I made it! I left Monday at 6pm from DC and then flew to LA, then to Hong Kong, and finally to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In total, it was about 30 hours of traveling. It really wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be. On the long 15.5 hour flight there were over 100 movies to choose from along with TV shows, games, etc. There were also electrical outlets at each seat, so I felt pretty spoiled on that flight.
We all arrived at the airport, and the first problem arose when there was one bus to take us back, along with only a few vans. I think they calculated for 50 people to transfer from the airport to the hotel, which was fine, except they didn’t take into account all of our luggage. 50 people times at least 2 suitcases per person = more luggage than people… That was a problem. We stood and waited outside the bus while the bus driver tried to fit all of our luggage into the bus, which it clearly did not. Then they started filling the vans with our luggage, which meant no more room for us to sit…it was just terrible to watch. The bus driver frantically got on his cell phone, probably calling for backup, and all we could do is stand and watch. Oh well, eventually we all fit into the bus or a van and we were on our way back to the hotel which was about an hour away.
One of the first things I noticed on the ride from the airport to the hotel was how green everything was and how many mountains there were. I definitely wasn’t expecting them. Also, there were fields and fields of palm trees. I later found out they are palm tree plantations. These palm trees produce palm oil which is one of their main exports.
That evening a few of us went to the food court in the mall, where I got pad thai for 3 ringgits ($1)…you just can’t beat that. However, it was so spicy that I cried practically the whole meal. I never eat spicy food, so it was a big deal for me. I finished it though, and hope to start building up my spicy food tolerance while I’m here.
So the following morning, Thursday, we began our orientation at MACEE. MACEE stands for Malaysian American Commission on Educational Exchange. This is essentially who I’m working for for the next 10 months. A little background- the Fulbright program is funded by the State Department, but in each country the state department can’t be in charge of the Fulbright, so in 51 countries there is a Fulbright commission that is in charge of running the program. In all the other countries, the embassy is in charge of the Fulbright. Therefore, MACEE is the Fulbright commission in Malaysia, so they develop the entire Fulbright program here in regards to the placements, schools, orientation, and everything else involved.
For the next 2 weeks, we will be having various meetings and presentations during orientation. We will have a bahasa Malaysia class where we will learn the language, and we will discuss other aspects such as the culture/customs, ESL teaching, traveling, safety, etc. This morning a few officials from the US embassy in KL (Kuala Lumpur) came to talk to us about political, economic, and medical issues. We were also forewarned that this year we will get a lot of media attention, so we need to be prepared to talk to the press.
If anything, what I’ve gotten out of the orientation so far is that all of us 50 ETAs (English Teaching Assistants) are truly wanted and appreciated here in Malaysia. The ETA program started in Malaysia in 2005, and has only had between 15 and 20 ETAs per year. However, this year, due to President Obama and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib’s desire to expand international exchange programs, we now have 50 ETAs spread throughout 3 states in Malaysia, whereas in the past years the ETAs have been based only in one state. Everyone who has come to talk to us so far, whether from the embassy or from MACEE, is thrilled that we are here to not only improving the English speaking skills of Malaysian students, but to also share the American culture with them, and take back what we will learn about the Malaysian culture to the US when we return.
Last night a few of us ventured to Chinatown, which is well-known here in KL. When we got there we walked through the market, which seemed like it was never-ending. Seeing as my purse broke as soon as I got to my hotel room from the airport on Wednesday, I was determined to buy a new purse. I bargained my way through two vendors, and eventually got a 388 ringgit purse for 70 ringgit ($22). I still think that is still a little expensive for a knock-off purse…but it was my first time bargaining here so it’ll take some practice to get good.
On a different note, let me point out some things I’ve noticed so far…the bathrooms. All bathrooms have a hose next to the toilet. It is used to, you know, clean yourself (which they often use instead of toilet paper). So if they use this hose to clean themselves, then you guessed it, the floor and toilet are wet. My first instinct when I walk into a bathroom stall where the floor and toilet are wet is to walk right back out and into another, drier one. However, I have to keep reminding myself that this is normal and they are all going to be wet. Just something I have to get used to.
Also, the drug laws here are no joke. If you are caught with drugs on you…the punishment is death. You don’t get a few years in jail, no. It is non negotiable, you are just put to death. Even if you’re from another country, you get no mercy.
Tomorrow we’re going on a scavenger hunt in the city, and then Sunday we have a free day, woohoo!! Jet lag hasn’t been too bad, but I still feel it. I can sleep through the night, even though I wake up a few times. I’m fine during the morning and afternoon, but around 5pm it hits me and I get completely and utterly exhausted. I think I’ve been managing well so far though since I haven’t taken a nap during the day at all.
Oh yeah, and I've made it a goal to try 1 new food per day. (Anyone that knows anything about me, knows how picky I am when it comes to food). But guess what...yesterday I surpassed my goal. I ate a funny looking spiky fruit which tasted like a grape, and I also tried some sort of sauce that I really did not enjoy. But hey, at least I tried it.
This article was the lead story on the main page of the US embassy’s website the day we got here…http://malaysia.usembassy.gov/pr-eta_arrival-010412.html
Here is a link to my pictures on Facebook:
