2026-09-21 15:20
In August 2026, students from John von Neumann University—Dorottya Mácsár, Norbert Maglódi, Boldizsár Horváth, and Máté Balogh—had the opportunity to participate in the INTI Little Explorers Camp, an international program organized by INTI International University in Malaysia, with support from the Pannónia Scholarship Program.
Student Report:
Even before we left, we knew a special experience awaited us, but none of us expected to find ourselves in such a different world. There were only four of us Europeans in the program; the other participants came from Vietnam, Pakistan, and Indonesia, among other places. It was interesting to realize that while Asian cultures were new to us, in many cases we were the ones who were seen as unique by the others. This alone provided plenty of opportunities to learn about each other’s cultures, customs, and ways of thinking.
During the first few days, we got to know the INTI International University campus, and after the official opening ceremony, we took part in team-building activities. Over the next few days, we participated in a Malay language workshop, traditional children’s games, sports and team competitions, as well as various cultural programs.
Of course, there were some things we found much harder to adjust to. The weather and the food posed serious challenges for us. Temperatures around 30 °C were accompanied by nearly 80% humidity, so often, after just a few minutes, we felt as if we were completely soaked. On top of that, the air didn’t really cool down in the evenings either. The situation was similar with the food: Malaysian cuisine turned out to be unusually spicy for us, even for those who normally enjoy spicy dishes. These experiences have since become funny stories, but they did cause a few difficult moments at the time.
On top of all that, Malaysia was simply wonderful. It was a special feeling in and of itself to come across monkeys almost everywhere we went, while the locals welcomed us with great kindness, openness, and friendliness wherever we went.
One of our greatest experiences was exploring Kuala Lumpur. We visited the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Merdeka Square, walked through the Central Market and Petaling Street, and then got to experience the modern side of Malaysia in the areas around the KLCC and Saloma Bridge.
However, during the program, we didn’t just get to know the country as tourists. We participated in creative and cultural activities, including a batik workshop, media production and immersive technology classes, as well as joint cultural evenings.
During the weekend excursions, we visited the Negeri Sembilan Museum, Port Dickson, and the Pulau Burong Lookout. One of our most unique adventures was exploring the Gua Batu Maloi cave, which offered a completely different experience from any of our previous programs.
One of the highlights of the trip that will surely remain a lasting memory for all of us was the dinner we had with the Hungarian ambassador. It was a special feeling to meet and talk with him in such an intimate setting, thousands of kilometers away from Hungary. During dinner, not only did we have the chance to talk about ourselves, our university, and how we ended up in Malaysia, but we also got to know the ambassador and his work better. This was an opportunity none of us had anticipated before the trip, and it rightly became one of the most memorable evenings of our stay in Malaysia.
As the program drew to a close, we attended a certificate presentation ceremony, where we were able to share our own experiences from the past few days. The “Memory Lane Night,” organized as one of our final group activities, served as a fitting conclusion to a period during which participants—who were complete strangers to one another at the start—had grown into a close-knit community.
It’s hard to sum up in just a few sentences what this trip gave us. Malaysia is a completely different world from what we’re used to in Europe. We were surrounded by a different culture, different foods, different weather, different customs, and a different way of life. Perhaps that’s exactly what made it so special.
It was the kind of trip you couldn’t really prepare for—you just had to live it to the fullest and savor every moment. We discovered new cultures, people, and places, and in the process, we learned a lot about ourselves as well.
Malaysia left a deep impression on all of us. The program has ended, and we’ve returned home, but the experiences, friendships, and memories we made there will stay with us for a very long time. One thing is certain: none of us will ever forget this trip.
