Study in Bangladesh, Internship in Malaysia

Even before boarding the plane, the five of us had a little toss to decide who would sit by the window! Who won the toss—more on that later. First, let me introduce ourselves and where we were headed.

We are five students from Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU)—myself, Sagar Dash, Raihan Parvez, Nizia Naoshin Chowdhury, and Arpita Chowdhury. All of us belong to the 25th batch of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. We are now in Malaysia for a two-week internship at University Putra Malaysia (UPM), which we started on September 11.

This opportunity came to us primarily under the Student Mobility Program. Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CVASU and UPM, students from Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University get the chance to participate in internships abroad every year.


 

First Expedition

For four of us, this was our first trip abroad. Even while collecting our boarding passes, we had to show so many documents that we were a bit worried about the immigration process. Although we had our offer letters, the visa was not a student visa, since the internship duration is only two weeks. We had heard beforehand that many Bangladeshis were being turned away by Malaysian immigration. So, on this first international trip, excitement was outweighed by anxiety.

In the end, there were no problems at Malaysian immigration. In fact, we found them quite encouraging.

Our first day in Malaysia was spent searching for accommodation. The university couldn’t arrange dormitory facilities for us. The alternative they had provided was far beyond our budget. After walking quite a distance and exploring several options, we finally found a place to stay.

 

What the Internship Includes

Having already completed five years of study, our main goal here is to exchange experiences with Malaysian teachers and students. We will observe the new technologies they are using that are not available in our country. We will visit several laboratories and educational centers, including the Virology Lab, Bacteriology Lab, Histopathology Lab, Molecular Lab, Veterinary Hospital, and more.

We will also learn about various modern testing methods. In addition, we will gain hands-on experience in the management and treatment of both large and small animals.

We even visited a polo club in Malaysia. Since Bangladesh has no polo clubs, and horseback riding clubs are rare, opportunities to work with horses are limited for us. Visiting the polo club gave us a great chance to observe and learn. Next, we will also visit a Malaysian zoo to see veterinary care for various animals.


 

The Teachers’ Warmth

So far, our experience working at UPM has been very positive. On the first day, we ran into a little trouble while taking the bus. That’s when we met a teacher from the Department of Medicine, whose home is in Sudan. I didn’t know that there was an app to track buses here, nor was I familiar with the rules for paying bus fares. This teacher not only paid the fare for the three of us but also ensured we reached the designated stop. Without him, it would have been difficult to find our way even using Google Maps.

The days are flying by in the blink of an eye. Soon, we will have to catch the flight back home. When we came here, I got the window seat on the plane. I definitely don’t want to miss that opportunity on the return journey!