Beyond An Ordinary Life

Solo Travel & Cultural Immersion in Kuala Lumpur: Lessons from a Danish Student's Study Abroad Journey

• Christina Gerdes • Episode 17

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In this episode, join Jasan, a Danish student, as he takes us through his exchange semester in Kuala Lumpur. From feeling lost in the process of preparation to the transformative power of solo travel, Jasan shares captivating insights that shaped his time abroad.

Jasan expresses gratitude for the guidance he received during the overwhelming preparation process, emphasizing the value of having someone to navigate through the abundance of information.

Choosing Kuala Lumpur as his study abroad destination, Jasan sought personal growth by challenging himself to break free from the tendency of people from the same nationality to stick together. He embraced the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds.

Solo travel played a pivotal role in Jasan's journey, allowing him to become more open to meeting new people and letting go of the fear of judgment. Inspired by the "American role model," he encourages others not to worry about what people think, as their opinions hold less significance than imagined.

Upon arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Jasan embraced the city's cultural differences and started university, immersing himself in an international educational environment. He found inspiration in the expat culture and co-working spaces, fueling his desire for an international career.

Jasan acknowledges that studying abroad doesn't always go as planned. He highlights the importance of adaptability and resilience in facing challenges, which ultimately shaped him into a more flexible and open-minded individual.

Reflecting on his travels in Southeast Asia, Jasan draws fascinating parallels between Danish and South Korean cultures, expanding his cultural understanding.

In closing, Jasan expresses deep gratitude for the life-changing opportunity to live in a different country. He cherishes the friendships formed abroad and encourages others to embrace solo travel for its unique ability to foster personal growth and cultural immersion.

Listen to this episode if you want to learn: 

  • The Power of asking for help
  • Why it's important to embrace cultural diversity and not only stick to people with the same nationality 
  • Why there is a power in solo traveling and how it leads to personal growth 
  • Why studying abroad doesn't go always as planned and why adaptability and resilience are key
  • Why the Danish and Malaysian educational systems are different and how to embrace these differences 
  • Why making international experiences are life-changing opportunities  

These are my favorite quotes of the episode: 

  • 2:28: “I was totally lost in the process. Especially because there is so much information coming, and it was a lot. I was so helpful with you helping me out with the process.”  
  • 06:32: “I wanted to challenge myself In the way to go out meeting people and not be restricted to a small group.” 
  • 10:45 “I think that is the best tip I can give is “Don’t worry so much what people think of you because in the end of the day you are probably never going to see them again.”  
  • 01:01:19: “You don’t really have this opportunity a lot in your life where you can just like put everything to the side and just live in a completely different country. And I am super grateful to have had that possibility."

Do you have any questions, tips for improvement, or you're seeking more inspiration for moving abroad? Then follow me on: IG & TikTok: @chrigerdes and YouTube: Beyond-an-ordinary-life
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