ASSOCIATES-Between Two Continents - Intercultural Exchange

At approximately 11.45pm, 15th of January 2009 about 40 students from all over the Malaysian states gathered at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, to perform their duties as a Malaysia young ambassadors. These excellent students are selected from thousands of students from all over the country after being shortlisted as the best candidates with splendid academical and co-curriculum achievements. They are chosen to represent Malaysia in the Intercultural Students Exchange to the United States this year.


They left Kuala Lumpur to reach Washington after spending a long 24 hours journey in flight. As soon as they reached their destination, these students were brought to stay with their foster familes from all over the United States who will be assigned to take care of these students in the course of their duties. My eldest son, Nik Muhamad Harith b. Nik Zafri is one the students who is selected. He is now staying in Youngstown, Ohio living with his foster father, Dr. Bradley Smith.


These youngsters should be proud of themselves. At a young age of 17 years old, they are undergoing and experiencing the most unforgettable moments a person would ever want to have. Although, it is an interesting experience to some parents and their children, the challenges and survival phases these students are going through will always be in their mind for instance, they have to live in the the weather of heavy snow storm and its cold wind until March compared to the Malaysia food and the hot sun they are used to.


This program is expected to enhance certain objectives. By involving these teenagers, we hope the bilateral relationship between the two countries will be strenghtened further since only a few are selected and at the end the best speakers will be chosen to speak about our country, Malaysia. Though, they are young, but they carry the strongest will and spirit, greater than every elder generation. They learn a lot of things about the United States. As a routine, they share a lot of stories, secrets and learn to devote their love and respect their foster families. Without realizing, the unity and understanding between two cultures are binded, nurtured and bloomed.


To Be Continued