Universiti Sains Malaysia

Malaysia is situated in the central part of Southeast Asia. It is home to a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous communities, resulting in a rich cultural scene and a wide range of cuisines and art. As a nation, Malaysia represents a successful example of unity in diversity. Malaysia has a dynamic culture that is constantly evolving, which has shaped the language, the arts, and the way of life. The country is a mix of races and religions, cultures and traditions that have melded into something that is uniquely Malaysian. The country offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition, with bustling metropolises like Kuala Lumpur and Penang alongside tranquil rainforests, beautiful beaches, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as George Town and Malacca. Malaysia is also famous for its iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers and its thriving ecotourism, drawing visitors from around the world.

The Universiti Sains Malaysia is located in the city of Minden on Penang Island, only 15 minutes from Georgetown. Penang's northern shoreline is famous for its beautiful beaches of golden sand and deep blue seas. Penang has come a long way from its early beginnings as the first British trading post in the Far East. Its capital Georgetown is a bustling metropolitan city with a unique blend of East and West. The Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang beaches offer expansive stretches of glittering sand interspersed with secluded coves within the shelter of gigantic rocks. It is along this famous coastline that resorts of international standard have sprouted up, offering a host of water-based recreational facilities.

The university is located in a primarily Muslim district of Minden, while the other side of the island is mostly Chinese and Indian. Each section of the city has unique characteristics: Batu Ferringhi is the main tourist destination in Penang and hosts a great night market, while more upscale shopping and restaurants can be found in Gurney.

The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is Malaysia's second oldest university, founded in 1961 under its original name, University of Penang. USM's 240-hectare campus is located in the city of Minden, approximately 9.7 km away from Georgetown. There are many sports and recreation facilities on campus for extra-curricular activities, including a pool, gym, basketball, soccer, tennis, badminton, and handball facilities. An art gallery and theatre are also on campus, and performances are regularly given. As well, groceries, entertainment, and public transportation are all available on or near the campus.

Final course registration occurs during USM's orientation week. USM requires students to register in a minimum of 9 credits.

Courses in English

Courses usually include one lecture and one tutorial per week (total of approximately 3hours/week/class). Students may wish to choose classes on various topics pertaining to Southeast Asia. To view a course catalogue for exchange students, visit USM's exchange website, and choose "List of Courses Offered" under "Exchange Programme."

Language Courses

Exchange students are recommended to study an introductory Malay language course to familiarize themselves with the language. Additionally, USM offers language courses in Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French, and Tamil. To view a list of language courses, visit USM's exchange website, and choose "List of Courses Offered" under "Exchange Programme." Select an academic year, choose "Main Campus," and select "School of Languages, Literacies, and Translation."

Schools with courses offered to exchange students include:

• Housing, Building, and Planning
• Management
• Social Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics
• Computer Sciences
• Languages, Literacies, and Translation
• Industrial Technology
• Biological Sciences
• Humanities
• Chemical Sciences

Students will be required to successfully earn an adequate number of equivalent U of L credits for courses taken at USM. USM requires students to register in a minimum of 9 credits. Most courses are equivalent to one 3 credit U of L course. Some language courses may only be equivalent to 2 U of L credits, requiring students to combine two language courses (4 credits) to earn equivalent credit to one U of L course.

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time U of L student
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter Malaysia. However, students are required to apply for a Student Pass once they are accepted to USM. This must be done at least 3 months before your departure to Malaysia. The application form can be completed online. Once the application is approved, USM will send you a copy of your Visa Approval Leter (VAL), which can used to allow for entry into Malaysia upon arrival.

A student pass costs RM 60/year (approx. CAD 18, 2023)

For step-by-step instructions on applying for a student pass, visit the USM exchange website and click on "Visa Guidelines."

For further details about entry into Malaysia, contact the Consulate General of Malaysia in Vancouver.

Consulate General of Malaysia
Phone: (604) 685-9550
Email: mwvcouvr@axionet.com
Website: www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/vancouver

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting Malaysia, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Campus Residences

• Cost (2023): RM 150-300/month (approx. C$40-80)
• Double-occupancy very basic twin room with a shared bathroom
• Rooms include two beds, two desks, two closets, a fan (no air conditioning), cement floors, and an electric kettle
• One shared bathroom is on each floor (for approximately eight students) with one western toilet, one Asian toilet, and two showers without hot water
• There are no cooking facilities in the dorms, but there is a cafeteria in each building and food facilities within walking distance
• There are separate buildings for males and females

Private Housing

• Cost: starting from RM 1,200/month (approx. CAD 350, 2023)
• Furnished apartments can easily be rented close to campus and can often be shared with other students. Shared apartment costs start at around RM 500/month
• USM will provide contacts for off-campus housing upon request
• These apartments are very nice, even sometimes having pools and gyms. Sunny Ville, E Park and N Park are three very nice apartment buildings close to campus where students have stayed in the past.

Arrival Information

• Penang International Airport is located only 20 minutes away from USM. You can take the bus, grab or taxi and commute to USM directly.

In Penang

• USM estimates students will pay about RM 80/month (2023) for local transportation.
• Public bus: Rapid Penang is the most convenient way to travel throughout the island. There is a free shuttle bus provided on campus (number CT11) that goes in and out of the USM Main Campus to Bukit Jambul, Sungai Nibong and Queensbay area. You can also take bus number 301, 303, 304 and 705 to reach USM from Port Weld and George town as well as from the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal. Buses within towns and cities typically charge fares according to the distance covered while interstate buses have fixed rates.
• Campus bus: There is a commuter bus available for students inside campus for you to travel around the campus.
• Grab: Grab is a ride-sharing app available in Malaysia offering inexpensive travel.
• Taxis: Taxis in major cities are usually fitted with meters, but most taxis on Penang do not use meters so bartering is required. Interstate and smaller town taxis charge a fixed rate and it's best to settle on a price before getting into the taxi.
• Air: Various airlines also offer inexpensive flights throughout Malaysia or to other Asian destinations.
• Train: The fast Electric Train Service (ETS) can be used to commute to Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in Malaysia.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is MANDATORY to obtain health insurance valid for your entire period of stay in Malaysia. A copy of your insurance certificate must be submitted before your departure to Malaysia. All students must have a mandatory medical checkup at the USM Health Centre during orientation week.