Zalya Abdul Rashid’s career in civil engineering has been as dynamic and structured as the infrastructures she helps create. Born in Kelantan, Malaysia, Zalya’s academic journey in civil engineering began at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), driving her into a world of complex projects and international opportunities. “I started as a project engineer in a Chinese company in Malaysia, handling significant projects like the Genting Highlands and Rapid Pengerang under Petronas,” she recalls.
The Leap Overseas
Her career first took her overseas to Brunei, enhancing local development as a project engineer from 2011 to 2014. Upon her return to Malaysia, she was promoted to senior project engineer and began focusing on project management, taking on increased responsibilities. However, her shift to transportation infrastructure marked a pivotal turn in her career.
Recognising the need to diversify her skills, Zalya explains, “That led me to transition from building and services to focusing on transportation, managing projects like Kuala Lumpur’s LRT and MRT.” In her pursuit to advance her career, she eagerly accepted the challenge of becoming the planning manager for a new line of the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project in Taiwan. She has been in this role for over a year, and the project is expected to continue for a decade.
“It was both an opportunity and a challenge, stepping into such a pivotal role in an unfamiliar environment,” she says. Motivated by financial reasons and wanting to diversify her career, Zalya was excited about the move.
Having recently completed her master’s degree in project management and currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sustainability Management online, Zalya is not just advancing her career but also her academic pursuits. “I came here alone, and while I faced challenges such as language, I am gradually adapting,” she shares, adding that there was a mix of excitement and apprehension at the beginning of her Taiwanese adventure in November of 2022.
Life Beyond Work
Life in Taipei offers a work-life balance that Zalya finds refreshing. “After six, I’m free to enjoy my time. On weekends, I enjoy hiking, jogging, cooking with fellow Malaysians, and exploring Taiwan’s lush landscapes together,” she says, highlighting the camaraderie and support among the Malaysian community in Taiwan.
Despite the challenges of finding halal food, the availability of vegetarian options makes it easier, reflecting the country’s significant Buddhist population. Her adaptation to the new environment includes tackling the language barrier.
“Although I took language classes in Malaysia, adapting to Taiwan’s traditional Chinese characters remains challenging, and I often use a translator during client meetings. It’s challenging, but I’m still learning,” she explains.
Cultural Adaptation
While Taiwan may look modern and technologically advanced, Zalya found some aspects surprisingly traditional, particularly in banking and documentation. “Even for a simple bank application or loan, the amount of paperwork required is quite surprising compared to Malaysia’s more cashless system,” she notes.
Zalya encountered challenges such as language and cultural disparities but found solace and joy in the bonds she established. In the future, she is excited about joining a language exchange café, where she can learn and socialise simultaneously. “I found a cafe that offers language learning sessions where you can learn languages like French or Chinese while enjoying coffee,” she shares.
She believes the initiative will help her improve her language skills and facilitate cultural exchanges in a relaxed, informal setting. “It’s a brilliant way to immerse myself in the local culture and meet new people,” Zalya adds.
Nurturing Connections Back Home
Though she is oceans apart, Zalya maintains a strong connection to Malaysia by frequently making trips back to the country she calls home. This allows her to manage her PhD studies and stay close to her family and friends. “Every three months, I go back to Malaysia. It doesn’t even feel like I’m working abroad because I’m there so often,” she laughs.
Each trip back to Malaysia is eagerly anticipated, not just for academic purposes but also for the precious moments she spends with her family and reconnecting with friends. “The gathering with family is the most important thing I look forward to. Also, I catch up with friends I didn’t keep in touch with while in Malaysia,” Zalya shares. She also takes this time to enjoy local cuisine, especially dishes from her hometown in Kelantan, like nasi kerabu, which she misses dearly while abroad.
Embracing the MyHeart Initiative
When asked about MyHeart, she explains how the initiative is vital in helping people like herself maintain close relationships with Malaysia while overseas. She discovered the initiative through a podcast and recognised its potential to help Malaysian expatriates stay connected.
“The effort will take time, but I believe it is something Malaysians abroad can benefit from,” she says, adding that more awareness and participation among Malaysians abroad are needed.
Zalya is determined to utilise the skills and ideas she gained in Taiwan to benefit Malaysia, particularly in public transportation. “With the knowledge and experience gained in my host country, I am confident in my ability to contribute further to Malaysia,” she concludes.
Like many Malaysians abroad, Zalya tries to stay connected to home as much as she can via MyHeart. If you haven’t already, sign up to MyHeart to find fellow Malaysians in your area and get connected.
