Adventure in Malaysia

Sofia Oliveira: Manuel, you spent your semester abroad at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang. Why did you choose Malaysia?

Manuel Walzl: I wanted to spend my semester abroad in a country that was as culturally and geographically different from Austria as possible — Malaysia immediately appealed to me. I was fascinated by the mix of cultures, languages, and religions, and Penang is also an exciting place with a very lively student scene.

Sofia Oliveira: What made your semester abroad so special for you?

Manuel Walzl: Above all, it was the encounters with people from all over the world. I made friendships with students from Asia, Europe, and Africa — it really broadened my horizons. The openness and hospitality of the Malaysian people impressed me deeply. The semester was also a linguistic and personal enrichment: I improved my English, learned a lot about myself, and tried things I would never have done at home — like scuba diving!

Sofia Oliveira: Were there any experiences that stood out in particular?

Manuel Walzl: Many! But a definite highlight was our road trip through Sabah, on the island of Borneo. We explored the jungle, visited remote locations, and experienced Malaysia’s stunning nature up close. That feeling of freedom — combined with the incredible friendliness of the people — was simply unforgettable.

Sofia Oliveira: Manuel, you spent your semester abroad at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang. Why did you choose Malaysia?

Manuel Walzl: I wanted to spend my semester abroad in a country that was as culturally and geographically different from Austria as possible — Malaysia immediately appealed to me. I was fascinated by the mix of cultures, languages, and religions, and Penang is also an exciting place with a very lively student scene.

Sofia Oliveira: What made your semester abroad so special for you?

Manuel Walzl: Above all, it was the encounters with people from all over the world. I made friendships with students from Asia, Europe, and Africa — it really broadened my horizons. The openness and hospitality of the Malaysian people impressed me deeply. The semester was also a linguistic and personal enrichment: I improved my English, learned a lot about myself, and tried things I would never have done at home — like scuba diving!

Sofia Oliveira: Were there any experiences that stood out in particular?

Manuel Walzl: Many! But a definite highlight was our road trip through Sabah, on the island of Borneo. We explored the jungle, visited remote locations, and experienced Malaysia’s stunning nature up close. That feeling of freedom — combined with the incredible friendliness of the people — was simply unforgettable.

Sofia Oliveira: You study Digital Entrepreneurship. What academic experiences did you gain at Universiti Sains Malaysia?

Manuel Walzl: I took the courses Corporate Strategy and Policy, International Marketing, and Sustainability: Concepts and Issues, while also working on my master’s thesis about the use of large language models in business plan creation. What I found particularly exciting were the numerous case studies we worked on with real companies. It really made me aware of how much entrepreneurial decisions depend on a country’s cultural and economic context.

Sofia Oliveira: Did you also gain insights into the entrepreneurial mindset or local startup scenes?

Manuel Walzl: Yes, absolutely. I met many people who work and live in very different ways — for example, digital nomads who move from country to country and work remotely. In conversations with local entrepreneurs, I also realized how large the gap between employees and self-employed people can be in Malaysia. Entrepreneurship there is often seen as a real opportunity, which I found very inspiring.

Sofia Oliveira: What lessons or ideas did you take away from this time?

Manuel Walzl: I learned to be more flexible in the face of uncertainty and to embrace new experiences. The semester also reminded me how important it is to understand the needs and perspectives of others — whether in collaboration, travel, or entrepreneurial projects. The idea of “Think Global, Act Local”, which we often discuss in our studies, took on a whole new meaning for me there.

Sofia Oliveira: Why would you recommend a semester abroad in Malaysia?

Manuel Walzl: Because you can learn and experience so much — academically, culturally, and personally. The people are open and welcoming, the food is fantastic, and its central location makes it easy to explore all of Southeast Asia. Plus, Malaysia is an English-speaking country, which makes getting started in both studies and daily life much easier. For me, it was a truly enriching experience that I would gladly repeat.

Universiti Sains Malaysia – International Mobility & Collaboration Centre:
👉 http://imcc.usm.my/