Early in this year, I took a vital decision in my college life. I knew I am no longer a freshman and there would be no other chance like this one. I needed a break and also a breakthrough out of my comfort zone into the unknown. After thorough discussion with friends and family, I have decided to apply for student exchange to Malaysia. Albeit not going far, this is my baby step to travel the world as I have always wanted. Of course, it was not easy to convince my typical Asian parents about this, considering that I am the only daughter in the family and also the youngest member with plenty medical records. However, I believe God is above everything, including my parents’ hearts. Most Asian parents would only consider the negative side of student exchange; the living cost, visa and potential danger in new environment. However, I managed to change their mind to think of the positive outcome; independence.
It took some time for me to actual depart to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, with visa application delayed by a week. Everything was smooth until I arrived to the dorm and checked in to my room where I would be staying with other two members(one moved to another block later). First day reaching the dorm, I was already blessed with a Korean friend who was willing to help me report my arrival to the dormitory office which I had no idea where it was until this Korean friend of mine told me the way. She also helped carry my baggage (one 22kg suitcase and another 6kg suitcase) up to the fourth floor to my room. I was guilty and still am guilty that I held prejudiced thought about her. I thought she had ulterior motive behind her help and all. However, I realized she was purely helping me out of kindness. It was my fault for not having any pure thoughts, partly because I was taught not to be kind to strangers in foreign environment ever since my first day in Jakarta to pursue higher education years ago. Now, I am full of gratitude to her and all her support during my first few days in the campus. I have been here for approximately 3 weeks close to a month and there were plenty of bizarre experience with same bizarre new friends. My first night in my room, I befriended someone who claimed to know black magic and that her whole family had practiced it generation by generation and we shared some of our personal experience. It was my first time having such close encounter with someone who carried 5 Jinns with her! She, herself, is nothing out of the ordinary. She is very kind and out-going, sometimes very loud. I was also invited to go to club that night. I expected to meet foreign roommates when turned out that my roommates were all Indonesians! A part of me felt relieved because there were people who taught me things, especially the administrative matters so that I could quickly accomplish it before the deadline. My first week in Malaysia went well. I met new friends and what made it best was, we regained the ability to befriend anyone without thinking too much into the relationship. It feels great to be free from any prejudice and to be able to be kind to everyone without calculating or strategically manipulating people. After many years of cooping in my comfort zone, I tend to feel stressed and depressed. My only mechanism to cope was to write and produce stories with occasional hangouts with friends outside for a meal. Here, in Malaysia, I’ve got friends who would invite me to sight-seeing and to have fun. I had no time for stress because they are here to remind me the joy of life.
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