LEARNING BEYOND BORDERS: MALAYSIAN STUDENTS’ INSIGHTS FROM HYU ERICA, KOREA

PEKAN, 6 September 2025 - On Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Korean Language Unit of the Centre for Modern Languages (CML) hosted a Basic Global Classroom via Google Meet with two Malaysian students, Hessa Sarah Binti Mohd Roslan and Ain Ardini Haifa Binti Sahabudin, who are currently pursuing their studies at Hanyang University (HYU) ERICA Campus in South Korea. This session formed part of ongoing efforts to prepare Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) Korean Dual Degree Programme students for their academic journey abroad through direct peer-to-peer sharing and collaborative learning. 

The speakers provided valuable insights into key aspects of student life in Korea, including accommodation, transportation, course registration (수강신청), the grading system, scholarships, and health insurance. They also recounted personal experiences of classroom and faculty environments, making friends, Muslim student life on campus, preparing for the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), and weekend activities. The session offered students an authentic view of life at HYU and equipped them with practical knowledge, intercultural awareness, and confidence to adapt both socially and academically in Korea. 

It is hoped that this Global Classroom will continue to serve as a bridge for knowledge exchange between UMPSA students and their peers abroad. By learning directly from Malaysian students at HYU ERICA, participants gained not only practical readiness but also the confidence to embrace new cultural and academic challenges. The Korean Language Unit looks forward to organising more collaborative sessions in the future to foster global perspectives and inspire students to thrive as internationally minded graduates. 

Prepared by: Mahzaton Aqma Binti Abu Talip, Nor Safura Binti Nordin, Zatul Amrah Binti Mohammad Nazri