Sydney: Day 3

opera house, sydney


Shell shape of the Opera House, Sydney

On this day, we visited a lot of tourist attraction places. The Sydney Opera House has shape like a shell. This building houses theatre and orchestra performances. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the icon of Australia as it connects the Sydney Harbour with the Sydney Central Business District. This bridge has also became the fourth longest iron curve bridge in the world. The Royal Botanic Gardens is the most important garden in Sydney.


In front of Harbour bridge,Sydney


Botanic Garden, Sydney

From our visit Australia iconic landmarks, we learnt the importance of having iconic landmarks as acknowledgement to the country existence to the world. With its unique and state-of-the-art architecture, we were impressed with these landmarks and hope to adapt the idea to Malaysia so that the world will recognize Malaysia from these landmarks.

We feel that Malaysians should utilize the existence parks in Malaysia more diversely where we suggest that public activities like sports, self-defence, health and music are conducted and participate by Malaysians. From our visit, we observed that these activities are a successful tool in uniting Australians.

Sydney: Day 2

Today, all Muslims celebrate Eidul Adha and in morning, Muslims will perform prayer at mosque. We prepared ourselves for the prayer at our accommodation while waiting for Abang Mat to pick us up and drive us to Malaysia Hall Sydney in Kensington. Once we have arrived, we performed the prayer together with the other Malaysians. Then, had a light Raya feast at Malaysia Hall where Malaysian food were served. In afternoon, we went to Kak Nani’s house which situated just three blocks from our house. We also visited one of UMP FKKSA’s lecturer, Encik Sabri house in the evening.









On that day, encountered problem as it was Friday and the males need to perform Friday prayer but we were unable to find the nearest mosque. Luckily our neighbour is Malaysian too and he was willing to bring the males together with him to perform Friday prayer. We were so grateful to have a Malaysian neighbour since we were not familiar with the neighbourhood yet.

It was our first time celebrating Hari Raya outside Malaysia and without our families, everybody seemed not in good moods. We went to Malaysia Hall to perform our prayer and celebrate Hari Raya with Malaysians. During the feast, we get to befriend with Malaysian residents and students staying in Sydney and learnt that even the celebration is not as merry as in Malaysia, we still celebrate Hari Raya happily and all the moody faces were carved with smiles.

We learnt that even we were far away from Malaysia, we can still have the same celebration atmosphere in Australia. In this celebration, we saw Malaysians gather together during the prayer and visit each other in open houses. This showed how unite Malaysians are.

Melbourne: Day 5 & Sydney: Day 1

We went to Tullamarine Airport at 5.00 p.m. by a chartered van owned by our travel agent.

After checking in, we straightly went to the departure hall as we were late due to the traffic congestion on our way to the airport. Our flight was Jet Star (JQ 528) heading to Sydney.

Upon checking in, we encountered problem as 2 of our delegation could not check in through the automatic check-in kiosk, and they have to queue up to check in manually.

At the Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, we encountered problems finding our travel agent since they are not allowed to stop their cars at the arriving hall. We waited for a few minutes before the travel agent called us and informed us their location. We have to walk a few miles to the location from the arriving hall to the parking lot.

We then settled down at our accommodation in East Lakes, located at the eastern suburbs of Sydney.

Since no space is provided at the airport for Muslims to pray, we took a small unoccupied space at the departure hall to perform our prayer. We took ablution at the toilet and people were staring at us and gave us unpleasant look. Here, we learnt that regardless of places, prayers can be performed anywhere and while taking ablution, we learnt to continue doing what we believe is right even though people might criticize and condemn you for what you do.

After arriving in Sydney, we found that Sydney is far more developed than Melbourne. In terms of structural sequence, Melbourne has more structural town planning and the city is centred while Sydney on the other hand has scattered structural town planning. When we inquired this matter to our travel agent, he told us that each state is administered by different government and each state has its own constitutions. Sydney for example is administered by New South Wales government while Melbourne is administered by Victoria government. Each state is led by a Premiere, which in Malaysia is referred as Menteri Besar.

After we have settled with our accommodation, we were introduced to our foster family in Sydney, Abang Mat and Kak Nani. Kak Nani is Malaysia Hall warden and we knew her through our email writing and phone conversation. Both of them are permanent residents in Australia and have stayed here for almost 20 years. From this introduction, we learnt that no matter how far you are from your own country, you always have people from the same country around you that can be your alternative family abroad. Through this, we learnt to accept the difference among Malaysians and change these differences into unity. By doing so, we will have a more peaceful and united community.

Melbourne : Day 4

International Student Services Melbourne International, Melbourne


In front of University of Melbourne

University of Melbourne had delineated some qualifications which need to be abided by student from Asian countries to further studies there, which, it is compulsory for the students to sit for IELTS examination and they have to pass certain grades. After having lunch at the nearby Iranian restaurant, we continued our journey to the Melbourne Zoo. It was a very valuable experience as we get to see kangaroos and koalas within short-sight distance.

According to the original planning, we were supposed to have an industry visit to the CSL Limited. But at the last minute, we received an e-mail saying that our visit has been rejected on some unavoidable reasons. In order to fulfill the tentative, we managed to visit Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).

The curriculum structure in RMIT is almost the same as in UMP but the additional is that they offer double degree programmes. Then we proceed to University of Melbourne. There, we were given chance to meet with the representative officer from Engineering Faculty.


Australian International Student Advisor




Explained the requirement needed to enter chemical engineering in University of Melbourne


souvenir from University Malaysia Pahang to University of Melbourne

We acquired information on international students enrolment, the requirements needed for enrolment application and what the international students should prepare upon admitting to these two universities.

We get to observe animals that can only be found in Australia like kangaroos, koalas and wallabies. We learnt their nature and their habitat and we took photographs of these animals to be showed to our friends in Malaysia.


In front of Melbourne Zoo


kangaroo and her baby




peacock


lion


polar bear

Due to weekly international cultural night every Wednesday at Queen Victoria Market, we saw that many Australians participated in the event despite knowing that they rarely go out at night. During this event, we observed many cultures from different continents and we get to experience the diversity and uniqueness of Australia. We also managed to taste international food and were delighted by its unique taste.








Spanish Donut


West African menu

Melbourne: Day 3

Together we stand: In front of Queen Victoria's Market

Tentatively, we were supposed to visit MOE Oil & Gas but our visiting application was denied. To replace the acvitity, we decided to have another social visit for to Queen Victoria Market to buy souvenirs for our family and friends.


Malaysia's memorial

At evening, we had dinner with Malaysian Students Association Victoria at Crowne Hotel Plaza, opposite Yarra River. This society, led Zia Mohzaini is formed to gather Malaysian students studying in Victoria, conduct activities for the students and at the same, fight for the welfare of Malaysian students. The purpose of the dinner was to strengthen the relationship among Malaysians, which in our case was Malaysian students studying abroad and students from UMP.






Zia Mohzaini and his assistant



We managed to improve our communication skills as understanding the Australian English accent has become easier after three days staying in Australia. We interacted with sellers at Queen Victoria Market to bargain good price for items and through this, we polished our persuasive and convincing people skills. Apart from that, we also managed to improve our negotiating skill as we implemented ‘win-win situation’ method in bargaining for the best price.

From our interaction with Malaysian students, we learnt how they adapt with Australia environment and culture throughout their stay in Australia. We inquired them on the allowance they get monthly from their sponsors which in the range of AUD 1000 to AUD 1500 monthly and how they spent the money for their survival in Australia. We found that they have to pay weekly rental amounting AUD 100 to AUD 300 depending on the type of house they reside. Normally, these students will stay in apartments accommodated by 6 to 8 students to decrease the individual rental payment. According to them, half of their allowance was spent on food and transportation and the remaining balance is usually saved for future needing.

While travelling within the city, we observed how the unfortunate citizens survived on the street with their creativity such as playing musical instruments, painting images, street drawing, graffiti and sand sculpting, and they sell their creativity to the audience that watches the performance. The good thing is that they did not beg for money but they work hard to earn money using the talents. We also found that Australians are very appreciative towards other people’s talents by donating money after the show ends.

From our interaction the unfortunate citizens after watching their performances, we learnt that most Australians did not go out at night and they rather spent the nights at home with their families. Melbourne is quite and calm at night compared to its busy and hectic atmosphere during the day. It is quite unattractive to travel the city at night but for people that enjoy peace and calamity, Melbourne is a good place for a retreat.

Melbourne: Day 2

An appointment was set up with Professor Xian Dong Chen, the Chair of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, who is also the Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Engineering, Monash University.


No 72: Building of Chemical Engineering Faculty


Chemical engineering


Professor Xian Dong Chen


Presentation session from Monash University


Q&A session

The meeting with Professor Dong Chen started with the introduction of Monash University Faculty of Engineering background. Our delegation was given an opportunity to navigate around the academic building and the laboratory.

During the meeting, we were explained about learning system implemented in Monash University. Apart from that, were also explained on Monash University history, current and future development.

We compared on the curriculum structure applied in UMP with Monash University and it is found that they have almost the same curriculum structure with our university.

• We compared student campus life between Monash University and University Malaysia Pahang. It is found that the accommodations in Monash University are more complete and convenient. Even Monash University has many campuses, it can be concluded that the campus are well developed and administered.

• In terms of teaching facilities, the chemical engineering laboratories have the same equipments as our chemical engineering laboratories but their equipments are self-built while our equipments are bought from industry. The advantage from having self-built equipments is that the regulations and maintenance can be done instantly and the equipment efficiency can be maintained. While to regulate and maintain our equipments, we have to consult with the equipment provider and the process sometimes will take time and will affect the experiment being conducted. The equipment efficiency on the other hand is unsteady.











• In terms of students’ accommodation, we observed that Monash University provides a centre for the students. This centre is equipped with shops and cafeterias to meet the students demand. Other facilities are also provided to the students at the centre such as wireless internet connection, banking services, hair salon, bookshops, cinema and pharmacy. The cafeteria also provides halal and non-halal food to cater the students need. We feel it is necessary for University Malaysia Pahang to build a mall for students.

Melbourne: Day 1

Good day mate!

Alhamdulillah, we have arrived in Melbourne. We departed from LCCT KLIA at 1.30 p.m. (Malaysian time( on 21 November and arrived at Tullamarine International Airport at 12.10 a.m. (Australian time). The 7 hour journey via Air Asia X flight D7 2722was long and tiring, but we were saved by the delicious Pak Nasser Nasi Lemak served on board.



Upon our arrival, there were few things that we need to settle. Part of it were declaration of our luggage as it is strictly prohibited to bring any dairy products and other banned items to Australia but somehow we got lucky getting through the immigration without meticulous check. And the good thing is that our food is saved for our entire stay and we need not starve here in Australia.

We checked at Arrow On Swaston and thanks to our travel agent and new friend, Paul who originated from Malaysia and has been a permanent resident in Australia for almost 12 years. The apartment is very convenient and it locates near to the city centre where we can easily hop out the hotel and join the excitement of Melbournians.





Dawn (Fajr) in Melbourne is as early as 4.00 a.m. And the daylight is longer than night. In terms of praying, we didn't have much trouble as the guide from the Melbourne Muslim Centre helped us a lot. But we had trouble finding halal food restaurants as most of it are closed on Sundays.

Today (Sunday, 22 November) we started our social visit. First, we visited Queen Victoria Market where it is the best place in Melbourne to shop for groceries items and souvenirs at very low prices. Then we dropped by few bookstores and it was shocked to find that all books are sold at very low prices. No wonder why Australians read a lot. Then we boarded on the inter-city tram for free and navigated the entire Melbourne city for free.

As we were troubled finding halal food in Melbourne, we were lucky to bump on a group of Malaysian students and they brought us to Blok M, which located somewhere on Bourke Street. The restaurant served Indonesian food and it was okay but somehow we missed the local delights.





Since most shops and restaurants close as early as 6.00 p.m. and even the trams stop operating at that time, we weren't able to find place to eat for dinner and we have to get back to our apartment by then. Lucky there was a shop nearby our apartment that still opened and we decided to cook spaghetti for dinner. Thanks to the girls for their "average" cooking skills for preparing the dinner.

Tomorrow, we'll be visiting Monash University and hopefully, everything will go well, insyaAllah.

See you again tomorrow!