Students at Universiti Malaya often spend their weekdays enjoying meals and shopping in Kuala Lumpur, while weekends and public holidays are perfect opportunities for travel. In the city center, there are large shopping malls, religious landmarks, and museums. With many Japanese companies established in the area, students can even enjoy karaoke and other familiar aspects of Japanese culture. At the same time, nature is never far away—hiking, trekking, and picnicking are easily accessible. The UM campus itself is filled with greenery and is home to monkeys, squirrels, dogs, and cats. There is even a lake on campus where students can try kayaking and other water activities.

Beyond Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia offers many attractive destinations. Malacca and Penang are known for their historic streets, while islands such as Langkawi and Tioman boast beautiful beaches and plenty of water sports. Compared to Japan, Malaysia has more public holidays, and many students take advantage of them to travel abroad. Since there is also a mid-term break of about one week, some students even take the chance to go further, to places like Australia.

In Malaysia, you can enjoy local food at very affordable prices. At university cafeterias and local eateries, meals often cost only RM6–10 (about 200–300 yen).

Some of the most popular Malaysian dishes include satay (grilled skewered chicken), roti canai (a light, flaky flatbread similar to naan), and kaya toast (toasted bread filled with butter and a sweet coconut-based spread). These can easily be enjoyed at restaurants and street stalls.

You’ll also find plenty of Chinese and Indian restaurants offering a wide variety of delicious, budget-friendly meals. Another highlight is Nyonya cuisine, a unique blend of Chinese and Malay-Indonesian flavors that reflects Malaysia’s multicultural identity. Japanese and Korean food are slightly more expensive than local dishes, but they are widely available—so you can enjoy them whenever you feel like a taste of home.