Everyday life and tips

• When you are in Malaysia, local laws apply to you. These include penalties for drug related offences, including possession of even small amounts of any type of hallucegenic drugs. Penalties are severe in Malaysia where drug offenders are subject to a mandatory death penalty.
• The Ministry of Higher Education has made it compulsory for all international students to register for health insurance through their university. However, depending on the terms of your insurance, not all medical costs will be covered and you may still have to pay some medical bills so it is worth setting a budget aside for this.
• To avoid offending local sensibilities, female students should wear clothes that cover the legs and upper arms. Shorts are rarely worn by adults, except at the beach.
• During Ramadhan, be sensitive of local customs.
• If people speak in their own language in your presence, do not feel embarrassed to ask for a translation – they will quickly switch to English to accommodate you.