Summer Break in Malaysia with Fresh Adventures

I was in Malaysia for over six weeks, interning at Glenreagh. Which is a public relations and crisis management firm, gave me insights into the world of media, particularly in the South Asian area. I was working on a media article about how Malaysia may increase its agriculture business through collaboration with the tourism industry. By evaluating actual data and reviewing relevant applications in other nations, I opened Malaysia to new solutions that it could apply in the future. One area that I found particularly challenging is working in a team with people from various backgrounds and levels of expertise, particularly in a foreign destination such as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Aside from just getting to work in a real-life setting, the program included additional student interns from other Australian institutions throughout the country. It was a unique experience to interact with students from diverse backgrounds and institutions and eventually become friends with them.

One of the rare opportunities this internship offered me was interviewing a big Malaysian band, Hujan, and being a huge music connoisseur. This was a tremendous opportunity for me.

Aside from working, I got to explore various parts of Malaysia. My favourite was the Cameron Highlands, approximately three hours from Kuala Lumpur, which is a gorgeous hill station famed for its tea plantations, strawberry fields, and temperate environment. I got to walk around the tea plantations,  had the opportunity to visit the BOH Tea Plantation, and got to relax with a cup of freshly brewed tea. I also got to choose their strawberries, savour our freshly plucked fruits, and eat various strawberry-based delicacies. We ended the day by visiting vivid floral gardens featuring vibrant blossoms such as roses, lavender, and other exotic species.

They also took us on a day trip to Malacca as part of our internship program. In Malacca, we got to experience the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town, St. Paul’s Church, and Jonker Street, and savoured the famed local food. Malacca’s cuisine incorporates Portuguese influences owing to its colonial history. Meals like Devil’s Curry, which blends spices with local ingredients like vinegar and coconut milk, were some of the best curries I have ever had. 

We also got to do a BBQ session as a part of the team-building exercise, which was fun, and I felt activities like that brought us together as a group and made us better friends.

My global internship in Malaysia provided me with an extensive opportunity that expanded my knowledge and abilities in several sectors and cultures. My experience with Malaysia will surely benefit my professional and personal future.

Anindya Arif
UTS Business School
The Global Student – KL Internships, Malaysia
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship recipient