STUDYING in a new place means embarking on a new adventure.

I was 19 when I chose to leave my home state, Sabah, to study in Sarawak. I was fascinated by its diverse cultures and wanted to experience them for myself.

I was also ready to take on a new journey – and what an eye-opener it has been! Two years have passed, and I am still having tons of fun.

At first, I struggled a bit with the food and the language barrier – most locals speak Sarawak Malay.

While the Sabah cuisine I grew up eating is saltier, the food here tends to be on the sweeter side. But over time, I grew to love the flavours – especially Sarawak Laksa!

A truly unique Sarawakian dish, Sarawak Laksa consists of rice vermicelli in a fragrant soup, topped with julienned omelette, tender chicken slices, bean sprouts and juicy prawns. It’s rich in flavour and absolutely delicious.

I learn something new every day. One of my most memorable experiences was learning how to make a traditional Bidayuh bead necklace known as “pangiah”.

It is a brightly coloured strand of beads, sewn or knotted together with nylon strings or thin wire strips. It is an important accessory for Bidayuh women, worn at official ceremonies, cultural banquets, and even in daily life.

As for festivals, my favourite is Gawai Dayak because it reminds me of Kaamatan in Sabah. These two festivals are different yet similar.

Gawai Dayak is a thanksgiving celebration that expresses gratitude for a bountiful harvest and fosters unity within the community. The Dayak people of Sarawak – including the Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit and Murut – celebrate this annual festival, with the main festivities traditionally beginning on the evening of May 31.

Meanwhile, Kaamatan is a harvest festival observed mostly by the Kadazan-Dusun, Sabah’s largest indigenous group, throughout May.

Though both festivals share the theme of harvest, they have distinct histories and cultural practices. One thing remains the same, however – during these celebrations, the atmosphere is incredibly lively.

I once joined my friends for “ngabang”, the tradition of visiting open houses during Gawai Dayak. I visited 10 houses and realised that this practice helps maintain close ties within the community, since many no longer live in traditional longhouses.

What if you suddenly feel homesick while studying in a new place? That’s a common challenge when you’re far from home. My biggest tip is to find your people – make friends!

Once you’re comfortable with your friends, the new place won’t feel so unfamiliar. Also, try to find something you like about your new surroundings. If you appreciate something about the place, it will gradually feel familiar, and eventually, it may even start to feel like home.

For example, I have come to love the food so much that I actually miss Sarawak Laksa when I return to Sabah during semester breaks.

As for language barriers, making friends with locals will help you overcome them. Don’t worry – you’ll pick up the way they speak in no time! That’s why building friendships is so important.

If you’re planning to study in a new place, be prepared for an adventure – embracing new cultures, trying new foods and making new friends!

Fiona, 22, a student in Sarawak, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by

The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team.

For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.