On 3 July 2024, the Language Academy, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) organized the ‘Out and About’ Programme. The purpose of this initiative was to provide a deep dive into Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage for postgraduate students, especially those who are far from home. The one-day programme aimed to cultivate a deeper appreciation of Malaysian traditions and societal values, promote positive relationships, facilitate networking, and encourage exchanging ideas among postgraduate students and the esteemed staff of Language Academy.

The day began with a visit to Yayasan Warisan Johor, followed by sightseeing in Johor Bahru City. The programme concluded with a luncheon featuring a variety of Malaysian dishes, especially from Johor. Eighteen postgraduate students from the Language Academy participated in the programme. The group was led by Dr. Ermi Ruziyana Md Nordin, the PhD and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Coordinator, and was joined by Dr. Nur’ain Balqis Haladin, the Associate Chair of the Language Academy, Dr. Nur Salwa Abd. Wahid (PhD and MPhil Assistant Coordinator), Dr. Rohayah Kahar, and Dr. Aida A. Rahman, the Master of Language in Communication and Digital Culture (MLCDC), Open Distance Learning (ODL) Coordinator.

Yayasan Warisan Johor Visit

The day started with an exciting visit to Yayasan Warisan Johor, where participants learned about the rich history and culture of Johor. They got to see the beautiful design of Johor’s traditional homes, known as ‘Rumah Limas’, which have five different sections for various daily activities. The international students were excited to see a replica of the huge bowl of ‘Laksa Johor’ and other Johor staple dishes like ‘Nasi Ambeng’, ‘satay’, and telur pindang (herbal egg) served in a traditional food tray under a woven tudung saji (serving lid).

Cultural Activities

The students had the opportunity to try on traditional clothes in the main bedroom and play traditional games on the breezy porch. In the kitchen, they learned about traditional Malaysian tools used to prepare dishes, such as the kukur kelapa (coconut grater) and dulang tampi beras (rice winnowing tray) for cleaning harvested rice.

Art Exhibition and Workshops

The participants also enhanced their artistic talents by viewing masterpieces created by female artists at an exhibition called ‘Lentera Seroja’. They experienced the fresh and subjective meanings of each piece of art and created tie-dye souvenirs to take home.

Traditional Dance Performance

The students not only had a hands-on art experience but also enjoyed a dance performance called zapin by a group of traditional dancers. The lively and graceful movements captivated the attendees, who were later invited to join in and learn the basic steps of the dance.

Sightseeing in Johor Bahru

Afterwards, the group was taken to see the outskirts of Istana Bukit Serene and shown the notable buildings in the heart of Johor Bahru. These include the General Hospital, Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) Johor Bahru (also known as the red-bricked hospital), Pusat Islam Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, and Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum.

The diversity in a lunch pot

The final destination was to showcase the variety of Malaysian cuisine, exposing students to different, unique, yet harmonized Malaysian dishes for lunch. The students enjoyed the appealing Malay, Chinese, and Indian dishes, which they had little experience with before. The unity in diversity of the food speaks volumes about the integrated and cooperative Malaysian lifestyle. All students expressed their thankfulness and provided positive feedback as recorded below:

“Overall, my trip to Johor city was enriching and educational. It broadened my understanding of Malaysian culture and history. I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in such a well-planned excursion and I look forward to future adventures like this during my time at UTM.”

Pan Wenhui, Language Academy PhD student

“Many thanks to Language Academy for organizing this wonderful trip. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am eager to learn more about Johor’s culture and heritage. During the trip, we visited a traditional household where we observed the layout of the traditional house, enjoyed traditional food, and had the opportunity to see traditional costumes. The art exhibition showcased various styles of painting and art, some of which were exceptionally beautiful and creative. We even had the chance to create our own artwork. The traditional dance performance was lively and the music was rhythmic. I particularly enjoyed participating in the dance and feeling a sense of community. The royal residence was grand and a remarkable landmark. The place where we had our lunch was also fantastic, with a good environment and amazing food offering Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian cuisines. Additionally, we had the opportunity to meet esteemed individuals and make new friends. This trip has made me feel more connected to the city and its culture. It’s truly a memory of a lifetime. Once again, thank you! We feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of it.”

Wang Yu, Language Academy PhD student

At the end of the visit, Associate Professor Dr. Hadina Habil, the Chair of the Language Academy, expressed her gratitude for the students’ enthusiastic participation in the programme. She emphasised the importance of instilling a sense of belonging to UTM, especially the Language Academy through such activities. Additionally, she encouraged the students to embrace learning and personal development.