Study Abroad Malaysia is Officially Closed! - Friday, August 8th

So for my MSU class, I had to write a detailed event journal on the closing ceremony on Friday. So instead of getting a play-by-play of today's events, I'll just post what I had to turn in. Yes, it only covers the closing ceremony, but I am tired. Give me a break, okay? :)

Friday, 8/8/08 was a momentous day not only for the students of MSU, but also for the world. What a coincidence it was that the Olympics opening ceremony should take place on the same day as our closing ceremony at UPSI. It seems fitting our official time in Tanjung Malim is coming to an end on such a memorable day. In order to celebrate our time spent in the schools, with members of UPSI, and as members of the first pre-internship program in Malaysia there was a semi-formal ceremony held at UPSI. At 3:00pm, all of the MSU students and their families, as well as the teachers from our host schools were invited to come to the Chancellery building. Inside there were tables set up, chairs with slipcovers and place tags, and of course food. What would a ceremony at UPSI be without video cameras and photographers as well? Again, many of us felt like celebrities but this time we were prepared for the attention.

The ceremony began in Malaysian style by welcoming all who were invited and signing the national anthem. Speeches were then given by some of the most important people in the room; Kurnia gave her closing speech first. Much of her presentation was done in Bahasa Melayu. Our time spent here was not long enough to understand the whole of her speech, but catching a few words here and there allowed us to grasp the general theme. In true Malaysian style, she as well as the following presenters gave credit to every single person or group of people involved with the success of the program. Following Kurnia’s speech came a bit of a surprise. Renee and Samantha went forward to represent all of our MSU students but shockingly, Renee opted to give her speech in Bahasa Melayu! After she had begun, all of the audience members gave a short applause to encourage her and show their appreciation. While it was read slowly and with a clear American accent, Renee delivered a heartfelt speech in her practiced Malay. Having asked for a translation by Yong, one of the host mothers, she had successfully pulled off giving her first speech in the Malaysian language. After Renee had finished, Samantha reread the speech in English. The presentation shared our sincere thanks and appreciation to UPSI staff and students, our host schools and mentor teachers, and specifically our host families. Renee and Samantha made a special effort to thank both Kurnia and Sri for all of their hard work, patience, and flexibility. Before they finished Renee read three pantuns, Malaysian sayings in poem form. A copy of them can be found at the end of this account. Overall, all of the Spartans were proud and thankful for Renee’s bravery and Samantha’s ability to relate our deepest thanks.

Members of UPSI also made additional speeches; Associate Professor Dr. Rajendran Nagappan was the next to present. Like the others before him, he read mostly in Melayu but graciously translated parts of his speech to English as well. His words also expressed thanks to all involved, but also congratulated both Michigan State and UPSI on an overall successful study abroad program. Most of us would agree this experience was more than a success; it was a memorable affair that will be cherished for the rest of our lives. Rajendran also finished his speech with a traditional thoughtful pantun. The vice chancellor of UPSI had been invited and had planned on attending the closing ceremony but was unable to be present due to other engagements. In her place the Honorable Professor Dr. Zakaria Kasa gave the final speech of the day. He firstly congratulated Renee on her language skills and speech; he said her ability to do so shows our intense desire to truly take in all aspects of the Malaysian culture. His speech was short, sweet, and to the point. He ended by saying, “I officially declare the pre-internship study abroad now closed.” Hearing those words prompted mixed feelings for us. Mostly, we were happy to have finished what we set out to do by coming to a country on the other side of the world. But upon hearing it was really the end, many of us realized how near we were to having to leave Tanjung Malim and our wonderful host families. Bittersweet is the only word to describe it.

A final presentation, a bit impromptu, was given by 5 of the MSU girls. Courtney, Carrie, Sam, Meredith, and Katie K performed a traditional dance for the audience. The dance was not necessarily performed to their best ability since they had only practiced it two or three times since learning it on Tuesday. Despite this, it seemed to be well received by the Malaysians in attendance and also showed our appreciation and deeper learning of another aspect of the culture. The dance was mostly successful due only to Sri. Without her sitting on the sidelines, guiding us with hand motions as to the next dance move, the dance may have been a complete disaster. Luckily the girls worked through their embarrassment and lack of experience to perform, if nothing else, an entertaining traditional dance. A student representative of UPSI made the final presentation, gifts to each Michigan State student. Inside bags with the UPSI logo were small batik cloths and huge coffee mugs. Again, all of us felt so grateful to UPSI and the people who made this experience possible.

In due form, all of the official speeches and presentations of gifts were followed by, surprise, food! Everyone was served curry puffs (a favorite of most everybody), roti jala with yellow curry sauce, fresh fruit, and a fabulous blueberry cheesecake. We had tea (pre-sugared of course!) and water to drink. As always, everything tasted delicious! Before actually leaving the Chancellory Foyer, everyone who had been invited congregated outside for both official and informal photos. Many “thank you’s,” “good-byes,” and “I’ll miss you’s” were said between the present host teachers, Sasi and Ley, and the Spartans. It was almost surreal; it was hard to believe out time in Tanjung Malim was coming to end. We only hoped the last few hours with our host families would be as memorable as the closing ceremony.

HARI INI MENANAM JAGUNG
(Today we are planting corn)
HARI ESOK MENANAM SERAI
(Tomorrow we are planting lemon grass)
HARI INI KITA BERKAMPUNG
(Today we are together)
HARI ESOK KITA BERCERAI
(But tomorrow we will be apart)


TUAI PADI ANTARA MASAK
(Harvest the paddy while its ripe)
ESOK JANGAN LAYU-LAYUAN
(Lest tomorrow it will wilt)
INTAI KAMI ANTARA NAMPAK
(Watch us while we are here)
ESOK JANGAN RINDU-RINDUAN
(Lest tomorrow, you will miss us)

KALAU ADA JARUM YANG PATAH
(If there’s a broken needle)
JANGAN DISIMPAN DI DALAM PETI
(Don’t keep it in the box)
KALAU ADA SILAP DAN SALAH
(If there’s any wrongdoings)
JANGAN DISIMPAN DI DALAM HATI
(Please don’t keep it in your heart – forgive us)