Applying for online scholarship is free and any one can apply anytime. But it is suggested that apply at least 6 months before. There are many websites who now does all the hard work for you and if you get some scholarship they will charge some percentage which is very less compared to the amount of work they does. They can also find the actual scholarship for you and your need.

Easy to get College Scholarships

Now there are countless websites free information on scholarships, education grants and student loans. But what exactly should be taken into account when deciding how to apply? Any student seeking financial assistance for their college education should know what scholarships, grants and educational loans are given to students. Often, scholarships are based on merit and education in general, the scholarships will be awarded to students who are economically weak. Both are considered monetary rewards, unlike loans to students who are “conditions” on the basis of agreed terms of payment. Despite differences among the three, all of which provide financial assistance to qualified students like you.

To facilitate the hunt for their scholarships, we have a list of fellowships and grants grouped according to location, field of study, degree specialized, and minorities. In addition to these, scholarships and sponsored by the company athletics also included subsidies. You can also find useful information on application procedures and requirements.

Location

For students who do not want to pack its bags and leave home sweet home, which were based scholarships available throughout the country. If you are in Pennsylvania, Villanova University (VU) offers a couple of scholarships you might be interested in. For full-time nurses, which are low in cash, you can apply for the grant or the University of Villanova federally sponsored Federal Pell Grant. Other grants sponsored by the federal government include the competitiveness of academic federal subsidy (given $ 750 for the first year, $ 1,300 for sophomores), the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency ), Grant.

The State University of New York (SUNY) also scholarships and grants for deserving students. As VU, but also federal Pell Grants (worth more than $ 4,050 per year) and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) (for $ 1,000 a year). The New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is also available to students who are in charge of families depending NY-have net taxable income of more than $ 80,000 or higher. Annual Awards for nurses can range from $ 500 up to the full payment of tuition.

Meanwhile, the State of Texas gave scholarships for a particular service or college. You can visit their website for more information on scholarships available to students than any of the following areas of study: Business Administration, Applied Arts and Technology, Science, Education, Health Professions, Fine Arts and Communication, and liberal arts .

In Florida, seven finalists and winners include thirteen eligible for the Florida College Student of the Year “and receive a portion of the premium worth more than $ 65,000. Monetary award can be used not only in education costs .

Study Field

Scholarships and grants are also offer students to study particular areas of study ranging from business and health sciences and technologies of the liberal arts. There are also offers scholarships in annotations in a field of study (ie, Crime Scene Investigation Law Enforcement studies, studies of television production for Information). There are many other subjects. For getting a scholarship you just need to apply online for one and wait and if you are selected you get the further instructions from them.

Degree

Are you thinking of getting an associate degree? Or maybe that provides a doctorate? What you are planning to take, there are scholarships available and you can choose between courses of a general nature or for specific areas of study.

The granting of scholarships Truman nearly $ 30,000 on the parties concerned to take the youth of studies relating to the civil service. Qualified students will be given invitations to The Truman Fellows Program, the Public Service Law Conference, the Truman Leadership Scholar week, and the Summer Institute. Truman scholars were forced to work for three years in public service, at any institution, at the end of their degrees.

There are different types of scholarships for single mother, old people who wants to complete their education and even married women who are willing to do so. The money you received through the scholarship program is either sent to you or is directly sent to the college. If you get the scholarship in your hand then you have some options to spend some of it in other areas also.

Applying for online scholarship is free and any one can apply anytime. But it is suggested that apply at least 6 months before. There are many websites who now does all the hard work for you and if you get some scholarship they will charge some percentage which is very less compared to the amount of work they does. They can also find the actual scholarship for you and your need.

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Many of their courses are taught in English, and they are trying to lure school-leavers by claiming that studying abroad will make them more attractive to future employers.

While American ‘Ivy League’ universities offer some generous bursaries, including living costs, competition to get a place is fierce and few succeed.

Students are expected not only to be academically brilliant, but well-rounded individuals with plenty of extra-curricular interests. Emma Watson, the Harry Potter actress, has reportedly visited American universities with a view to studying there.

Now Asian universities want to muscle in on the act. Eleven of them visited a university fair in London recently to find out how to market themselves to British teenagers. They could find a receptive audience: fears over the recession mean increasing numbers of sixth-formers are questioning the cost of a degree – and how much value for money it represents.

A government review of England’s top-up tuition fees will take place this year, and is expected to recommend that the £3200 cap is raised, or scrapped altogether.

Many students already graduate tens of thousands of pounds in debt, and going to university could suddenly become even more expensive.

Free flights to Asia

Some Asian universities are offering free tuition and subsidised living costs – with flights thrown in. Those wanting to attract British teenagers include Hanyang University in South Korea, which has campuses in Seoul and Ansan City.

A spokesman for Hanyang says: “Asian universities are trying hard to internationalise and to diversify their campuses and curriculum, and to bring in more international student groups.

“So far they have focused on North America, but universities such as ours now need to diversify into other regions, especially into Europe. The UK is naturally the first priority because its students speak English.

“This is our very first contact with the UK and British undergraduate candidates. They are probably completely unaware that they can come to Korea and take all of their courses in English.

“Companies such as LG and Samsung are increasingly seeking to recruit staff with international awareness and experience. One of the best ways for a student to demonstrate this is to have studied abroad in a country such as Korea, where they can take their course in English and be fully immersed in a foreign culture at the same time.”

Others keen to attract British school-leavers include Hiroshima University, Japan; King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia; National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan; and Mahidol University, Thailand.

Open chequebook

A spokeswoman for the university fair said Asian universities were “bringing their chequebooks”. She adds: “It’s a new concept breaking boundaries in international education. Asian universities are targeting both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the UK, enticing them with full tuition fee scholarships.

“For example, all degree-seeking international students who enroll at one Korean university receive scholarships, which include tuition fees with monthly stipends that can cover living expenses. In addition, first-year students receive reimbursement of their one-way flight to Korea.

“Students attending National Yang Ming University in Taiwan who are eligible for the Yang Ming University Scholarships will have their tuition fees, accommodation, insurance and miscellaneous costs covered. The UK’s top student talent is also being sought in the Middle East, where some universities are prepared to pay over US$20,000 per student per year, including a round-trip flight.”

But leading headteachers questioned whether many families would be prepared to let their children travel so far.

Empty nest syndrome is anguish enough for some parents, particularly if their son or daughter moves to the other end of the country. They may say a firm ‘no’ if their child considers Malaysia rather than Manchester.

Pat Langham, headmistress at the independent Wakefield Girls’ High School, and former president of the Girls’ Schools Association, said: “I’m not sure they have the credibility of British universities and I think parents would be very worried indeed.

“Students are still quite young at 18. We always say to our pupils you should go far away enough for parents not to be able to pop in to see you, but somewhere close enough for them to reach you in an emergency.”

Nicola Woolcock is a regular contributor to http://www.tom-brown.com – an online guide to choosing a UK school or college.

Going through the statistics and facts, you’ll get to know more how much in demand Australian education is. The international education industry of Australia is a great contributor making $11.7 billion in 2006 t0 2007. Many international students prefer the Land of Oz because of the quality of education, especially when it comes to English learning. Australia is the third most popular English-speaking country destination for many of students all over the world.

In 2008, there are already more than 500,000 international students in Australia, and that showed a 20.7% increase from 2007. Most of these students are enrolled in the higher education with more 182,770. Coming next are students in Vocational Education and Training sector with 175,461. On the third place are students under the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. From all the three mentioned education sector, the VET is the one that shows intense growth each year.

The purpose of most students coming to Australia is to learn the English language. This is because for almost all countries in the world, English is the official language for business and commerce. They didn’t fail because Australia is a home of many international English schools. Even the local colleges and universities are keeping up with the best education providers in the world. Computer and IT courses rates rose by almost ten percent and vocational and engineering courses are also in demand. Other courses that are highly prioritized for foreign students were Management and Commerce and Society and Culture.

From all the continents, Asians has the largest number of international students population that make up the number of student visas. China, India and Republic of Korea are the top three contributors in the overall population. These countries are sending, or suggesting Australia to its student as the right place to live and to learn English Education. Completing the top five are also Asian countries, Thailand and Malaysia. Other nations are trailing not too far from aforementioned countries.

For the dedicated students, the Australian government and other institutions are providing scholarships to enable students. This program is already active since 1940s. Australian Scholarships brings together under one umbrella the Endeavour Awards, managed by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Australian Development Scholarships and Australian Leadership Awards, managed by Australia’s international aid agency, AusAID. This is a door open to everyone. A chance to travel and learn from the Land of Opportunities.

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Considered to be one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Cambridge will be celebrating its 800th anniversary in 2009. Since 1904, there have been 81 affiliates of the university that have won the Nobel Prize, which is more winners than any other institution. Frederick Sanger is one of only four individuals to win a Nobel Prize twice; he won in 1958 and 1980, both times for Chemistry.

International Students

The University of Cambridge is one of the most selective universities around the world. Of the prospective applicants, only 25% become students, and of those only about 10% are international students. Still, of the over 17,000 students attending Cambridge, almost 3,000 of them are international students from different countries around the world, but while academic strength is definitely a prerequisite, it does not guarantee acceptance.

Cambridge’s website for international undergraduate applicants offers information for students from China, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the Indian Subcontinent. For applicants from other countries, the website offers general information; among this is information on choosing courses and a college, entrance requirements, English language requirements, tuition fees, college fees, living expenses, and how to apply from overseas.

Academics

The University of Cambridge offers over 90 courses of study for undergraduate and graduate students ranging from arts to science and technology. A sample of courses includes Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Classics, Education, Egyptology, English, Genetics, Information and Computer Engineering, International Studies, Latin, Law, Medicine, Oriental Studies, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Spanish, Theology, Veterinary Medicine and more.

There are 31 colleges in Cambridge. Three are for women (New Hall, Newnham and Lucy Cavendish) and two admit only graduates (Clare Hall and Darwin). The remainder house and teach all students enrolled in courses of study or research at the University.

Undergraduate Admissions

When you apply to the University of Cambridge, there are two forms to complete. One being through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the second being a Cambridge Application Form (CAF). Both forms will go to a Cambridge College that will consider your application.

Entrance requirements for undergraduate students include the following:

- Matriculation requirements, which are minimum requirements for all applicants regardless of age or major: English, a language other than English, an approved mathematical or scientific subject, and two other approved subjects;

- GCSEs and GCE A levels for UK Students;

- International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, SATs, European Baccalaureate, or any other advanced qualification for students from other countries;

- Applicants under the age of 18 must contact the Admissions Tutors of Colleges you are considering before applying;

- English Proficiency for International Students. This can be accomplished by getting acceptable scores on any of these tests: IELTS, GCSE, Cambridge Certificate, European Baccalaureate, Abitur, International Baccalaureate, or French Baccalaureate.

A unique aspect of Cambridge’s application process is its “Deferred Entry” process. About one in five students coming to Cambridge takes a gap year before starting their studies. Depending on the major you’re applying for, many Colleges generally prefer applicants to take a year break to apply or improve their skills, earn money, travel, and generally gain maturity and self-reliance.

Graduate Admissions

General entrance requirements for graduate students include the following:

- A 2i honours degree from a UK university or its equivalent from an overseas university (bachelor’s degree for US students);

- English proficiency tests – the IELTS is the preferred method. If you are not able to take the IELTS test, then the TOEFL exam along with the TWE (Test of Written English) are accepted. Minimum requirements include a 7.0 overall score in the IELTS or 600 in the paper-based/250 in the computer-based TOEFL exam with a 5.0 TWE score;

- GRE or GMAT scores depending on your academic field of study. Please consult your graduate program since some departments may have other requirements.

Undergraduate Tuition Fees

UK Students: £3,070 per year

International Students: £9,054, £11,862, or £21,954 per year depending on their course of study

No student has to pay their tuition fees while they are studying at Cambridge. You can choose to do so if you wish, but you can also take out a student loan for fees and defer payment until you graduate. The student loan for fees is paid back in installments once you graduate and are earning a minimum salary.

Also, all international overseas-fee-status and Islands students have to pay College fees in addition to University tuition fees. The College fee varies slightly between Colleges, but is typically in the range £3,300 to £4,400 per year. The financial support available for overseas students is limited. Few full scholarships are available at the undergraduate level.

Graduate Tuition Fees

UK Students: £3,250 per year

EU Students/Exchange: £3,250 per year

International – Arts: £9,054 per year

International – Science: £11,862 per year

International – Medicine: £21,954 per year

LLM & Theology Diploma UK and EU Students: £3,240 per year

LLM & Theology Diploma International Students: £9,054 per year

MBA – All Students: £28,000 per year

College Fees: £2,050 per year

Graduate programs offer a wide range of scholarships and financial assistance for domestic and international students.

Denisse Romero is an international students advisor, teacher, writer, and founder of MacQuil.com – a Website with resources for students who want to study or travel abroad

Study Abroad and Travel Portal

One more vital issue that must be a cause of concern is the cost of study and living. Any kind of overseas course demands a lot of monetary investment from your part. Nevertheless, dissimilar to all other means of investing your money, the financial resources expended on your foreign education and the priceless experience you gain through it is certainly an investment worth considering. Scholars can also weigh the option of various scholarship schemes that would considerably bring down the financial burden of your study abroad. There are a large number of establishments that are presently providing scholarships for global pupils and a specific search on any of the major search engines will assist you in discovering them.

More often than not, aspirants face the resistance from their parents and other family members who are hesitant to see them off for an overseas study trip. Such resistance is rather expected, but it is also a challenge for the majority of students to overcome successfully. With the passage of time, concerns regarding home sickness can be sorted out. But, in the short run, a number of parents find it appropriate to consult experts in study abroad issues. These consultants and agents have a wealth of experience in arranging overseas education programs for interested scholars. They also possess an excellent understanding of different destinations and the consequences and challenges confronting not only pupils, but their families as well.

The study abroad experts or agents can involve themselves in a systematic discussion with parents and students regarding visa regulations, admission requirements, cost of education and top universities in the host nation as well as the significance and advantages of your selected course. Such knowledgeable individuals can recount the experiences of other parents to dispel any apprehension about these courses. This interaction can expectantly produce positive outcomes.

Students who opt for a study abroad come across several opportunities that they would frequently not find back home. They will not only grasp high-quality knowledge in their specific sphere of education, but also in lots of other spheres they become part of. What is more, there will be adequate scope for improving communication among students of different cultures and languages. You can also get the chance to learn the affluence of culture and language of that host nation where you are making plans to pursue a course. All the experience and skills acquired there can make students the first choice of employers spanning each and every professional field.

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What is allowing many of these students to study in other countries are scholarship programs offered by private institutions, corporations, colleges and individuals. One such program students should definitely take notice of is the US government-sponsored international educational exchange program, the Fulbright Scholarship. It offers academic year scholarships that generally cover round-trip travel, living expenses, health and accident coverage and full or partial tuition. Each year, some 1,700 American citizens receive scholarships and grants in all fields of study and for use in more than 150 countries. Student study abroad scholarships are based in part on academic achievements and leadership potential, and students design their own study or research program.

The Fulbright program is designed to encourage cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding. In addition to enhancing cultural knowledge, study away participation was found by a University System of Georgia study to improve academic performance and increase graduation rates. Students interested in spending an academic year abroad can also apply for federal government-sponsored Boren Awards for International Study, Through the Boren program, students receive $20,000 to spend an academic year studying foreign languages in areas critical to United States interests. Boren Awards are based in part on academic record and potential to succeed, as well as commitment to government service, preferred countries and languages and fields of study. Preference is given to locales such as Chile, Cote d’Ivoire, Burma, Sierra Leone, Malaysia, Egypt, Afghan, Uzbekistan and more.

Colleges, universities and technical schools also offer opportunities overseas for academic credit and dissertation research. The University of Florida offers some 30 Study Abroad programs of its own as well as partnerships with other institution. More than 2,200 University of Florida students this past year studied abroad, according to the institution, and students have until Oct. 15 to register for spring opportunities. Some of the opportunities that allow students to become “Global Gators” include business studies in Rome, Paris and Madrid, travel studies in Antarctica, Fiji, New Zealand and Sydney, dance studies in Israel and law and ecology studies in Costa Rica.

At Abilene Christian University, participants with the College of Business Administration’s Global Apprentice program worked with Apple iPads in and outside of the institution’s Oxford, England, campus soon after the iPad debuted there. The assignment: Evaluating iPads as part of an AC Nielsen project that included research plan, product concept presentations and response gathering. Management Information Systems students participating in the Study Abroad program chronicled their experiences on an “iPads in Oxford” Facebook fan page as part of a social media assignment.

Dr. Brad Crisp is an assistant professor of Information Systems at Abilene Christian University. “Being able to evaluate new technologies is a critical skill in business,” he said. “Using new devices as part of a study abroad experience creates even more opportunities for us to explore, discuss and evaluate what these devices can do.”

Programs fostering study outside of one’s country have become more popular over the years, with participation between 1995-1996 and 1999-2000 increasing by 45 percent, according to the Association of International Educators. Many colleges and universities offer scholarships for these programs. Scholarships might also available through the Institute of International Education, the Alliance for Global Education and the Whitaker, Actuarial, Alicia Patterson and Zonta International foundations.

In an increasingly global society particularly, students participating in Study Abroad programs might find great value in the opportunity to experience other cultures and enhance their world views. Students in summer Study Abroad programs, and those away for more than a summer session, can come to see the world from a different perspective. They might also find that they’re more confident in themselves and more self-reliant as a result of their travels which, in turn, can be reflected in the college and university work they produce.

In an increasingly global society particularly, students participating in Study Abroad programs might find great value in the opportunity to experience other cultures and enhance their world views. Students in summer Study Abroad programs, and those away for more than a summer session, can come to see the world from a different perspective. They might also find that they’re more confident in themselves and more self-reliant as a result of their travels which, in turn, can be reflected in the college and university work they produce.

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The standard of excellence is set by some of the older universities with recognizable names, like Oxford and Cambridge, but the tradition carries through to many of the universities and colleges throughout the UK. When looking for work in the future, this can be a great selling point in your favour! Universities, colleges and schools continually have to prove that their courses meet strict criteria. Many other countries are now trying to follow the example of the UK.

International students have always been an important presence in the UK, and the numbers have been growing steadily. The top ten countries sending students for study in UK colleges and universities are:

China 50,755
India 19,205
Greece 17,675
Republic of Ireland 16,790
USA 14,755
Germany 13,265
France 12,455
Malaysia 11,450
Nigeria 9,605
Hong Kong 9,445

Unique Selling Points of the UK Education System :

One Year Masters : UK offers a unique one year Master’s degree thus saving upon the student’s time and cost of education as compared to many other countries across the globe.

Easy Eligibility : The biggest benefit of the UK system is its easy eligibility criterias specially for the international students. Students with a 12+3 years of educational background can apply directly for the Masters in the UK.

IELTS Examination : The international students are required to take only one standardized test IELTS during the applications to the UK universities.Normally a score of 6 bands would put the student on a safer side.

Drop Box Visas : The student visas for UK are a great relief to the international students.They don’t have to undergo the trauma of facing the interview.Visas also take a shorter time to happen as compared to many other countries.

Part Time Jobs : The students are typically allowed to work 20 hours per week on campus as well as off campus.This helps the students to take care of their own living expenses.

Stay Back Options : After graduations , the students are offered 2 years of stay back under the IGS(International Graduate Scheme) thus giving them an international exposure and also helping them to recover their expenses on education in the UK.

Scholarships and Funding : UK education can be much cheaper than you can imagine.There are varities of loans and fundings available for international students . To name a few ‘Gilman Scholarship’, ‘Marshal Scholarship’ and many more.

Looking at the above benefits, what more can an international student ask for. It is the best possible education bargain you make for yourself whose fruits the students reap till years to come.

Sidharth Gupta of Global Opportunities (consultant for higher study in UK and other countries) has written several articles on study in UK, USA, Canada, Australia etc. His company also provides active assistance for graduate and postgraduate study in USA.

People

One of the things you will find most fascinating about Malaysia is its people and culture. Being a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual society of 28 million is no easy feat, as race continues to be a hotly debated issue and permeates almost every aspect of Malaysian life.

The Malaysian population consists of 62% Bumiputeras, which includes Malays and the Indigenous peoples, 24% Chinese, 8% Indians, and the rest are other minorities. Or as we say in Malaysia, ‘lain-lain’ or others. Citizenship in East Malaysia or the states of Sabah and Sarawak are a little different from citizenship in Peninsular Malaysia for immigration purposes. When West Malaysians visit East Malaysia, they are required to bring their MyKad, a biometric smart chip identity card, which must be carried by citizens of Malaysia at all times.

The Malays form the largest community, and they are defined as Muslims in the Constitution of Malaysia- in other words, if you are Malay, you are automatically Muslim. The Malays are the big brothers of politics, dominating the political scene. Their native language is Malay, the national language of the country. They are also sometimes called ‘bumiputra’, or ‘princes of the soil’ and are favoured with certain affirmative action policies. This has been a point of discontent with a lot of minorities. Among others, getting a 10% to 25% discount when buying a house and receiving government tenders and scholarships are some of these benefits. How did this come about? I’ll tell you more in the economy section.

The second biggest group are the Chinese. They are mostly Buddhists, Taoists or Christians. The Chinese community speaks a variety of Chinese dialects including Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, and Teochew- all from the native familial provinces in China. But today, many Chinese speak English as their first language; in fact there are some who speak only English. If the Malays dominate the political scene, the Chinese dominate the business scene. There is a sizable middle class consisting of the Chinese.

The third biggest group are the Indians. The Indians in Malaysia are mainly Hindu Tamils from southern India whose native language is Tamil. Of course there are other Indian communities living here and they speak many dialects like Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. Many middle to upper-middle class Indians in Malaysia also speak English as a first language. There is also a vigorous 200,000-strong Indian Muslim community that thrives as an independent cultural group. In fact, if you get hungry in the middle of the night, you most probably will head to a ‘mamak’, a kind of 24-hour restaurant that is often owned by an Indian Muslim. There is also a sizable Sikh community in Malaysia numbering over 100,000.

The largest non-Malay indigenous tribe is the Iban of Sarawak, who number over 600,000. Some still live in traditional jungle villages in long houses along the Rajang and Lupar rivers, though many have moved to the cities. Then, there are the Bidayuhs, who number around 170,000 and are concentrated in the south western part of Sarawak. Then there are the Kadazans, the largest indigenous tribe in Sabah and they are mostly Christian farmers. Then there are the 140,000 Orang Asli, or aborigines, living in Peninsular Malaysia. Traditionally nomadic hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists, many have been partially absorbed into ‘modern’ Malaysia.

Besides that, through interracial marriage, there are a significant number of racial groups such as the Eurasians, who are descendants of marriages among the British, Dutch and Portuguese and the locals. They speak a Portuguese-based creole, called Papi? Kristang. There are also Eurasians of Filipino and Spanish descent, mostly in Sabah. Descended from immigrants from the Philippines, some speak Chavacano, the only Spanish-based creole language in Asia. Then there are Cambodians and Vietnamese, who are mostly Buddhists. Then there are Thai Malaysians, who populate a big part of the northern peninsular states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu. Besides speaking Thai, most of them are Buddhists, celebrate Songkran or Water festival and can speak Hokkien, but some of them are Muslim and speak the Kelantanese Malay dialect. Then there are the Bugis and Javanese, who make up a part of the population in Johor. In addition, there have been many foreigners and expatriates who have made Malaysia their second home, also contributing to Malaysia’s population. Then there are the Babas and Nyonyas, or Straits Chinese; descendants of Chinese who came to trade in ancient Malacca who married local Malays. They combine Malay and Chinese traditions in such a way as to create a new culture. Most of them dress in typical Malay fashion, wearing the kebaya ketat, which is a Malay traditional costume, and they speak a special kind of Malay, and cook food that is a mix of the both cultures.

Being a multiracial country, cultural exchanges and cultural integrations are inevitable. For example, this can be seen in Malay wedding ceremonies, which incorporates elements of the Hindu traditions of southern India. The bride and the groom dress in gorgeous brocades, sit in state, and feed each other yellow rice with hands painted with henna. Another example is that the Muslims and Hindus have adapted the Chinese custom of giving little red packets of money or ‘ang pau’ at festivals such as Aidilfitri, and Deepavali. The colours of the packets vary, but the practice is similar.

In Malaysia, it is entirely possible to go from a kampong or a village, to a rubber estate to a Chinese coffee shop and feel as if you’ve seen so many different sides to one country. Travel to any Kuala Lumpur suburb and observe. A Chinese house will have a mother praying and lighting joss sticks for her ancestors, an Indian family will be playing the radio featuring the latest Tamil hit, while the Malay family will be getting ready to walk to the closest mosque.

Racial relations remain a thorny issue that permeates every aspect of the Malaysian life. Stereotypes are then inevitable. The Malays are lazy and slow, the Chinese are greedy and like to gamble, and the Indians are always drunk and they beat their wives. You can still hear this very often in the streets, most of the time as a joke, but sometimes as an insult. To be identified with your race is very common. For instance, job interviews require you to state your race, though this practice is slowly diminishing. When you tell a Malaysian that you saw a road accident, he would likely ask you if it was a Malay, a Chinese or an Indian. If you got robbed, you’d be asked if it was a Malay or an Indian. If you get paid peanuts, your boss is likely Chinese. If you ride a motorbike, you’re most likely Malay. If you live in a high-end neighbourhood, you’re most likely Chinese. I could go on, but I encourage you to find out these stereotypes yourself!

Besides being a melting pot of various races, Malaysia is also a multi-religious society with Islam as the official religion. Roughly 63 percent of the population practice Islam; 18 percent Buddhism; 7 percent Christianity; 6 percent Hinduism; and 2 percent traditional Chinese religions such as Taoism. The remaining numbers are accounted for by other faiths, including Animism, Folk religion, Sikhism, while 1 percent has no religion.

While the Malaysian constitution guarantees religious freedom, Malay Muslims are obliged to follow the decisions of Syariah courts when it comes to matters concerning Islam. Converting out of Islam in Malaysia is a largely problematic issue, and while it has been attempted by some, it is a process that requires long legal battles and is not well-received by the majority of the Muslim faithful. The Islamic judges in the Syariah courts are expected to follow the Shafi`I school of Islam, which is the main denomination of Islam in Malaysia. The power of the Shariah court is limited only to Muslims over matters such as marriage, inheritance, apostasy, religious conversion, and custody. No other criminal or civil offenses are under the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts. But there have been moves by the Pan Islamic Party to implement the hudud law, or Islamic law.

That was a lot to digest. But it’s worth understanding how culture, race and religion work in Malaysia in order to understand Malaysian life. Now go out and see if you can recognize who’s Malay, who’s Chinese, who’s Indian, and who’s, as we Malaysians love to say, Lain-lain, or others.

Economy

Let’s take a quick look at the Malaysian economy now.

Spice trade used to be big business in Malaysia during the time of the Malaccan Sultanate. When the British took over, rubber and palm oil trees became big business. Soon, Malaysia became the world’s largest producer of tin, rubber, and palm oil. With these three lucrative commodities, Malaysia was poised for great economic growth.

During this growth period, the government tried to eradicate poverty with the controversial New Economic Policy, or the NEP, after the May 13 Incident of racial rioting in 1969. At that time, the economies were raced based- the Malays worked as farmers in the paddy fields or civil servants, the Chinese owned businesses and the Indians tapped rubber trees in the rubber estates. The policy’s main objective was the elimination of the association of race with economic function as it was during the time of the British. However, the New Economic Policy was laden with controversial affirmative policies that favoured the Malays, and it was a source of discontent even until today.

Back then, Malaysia was very reliant on agriculture. It needed to move to an economy based on manufacturing. Inspired by the Asian Tigers in the 70s, which were South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, Malaysia moved from being reliant on mining and agriculture to an economy based on manufacturing. Then, Malaysia consistently achieved more than 7% GDP growth along with low inflation in the 1980s and the 1990s. Today, Malaysia is home to one of the world’s largest computer hard disk manufacturing sites.

The Asian Financial Crisis hit in the fall of 1997 and delivered a shock to Malaysia’s economy. Foreign direct investment fell sharply and, as capital flowed out of the country, the value of the ringgit dropped from 2.50 Ringgit versus 1 US Dollar to, at one point, 4.80 Ringgit versus 1 US Dollar. A National Economic Action Council was then formed to deal with the monetary crisis. Bank Negara, the country’s central bank imposed capital controls and pegged the Malaysian ringgit at 3.80 to the US dollar. Malaysia refused economic aid packages from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, much to the surprise of many analysts.

Rejuvenation of the Malaysian economy coincided with massive government spending and budget deficits in the years that followed the crisis. It eventually enjoyed faster economic recovery compared to its neighbours. Malaysia’s rapid economic growth and prosperity is symbolized by the building of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the tallest twin buildings in the world and the headquarters of the national oil giant.

While the pace of Malaysia’s development today is not as rapid, it is seen as more sustainable. Malaysia is also the world’s largest Islamic banking and financial centre.

Eventually, the fixed exchange rate was abandoned in July 2005 in favour of a managed floating system within an hour of China announcing the same move. In that very same week, the ringgit strengthened one percent against various major currencies and was expected to appreciate further.

Currently Malaysia is recognized as a newly industrialized country and as of 2008, has a GDP per capita of 14,215 USD, ranking the country 48th in the world, and 2nd in Southeast Asia, but lagging far behind its Southern neighbour, Singapore.

Healthcare

Let’s take a quick look at healthcare in Malaysia. Malaysia generally has an efficient and widespread system of healthcare. It implements a universal healthcare system, and co-exists with a private healthcare system. Anyone can walk into a government hospital and get treatment for free, though waiting time is usually longer. Prescriptions may cost money but are often given to the patient at a subsidized rate. Infant mortality rate – a standard in determining the overall efficiency of healthcare – in 2005 was 10, coming in favourably in a comparison with the United States and Western Europe. Life expectancy at birth in 2005 was 74 years.

If you need medical assistance in Malaysia, you’re free to walk into any government or private hospitals, but as a tourist, you will not be able to enjoy the free healthcare.

Education

Before we get into some language lesson, I’d like to tell you how the Malaysian education system is organized. Why do different children go to different types of school? At this point, you’d not be surprised if I tell you that the education system is very much based on race too.

If you’re between 3 to 6 years old, you’d most likely go to a kindergarten. Usually they are run privately, but some are run by the government.

When you turn 7, you’d move on to primary school for the next six years. There are two types of primary school you could go to. The first is the SRK, or Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan, which are government run schools. You’d be using the Malay language as the medium of instruction.

Or, if your parents are Chinese or Indian, they could choose to send you to the second type of school called SJK, or Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan. Here, you will be using either Mandarin or Tamil, depending on which school you go to. If you’re a girl, you will wear a dark blue pinafore, coupled with a white shirt, or the dark blue and white baju kurung, or Malay traditional costume. If you’re a boy, you will wear dark blue pants or shorts and a white shirt. And you’ll happily slog through 6 years, and by the end of year 6 or when you’re 12 years old, you’ll be taking a much-dreaded exam called the Primary School Achievement Test or Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah, UPSR.

Then, you’d move onto Secondary education where you will study for the next 5 years. National secondary schools use Malay as the main medium of instruction. At the end of Form Three when you turn 15, you will sit for another much-dreaded exam called Lower Secondary Assessment or Penilaian Menengah Rendah, not so fondly known as PMR. And finally, in the last year of secondary education or Form Five when you turn 17, you sit for the really dreaded Malaysian Certificate of Education or Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, SPM. It is similar to the British Ordinary or ‘O’ Levels, and more comprehensive that the American SATs.

You’ll realize there are a lot of exams for Malaysians students to take. This is because we take after the British system of ‘qualification by examination’, a legacy of our colonial days.

While English and Maths used to be taught in English for a short period, the government has decided to scrap this measure and revert to Bahasa Malaysia, starting in 2012, a move many have protested.

Here’s another stereotype. Due to the stringent teaching methods, Chinese schools are noted for producing some of the top students in the country, making some Malay and Indian parents send their children to these schools as well.

Oh, your education journey is not over just yet. At 17, if you’re lucky enough to be born Malay and bumiputra, you get into a fast track called matriculation and secure a safe seat at university. In line with affirmative action policies that favour your race, you won’t have to worry much if you’ll get a place. If you’re Chinese, Indian or Lain- Lain, you’ll have to go through two years of upper secondary education called Form Six, divided into Lower Six and Upper Six, at the end of which you will be rewarded with the most dreaded of all exams- the Malaysian Higher School Certificate or Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, or STPM. It is the Malaysian equivalent to the British Advanced or ‘A’ levels. However, if you have money to burn, you can buy your way out of STPM by enrolling yourself in a matriculation course in private colleges.

And finally, the pinnacle of education- the university. The number of public universities in Malaysia is few, in fact less than 20, so places are very limited. Finding a place in a public university is an annual source of frustration, with many qualified students going to the media to complain they have been denied a place. If you’re Malay or bumiputra, you can save your parents’ retirement fund and secure an almost guaranteed place in a public university, where schooling fees are minimal. However, if you’re Chinese or Indian and you fail to secure a place, your other option is private college education, where you will need to ask your parents to postpone their retirement by a couple of years.

I did tell you that race plays an important role in the Malaysian society.

Then, after 3 to 6 years of university, you graduate with a degree and can choose to continue your post graduate studies.

Language

Alright, that’s the end of our education on education. And now, comes the practical part. Here are some handy tips for you to make your stay in Malaysia better.

Communication is easy in Malaysia. Contrary to popular belief, most of us speak English, at least some English. Bahasa Malaysia or Malaysia language is the official language. Here are some helpful conversational Bahasa Malaysia phrases you can try. Let’s begin!

Good morning! Selamat Pagi

Good evening! Selamat Petang

How are you? Apa Khabar?

I’m fine, thanks! Khabar Baik, Terima Kasih

Thank you! Terima Kasih

You’re welcome! Sama-sama

Good night! Selamat Malam

See you later! Jumpa Lagi!

Good bye! Selamat Jalan!

If you need to ask for some help or directions, these are some useful phrases:

I’m lost Saya Sesat

Can you help me? Boleh Tolong Saya?

Where is the toilet? Mana Tandas?

Go straight! Then turn left/ right! Jalan Terus/ Kemudian Pusing Kiri/ Kanan

I’m looking for my friend. Saya Cari Kawan Saya.

How much is this? Berapa Harga Ni?

Excuse me!Maafkan Saya…

If you’re really enthusiastic about trying out even more Bahasa Malaysia, here are some more advanced phrases.

Do you speak English? Awak Cakap Bahasa Inggeris ke?

Just a little. Sedikit sahaja.

What’s your name? Apa nama awak?

My name is… Nama Saya…

Where are you from? Awak Dari Mana?

I’m from…Saya Dari…

Where do you live? Awak Tinggal Di mana?

I live in…Saya Tinggal Di

I have to go Saya Pergi Dulu.

I will be right back! Saya Akan Pulang Nanti.

I Don’t Understand! Saya Tak Faham!

I Don’t Know! Saya Tak Tau!

Now that you know some simple phrases, get cracking and converse with some locals, and get them to teach you more! There’s no better way to make friends than by taking some effort in learning their language. Malaysians will love you for it!

Tourist Tips

Here are some tips for you. If you’re being introduced to a Malay Muslim for the first time, extend both your hands, grasp theirs and bring yours back to your chest. This is the traditional Malay ‘salam.’ To keep it simple, smiling and nodding is fine if you don’t know whether to shake hands or not. With Muslim women, in general, if a hand is not offered, it’s best not to shake hands!

If you ever get lost or need any help, look for the tourist police officer. They can be recognized by their chequered hat bands, dark blue shirts and trousers, and the letter “I” for information on a red and blue badge on their breast pocket. They usually stand around tourist areas. However, if you’re looking for regular policemen, the number to call is 999 from your phone. Emergency calls in Malaysia are free.

Malaysia has approximately 20 public holidays in a year, so plan your trip wisely and check with the Tourism Malaysia website. Also affecting travel are school holidays, as families take days off with their children, so certain parts of the country, like tourist sites and beaches could get crowded.

As you’ll be doing a lot of walking, you can always buy mineral water bottles for drinking, and it’s generally not safe to drink straight out of the tap. The electrical supply is on a 240-volt 50-cycle system, similar to Britain.

Should you wish to catch up on local news and events, the English language papers that are available are The New Straits Times, The Star, Business Times, Malay Mail, Daily Express, Sabah Daily News and Sarawak Tribune. If you want international newspapers, you can most certainly find them at any major bookstores and newsstands. For events, try Time Out and Klue magazines.

The two significant climate changes centre on the monsoon season, but besides that, the weather rarely changes. It is either hot with rain, or hot without rain. The temperature ranges between 21 C and 32 C, but with high humidity. Rain tends to occur between November and February on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, western Sarawak, and the north-eastern part of Sabah.

Due to the climate, light clothing is ideal. It is advisable for ladies, when entering mosques and temples, to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts. Or you could carry a shawl- it’s a lighter alternative.

If you need to adjust your watches before arriving, Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Remove shoes when entering homes and places of worship. Malaysians do not wear shoes around the house.

While sitting down or resting in a group, do not direct your feet towards someone, or any religious statues.

Public display of affection in larger cities like Kuala Lumpur is generally tolerated but might invite unnecessary attention from the public. Public displays of affection in more rural areas are frowned wupon and should be avoided. Also, same-sex relationship is taboo in Malaysia, so gay and lesbian travellers should avoid outward signs of affection, and this includes holding hands in public. Due to strong influence from Islam, homosexuality is technically illegal, although there are many underground gay and lesbian clubs.

End

This is the end of part two of About Malaysia. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about the people of Malaysia, and its economy, healthcare and education systems, as well as the short language course and general tourist tips.

Now that you’ve gotten an idea of the country, it’s time to go out and explore! Do make sure you take your time to soak in the essence of the country, its people and most importantly, its food! Have a great time in Malaysia.

Until next time, Selamat Tinggal and goodbye.

For the best and only audio guides to Malaysia, visit Audio Guide Malaysia.

Teng Ky-Gan is the Founder of Audio Guide Malaysia. Visit Audio Guide Malaysia for the best and only audio guides to major places in Malaysia.

Various universities in Malaysia generally prepare curriculum according to the economic requirements of the country. That’s why they focus on three types of courses, such as education, science and engineering. Though institutions in the country satisfy the educational requirements of their own people, they also attract students from all over the world to their wide-ranging courses. However, the most eye-catching feature is international undergraduate and postgraduate scholars can avail various scholarships to lessen their financial burden.

Malaysia is home to many top-notch universities like Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, University of Malaya, International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan.

Set up in the 1904, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is the most erstwhile university offering science, engineering, and other technological courses. The University is renowned for its research programs since it has received the National Intellectual Property Award on two occasions. As stated by its website, the university registers approximately 22,000 undergraduate and postgraduate scholars for every academic session from all around the world. The total faculty members comprise 1,996 internal and external trainers. This establishment of higher education extends nearly 200 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in education, management, bio-science, bio-medical engineering, and built-environment. There are also distance-learning courses for part time pupils. Its main campus in Johor boasts accommodation for up to 25,000 students.

Established in the year 1905, the University of Malaya stands on a sprawling 750-acre land. As one of the top universities in Malaysia, it also boasts Rimba Ilmu Botanical Gardens that cover 197 acres of the property. As per its website, the university features more than 13,500 undergraduate and 5,800 postgraduate scholars. There is also a huge assemblage of foreign students who belong to over 78 nations and consist of around 850 undergraduate and 2,100 postgraduate students each year. As far as teaching staff is concerned, the University comprises 2,600 teachers, including 600 foreign instructors. Scholars may choose from above 80 bachelor’s and master’s courses in technology, law, practice of medicine, dental medicine, science, computer applications, business, and arts.

Stared its operations in 1983, International Islamic University Malaysia furthers the list of top universities in Malaysia. It includes approximately 20,000 students from all level of courses. All these students come from over 90 countries and stay on its 4 campuses throughout an academic term. The University has 14 departments that comprise education, science, language, medicine, dental medicine, health sciences, law and engineering. Its postgraduate department provides in excess of 70 master-level and doctorate-level programs in disciplines like science, engineering, architecture, history, economic science, and Islamic studies. The course of study blends education with the philosophy of Islamic religious belief.

The Government of Malaysia provides a number of scholarships to outside students. These include MIS Scholarship for Undergraduate studies, MIS Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies, Commonwealth Scholarship and MTCP Scholarship. You can avail the benefits of all these scholarships after going through a proper procedure.

Mr. Vikas Rathi is providing http://www.StudyAbroadUniversities.com, an education portal / website where you can search for study abroad options, scholarships, programs, universities in different countries around the world. We cover over 28 countries for studying abroad and the top universities in these countries with answers to questions like why study abroad in a particular country,Admission requirements and procedure, process for getting admission in each country, student visa requirements, cost of living and tuition fee for that country, study abroad programs and any study abroad university scholarships available from top and best universities in that country. Explore Study Malaysia, Top Universities in Malaysia, and much more.