I Left My Heart in Malaysia
It all began with an e-mail that notified me of being awarded with the scholarship offered by MTCP for 'English for Effective Communication'.
After having a great lunch with the Ambassador, I set off on a 24 hour journey to the other side of the world. I couldn?t even imagine what those 4 weeks were going to be like.
When I arrived at IPBA, the institute that hosted us, my first encounter was with Umid, from Uzbekistan, who was to become a good friend. I started unpacking, still being a bit scared of what this whole new experience would mean to me. I soon realised that it was going to be an unforgettable one.
On my first day of class, I noticed that my teachers were quite enthusiastic. Everyday we had classes until 4 pm, and they prepared varied joyful oral activities. After classes we were on our own to go sightseeing. Our first destination was the Petronas Towers, including 'Aquaria' something that I had just watched on TV.
At IPBA institute they took good care of us, organizing trips around the city. They took us to Melaka and Putrajaya, the historical city and the federal administrative centre of Malaysia respectively. They even took us to the supermarket once!
Sharul, the course coordinator, was very helpful and attentive. She organised our trip to 'Tioman Island' where we spent three wonderful days. We went snorkelling and relaxed a bit swinging in the hammock. I easily got used to the weather. Not freezing in the morning, unlike my hometown, was a superb sensation
During all of our stay in Kuala Lumpur, our teachers as well as the course coordinators paid close attention to all of our needs. I can't help but remember when my classmate from Egypt, Mrs. Salwa, got sick and she was asked constantly about her health and well being.
Sharing with new friends from distant countries and cultures does broaden your horizons. We stayed up until late talking about our respective countries, of course this cultural exchange included learning new words from one another's respective languages.
I do hope that the human network created during those days, will last forever. There is so much to learn from one another, to improve our lives and our world. During those four weeks I learnt to be more tolerant and open minded. I realised, once more, that there is a whole world beyond the mountain range called 'Los Andes' and that we can be part of it by just sharing simple things and learning how to listen.
My heartfelt gratitude to IPBA, my teachers and all those people who made our stay in Malaysia enjoyable and safe.
May God bless them all!
Jaime García
English Teacher
Saint Thomas Aquinas University, Concepción, Chile
(attended English for Effective Communication at International Languages Teachers Training Institute (IPBA) from 28 Apr - 23 May 2008)
At the Petronas Twin Tower
Chinese Temple
During our visit to the administrative city - Putrajaya
A Famosa Fort in Melaka, the Historical City
In my Huaso (Chilean cowboy) attire
Tioman Island during the low tide
With classmates after class
With my classmates in Melaka
I left my Heart in Malaysia. After a cultural performance.
Lunch with Ambassador
Receiving my airticket from Ambassador. Am I really going to Malaysia?
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/santiago
