Malaysia is one of the founding members of ASEAN (the Association of South-East Asian Nations). The country consists of a rich amalgam of immigrant and indigenous cultures on the Malay peninsula and within the Borneo states. Sarawak and Sabah are the two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo, which has extensive natural resources and environmental diversity. Its proximity to Australia makes the study of Malaysia particularly relevant. Students going to Malaysia study the Indonesian language because of its similarity to the Malaysian language. The Indonesian Language and Culture program concentrates on the training of students who are either complete beginners or have a basic knowledge of Indonesian through previous experience or study.

In choosing a Malaysia major, students may choose either Penang or Borneo. Those students who choose Penang spend two consecutive semesters at Universiti Sains Malaysia where they undertake a combination of Malay language subjects and subjects about Malaysian culture and society. Nursing students may choose to spend part of their time at the medical campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia (Kubung Kerian) in Kota Bharu on the east coast of the Malay peninsula.

Those students who choose Borneo spend the first semester at Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Kota Kinabalu where they undertake a Malay language and culture course. For their second semester, students may choose to stay on in Sabah or move to Sarawak where they attend the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in Kuching. Subjects taken pertain to Malaysian culture and society.

Students are assessed on each semester separately and assessment is based on the subjects undertaken at the host institutions, as well as assessments administered by the Institute for International Studies.

Students may expect that no greater costs will be incurred through undertaking a period of In-country Study in Malaysia than are involved in living away from home in Sydney.

Locations

Penang

Penang was the first of the Straits Settlements – areas in which the British set up their empire trading outposts in the 18th century. It is now a bustling economic and tourist centre with some of the largest semiconductor factories in the world and a plethora of high-rise hotels along the northern beaches. Night markets and beach sports make this an attractive place for visitors

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, was the second university established in the country in 1969. It is located on the road to the southern part of the island on a 240 hectare site overlooking the long bridge connecting the mainland about 10 km south of Georgetown. As well as the Applied Science, Liberal Arts and Basic Science schools situated on this campus, there is a second campus at Tronoh in the state of Perak housing the five Engineering schools, and a third campus on the east coast of the island at Kubung Kerian, Kelantan housing the School of Medical Science and the Teaching hospital.

Sabah

Sabah occupies the north-eastern portion of the island of Borneo (the third largest island in the world). It is a melting pot of many indigenous and immigrant groups who have distinctive cultural practices and belief systems. For instance, the Bajau are dubbed the 'cowboys of the east' because of their skilled horsemanship. Sabah is also known as a place for diving and mountain climbing because of its beautiful beaches and the challenge of Mt Kinabalu (4094 m). Borneo is rich in native flora and fauna including mountain orchids and the orang-utan. Universiti Malaysia Sabah has a new campus which overlooks the South China Sea to the west and Mt Kinabalu to the east.

Sarawak

Sarawak lies on the eastern portion of the island of Borneo. It is well known for its indigenous peoples, some of whose ancestors were headhunters and lived in longhouses. Others lived in the jungle as nomadic hunters and gatherers, while others still lived along the coast and planted sago and engaged in fishing. Sarwak has one of the richest biodiversities in the world, however, with the advent of logging and its massive inroads during the 1970s–90s, rapid social changes have been taking place in the hinterland. Sarawak's towns are made up of a large proportion of Chinese. Older shophouses and new department stores sit side by side.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) was established in 1994. It is located at Kota Samarahan, about 15 km from Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. It has eight faculties and three institutes. The number of students is still relatively small.

Completion requirements

Select one of the following:		8cp
50140 Comparative Social Change	8cp
76600 International Legal Studies	8cp
976301 Contemporary Southeast Asia		8cp
977330 In-country Study 1: Malaysia		24cp
978330 In-country Study 2: Malaysia		24cp
CBK90482 Indonesian Language and Culture		32cp
Total		96cp