Cold Deepavali for M’sian students
But hospitality of Chinese hosts warms the hearts of programme participants
BEIJING: There is much warmth from his Chinese hosts here but this year’s Festival of Lights is the coldest ever for S. Divagaar.
“I love the people here, the city and the culture but the weather is killing me,” said the UKM undergraduate, who wore four layers of clothing.
It’s early days of winter but the temperature has already dipped to a single digit.
“This place is super cold. I have to wear three layers of clothes plus a down jacket to keep my body warm,” said the 21-year-old final year material science student.
Divagaar is among 36 Malaysian undergraduates who are here for a one-week Youth Exchange Programme.
The programme is jointly organised by the Malaysia-China Friendship Association and Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
The participants from 13 higher learning institutions in Malaysia visited, among others, the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
Besides taking part in cultural activities, they were also briefed on Malaysia-China relations.
Despite the chilly weather, Divagaar said that he would remember this Deepavali his whole life.
“I respect the friendly hospitality that the Chinese people have given me,” he said.
Sunway University student Ng Yu Xuan, who is undergoing an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants programme, said his first impression about this metropolitan was the large number of banks on the streets.
“This is beyond my expectation and it reflects that the financial management of China is very good,” said Ng, 22, adding that he enjoyed his visit to the science and technology park.
Siti Nur Farhanah Mohd Noor, who completed her primary education at SJK (C) Lee Rubber in Kuala Lumpur, was impressed with efforts to preserve China’s history and historical sites.
“I read about the Forbidden City. I knew it is big but I did not expect it to be so huge.
“The architecture is marvellous,” said the information management student from Universiti Teknologi Mara.
The students, in expressing their gratitude to the local hosts, presented several performances, including a traditional dance and dikir barat at a symposium before returning home yesterday.