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Dental clinic staff |
Salamat pagi, or greetings! During the 2003-04 academic year, I was a Fulbright Scholar to Malaysia. Sometimes the most thought-out plans do not work as anticipated. Such was my experience. I initially expected to live in a rural university town and teach general communication courses. Serendipitously, I found myself invited to the University of Malaya’s (UM) linguistics and medical faculties in Kuala Lumpur to work in my field in speech-language pathology. Upon my arrival, much of what I anticipated had changed. I taught one course—an introduction to speech-language pathology—changed my research plans, and spent the majority of my time in the medical center at UM.
My ability to change gears and adapt to new situations were major assets in the productiveness of the year. I lived in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, and commuted to work using public transportation—which was a major contribution to my acculturation! Though the complexity of the year cannot be captured in this short posting, I am pleased to share some of my experiences and joy of Malaysia.
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Malaysia is comprised of Peninsula Malaysia and East Malaysia (Borneo) separated by the South China Sea. Surrounding countries include Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia (Sumatra). The country offers a rich multiracial and multicultural experience of three major ethnic groups —58% Malay and indigenous, 24% Chinese, 8% Indian, and 10% other of a population of more than 25 million. Both young and elder populations are expected to increase in the next decade. Mandatory retirement age (for public employment, including education) is 56 years, having recently increased from 55 years. The issue of aging is particularly interesting to me because of my research and interest in communication disorders, disability and cultural attitudes towards aging and disability.
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Cultural dance |
I was fortunate to participate in almost continuous holiday celebrations because of the diversity of the Malaysian population. With newly found friends, holidays that will remain in my memory include Hari Raya Puasa, Thaipusan, Buddhist celebrations and Chinese New Year. I even celebrated the traditional western New Year’s Eve in Borneo as well as attended weddings, and yes, even a very sad funeral.
Interesting challenges were frequently presented that included a different use of numerals, figuring out the phone system, using British English in formal writing, learning new idioms, and discovering the amazing use of “lah,” and “can-can”.
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Mentoring SLP |
My professional work was exciting and was appreciated by students and professionals. By the time I left Malaysia, I had provided approximately 30 presentations and demonstrations to linguists, physicians, classroom teachers, staff members of hospitals and parents of disabled children. I was treated with utmost respect and admiration for my professional skills, enthusiasm in sharing my knowledge, and embracing the Malaysian culture. This experience was transformative for me personally and professionally. It was so successful that I have been back to Malaysia for a short teaching stint and plan to continue my work there with professionals in different areas. I have established life-long friends who have enriched my life.
Many people in the United States were concerned about my going to Malaysia—there was little need for that concern. One-by-one relationships are needed to bridge the wide cultural gaps that exist in today’s world. In a small way I deeply feel that I was able to do that through my Fulbright experience and am happy to tell of the positive experience of an American in an Islamic country.
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"International education
exchange is the most significant current project
designed to continue the process of humanizing
mankind to the point, we would hope, that
nations can learn to live in peace"
--J. William Fulbright |
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