Celia Recalls an Unexpectedly Rewarding Three Months in Malaysia

Building Bridges Beyond Borders (Malaysia), Projects 13 Apr 2024

After completing my psychology degree at the University of Edinburgh, I found myself at a crossroads. I craved adventure and new experiences, but I also wanted to make a meaningful impact. That’s when I stumbled upon Just Volunteers and their BBBB program. The prospect of traveling while contributing positively to others’ lives resonated deeply with me.

Having spent my formative years navigating life in a new country after moving from Spain at the age of 15, I’ve always thrived on embracing new cultures and environments. The idea of immersing myself in a community, particularly one involving children and young people, felt like a natural fit. What made the decision even easier was the enthusiasm of my best friend Daniel, who shared my passion for travel and volunteering. Together, we applied for the program, eager to embark on this adventure together.

Volunteering for three months, from September to December, proved to be an incredibly enriching experience. It taught me far more than I could have anticipated. One of the most significant lessons was in cultivating patience, creativity, and confidence. While I’ve always harbored a slight fear of speaking in front of crowds, teaching diverse groups of students, especially with language barriers, helped me hone my communication skills in ways I never imagined.

Building connections with the students was perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my volunteering journey. Witnessing their academic progress and personal growth filled me with immense pride. From celebrating Christmas together to participating in cultural ceremonies and events, I felt deeply welcomed into their community. One particularly memorable moment was during a graduation ceremony when the students surprised us by presenting traditional clothing from Myanmar for us to wear.

Teaching itself was initially daunting, especially given the limited resources available. However, as I settled into the role, I learned to be more creative and resourceful. Organizing the school’s library became a project that not only enhanced our teaching materials but also fostered a sense of ownership and organization within one of the schools.

Of course, adjusting to life in a new country, far from the familiar comforts of home, was not without its challenges. The first few days were overwhelming, and at times, I felt lost and uncertain of my role. But with time, patience, and the unwavering support of my best friend Daniel and the lovely students, I found my footing.

My advice to future volunteers is to embrace every opportunity to explore the country and its culture. From the pristine beaches of Langkawi to the bustling streets of Penang and the cultural melting pot of Singapore, each destination offered unique insights and experiences. And while the overnight bus rides may have been exhausting, they added an element of adventure to our travels.

Volunteering abroad was a transformative journey that allowed me to make a tangible difference while also undergoing profound personal growth. It’s an experience I will cherish forever, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.

Max Shares Some Personal Thoughts on his University Placement in Malaysia

I found myself lost during my placement year at the University of Bath. Originally, I took a year-long placement opportunity in London, but I really did not find what I was doing fulfilling or enjoyable. I ended up leaving only after three months. Pondering what to do next, I knew I wanted to do something […]

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Celia Recalls an Unexpectedly Rewarding Three Months in Malaysia

After completing my psychology degree at the University of Edinburgh, I found myself at a crossroads. I craved adventure and new experiences, but I also wanted to make a meaningful impact. That’s when I stumbled upon Just Volunteers and their BBBB program. The prospect of traveling while contributing positively to others’ lives resonated deeply with […]

read more

Ella recalls her time volunteering at Building Bridges Beyond Borders in the first half of 2023

I arrived in Kuala Lumpur just before the beginning of Chinese New Year. This meant two things: The first, I was introduced to the beautiful and whole-hearted celebrations of Malaysia. Malls were full of dramatic displays, glowing red lanterns adorned the streets, and fireworks lit the sky each evening. One of the schools I taught […]

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Rachel leaves Kuala Lumpur after completing her 6 months volunteering

Rachel sets off for a brief last trip in Southeast Asia before returning to the UK after 6 months as a Bath University Placement Student at the BBBB project. My name is Rachel and I study International Development with Economics at the University of Bath. I chose to do my placement in Malaysia as it […]

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Five years with Building Bridges Beyond Borders Miza contacted the programme when she was finishing her Masters at Edinburgh University and about to return to her native Malaysia. After being a volunteer herself, she completed her PhD and has now become an invaluable member of the BBBB management team! Here she remembers some key moments […]

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Rachel is Our First International Volunteer to Arrive in Malaysia for over 2 years!

For the past two years our projects in KL have been sustained by a number of hard working and dedicated Malaysian undergraduate volunteers working in person, as well as international volunteers working online. After two years we are delighted to be able to welcome international volunteers in person again! Rachel arrived at the beginning of […]

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During the pandemic we have had a wonderful group of international volunteers working with the children in Malaysia online

While the largest number of online volunteers have been placement students from the University of Bath, we have also been very lucky to have a dedicated group from the University of Durham volunteering a few hours a week online throughout the second half of this academic year. The experience of both sides has been very […]

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Harriet finishes one year of online volunteering as a Bath University placement student and expects to travel to Malaysia this summer to finally meet all the kids she already knows so well!

With Just Volunteers, I have been privileged to teach for three inspiring organisations in Malaysia: the Rumah Aman Orphanage and Welfare Home, the [Myanmar Refugee school supported by SID] and the YTL Foundation. Just Volunteers has been supportive and encouraging from the outset. As this is my first time ever teaching, having a strong network […]

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Building Bridges Beyond Borders (BBBB)

A collaboration between Soroptimist International Damansara  and Just Volunteers! Sponsored by YTL Foundation. MALAYSIA