"The Gateway" to Asia is
also a major travel hub. The budget airline network,
and the extensive bus connections help to get the most out of lecture-free
days.
Malaysia
is also a fast growing market for multinational European companies that are
opening operations in the country. It has turned into a strong exporter of semiconductors
and other electronic products.
(Right) The Kuala Lumpur Monorail.
Malaysia is getting increasingly hi-tech.
(Left) Playing golf. The low price
level allows the students to enjoy a high standard of living.
The
mixture of Western and Asian cultures together with the low price level makes it
possible to enjoy a somewhat "expatriate" lifestyle. Most MIBP students live in centrally
located apartment hotels, travel around Southeast Asia and spend the free
evenings exploring the nightlife of Kuala Lumpur. The capital is well known of
its shopping malls, with brand clothes/electronics/etc. at bargain prices
compared to those of Europe. When one wishes to dig deeper in the local
culture, there are lots of exotic cuisines and shops: Malay, Chinese, Indian,
Thai, etc.
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 The participating students usually
travel as much as possible. Popular destinations include Thailand, Singapore,
Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, etc. and even China.
There are frequent bus connections to
the nearby islands' beach and diving resorts and to the neighboring
countries.
The low cost carrier Air Asia (based at
the KL airport with about 200 flights a day) makes it possible for exchange
students to spend long weekends abroad.
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Typically students
form groups of 4-5 students, and rent a high standard flat from the free rental
market. Many choose one of the apartment hotels downtown, with often a great
view over the city through the window, cleaning and 24 hour security service, a
large swimming pool on the roof, cable television, etc. As many hotel complexes
are an integral part of a shopping mall, there are often restaurants, shops and
cafeterias in the basement. Renting an apartment is usually easy, and Academy
Access aids the participants by providing a list of brokers who can help in
finding a suitable apartment. It is also possible to live in a student
dormitory.
The rents in central apartment hotels in Kuala Lumpur are
very reasonable. The
MIBP students usually share a taxi to school and back.
