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From Malaysia to Japan: Chasing Dreams from the East to the West and Back
“Being a mother is a wonderful journey for me”, shares Mida, a full-time stay-at-home Malaysian mum based in Missouri, USA. This Penangite lived many different lives before finding her way halfway across the world five years ago, where she started a family. Quite the globetrotter, Mida is well-travelled, having been to 25 countries during her youth. She was also a career woman in the IT industry who was driven, ambitious and committed but also had personal goals that kept her grounded. “I paid off my car loan, my student loans, so I’m happy with what I was doing back then” she shares. After years of chasing her dreams in corporate, it came to a breaking point when she experienced burnout. Not long after that, Mida left her job, got married to her American husband and uprooted her life in Malaysia to embark on a new adventure on the other side of the world. The roller coaster of motherhood It was during the pandemic when she welcomed her firstborn, “He was an easy baby until now”, she said. While admittedly rewarding, this journey came with a multitude of challenges that Mida could not have anticipated. Two years later, she was blessed with another son who, not long after his birth, was diagnosed with a health condition. Two months of sleepless nights and unending anxiety caring for her son through medical procedures took a toll on her health. “It’s a very tough journey for me because since the second one was born, I think I’ve been through like a depression phase”, she recalls. During a health check-up, her doctor noticed some early signs of postpartum depression. It was a wake-up call for realising that she needed to make changes before the situation escalated further. Lifestyle and mindset changes made a world of difference. She was committed to putting herself first and finding time to practice self-care. Mida found solitude in having morning walks and working out at her home mini gym. Having a support system When asked how she kept her spirits high through challenging times despite being away from family, her immediate response was, “Thank you for asking me this question, I feel like someone heard me”. “I usually video call with my mum; she’s old now, and my dad has passed”, she added. She also stays connected with friends back home through WhatsApp groups. Mida mentioned that, at times, she used to wish she was back home during her confinement days. After giving birth, Mida tried to follow the traditional Malay postnatal care on her own. The traditional confinement practices tend to be elaborate, so she improvised and tailored them to make them more manageable. “My husband mana la reti masak sup ayam melayu or ikan goreng Melayu” she laughs. Early on in her move to the States, she joined different Malaysian groups on Facebook. However, due to her circumstances, she did not have the chance to foster a close bond with them. As a one-stop platform for all Malaysians abroad, MyHeart hopes to help Malaysians like Mida to connect with Malaysians alike. Whether a working professional or a homemaker like Mida, MyHeart welcomes you, providing a space for individuals from all walks of life to come together, engage and build meaningful connections. In Foreign Parts Mida started blogging when she moved to the States, with the intention of sharing her travel adventures, passion for fashion, and inspire her readers. Some of her blog entries were written in Malay as she wanted to ensure her mum, who does not understand English, could read her stories. Many may be able to relate, but there’s nothing quite like expressing your feelings in your mother tongue language. “I want to rant or write in Malay too sometimes. It’s just more expressive”. She adds that she also speaks Malay to her kids, emphasising the importance of them learning it alongside English. There was a time when she created content on YouTube, which served as a way for her to channel her creativity. If time permits, she plans to start vlogging in the future. Moving forward, Mida is keen to see Malaysian content creators on MyHeart share their craft and speak about their tips and tricks in making videos. If you’re a Malaysian content creator living abroad, sign up to MyHeart and explore collaboration opportunities on MyHeart
![](https://myheart.my/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Henry-Lee_1-e1711337761759.png)
From Malaysia to Canada: Henry Lee’s Love for His Home Country
After over 40 years of residing in Toronto, Henry Lee’s passion for promoting Malaysia is still as alive as ever. In our conversation with the Honorary Consul and Chairman of the Malaysian Association of Canada (MAC), he shares some insight on the importance of promoting good relations between countries and nurturing relationships amongst the local communities of Malaysians living abroad. Henry has been involved with the MAC since its conception in 2001. The organisation aims to bring Malaysians residing in Canada and Canadians together through educational, social, cultural and economic activities, promote the interests of its members and foster Malaysian-Canadian understanding and cooperation. The MAC also acts as a voice for Malaysians residing in Canada with its ties to the Police Department of Toronto and the Canadian federal, provincial and city governments. As an Honorary Consul, Henry promotes business opportunities and the Malaysian image in Canada by encouraging friendship and good relations between Malaysia and Canada. He also supports the Malaysian community in Canada by helping with tasks such as renewing their passports and any other aid that they may need. The power of building good relationships The relationships between Malaysia and other countries can affect business opportunities and Malaysia’s economy. As Henry mentions, with Malaysia recently signing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), free trade between Canada and Malaysia will be made easier as 95% of tariffs between the countries will be reduced. He states, that with the removal of tariffs, there will be great opportunities for Canadian businesses to set up operations in Malaysia. Malaysia as a standout business partner Most Malaysians speak English well, making it easier to communicate internationally. Additionally, we adapt to different cultures quickly as we live in a multicultural society from a young age. Malaysia also shares similar law systems to Canada, having both been ruled by Britain at some point in their history. All these similarities make it easier to form good relations and in Malaysia’s case, makes the country an easy choice for international relations as both the country and the people are very adaptable to other cultures and economies. Henry has certainly done a great job in his role as an Honorary Consul and Chairman to make the Malaysian presence known in Canada over the years. Having done so much for the Malaysian economy from over 12,000 kilometres away, his story is a prime example of how the diaspora can contribute back to their country directly and in a meaningful way even whilst living abroad. This begs the question of what regular Malaysians living abroad can do to support their nation from wherever they are. To quote Henry: “The Malaysian diaspora are the best ambassadors for Malaysia.” Malaysians living abroad can promote the image of their home country by keeping up-to-date with local news and events and continuing to spread the word about Malaysian culture. They can also make an effort to gather Malaysians in their communities, keeping Malaysians abroad connected to their roots and aiding to ease the feeling of homesickness. This is the essence of what the Malaysia @ Heart or MyHeart platform aims to achieve. MyHeart strives to help Malaysians abroad find and connect with other Malaysians in their areas to form their local Malaysian communities. Not only can you find Malaysians in your area, but you can also connect with Malaysians from many different countries worldwide and organisations such as the MAC near you. As we talk to Henry, Toronto is in the middle of another cold winter season. And though he has settled down in Canada, he states that he will always be a Malaysian at heart. He expresses longing and fondness for Malaysia’s overall ‘warmth’, from the weather to the people and their smiles. If you are a Malaysian Association abroad, head over to MyHeart to register your association and be part of a large global Malaysian network. More MyHeart Stories
![](https://myheart.my/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2-e1708673358826.jpg)
From Malaysia to the UK: Pursuing Higher Dreams in Nutrition Sciences
For Nur Najiah Zaidani Kamarunzaman, pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nutrition Sciences at King’s College London was a dream come true. After completing her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan and her master’s degree in Sports Sciences at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Kelantan, going abroad under the Graduate Excellence Programme (GrEP) by MARA provided her with the opportunity to further explore her interests in the areas of nutrition and exercise. Najiah has always been interested in exploring ways to encourage people to stay healthy by combining nutrition and exercise. Her research examines how nutrition can affect one’s mental health, where she is specifically researching how cranberry juice can reduce one’s stress and improve one’s mood. Pushing the boundaries beyond your comfort zone Najiah’s biggest advice to anyone considering furthering their studies abroad, especially to pursue a PhD, is to be open to new knowledge. “You may come into a programme with your own set of skills and experience. But remember that everyone in your cohort has their own unique set of knowledge and experience to share. You may need to clear out some space so you can take in new knowledge and learning, rather than sticking with your own experiences.” As a PhD student, having a good relationship with her supervisor is key to getting through the challenges. “Even if you are not confident in trying out something new, just go ahead and try. Your supervisor will be there to support you.” For Najiah, the biggest challenge for her during her PhD journey is the immense focus on lab and hands-on work. During her undergraduate years, it was very heavy on practical hospital work, where she worked with patients on their dietary needs. Transitioning from the social aspect of dietetics into the lab-based nutrition sciences posed a steep learning curve for Najiah, but she is grateful for her supervisor’s support, guidance and encouragement, as well as the support from her PhD team. “When you’re stuck during your study, always ask for help from your friends!” PhD – Passionate & Highly Dedicated The biggest difference between doing your undergraduate and master’s as compared to a PhD is that your PhD is very much dependent on your supervisor rather than the university or the course itself. “The first thing that you choose is your supervisor – you want to be really particular with who you work with,” Najiah advised. She herself researched hundreds of potential supervisors, looking at their research profiles and interests before sending out cold emails. On top of being a dedicated PhD candidate, Najiah is also taking the opportunity to explore life outside of academia. This includes travelling across various cities and towns within the UK, as well as other European countries. As an outdoorsy person, Najiah enjoys visiting places with magnificent natural landscapes and views and finds Switzerland as one of the most beautiful places to visit. She also plans to go hiking up in Lake District later in the summer to explore the beautiful countryside with her friends. Connecting with Malaysian postgraduates and professionals Being far away from the country does not stop her from connecting with people. Forming new friend groups and getting to know more people is a beautiful experience. It happened when one of her friends invited her to be a part of the Malaysian Association of Postgraduates and Professionals (MAPP). “Through MAPP, I can connect with Malaysians in London, build my self-confidence, learn how to become a leader and leave a long-lasting impact on society”. MAPP provides a channel for Malaysian postgraduates, researchers, academics and professionals in the UK and Ireland to network and connect with one another. For Najiah, MAPP is more than just an avenue to network and develop professionally, but it also provides the opportunity to connect and learn from one another on a variety of topics. As the Head of Activities, she works with a small team to plan various activities for the members. This ranges from informal gatherings and interactive dialogues with panel speakers, to Malaysian Sports Day, as well as sharing sessions with field experts. “MAPP has also grown a lot! We are not just in London, but we have branches in Manchester, Sheffield and other cities,” Najiah added. Aside from being an active MAPP member, Najiah is also a member of the Nutrition Society; a diverse collaborative and research community within the field of Nutrition in the UK. Through her involvement as a representative in a Special Interest Group (SIG), she has the opportunity to meet and network with subject matter experts in the Nutrition field. This widened her perspectives in the field and allowed her to exchange knowledge and research ideas with industry leaders. “Don’t stick to just one person or a group of people. At the end of your course/term, you might have friends from many places around the world whom you can visit in the future!” She is keen on leveraging on the platform to initiate collaboration with other Malaysian associations and like-minded professionals. Are you a Malaysian abroad who’s interested in collaborating with Najiah or MAPP? Head over to MyHeart to register and get the conversation going! More MyHeart Stories
TalentCorp Events
SEPTEMBER
2023
Semester Break Programme Cycle 2/2023
September
Semester Break Programme (SBP) is a platform for Malaysian undergraduate students on semester break to gain career-related insights through a series of tailored sharing sessions with industry leaders and key influencers.
SEPTEMBER
2023
REP Networking Session with Employers
September
Online
REP Networking Session with Employers is an exclusive session for recentlyapproved REP applicants to network with employers to get information about the outlook of specific industries in Malaysia. It allows potential returnees to gain knowledge on an industry in Malaysia that may or may not be the area of expertise.
26
MARCH 2024
Social Value Malaysia Webinar: Building a Better Malaysia – Social Value Drives Impactful Investments
26 March 2024
1.00pm – 2.00pm (GMT+8)
Online
The event, hosted by Social Value Malaysia and Malaysia Impact Alliance, aims to impart a profound understanding of the principles of social value, including its mission and vision. It also provides an opportunity to delve into how social value can significantly influence Malaysia’s impact investment landscape. Don’t miss out!
2
MARCH 2024
Chinese New Year Celebration in Tokyo 2024
2 March 2024
2.00pm – 4.30pm (GMT+9)
Embassy of Malaysia, Tokyo, Japan
Organised by the Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo, this event brings Malaysians together to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event will feature Malaysian cuisine, a warm atmosphere and cultural performances like Lion dance. The event signifies unity and joy, fostering connections among Malaysians in Japan. RSVP by 29 February to secure your spot.
14
September 2023
Salam Dari Malaysia @ Brunei
14 September 2023
7.30pm-9.30pm
Rizqun International Hotel, Bandar Seri Bengawan, Brunei
This networking event offers Malaysians in Brunei a valuable opportunity to connect and foster relationships among Malaysian professionals, students and business owners. During this networking session, participants will also be introduced to the new MyHeart Portal, which serves as a bridge connecting Malaysians living abroad.
16
September 2023
Salam Dari Malaysia @ Indonesia
16 September 2023
1.30pm-3.30pm
Js Luwansa Hotel and Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia
This networking event provides Malaysians residing in Jakarta, Indonesia a valuable chance to connect and establish connection with Malaysian professionals, students and business owners. Attendees will gain insights into the new MyHeart Portal and how to contribute their expertise towards Malaysia’s rapid development.
16 – 25
OCTOBER 2023
MyHeart Career & Facilitation Fest (MyHeart CaFe)
16 – 25 October 2023
Online
MyHeart CaFe offers Malaysian professionals and students abroad networking opportunities with hiring companies in Malaysia. They can meet and connect with companies through Virtual Career Fair and Pitching & Networking Sessions with Employers.
30
October 2023
Salam Dari Malaysia @ Beijing
30 October 2023
6.30pm – 8.30pm
China World Hotel, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
In this networking session, Malaysians in Beijing will get to network and establish connections with Malaysian professionals, students and business owners. Additionally, participants will be acquainted with the MyHeart Portal, a new platform that connects Malaysians living overseas.
1
November 2023
Salam Dari Malaysia @ Shanghai
1 November 2023
6.30pm – 8.30pm
Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
This networking session offers Malaysians in Shanghai a valuable opportunity to connect and foster relationships among Malaysian professionals, students and business owners. During this networking session, participants will also be introduced to the new MyHeart Portal, which serves as a bridge connecting Malaysians living abroad.
3
November 2023
Salam Dari Malaysia @ Taiwan
3 November 2023
7.00pm – 9.00pm
Humble House Hotel, Taipei, People’s Republic of China
In this networking session, Malaysians in Taipei will get to network and establish connections with Malaysian professionals, students and business owners. Additionally, participants will become acquainted with the MyHeart Portal, a new platform that connects Malaysians living overseas.
3
November 2023
Salam Dari Malaysia @ Guangzhou
3 November 2023
6.30pm – 8.30pm
Grand Hyatt Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
This networking session will provide Malaysians in Guangzhou with a valuable opportunity to connect and cultivate relationships among Malaysian professionals, students and business owners. Throughout the event, attendees will also be introduced to the new MyHeart Portal, a platform that connects Malaysians residing abroad.
3 – 5
November 2023
Malaysia Fair 2023 Tokyo
3 – 5 November 2023
10.00am – 6.00pm
Shinjuku Central Park, Tokyo, Japan
Organised by the Embassy of Malaysia, Tokyo, this is Japan’s largest event that brings together everything about Malaysia. With the theme of “All About Malaysia”, it offers an opportunity to “see, touch, and eat” the best of Malaysia — from folk dances and music, Malaysian gourmet cuisine, tropical fruits, to immersive cultural experiences. TalentCorp will participate as an exhibitor to connect with Malaysians in Japan and to introduce the new MyHeart platform.
COMING
SOON
Stay tuned for upcoming events
Keep an eye on this page for exciting announcements and details about forthcoming events.
5
November 2023
Salam Dari Malaysia @ Hong Kong
5 November 2023
12.00pm – 2.00pm
Hotel Jen Hong Kong by Shangri-La, Hong Kong SAR
This networking session offers Malaysians in Hong Kong a valuable opportunity to connect and foster relationships among Malaysian professionals, students and business owners. During this networking session, participants will also be introduced to the new MyHeart Portal, which serves as a bridge connecting Malaysians living abroad.
5
November 2023
Salam Dari Malaysia @ Hong Kong
5 November 2023
12.00pm – 2.00pm
Hotel Jen Hong Kong by Shangri-La, Hong Kong SAR
This networking session offers Malaysians in Hong Kong a valuable opportunity to connect and foster relationships among Malaysian professionals, students and business owners. During this networking session, participants will also be introduced to the new MyHeart Portal, which serves as a bridge connecting Malaysians living abroad.
03
NOVEMBER 2023
Women Empowerment Month Empowering Women Through Self-Leadership and Book Sharing Session “Lead to Inspire” by Dr. Yasmin Raja
03 November 2023
9am – 11am
Hybrid Sofitel Hotel Damansara & Online
With this year’s IWD theme #EmbraceEquity, TalentCorp aspires to drive more meaningful change
towards advancing awareness and enabling the creation of fair and equitable workforce
where everyone can strive and thrive equally. The recurring themes of addressing discrimination
and biases based on gender, as well as eliminating stereotypes are critical aspects towards
ensuring that we achieve diversity and inclusion. This is part of our continued commitment to
empower and nurture women talent towards greater Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in
Malaysia’s workforce.
Throughout the month, a line-up of events has been arranged with the objective to enhance awareness among women and general public about gender equality, and a call-to-action for each party to assume greater roles in achieving equality, collectively.
November
2023
TalentCorp-MARA Virtual Career Fair
November
Online
A collaboration initiative with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), the virtual career fair is to provide a platform for MARA students to network and connect with hiring companies for employment opportunities in Malaysia.
November
2023
REP Incentive Briefing
November
Online
Briefing session by representatives from Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia, Immigration Department of Malaysia, and TalentCorp on Returning Expert Programme incentives (Car, Tax, Permanent Resident, General REP)
November
2023
MGSS Virtual Career Fair
November
Online
A career fair organised by Malaysian-German Students’ Society that provides platform for Malaysian students in Germany and other part of Europe to connect with hiring companies in Malaysia.
18 July –
18 AUGUST
2023
Semester Break Programme Cycle 2/2023
18 July-18 August 2023
TBC
A thoughtfully crafted awareness initiative for Malaysian students returning from abroad during their semester break. Through customized sessions such as Corporate Leader Sessions, Industry Insights, and Field Trips, students will gain valuable insights from industry leaders to shape their career pathways.
19
August 2023
Summit 2023: Understanding Malaysia
13 August 2023
TBC
The annual flagship program held by the Malaysian Students’ Global Alliance to gather young Malaysians student leaders for an intellectual discourse on issues faced by Malaysians.
18 – 25
November 2023
Malaysian-Germany Virtual Career Fair (MGVCF)
18 – 25 November 2023
Online
The Malaysian Germany Virtual Career Fair (MGVCF) is an exclusive event organised for Malaysian students in Germany and the neighbouring countries. The primary goal of this career fair is to bridge the gap between Malaysian students and Malaysian-based employers, offering both full-time and internship opportunities. The event also includes career workshops and networking sessions, fostering valuable interactions between students and employers, all through virtual platform for convenient participation.
27
Nov
2023
–
8
Dec
2023
TalentCorp – MARA Virtual Career Fair 2023
27 November – 8 December 2023
Online
The collaborative virtual career fair, organised by MARA and TalentCorp, will connect MARA scholars with numerous employment and internship opportunities. This event focuses on sharing crucial insights, sharpening essential skills and enhancing knowledge. With its comprehensive approach, the event aims to equip participants with the tools they need to succeed in their future careers, promoting growth and development.
27
Nov
2023
–
8
Dec
2023
TalentCorp – MARA Virtual Career Fair 2023
27 November – 8 December 2023
Online
The collaborative virtual career fair, organised by MARA and TalentCorp, will connect MARA scholars with numerous employment and internship opportunities. This event focuses on sharing crucial insights, sharpening essential skills and enhancing knowledge. With its comprehensive approach, the event aims to equip participants with the tools they need to succeed in their future careers, promoting growth and development.
COMING
SOON
Stay tuned for upcoming events
Keep an eye on this page for exciting announcements and details about forthcoming events.
8
MARCH 2024
1965: LSE Malaysian Night
8 March 2024
7pm – 9pm (GMT)
Conway Hall, London, United Kingdom
A celebration of Malaysia through music, dance and theatre. In the midst of the Osakans’ torture and The Duke’s control over the town of Kampung Lumpur, Mal, the steadfast leader of his community, is determined to free his people. A similar struggle unfolds in Kampung Sentosa, where Ah Sin wishes to liberate her kampung from foreign control. The two leaders come to a mutual understanding, for the love of their people. Yet amidst a blossoming relationship and cooperation, a storm brews as love and power entangle.
17
MARCH 2024
Colours of Malaysia 2024: Beradu di Loka Khayalan
17 March 2024
7.45 pm – 10pm (UTC+01:00)
The Pleasance Theatre, United Kingdom
Colours of Malaysia, also known as COM, came about with the intention of celebrating Malaysia’s culture through an evening filled with performances and uniting the community of Malaysians. Students and the general public from all over Edinburgh come together on this very day to immerse themselves in the cultural performances and make new memories and friends with the people around them. The main event of Colours of Malaysia is a play that highlights Malaysian culture, with this year’s play being titled Beradu di Loka Khayalan.
SEPTEMBER
2023
Semester Break Programme Cycle 2/2023
September
Semester Break Programme (SBP) is a platform for Malaysian undergraduate students on semester break to gain career-related insights through a series of tailored sharing sessions with industry leaders and key influencers.
SEPTEMBER
2023
REP Networking Session with Employers
September
Online
REP Networking Session with Employers is an exclusive session for recentlyapproved REP applicants to network with employers to get information about the outlook of specific industries in Malaysia. It allows potential returnees to gain knowledge on an industry in Malaysia that may or may not be the area of expertise.
OcTOBER
2023
MyHeart Career & Facilitation Fest (MyHeart CaFe)
October
Online
It is a career event packed with activities such as a Virtual Career Fair, networking with employers and recruiters, engagement sessions with schools, and information sharing on Returning Expert Programme incentives.
03
NOVEMBER 2023
Women Empowerment Month Empowering Women Through Self-Leadership and Book Sharing Session “Lead to Inspire” by Dr. Yasmin Raja
03 November 2023
9am – 11am
Hybrid Sofitel Hotel Damansara & Online
With this year’s IWD theme #EmbraceEquity, TalentCorp aspires to drive more meaningful change
towards advancing awareness and enabling the creation of fair and equitable workforce
where everyone can strive and thrive equally. The recurring themes of addressing discrimination
and biases based on gender, as well as eliminating stereotypes are critical aspects towards
ensuring that we achieve diversity and inclusion. This is part of our continued commitment to
empower and nurture women talent towards greater Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in
Malaysia’s workforce.
Throughout the month, a line-up of events has been arranged with the objective to enhance awareness among women and general public about gender equality, and a call-to-action for each party to assume greater roles in achieving equality, collectively.
November
2023
TalentCorp-MARA Virtual Career Fair
November
Online
A collaboration initiative with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), the virtual career fair is to provide a platform for MARA students to network and connect with hiring companies for employment opportunities in Malaysia.
November
2023
REP Incentive Briefing
November
Online
Briefing session by representatives from Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia, Immigration Department of Malaysia, and TalentCorp on Returning Expert Programme incentives (Car, Tax, Permanent Resident, General REP)
November
2023
MGSS Virtual Career Fair
November
Online
A career fair organised by Malaysian-German Students’ Society that provides platform for Malaysian students in Germany and other part of Europe to connect with hiring companies in Malaysia.