Adjusting to a new environment
Going to a new country can be quite daunting regardless where you originate from. You will find much to be unfamiliar with. The sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the new country will be so strange, they can overwhelm you especially in the early weeks. Coming to a country as multicultural and multilingual as Malaysia will no doubt compound your culture shock; you will find that there is so much you don't understand. 

Like many other students and foreigners coming to Malaysia for the first time, you may find these changes very confusing and upsetting. You could feel helpless, anxious, despair, demotivated, frustrated or even angry. Your reaction may be to withdraw from your new surroundings, by spending most of your time with other students from your own country, or by staying in your room (or even in your bed!). If you are very distressed by the feelings you have in this new environment, remember, you are not alone. All overseas students have some of these feelings - they are quite normal - but most learn to overcome them in the first weeks and months of their stay here.

Coping with a new environment

• You can overcome these feelings little by little as you get to know your new environment. Learning about a new culture is an important part of the education you will receive here, and worth the effort you put into it. There are many ways you can find out about Malaysia and Malaysians, and learn to feel "at home" here.
• Remember that when people behave in a way you don't understand, there is usually a reason for what they do. Although their behaviour might be unacceptable in your culture, it might be acceptable within their own culture and according to their personal standards.
• You will need to observe people, listen to them and ask many questions. It is important not to judge people before you understand their values and customs.
• It's a good idea to learn to laugh at the mistakes you will make from time to time. People will be happy to help you if you are relaxed and ready to learn.
• Find ways to meet as many people as possible. Join clubs, go to concerts and be ready to talk.
• Your physical surroundings will become familiar to you as you find your lecture rooms and the campus. We invite you to explore a little further each day.
• Taylor's has International Student Advisors and Counsellors who would be happy to help you with any problems you have settling in to your new life and meeting people.

Moving around

Taylor's College School of Pre-University Studies offers its programmes at two campuses in the Klang Valley, Taylor's College Subang Jaya and Taylor's College Sri Hartamas.

Taylor's College Subang Jaya is located in the self-contained township of Subang Jaya. A well-planned suburb of Selangor, Subang Jaya is located about 20km from the Kuala Lumpur city centre. Buses, taxis, a commuter train system and a light rail transit (LRT) system are available, providing easy access to and from the city centre and around Subang Jaya.

Taylor's College Sri Hartamas is located in Klang Valley's 'green lung' near Petaling Jaya city, about 14km from the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Many expatriate communities have made their home in the Sri Hartamas neighbourhood. The campus is conveniently accessible from Petaling Jaya, Bangsar and Kuala Lumpur via major roads and highways. Public transportation like buses and taxis are available.

You will find the location of Taylor's campuses to be very convenient as it is close to just about everything you need. Within walking distance are shops, shopping complexes, recreational areas, schools, clinics/hospitals, sports facilities and entertainment outlets. You will be happy to know that there is a wide variety of eating outlets, ranging from local Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisines to exotic imported flavours such as western, continental and delicacies from the Middle East, Europe, and Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Thailand and Taiwan. In fact, you will soon discover that Malaysia is a food paradise teeming with good food and wholesome fun.

Options for transportation are aplenty near the Subang Jaya and Sri Hartamas campuses. If you opt to purchase a car, remember that you will need either a local or an international driver's license and that we practice right-hand driving. The legal driving age in Malaysia is 17. However, should you prefer to rely on public transport, there are several options for you to get around.

Travelling by Bus
Buses are the most common form of public transport in Malaysia. Depending on the distance, travelling by bus could cost you between 80sen to RM3. Note that the buses can get quite packed during peak hours, which is usually in the mornings and evenings.

You will find that bus stops are very common and that there are many different bus routes. As such, you might have to take more than one bus to get to your destination of choice. It is advisable for you to enquire with the bus drivers on the exact route of the bus, or inform them of your preferred destination to ensure that you are boarding the right bus.

Taxis
Taxis in Subang Jaya, Sri Hartamas and Kuala Lumpur are aplenty. While there are certain spots with taxi stands, most will stop at bus stops as well as by the side of the road, if safe to do so. Most taxis in Malaysia run on metres and the initial charge is RM3.00 upon boarding. There are separate charges if three or more passengers go on board, and also for storing luggage or items in the boot. You are also able to call for taxis although additional charges will apply. Note that there are also different charges after midnight.

Rail
Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur are well-connected via several rail lines such as the Monorail, Light-Rail Transit (LRT) and Commuter trains. Each of these lines operates separately but at certain interchange locations, the stops are next to each other.

To get around Kuala Lumpur city, your best option would be to rely on the Monorail. This line will bring you past several shopping destinations as well as to the central business district of the city.

You will need to note that there are two different LRT lines - the Kelana Jaya Line and the Ampang Line. Both operate to different locations (other than the interchange stations), so make sure of your destination before hopping on. At some stations, there are feeder buses that rotate around the area of the station, although separate charges apply.

There is also the KTM Commuter which is a commuter train that moves within Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya cities as well a further out to the other parts of the Klang Valley.

For more information about Malaysia, please click here.