{"id":9153,"date":"2025-02-14T05:52:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T07:52:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/?p=9153"},"modified":"2025-02-27T05:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T07:56:09","slug":"second-year-international-business-student-erasmus-in-malaysia-an-adventure-that-changed-my-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/second-year-international-business-student-erasmus-in-malaysia-an-adventure-that-changed-my-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Second year International Business student: Erasmus+ in Malaysia \u2013 an adventure that changed my life"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Erasmus+ programme is not only an opportunity to explore Europe but also a chance to open the door to the wider world. Many students still imagine that this programme is intended only for travelling around European countries, but in fact, the options are much wider. For example, Kasparas Mork\u016bnas, a second-year student of International Business, decided to choose exotic Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia, instead of the usual Erasmus+ countries. His impressions and discoveries are not only inspiring but also destroy the myths about where an exchange programme can lead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Why Malaysia?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">I chose Malaysia not by chance. I had always dreamed of studying in Asia, and this country turned out to be a great choice for several reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">English. English is <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">very common<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in Malaysia, so I didn\u2019t feel lonely and could communicate freely.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Multiculturalism. The country <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is home to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> three main ethnic groups \u2013 Indians, Malays and Chinese. This cultural diversity fascinated me and helped me integrate more easily.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Standard of living. Malaysia is an economically developed country with a comfortable and modern life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Impressions<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Malaysia fascinated me with its warm climate, friendly people and beautiful nature. What I liked most was the convenient life \u2013 everything was <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">close by<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, shops were open until late, and medical institutions were open seven days a week. I was also surprised by the affordable prices and high quality of life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Of course, there were challenges. The complicated migration process and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">not very convenient<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> transport outside the university sometimes caused inconvenience. However, these difficulties only encouraged me to grow and adapt to the new environment and helped me better understand the differences in the world between the West and the East.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Breaking stereotypes<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Erasmus+ programme is often surrounded by stereotypes. One of them is that it is <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">just<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> easy to study and constant free time. However, the reality was different. Studies at INTI University were intensive, it required a lot of work and coordination of activities between Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) and INTI employees, then writing, creating, presenting projects, studying in the new system and taking exams, the number of which was difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What I liked most about INTI University was the practical approach to business studies. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A lot of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> attention was paid to projects and group work, which was very different from studying at Kauno kolegija HEI. I also appreciated the international environment \u2013 \u200b\u200bthe opportunity to learn from lecturers and students from all over the world. The <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">opportunity<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to live in Malaysia shattered the stereotype that third-world countries are less developed \u2013 when I arrived here, I was shocked by how advanced, clean and developed this country is. I also learned that people here earn similar <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> or even more than in Lithuania, and life is cheaper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tips for future Erasmus+ students:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Understand migration processes. Visa and permit processing can be complicated, so start preparing in advance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Research accommodation. Look for accommodation in advance, especially if you plan to stay for less than a year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Be open to cultural differences. Embrace a new culture and don\u2019t be afraid of challenges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Enjoy the experience. Erasmus+ is a great opportunity to develop yourself, discover a new world and make friends for life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">My Erasmus+ experience in Malaysia was invaluable. It gave me new knowledge, skills and self-confidence. If you <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">have the opportunity to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> participate in this program, don\u2019t miss it!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Take the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in your chosen country, make friends from all over the world, get to know other cultures and gain international experience. Until 10 March apply for studies abroad in the fall semester of the 2025\u20132026 academic year and\/or internship in the 2024\u20132025 spring semester under the Erasmus+ or NordPlus programmes. More information can be found <\/span><\/em><strong><em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/gain-international-experience-participate-in-the-erasmus-and-nordplus-programmes-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">here<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"row gallery\">\n            <div class=\"gallery-grid gallery-col-7\">\n                <div class=\"gallery-image-wrap\">\n                \n                    <a data-gallery=\"gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/kk_wp_content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/02\/Malaizija_1.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&ssl=1\" rel=\"lightbox\" data-lightbox-gallery=\"9153\">\n                        <div class=\"img-placeholder\" style=\" background-image: url(https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/kk_wp_content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/02\/Malaizija_1.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&ssl=1);\"><\/div>      \n  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 <div class=\"img-placeholder\" style=\" background-image: url(https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/kk_wp_content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/02\/Malaizija_4.jpg?fit=2560%2C1152&ssl=1);\"><\/div>      \n                    <\/a>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"caption\"><\/div>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"gallery-grid gallery-col-7\">\n                <div class=\"gallery-image-wrap\">\n                \n                    <a data-gallery=\"gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/kk_wp_content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/02\/Malaizija_5.jpg?fit=2560%2C1152&ssl=1\" rel=\"lightbox\" data-lightbox-gallery=\"9153\">\n                        <div class=\"img-placeholder\" style=\" background-image: url(https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/kk_wp_content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/02\/Malaizija_5.jpg?fit=2560%2C1152&ssl=1);\"><\/div>      \n                    <\/a>\n                    \n        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Many students still imagine that this programme is intended only for travelling around European countries, but in fact, the options are much wider. For example, Kasparas Mork\u016bnas, a second-year student of International [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":9161,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9153"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9162,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9153\/revisions\/9162"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}