culture through its people and street food, then you should visit Kuala Lumpur’s Petaling Street. It is Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown that stretches in a long street. The street is popular due to its street food that is why many tourists and even locals usually flock to this place. Aside from street food, the place is also a good place to buy ingredients such as spices and meat.
Moreover, the street is also home to many stores that sell cheaper items, compared to bigger shopping malls and supermarkets in the city.
National Museum
For those who want a more relaxing place to visit, but still want to learn more about Malaysia’s culture and heritage, then you should visit Kuala Lumpur’s National Museum. The museum holds the country’s collections of traditional items including weapons and other historical apparel. Moreover, you will get to experience Malaysia’s diverse heritage in the museum. For example, some of the sculptures you can see there are even of Hindu-Buddhist origins.
Aside from these places in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is home to other beautiful regions you can explore once you are already there.
Malaysia is starting to catch up to other study destination countries in Europe, and there are more things to know about this booming country. Check out our other articles here at MSM Unify and learn more about Malaysia, including things it can offer to international students. To start, check this article on Studying in Malaysia: What You Need to Know.
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