What It's Like to Study at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
he best way to know what it’s really like being an international student in Malaysia? Hear it from someone who’s been there! Meet Manal from France. She just finished a semester at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Kuala Lumpur. Here, she tells you more what it’s like to study in Malaysia’s capital city.
Hi! I’m Manal Kamali, a 20-year-old French student who had the chance to live an amazing adventure in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I study plant biology in France because I love discovering what nature has to offer. Plants really fascinate me, and I enjoy finding different ways to protect our environment. That’s why I chose Malaysia a country that’s incredibly diverse, both in its people and its biodiversity. When I arrived at Universiti Putra Malaysia, I decided to take agricultural classes to explore and learn more about Malaysian biodiversity, which is so different from what I know in France. This is one day with me in UPM!
The Universiti Putra Malaysia campus
First of all, the UPM campus is gigantic! There are so many faculties, and the Agriculture Faculty is about 15 minutes from the main campus by bus. There are tons of plants, a fresh farm right next to it, lots of lab classrooms… and even so many cats roaming around.
The main campus is also really big, with many different faculties that you can visit in your free time. Walking around the campus is an experience in itself – it feels like exploring a little city full of life and surprises
Getting around campus
To get to campus, I usually took the MRT. I lived just two stations away from UPM but many of my friends preferred using Grab – a ride-hailing app used in Southeast Asia. After that, I’d hop on the UPM bus, which is a convenient and a free way to move around the different faculties on campus.
The whole transport system was surprisingly easy to use once I got used to it, and it made exploring the campus much easier.
Courses at Universiti Putra Malaysia
I chose four courses: Agrobiodiversity, Exotic Crops, Plant Pathology, and Seed Technology. The classes were super interesting, and we also had practical sessions in the labs.
At first, I was a bit lost because the UPM campus is so big. I entered the wrong classrooms so many times… I started asking my classmates and even random people for directions, and honestly, everyone was so nice and always ready to help me find my way. In class, I never hesitated to ask questions to the professor whenever I didn’t understand something, so everything stayed clear in my mind.
Cafeteria and eating places
Eating is definitely one of the best parts of the day! I usually had my meals at the main campus because there were way more options compared to the Agriculture campus. You can find plenty of cafeterias, food courts, and even convenience stores.
Most of the time, I ate nasi lemak – the national dish of Malaysia. At first, it was very new to me and the taste was so different from what I’ve used to. Then I started to enjoy it more and more. It eventually became my ultimate comfort food after a long morning in class.
Honestly, the food courts had so many choices: Malaysian, Arab, Chinese, Indian… you could never get bored! I’m so thankful for the friends I met here. I became really close with some girls, and we were always together. They made me try so many Malaysian dishes. Some of the dishes I loved, andd others not that much. We usually went to the cafeteria near their dorms so we could eat together after class, which also gave me more time to hang out with them. Eating together became more than just a meal; it was a time to share stories, laugh, and discover Malaysian culture together.
Activities at UPM
The campus at UMP is always full of life students chatting, and I even saw some monkeys walking around. There’s always something happening, from cultural events to small student gatherings. Sometimes there are stands set up all around campus, offering delicious food, handmade crafts, and games.
One of my favorite events was the International Day organized by students. During this day, different cultures came together to share music, dances, food, and traditions. It was such a colorful and joyful celebration of diversity.
The campus also has plenty of nice spots to hang out with friends, although it can get really hot outside. One of my favorite places to relax was Bukit Ekspo a cute park near the dorms. Many Malaysian students go here after class to have picnics or simply enjoy the fresh air. My friends and I went there a few times and had little picnics there, sharing food and chatting. I definitely recommend it if you want a peaceful break from studying.
But if you prefer staying indoors, UPM has plenty of cafeterias where you can relax and grab a bite, as well as a large library with air conditioning, perfect for studying comfortably or just chilling with friends. The library was my safe place when it got too hot outside, and I enjoyed spending time there reading, studying, or even meeting others international students.
End of the Day
Classes usually ended around 6pm or sometimes 7 pm. On my way home, I was always greeted by a beautiful sunset. I always took pictures of the sunset after class. The sky would turn into a painting of pink and orange every evening. It felt like the perfect way to end the day, a little reminder that every day in UPM was unique and full of discoveries.
This is how a typical day at UPM looked for me. Living in Malasia was more than just studying; it was a complete experience filled with learning, exploring, meeting amazing people, and discovering new cultures. I hope my story inspires you, and I truly wish your days will be as enriching and memorable as mine were.
Ready to Study Abroad?
A big thank you to Manal for sharing her journey as an international student in Malaysia. Stay tuned for more stories from her.
Do you also want to experience Malaysia firsthand as a student? Check out our universities in Malaysia and start your application now!