Mastering Malay language is essential for International students

By Muammar Hadi(IIUM Today)

GOMBAK – – To be able to master the Malay language in order to help them blend in and complete their degree is an unseen struggle faced by several international students in IIUM.

Ameera Hasri from Singapore and Suriya Furgon from Thailand, graduates of Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL) who received their degree at the fifth session of the 37th IIUM Convocation shared this experience.

Asked about their biggest struggles in IIUM, Suriya highlighted that coming from a country that does not use Malay language, he faced a hard time blending in with the local students who mainly speak the language.

Both of them were close to giving up and making way to leave the university to pursue their study somewhere else due to the language barrier that became a hindrance to get involved in discussions.

“I had made up my mind that this is over and I’ll just find somewhere else to pursue my tertiary study”, said Suriya in recalling his early days at IIUM.

Suriya Furgon during his conferment of degree in the 37th Convocation ceremony.

Meanwhile, Ameera shared her previous roommate who was also an international student left IIUM because of the language barrier.

“When I came in I was shocked by how much Malay (language) they used and so I had to brush up my skill. Suprisingly, my parents are proud that I have improved the command of the language, ” Ameera said. 

When commented on how close the two were, they both said that international students have to stick together as there were only a few of them and they could relate with each other when it comes to language issues.

They agreed that having a support system when studying at this level is very important. Suriya emphasised that without people to back you up, university life will be very tough. 

Ameera mentioned that one of her most important support systems was her supportive friends who taught her what she can and cannot say. On the other hand, for Suriya, it was his family. 

They made a lot of Thai and Singaporean friends in IIUM as there were hundreds of them in campus, studying in different Kulliyyahs like Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (KIRKHS) which helped them a lot. 

Asked on how the university has helped them grow as a person, Ameera mentioned she was a totally different person before entering IIUM. Suriya added that he managed to improve his social skills. 

Ameera had some advice for other AIKOL students saying that, “despite the struggles of feeling you’re not enough and not getting a certain grade, in the end it’s all very worth it”. ***

Source: https://news.iium.edu.my/?p=167643