Some 80 international students from over 20 countries gathered for a sharing session on 7 March 2019, thanks to the Xiamen Buddy System (XBS), an organization initiated by Student Recruitment Office of Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM).

This first-ever XBS gathering aims to promote a vibrant exchange of ideas and a meaningful sharing of experiences, as well as to develop a buddy system where seniors will take the hands of freshmen as they navigate their way through an unfamiliar environment, and help them ready themselves for the new but exciting journey in a foreign land.

The event started with an ice-breaking session organized by Extracurricular Activities Unit (ECA) together with Student Council, followed by a buffet dinner, during which participants from different cultures reached out and networked with each other.

“Coming from afar, these students have to cope with a whole range of issues – from adapting to a different culture to overcoming homesickness – apart from challenges in their academic pursuit. Our intention is to create a home for our international community at this campus,” said Lestari Surianto, Assistant Manager of Student Recruitment and the key organiser of the event.

Image

This was followed by an insightful virtual tour of the university, and a sharing session for everyone to stand up and share their personal experience in the journey of exploration and adaptation.

Dr. Zhang Ying, Assistant President of XMUM, presented her personal experience during the sharing session and encouraged students to adopt an open mind and a positive attitude.

She also urged the students to make full use of the campus facilities and to strive for a wholesome balance between study and extracurricular activities. “Exercise will refresh your entire body and mind, and give you greater clarity in your thoughts. This will help you in your academic studies.”

At the same time, there was a quick introduction to a group of international academicians from several countries - such as UK, Singapore, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh - who will act as Academic Advisors to international students.The event climaxed when both senior students and newbies opened their heart to share their own story.

Chaitanyakumar Reddy Pocha (India, Chemical Engineering), recalled his first few days in the university. “I am not very good at making friends, so I felt lonely when I arrived here.” After attending a few counselling sessions, Chaitanya gained more confidence in himself and started to mingle and make friends. His advice to the freshmen is to step out and consult the university counsellor if necessary: “We have to overcome our shyness before we can connect with people.”

While Juventia Soewardi, a New Energy student from Indonesia, said: “Joining clubs is the fastest way to expand your network. We can’t be isolated. It is a real world out there.”

With a little help of this buddy and mentoring system, students can work better in shedding inhibitions, releasing frustrations, finding meaning, and forging friendship during their years at XMUM.

“We are in an exciting era where boundaries are blurred and the world is getting smaller. The focus is on connectivity across cultures, and we want to start where we are – bringing this connectivity closer to home – at Xiamen University Malaysia,” says Lestari Surianto, who, too, is an Indonesian and has survived the ups and downs in adapting to a foreign environment.