Submitted by Navleen Kaur the 2024 Spring program in Singapore, Republic of Singapore…
This is my last weekend in Singapore, and I spent it wonderfully! I visited Kuala Lumpur with my friend, and we had an amazing time dipping our toes into a new culture. Upon landing in KL, my first impressions were that it is a hot, humid, and crowded city. Instead of relying on public transport, we relied on Grab. In the heat and humidity, Grab seemed to be the most convenient option for us. After we got through immigration and exited the airport, we took a Grab to Putra Masjid, also known as the Pink Mosque. This was a beautiful mosque located at the edge of the water. There were many tourists visiting this Mosque, especially Chinese tourists. I also saw some locals visiting the mosque. The locals generally came better prepared as they were dressed in the proper traditional attire which covered their entire body and head. My friend and I were able to borrow full length robes for free and cover our heads before entering the Mosque. Afterwards, we went mall hopping as it was too hot to continue venturing outside. The prices at the malls were much more affordable than the prices I had been seeing in Singapore and Hong Kong. I was able to complete a lot of my shopping for my family in KL! I was especially surprised by the price of books. In the US, books can range from $10-$30. However, in KL’s REXKL, most books were costing around $3 USD! I bought two books, dresses for my sister and cousin, and a top for my mom. FOr myself, I bought the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+. In KL, this sunscreen was about $4 USD while it is sold at about $15 USD in Singapore! I am so happy I stocked up there! My friends were advising me to stock up on any skin care or hair care products in Malaysia because the prices are so affordable. This even carries through over to the food. None of the meals I had exceeded $2.91 USD! The portion sizes of the food were very good and the quality was top-notch. While there were not many vegetarian options in the food courts of the malls we frequented, I was always able to find at least one stall that offered nutritious and a balanced plate. My friend and I did climb the Batu Caves, see the Petronas Twin Towers, wander around the Central Market, and check out the more local spots. Mostly, we stayed in the malls because we wanted to take advantage of the AC and low prices! My study abroad program is wrapping up and I am so grateful that I was able to have such a cultured and vibrant experience. (Submitted on May 1,2024)