"Privet. The power of being in an exchange program has been an incredible experience for me. I have gained so much knowledge about Kazakhstan, the country I never heard before. I have become independent and confident in myself, 2 aspects that I have noticed myself really grow in. I become more open to new things and UiTM student exchange has impacted me greatly. I have realized that being in exchange student is an opportunity to try new things. Being in Kazakhstan and experiencing a different culture, a different lifestyle and a different language has changed my perception of life. Learning a new language is so much fun and it’s a great chance to get to know ourselves better. Sometimes it’s difficult because they speak in Kazakh and Russian language but I managed to understand. I have learnt so much from it and I also have made some great friends.
Lastly, special thanks to Office of International Affairs (OIA) International Information Technology University, Almaty Kazakhstan for the wonderful experience and also my big appreciation goes to OIA, our advisors Associate Professor Dr. Nursuriati Jamil, Dr. Afdallyna Fathiyah Harun, Dr. Natrah Abdullah @ Dolah and Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam."
Nurdiyana
Nursyamimi
"Здравствуйте (Zdravstvuyte - Hello). Safely arrived in Malaysia after almost 4 months being an exchange student in IITU,Almaty,Kazakhstan. It was such a remarkable experience in my whole life and i would like to express my gratitude to everyone for the continuously outstanding support i have received during this exchange program. I'm already missing all of my friends and lecturers at IITU, as well as the superb sceneries at Almaty. Honestly it was hard for me to bid farewells to them as we spend so much time together. Thank you for the happy moments and if i have another opportunity to go there either as a student or guides or even as traveller, i consider myself very lucky to be there again.
Studying there with different enviroment and teaching methodology have enlighten me, for example, most of the lecturers will fully utilise their elearning website as communication tools with their students and vice versa including sharing study materials,marks, assignment, announcement etc. Moreover, their culture differences triggers my excitement as i can learn new culture from them such as learning russian and kazak languange. To all my Kazakhstan friends, feel free to visit Malaysia and i will gladly be a good host if you pay a visit here.
Lastly, i express my appreciation to UiTM and our lecturers especially to Dr. Nursuriati, Dr. Haryani, Dr. Afdalyna, Dr. Natrah who gave us this opportunity and work hard to make this program a reality. Also, special thanks Miss Svetlana and Miss Aigerim (IITU representatives) for all the special efforts throughout this exchange program.
“Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes.” - Richard Bach 💞💕💓"
Arash
"Drasvutye, Kak dila? Alhamdullilah, after all the hardship we have been through together since the first day we were accepted as an Exchange Student to International Information Technology University, Kazakhstan, we are finally home safely and happily! I am really glad for all of the opportunities given by Dean and the lecturers to me for accepting me as one of the 13 students.
Well, this program is a really good program to the students because it gives them opportunities to study about different culture and the different style of study at the Univertisity. I must admit, at first i was really struggled to study because of the differences, but Alhamdulillah, all of my friends supported me and gave me motivational talk to follow the way of study and i managed to overcome the struggle during my first month. We were there for 4 months and we experienced many things. The best part was the bond of Malaysian family in Kazakhstan.
There are 4 family lives there,they are staff at Embassy Of Malaysia, Almaty, Kazakhstan. We always had our lunch, dinner, Iftar together throughout the program. They were really kind to help us there. And also not to forget my journey to the capital city of Kazakhstan which is called Astana. I celebrated Eid with Ambassador of Malaysia in Kazakhstan and fellow Malaysian staff there. My journey to Astana was really tiring(18 hours of train from Almaty to Astana), and no air-conditioner in the train. Once we arrived, we were invited by one of the staff of Malaysian Embassy in Astana to "Rumah Malaysia"(Official Residence Of Ambassador of Malaysia). We were really excited and we felt really grateful because they treated us like families. I cant wait to meet my Kazakhstan friends for the next Exchange program to UITM Shah Alam.
I would like to convey my many thanks to Prof Dr Hjh Azlinah, Dean of Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics(FSKM), Dr. Mior Haris Director of Office of International Affairs(OIA) and their team for their assistance and also fellow Lecturers of Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics for supporting us since the first day we were accepted as an Exchange Student. Also, i would to thank our President, Aqwa Muslim Bin Mohtar and all of my friends for the advise given throughout the Program and also not to forget my parents."
Nadzmi
"Salem (салем). Alhamdulillah, I've arrived safely home. I am glad for the opportunity to join the exchange student program this year. It is my first time visiting other places outside of Malaysia and it has been the best experience for me this year.
This program deeply gave special impact to me personally. I have learned many things not just involving with the academic aspect, but also other kinds of things such as cultural, survival and life. From this program, I think the experience have opened my mind about various things that I need to consider in my life. One of it is my appreciation and love to my family and my country, Malaysia. I have learned that Malaysia is one of the best country that I have lived in not just because of the weather, but also because of the culture and it's uniqueness.
The experience that I have got from this program is unbelievable and I would like to thank the people who are involved in this program directly or indirectly, only Allah can repay your kindness. Special thanks to UiTM Shah Alam and IITU and their Office of International Affairs (OIA). My big appreciation also goes to Prof. Dr. Hajah Azlinah Hj. Mohamed, Deans of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Science, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nursuriati Jamil as both our program instructor and my supervisor for the Practical Training at IITU and to the lecturers that had involve themselves to make this program a success.
I would like to express my thanks also to Dr Nur Atiqah Sia @ Sia Sze Yieng as my Course Coordinator, my previous lecturers and all of the lecturers in the faculty. Without their support, I would not be able to stand at where I am today.
Furthermore, I also would like to express my gratitude to my friends that stays with me throughout the program.
Last but not least, I would like to give my special gratitude and thanks to both of my parents Mohamed Idzham Ismail and Sariza Mohd Jusoh and my family. They are one of the reason I am here today."
"Salam & Zrasvyute! Alhamdulillah safely home. I have a lot of wonderful experiences that I will never forget in my life while I was in Kazakhstan. Everything around me was so new, different, and interesting. I learned a lot while I was staying there; I learned about culture, traditions, learning style, style of life, just everything. I am so glad that I had the chance to do this, to get all this experiences and to improve myself.
I am very thankful to UiTM Shah Alam, OIA & IITU for providing such amazing opportunity. I would like to express my gratitude to: Prof. Dr. Hjh Azlinah Hj Mohamed (Dean of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Science), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haryani Haron, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nursuriati Jamil, Dr. Afdallyna Fathiyah Harun, Dr. Natrah Abdullah, lecturers and others who was involve directly or indirectly to make this possible.
I would like to express my appreciation to Miss Svetlana and IITU representatives, who was always very nice to us and helping us during our stay in Kazakhstan. I am very thankful to our lovely Malaysian family for their hospitality while we were there.
And thanks to all my dear friends from Kazakhstan for being friendly and nice to me. I am very happy that I've met you all and learned more about your countries. And my exchange students friends (kak suna, sher, didi, faz, mimi, tirah, wawa, kandai, nadzmi, arash, anuar, syabil), we became as a big family with whom I went through everything and had just a great times.
Last but not least, to my parents and family who have always help and supported me in everything!
Thank you everyone!😆😊"
Aqwa
Fazliana
"Previet Malayzii.. Glad to be at home after almost 4 months been in Kazakhstan. How can I describe the feeling of wonderful experience happened into my life. I never imagine that I got a chance to involve in this exchange program. Special thanks to International Information Technology University, Kazakhstan for the great experience and also big appreciation also goes to Office of International Affairs OIA and Faculty of science computer and Mathematic University Technology Mara (uitm) Shah Alam give opportunity to thirteen of us fly to Kazakhstan.
Wonderful experienced! That is the best word that can describe everything my journey in Khazakstan. Unforgettable memory, which is this program, definitely gave special impacts on me personally. Almost four months in Khazakstan has taught me a lot of gratefulness, new experiences, new friends, new environment that I cannot forget. Even though all of us are from same faculty, but we are in different courses. So, we start to get know each other since start joined this exchange program. Even though we just start to know each other, but we start to work together in a group since we are far away from Malaysia ( . We were just like sibling to take care and help each other. Also missing my new friends in Khazakstan, they were nice to us. Always ask us if any help needed. Literally, tears stream down my cheeks remembered all of you guys. I hope this friendship, will not stop here, it just started. spaciba, dosvidania 😜"
Syabil
"Assalamua’laikum and Drasvutiye’! Drasvutiye’ is actually a formal way to say ‘hello’ in Russian. My name is Muhammad Syabil Iqbal bin Mohamed Rashdan and I would like to share my experience as an exchange student at International Information Technology University (IITU), Almaty, Kazakhstan.
First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics, UiTM Shah Alam and OIA UiTM Shah ALam for giving me the chance to join this program which I believe has brought so much impact on me in order to become a better student.
To be honest, there’s a lot of things that I have learnt while studying in a foreign country. To study in a condition which you’re not used to is really not easy. Basically, I told myself to be two steps in front of the local students so that everything that I’m going to learn would be not too hard for me and I can pick up as soon as possible because I knew the way of teaching and learning in Kazakhstan is different compared to Malaysia. My teachers in IITU were really supportive and helpful as well. They know exactly how to handle international students. Some of them also have invited us to their house to enjoy some Kazakhstan’s traditional food. I’m not gonna lie that I’m missing all of them so much right now. I wish I can meet them again someday.
Besides studying, I also have made a lot of new international friends which came from a lot of different countries like Canada, Estonia, Germany, Netherlands, Turkey and Kazakhstan itself. I was so happy and proud to say that I’m a Malaysian. I’ve learnt that actually, there’s so many countries that are looking up to Malaysia right now. As an exchange student, we have to show our best attitude as we’re not just representing our university but also our country. My fellow Malaysian friends and I also had the opportunity to share the variety of food in Malaysia to the people in Kazakhstan. We also have done a few performances like Silat, Zapin and Pantun.
One of the most interesting part was I got the chance to play with the snow for the first time ever in my life!!! No doubts, the view in Almaty, Kazakhstan was awfully beautiful. The city is surrounded by mountains and is full of friendly citizens. Oh, I almost forgot!!! The food and drinks mostly are very cheap and they taste good too.
In a nutshell, I just want to say that I am so thankful to be given the chance to join this program. My special thanks to all the lecturers that have sacrificed their time and energy just to make sure everything went smooth and successful. Not to forget my beloved parents and my fellow friends. I really hope that I could get another chance like this in the future. Thank you so much everyone who has given everything just to make this program happens.
Lastly, I can’t wait to start the new semester and share my experience with my other friends. Till here, Dos Vidaniya!"
Sunariya
"As a mature student, I did not really have my hopes high to be selected in the Outbound Student Exchange Program To International Information Technology University (IITU) Kazakhstan. The 'young'uns' applying were all brilliant and more qualified than I am. But, FSKM UiTM really did gave a fair chance to everyone. And voilà! I did my third semester in Kazakhstan.
In the early days of selection, I always wondered why Allah chose me for this. Though there were so many obstacles along the way, those were group's challenges. And mostly were because our group is the first ever mobility group from FSKM to Kazakhstan. My own personal path going there was actually pretty breezy. Well, in time, I found the answer. Truly, the knowledge is only with Allah, and He alone will reveal it when the time comes. I will not say I succeed to all His challenges, but I did learn many things. About myself, my life, my education, the young'uns (never underestimate their life experiences!) and of course, Kazakhstan.
I could not begin to describe how much I owe this wonderful experiences to UiTM especially FSKM and OIA. I began as an ordinary worker just trying to further her study. And I expect ordinary student's life. Being involved in this program is making my ordinary life,.. extraordinary. And all thanks to the excellent education ecosystem that is part and parcel of UiTM."
Wan Athirah
“'Zdravstvuyte. Menya zovut Yah Aтиpax. Ya iz Malayzii. Ya lyublyu Kazakhstan.' It means, my name is Wan Athirah, I am from Malaysia and I love Kazakhstan. As the cliché goes, “it feels like only yesterday!” yet it is already 2 months ago! Oh, how I miss Russian class. I miss all my lecturers, I miss Kazakh friends, I miss going around Almaty. And I miss big Kazakhstan! Ehemm… for sure, I miss my great 12 members - aqwa, suna, sher, fadz, mimi, wawa, arash, anwar, syabil, kandai, nadzmi and didi which last time I see you are at KLIA – big hugs! I called this my 4 months journey – “An Unforgettable Memorable Experience in Kazakhstan”.
I’m glad and liked it very much that I was chosen for this programme, so I was forced to meet new people, new culture, new environment, new place and everything new for 4 months journey. And of course new thing to me is snow! My very first time ever to touch snow and I screamed loudly for this precious memory. The Malay proverb says, "Far travel, vast knowledge." And yes, the most important thing is my friends and I gain more valuable knowledge and experience.
I praise to Allah to be chosen to join this programme. I thank to UiTM and all of the beloved lecturers who involved pulling up this program and also my family for the uncounted supports. Thank you too to all I didn’t mention but involved in this successful and meaningful program. Your kindness is greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten. Thank you!"
Sernah
"Dreams come true! Recalled on the first day of arrival in Almaty Kazakhstan it was after experiencing eight hours of flight. The landing time was entertained with beautiful views of the mountains with white snow at its peak seen from the flight window. Excited is the feeling looking at a different world weather .Brown bark is the color of the flora at the time .The cold is the feel of the fresh air of Kazakhstan. Mixing races faces and helpful is the word for the Kazakhs people. Watching and touching the snow with my own hands in the middle of spring like welcoming our arrival of Malaysian students who came to study.
Day by day, brown leaves colored trees changes now turn to greenery again, the leaves look fresh again as they get a new breath. The Tulips flowers fill Gorgy Park. Then changing to colorful country! yeah its Spring Semester ! . Walking on colorful blooming flowers everywhere and every day is a roses day. Amazed and cheering up mood on the way to the spring semester classes.
Met new friendly faces, who treat and greet me in a different way ? Zdravstvuyte! . Enjoying learning new language , very lucky to have opportunity to practice russian language in real situation with the people around .New study environment and different culture , lifestyle thought me that there are much more things to explore in life. There must be another mysterious heap in another part of this earth. Here just a small piece of memories and experiences of the Exchange Student program University Technology Mara (UiTM) to International Information Technology University (IITU) MARCH 2017 to JULY 2017 Almaty Kazakhstan.
Deep gratitude to the Faculty of Computer Sciences and Mathematics (FSKM), University Technology Mara(UiTM) and OIA UiTM Shah Alam for the opportunity given to me to be a participant in the Exchange Student Program 2017. Thank you very much to FSKM academician and management for the best advice and cooperation throughout the preparation until the completion of the program and not forget to my family for the trust and motivation given to me Thank you UiTM for providing borderless educational platform."
Anuar
"Assalamualaikum, Salem, Privyet it’s been like 2 months or more since we leaving Kazakhstan. It was a really great country with all friendly people even the ‘Mr. Donerci & Kebab’ store always greet me. I felt my first snow in Kazakhstan, it was really freezing chilled to the bone but I enjoy the moment.
I have met many friendly, kind-hearted local people in Almaty. They feast us with local food such as ‘mantyr’, ‘kemes’, local yogurt, I’m sorry if I spelled it wrongly and my favourite ‘beshbarmak’ I really want to eat it in Malaysia. They also invite us having iftar together with their family and share stories about Kazakhstan culture and I’m really proud that I learned some new things in Almaty.
When it comes to learn, some of you find it boring but in IITU they made it to another level. In theory class it might the same as it is but in the end of the class they have games and sometimes the teachers share new reference page or web for students. While in lab and practical class, it completely different from theory class no books needed, just your laptop and certain software. I really feels like I’m studying with professional when I can try routing the real Cisco router and switch, made an iOS applications and webpage with database working.
I would like to thanks ‘Balshoy Spasiba’ for this once in a lifetime experience, I can study abroad and experienced new culture, new food and get to know new people from other country as well. Especially to Office of International Affairs (OIA) International Information Technology University, Almaty Kazakhstan for the wonderful experience and also my big appreciation goes to OIA, our advisors Associate Professor Dr. Nursuriati Jamil, Dr. Afdallyna Fathiyah Harun, Dr. Natrah Abdullah @ Dolah and Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam. I cannot have succeeded without all those support from my parents, lecturers and guides from all of my friends from Almaty. I’m so proud that I have good time in IITU Almaty."
Iskandar
"Hi! im iskandar (Искандар). I would like to express my deep gratitude to FSKM and OIA UiTM Shah Alam for giving me the chance to join this exchange student program at IITU, Almaty Kazakhstan. Not forget our UiTM and IITU lecturers that have sacrificed their time and energy just to make sure everything went well and successful.
Saleem!! This is how the local Kazakh people address others or sometimes they use Здравствуйте (Zdravstvuyte) in Russian. Most of them who live in the urban they speak more Russia than the Kazakh language. It’s a bit hard and awkward when I was surrounded by others who don’t speak the language that I can’t understand, the different of studies environment and the different cultures of lifestyle. But however, throughout the program, i manage to handles it thanks to my fellow friends and lecturers at Kazakhstan.
Thanks for the hospitality that you all give to me and all of the amazing memories which I will not ever forget.
Спасибо (Spasibo) @ Thank You"
Shazwa Rina
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All the praises and thanks be to Allah for gave me the chance to go for study abroad even just for 4 month, this such a big super incredible experience to get in life. On this opportunity, I would like to give my special thanks to : Prof. Dr. Hjh Azlinah Hj Mohamed (Dean of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Science), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haryani Haron, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nursuriati Jamil, Dr. Afdallyna Fathiyah Harun, Dr. Natrah Abdullah, and also my lovely course coordinator, Capt Dr Nur Atiqah Sia Abdullah for your guidance and invaluable support to me, and also for giving me this priceless chance. Lots of love and infinity thank you for you all ❤
I got a lot of new experiences there, and also learn new things that would not be learn in Malaysia such as how to appreciate our country and how to survive in overseas. The culture were really different from here, how they implement their religion and also the way they study quite different from us. There were too many things that make me want to stay there for the rest of my life. I already miss all my friends there :( But, Malaysia food still the best!
There main reasons why I want to go to other country was to know how they practice Islam, and Alhamdulillah, I meet a few friends that practice religion in their own way but still in the right way of Islam. They show me that, if you have your faith, people around were does not really big deals, it you yourself to choose right or wrong way. Just trust in Allah, then everything will be alright.
Even though I am the only one girl from bachelor student, it is not a big problem since the rest of them treat me like their sister and I really feel like we are already like a family. Study together, cooking together, travel together and many more things we did mostly all together. During this 4 month, I learn a lot of things from them since we all from different courses. Thanks a lot guys for the grateful moment. Ya lublyu moi zuerut :)
Sincerely,
wawarina
