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“Friends are the family we choose”. This is true because it’s done of our own accord. We find that in our little communities, we keep friends for different reasons; either we have a similar taste in books, movies, music, fashion or the likes of things.  Friends benefit us in many ways and this is a known fact, but does the same stand true of friends that we make from different cultures?

I, coming from India joining University in an International University in Malaysia found it very exciting to befriend people from various parts of the world. But the main thing was getting along with them. It's not easy to get along with everyone as they all come from a variety of cultures and backgrounds contradicting my beliefs and traditions. I was fortunate enough to meet this dear friend of mine, Anisah Amran from Singapore. It's been three years since I've known her and the best part is that we both get along with each other so well despite all our differences. The main reason that binds us together is that, we both are fluent enough in English and we seem to share a lot of common beliefs.

Meeting her made me realize the importance of having friends from different cultures as it helps us to increase our knowledge, learn to become more open and accepting, and also we start becoming more aware of our own culture.

My feeling about seeing the world is that it's going to change you necessarily, just the very fact of being out there and meeting people from different cultures and different ways of life.

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A roommate of mine just came back from China for a short vacation (Oh how I wish I can join her!!!). She brought us several things as souvenirs and narrated to us some of her unforgettable experience. One of them was her experience in a halal chinese restaurant... everything was foreign to her, specifically the language and people! Even the menu is in Chinese Language and unfortunately without any illustrations... Since hunger had overtaken her, she randomly picked on a menu and almost 20 minutes later, it came.... guess what, it turned out to be an eggplant dish with sesame seeds... It is very lucky that she can swallow the food... however, another problem came up... my roommate was asking for a spoon, or fork to it with.. however, when she tried asking for it, to the extent of demonstrating it, not a single person could understand her... she tried to look for it on other tables, with the hope that she other customers might be using it... but, to her disappointment, no forks or spoons can be found in the eatery... Left with no choice, she was left with no other choice than to experience using a pair of chopsticks for the first time in her entire life!!

ps: one of souvenirs from my roomie

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5 hectic days, but a memorable visit! The department of Sociology & Anthropology from Kulliyyah of Human Science and Revealed Knowledge, IIUM, has collaborated with the similar department from USM, Pulau Pinang, to conduct a community service project to Padang Indonesia. I was among the 12 representatives from IIUM to participate in this programme, although it means that I have to skip few of my classes including EDG4008 - Cross Cultural Counseling. However, in exchange, I was granted with a memorable experience and priceless enjoyments and lessons.

Padang, Indonesia is approximately inhabited by 97% Indonesian who are Minang by ethnicity. Therefore, this capital of the province of West Sumatra can be said to uphold and practice the Minangkabau culture. The name "Minangkabau" itself which is a conjunction of two words - "menang" which means "victory" and "kerbau" which means "buffalo" indirectly portray one of the Minang people's culture from its history.

During our visit there, we were brought under the guidance of Pak Irfan, one of the many individuals who contributed to giving us input about the Minangkabau. He narrated to us, that it is said that long ago, West Sumatra was invaded by a troop believed to be Majapahit as an effort to conquer the country, hence a battle was initiated. However, due to strong love and bond among the Minang people who were known as people of Pagaruyung before, the leader proposed to have a battle between them with buffalos, to avoid the battle of men that would cause demise. While the Majapahit had prepared the most enormous and aggressive buffalo, the people from Pagaruyung set a hungry baby buffalo with sharp knives as its horns. Seeing the adult buffalo across the field, the baby ran forward, hoping for milk. The big buffalo ignore the baby buffalo as it saw no threat in the baby buffalo. But when the baby buffalo thrust his head looking for an udder of the adult buffalo, the sharpened "horns" punctured and killed the bull, and the Pagaruyung people won the contest and ended the battle. To mark this victorious and important event, they name their tribe as "Minangkabau" and build most building such as castles, houses, schools, shops with the architecture of horns on its roof, as a reminiscence of this particular event. Thus, this legend narrates how the Minangkabau tribe love their people, and how their deliberate and wise action could bring victory to them. It is also one of their cultures to show appreciation to big events and respect legend and history.

Istana Basa Pagaruyung, self-captured:

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Have you ever experience, you are physically in a place, but your soul, your mind are in others place? Because I'm experiencing it right now...

oh Padang, I miss you! Specifically these 2 individuals; Ibu Ita and Mbak Nina, my foster family for 3 priceless days! It turned out that this family is awesome, with amazing house, amazing food 😋 and amazing handsome foster brother 😆, Ilham, who is just 14 years of age, but could drive his 9 foster sisters round the village with a jeep! Imagine, a 14 years old and a jeep!

The food, mostly cooked by Mbak nina, (with the help of us of course) are just, so....... undescribable! We somehow learnt about how people in Padang (the Minangs) cook their food; the love it salty & super spicy, JUST LIKE HOW I LOVE IT TOO!

Before leaving, after gallons of tears rolled from our eyes, Ibu Ita reminded us to visit them again if we happen to come to Padang again. It turned out that the culture of the Minangs is, once we knew a person or a family, it is rude to not visit them again if we happen to be near them, which in this case is Padang. It will be hurtful for the family if they find out that we do not visit them.

With Ibu Ita and Mbak Nina, before departure... in syaa Allah, I will visit you again

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Well not the sacred, well-known city in Yemen, but Taj Hadhramawt is a name of a restaurant that specializes in Arabic or Middle-East Cuisine. Wafa and I, yesterday, had our late lunch/early dinner there. The food are definitely good and awesome! While some people might think that the price is expensive, i think that it is reasonable for food that needs rare and imported spices.

One more thing about Arabic food, most (not all) are grilled with marinated spices that can haunt you at night! Not to mention, the food portion can feed a family of 5!

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A few backs while I was lazing in my room, my friend drags me to go for a Turkish language class. It was a very random thing. I've always wanted to go to Turkey, and I find Turkish people very polite and show a lot of hospitality to people. Also I love Turkish food. So why not study their language as well?!
I started liking the classes from day 1 and eventually I was looking forward to attend the next classes. The language isn't that hard and its fun to learn together with my friends.

They say that Speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain by challenging it to recognize, negotiate meaning, and communicate in different language systems. This skill boosts your ability to negotiate meaning in other problem-solving tasks as well.

So all of you reading this post, try learning a new language to get more smarter!

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Above is the tagline of a local restaurant known as Mishaltit which serves Arabic food especially from Syria. When I first come there last year and noticed this line, I laughed..., as I doubted it. But after trying the food, wallah it was super fantastic! From that point of time, I dine in this restaurant, at least once a week (gosh!) either in or out during last semester. Thanks to a brother who actually introduced me to this restaurant. I brought my family, classmates, roommates along each time I visited the restaurant to the extent that the waiter asks me, "Would you like to order something new...., or the usual?" For a regular customer, the waiter has successfully memorized my regular order! The last time visited this restaurant was yesterday after sooooo long as I am occupied with other responsibilities and commitments... To my surprise, the owner of the restaurant still remember me and asked about my condition... Rather than being disappointed for not coming for so long, he gave my friend and I a complimentary new signature from the restaurant (which I forgot to snap a picture of it, unfortunately). I felt touched by the fact that he remembers me and for the free food as well! I wonder, is it part of Arabian culture, or marketing strategy? Hmmmm

Below are some of the dishes that I have tried before...
photo courtesy: google

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Last vacation, me and my cousin sister planned to spend our break in the city of HongKong, and by far that was the best vacation I've ever had in my life. Hong Kong a densely populated city, major port and financial hub is one awesome place for shopping.
One side covered by the sea with many Islands and the other side filled with greenery and mountains its a lovely spot for touring.

One of my favorite days spent over there included my trip to Disney land! It was too beautiful and I would suggest everyone to go there once no matter how old you are. Another of my favorite place was the Ngong Ping 360. It was a rope way that took us to a beautiful fishermans village and budha temple and museum. The best part I loved about Hong Kong is how its a mixture of everything, it has green fields and mountains, a vast blue sea with Islands surrounding it and it also has a city with the most beautiful skyscrappers.

The people of Hong Kong are not that friendly as I expected and majority of them hardly speak English. Going there alone would be difficult as its very hard to find Halal food.

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Growing up in Saudi Arabia as an expatriate

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Growing up in Saudi Arabia as an expatriate

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I spent 20 years of my life in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I would refer to Jeddah as the New York of the Gulf Countries. If you ever have plans to shift to Saudi Arabia, then Jeddah is the best place to live in, it being close to the two Holy cities.

As an Indian by origin , I knew that Jeddah was not my real home. I lived among my Indian community in Jeddah. So I was always more attached to India than Jeddah. The Saudis are known for their generosity. Generosity in giving. They share so much food with everyone. And I love the Arabic food. From Haleem to Foul-thameez, all their food is extra delicious and rich in flavours. And not to forget, Jeddah is most famous for one of its fast foods called Al-Baik. I don't think there's a single minute when you can find Al-baik empty.

The Arabic language their mother tongue, the most beautiful language that exists. If you were to hear them speak you would just love the language even if you don't understand anything. I have a few Arab friends, their life style is completely different from mine. When it comes to Arab women, their traditions and customs expect them to be the women of the house. It's compulsory for all women living is Saudi Arabia to wear Abaya and cover their heads when they go outside

I could write a million words about this country and its people, it would never end. To summarize the whole thing in short, Jeddah is peaceful abode, with its restrictions and rules.

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Netherlands, country located in northwestern Europe, also known as Holland. “Netherlands” means low-lying country; the name Holland (from Houtland, or “Wooded Land”) The Netherlands is a small country sandwiched between Belgium and Germany in Western Europe. The North Sea, located to the north and west of the Netherlands, is continually battering the land.

FAST FACTS

OFFICIAL NAME: Kingdom of the Netherlands
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Constitutional Monarchy
CAPITAL: Amsterdam
POPULATION: 16,877,351
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Dutch
MONEY: Euro

The Netherlands is the most densely populated country in the European Union. Animals have had to squeeze into changing habitats around the dams, dikes, and canals. Some bird species have found a haven in the watery swamps. The government has created sanctuaries to allow plants, birds, and small animals to thrive.

The Dutch believe in moderation and have a respect for the law. People in the southern part of the country are said to have a more relaxed outlook than their countrymen in the north.

The Dutch have a saying: "God made the Earth, but the Dutch made Holland."
The North Sea would have washed away the Netherlands if the Dutch had not erected defenses to protect their land. Over the centuries, the Dutch have built series of canals, dams, dikes, and pumping stations to keep the sea and rivers back.

STAY TUNED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE NETHERLANDS!!

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So Me and Anisah are back with more information for you all on "The Netherlands" We got to interview our friend Hadisa to fulfill our curiosity about this land.

Interviewer :  To people who haven't ever been and have no idea about Netherlands, how would explain about that place to us in a few words? Also include the major places of tourism
Interviewee : The Netherlands is famous for their windmills, tulips and wooden shoes. There is actually a place called Volendam Where u can take pictures in traditional clothing and it includes these three things. And Amsterdam actually is a popular place to visit because of the coffeeshops and the red light district that are only legal in our country.

Interviewer : Tell us more about its people the different communities
Interviewee : The Netherlands is a country where a lot of ethnicities live in. The most foreign people are Marocan, indonesian and Surinam. Mostly because maroccan people were needed by the dutch goverment to work here. And indonesia and Surinam used to be colonies of Holland.

Interviewer : Are Muslims minority? How are they treated in your country?
Interviewee : There are a lot of marrocan and indonesian people in Holland that are muslim, especially in Rotterdam. But If we would look at the overall, then muslims are definitely in the minority. In the big cities muslims are treated equally as any other person, but sometimes in the smaller towns or villages the dutch can be a bit racist, because they are less openminded than people living in the city.