Life as an Indian Student in Malaysia – Truth No One Tells You

Experiences of Indian students studying in Malaysia

My name is Arjun, 24, from Chennai. I’ve been studying in Kuala Lumpur for 18 months. Many think: “Malaysia is like India, easy to adjust!” But the truth?

Nobody talks about the hard part. So I will.

💭 Dream: “I’ll find South Indian food everywhere!”
Reality: Only 2–3 good restaurants in KL. Rest are “Malay-style” dosa (with sambal!). Miss real sambar daily.

💔 Dream: “People will treat me like family!”
Reality: Some locals call us “keling”. Landlords refuse Indians. Subtle racism exists — especially outside KL.

PR Path: Almost Impossible

• Student visa → work visa requires job offer with salary > RM5,000
• Employers prefer locals or Chinese candidates
• No direct PR pathway for students (unlike Canada)

✅ Advice: Use Malaysia as a stepping stone to Australia/Canada.

What I Miss Most

• Real filter coffee in the morning
• Festival celebrations with family (Diwali, Pongal)
• Speaking Tamil freely
• Being close to Amma when she’s unwell

Loneliness is Real

Even with Indian friends, sometimes I feel isolated. Cultural festivals feel “performed”, not lived.

I now attend temple events and join Tamil student associations — small comfort.

Would I Recommend Malaysia to Indian Students?

Yes — but with eyes open. It’s affordable education, not permanent settlement.

If you come:
✅ Learn basic Malay
✅ Connect with Indian community early
✅ Save for future migration (Canada/Australia)

❤️ Final Word: Education is valuable, but roots matter. Don’t lose yourself while chasing degrees.