Program Description | Host Family & Community | Host School | Travel | Orientations & Activities | Eligibility
Program Description
Experience the magic of Malaysia—a rich collage of cultures, modern buildings next to traditional spice markets, and rainforests teeming with rare and endangered species. Imagine how your résumé will stand out from the rest of your peers with an experience in this fascinating South China Sea nation!
Native Malays share citizenship with ethnic Chinese and Indians, and though the state religion is Islam, Buddhist shrines and Hindu temples are as commonplace as Islamic mosques. This diversity is celebrated throughout the year with many different multicultural festivals.
AFSers attend a local high school and live with a host family. You will have have the opportunities to visit spice markets and learn about local activities like sepak takraw (a kickball type of volleyball), giant top spinning, and kite-flying.
Language
The official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Melayu, but English is a compulsory second language.
While there is no language requirement for the Malaysia High School Program, students must make an effort to learn Malay, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) or Tamil languages.
Host Family & Community
While you could be placed anywhere in Malaysia, most students are placed in urban or suburban areas. AFS will offer you the opportunity to see different places and cultures in Malaysia by placing you with another host family for two to three weeks during the latter part of your stay.
Host families in Malaysia, like all AFS host families worldwide, are not paid. They open their homes to students in order to share their community and culture as well as to enrich their own family lives.
Malaysians
Because Malaysia’s population is so diverse, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and other holidays are observed throughout the country. Your host family may belong to any one of the main ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, or Indian. Regardless of which family you are placed with, you will enjoy multicultural festivals celebrated throughout the year.
Extended families often live together. Elders are highly regarded and respected. Malaysians have a relaxed attitude about time and punctuality.
Parents are protective of their children, and like to know your friends and where you are going to be at all times. Bedrooms are not private; family members can enter at all times.
Teens
Malaysian teenagers love sports: soccer and badminton are the most popular games. Tennis, bowling, golf, squash, motor racing, swimming and horseback riding are also loved by many, especially those who live in the bigger cities. Teens also engage in sea sports such as surfing and jet skiing, or martial arts, traditional games like sepak takraw (a foot-kick-ball type of volleyball), giant top spinning or kite-flying.
City teenagers like to watching movies and going window-shopping. Some of them spend their free time staying at home to study or attending supplementary classes.
Dating is not encouraged among teenagers. As a Muslim country, the religious authority has the right to fine fellow Muslims who are found kissing or courting in public. All religions in Malaysia respect each other. Body contact between different sexes is frowned upon, although it is acceptable for men to walk with their arms on another man’s shoulder and for girls to hold each others’ hands.
You should be prepared to live in a small towns or rural area where your social life may be impacted by lack of transport and distance to the nearest town.
Meals
The variety of people in Malaysia makes for a very interesting mix of cuisine — spicy Malay dishes, an endless variety of Chinese food, exotic cuisine from North and South India, as well as local Nyonya and Portuguese dishes. Western cuisine is also easily accessible, and there are many international fast-food chains. Traditional Malay food resembles Indonesian and Indian cooking: most dishes are characterized by the liberal addition of spices, chilies and coconut cream. Fish is made for any occasion and in many styles.
Meals are important family time, which offer great opportunities to get to know your host family. Food on the table is shared by all the family. It is proper etiquette not to finish everything, and to break and eat a small piece at a time. Remember that using your left hand to eat or pass food is considered offensive!
Host School
School plays an important role in Malaysian society. It not only gives knowledge but also helps the family in inculcating moral values and behavior. Teachers will look out for your welfare, and you can ask them for help anytime.
On the first day of school, you’ll be able to choose your course of study from one of the following: pure science, social science, commerce, or technical.
You will attend a public school where uniforms are mandatory. You will probably be placed in the equivalent of 10th or 11th grade, or possibly 12th if your host school offers it. School runs Monday through Friday in most regions and Sunday through Thursday in other regions. The day normally starts at 7:30am and finishes between 1:00pm and 1:30pm.
While most instruction is in Bahasa Melayu, math and sciences are taught in English.
Check out the Host School FAQ (.pdf).
Travel
You will receive a Travel Notification email about 6 weeks prior to international departure with your international flight itinerary and detailed instructions for when to arrive at the Gateway Orientation site in Los Angeles. At that point, you may arrange your domestic travel. In Los Angeles, you will join other AFS-USA participants for an overnight Gateway Orientation before you travel together to Kuala Lumpur.
International airfare is included as part of the tuition, but it is your responsibility to get from your home town to the Gateway Orientation site.
Your Arrival
After the Gateway Orientation in Los Angeles, you and your fellow AFSers will travel together to Kuala Lumpur, where AFS staff and volunteers will be waiting for you at the airport. After a 4-day Arrival Orientation, you will travel with AFS volunteers either by bus, train or plane, to your host community to meet your host family.
Your Return
You will travel together with the other AFS-USA participants back to Los Angeles from Kuala Lumpur.
Orientations & Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically (the locally held Pre-Departure Orientation, the Culture Trek online orientation, and the national Gateway Orientation), you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad.
These required orientations are intended to help you maximize your AFS experience, prevent culture shock and to gain knowledge, skills and a global understanding.
Arrival Orientation
The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Malaysia. This will be a 4 day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world. In addition to covering the rules and safety tips, there will be an emphasis on approaching your experience from an intercultural learning perspective.
Mid-Stay Orientations
About 4-8 weeks after your arrival in Malaysia, you will have another orientation that will be organized on the local level. This will be a 4 day meeting and will focus on cultural and school adjustment. You will meet with AFS staff and volunteers to evaluate your first few weeks and be offered guidance to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Year Program participants will also be offered a 3 day mid-stay orientation about 5-6 months in to your stay. Once again, this will be a time to meet with staff and volunteers, evaluate the first half of your experience, and gain more tips to aid your cultural adjustment.
End-of-Stay Orientation
Finally, there will be a 4 day evaluation camp in the weeks prior to departure. This is your chance to reflect on your experience and to share with other AFSers. You will also prepare for the cultural readjustment that is a part of returning home.
End-of-Stay Orientation
In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for students and host families throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include parties or excursions to other cities or regions in Malaysia. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the student’s expense.
Eligibility
To participate in this program, you must:
- Be within the age range (located in the ‘read more’ drop-down) upon departure
- Have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy in accordance with AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
- Have a U.S. passport at the time of application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the program end date
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
Participation Notes
AFS Malaysia will probably be able to accommodate vegetarians and students with religious-based dietary restrictions.
Younger High School graduates may be considered for this program if they meet the eligibility requirements
While there is no language requirement for the Malaysia High School Program, students must make an effort to learn Malay, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) or Tamil languages.
