Penang International Dental College review- Month 1, day 2:The Start

So I received a call from Mr Fauzi, the assistant manager to inform me that I managed to get an offer for this coming Penang International Dental College October 2015 intake, which was unprecedented, as i initially applied for the 2016 March intake.

I only had 3 weeks to pack everything, and with a heavy heart, separate from my friends, to embark on a new journey in life.

After obtaining my Non Objection Letter, and proceeded with my Indian Visa application ( takes 8 working days to be completed), I boarded a 3 hour flight to Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.

Upon reaching the airport, we were asked to fill in the embarkation form. Standard procedure to be done as you enter a foreign country. After passing the immigration, we proceeded to VMU by a bus (those tour bus kind with a/c) which took a whole 4 hours, because there are no highways in India. We had to pay RM200 for the bus ride. They are very helpful in which they would help you with your luggage, so you wouldnt need to go through so much hassle of unloading your heavy 20kg luggages.

Tiruchirapalli airport upon arrival, and my friend Kavitha

Upon arrival at VMU ( it was around 10pm, msia time 7.30pm), your luggages would be transported to your dorm. Our dorm is segregated between the female dorm and male dorm, each being under the care of the warden. Yes they speak english, but a little unclear, nevertheless they're very kind and helpful. The surrounding of VMU would actually surprise you, so please keep an open mind upon arrival. The terrain is sandy, rocky and dry, and wild grasses growing literally EVERYWHERE, so prepare yourself some good durable sturdy shoes. My initial reaction to my surrounding was, 'so this is it? this is what ill be going through for the next 2 years? can i take it?' As we reached our dorm, the warden would assign us our roommate, in my case, i agreed to be a seniors roommate. 

my study table and bed (my own bedsheet), and the cozy cooking place

the front door, and my roomates study table, and her pantry rack. On the right is our cupboard.

Initially, the room does not have any washer, fridge, or pots, stove, cooker or electric water kettle. You either need to bring it yourself, or share between your room mates ( for items such as fridge, induction cooker, oven, wifi with router) OR buy the hand down items from your seniors. I was lucky enough to have a room which has a fridge, rice cooker, and an induction cooker. I brought my own water kettle, and loads of instant noodles, herbal soup packet, 3 in 1 drinks/sachets and biscuits. I'm planning to buy a washer with my other roomates! And yes, you are allowed to cook any food you want anything you think will be edible after cooking it. Anything you cook will taste nice, even if you doubt your own cooking. Hahaha

On our second day, we woke up at 8.30 to have a 9.00am breakfast at Cafe Malaysia. The chefs are trained to cook malaysian food in malaysia, but theres a tinch of indian spice in their dishes. I always make a point to either;

boil my own water from the water dispenser, OR

buy bottled mineral water from any canteen.

this is the said cafe! Menus ranging from nasi lemak, nasi goreng, to a variety of indian cuisine.

Later at 10.30, we went to a briefing on the legal documents to be filled in and the opening of the bank account. New sim cards will be given as well, so not to fret on where to get a new phone number. Money can be transferred via Western Union to our Indian Bank account. The new sim cards and legal documents processing fee costs around 1500Rs, whilst a minimum of 1000Rs is needed as a deposit in your new bank account. You will be given an atm card, however online transactions are not encouraged, as hacking of bank accounts are incredibly prudent here.

view outside from the lecture hall

After that, we went back to have lunch at Cafe Malaysia again. This time i tried their fried rice, with chicken curry gravy on my rice. I personally LOVE curry so I kinda like the taste of it. we all went back to our respective dorms and had a free and easy! my roommate was kind to cook me a lovely heartwarming meal of seaweed noodle, so nostalgic. Her name is kah yee, and she is in her second year.

I took my first shower today, and I was quite disappointed with the bathroom hygiene and condition. My toilet couldnt be flushed, my water heater has broken down, and my shower only drips water, so i had to bathe using the 'scoop' technique. Not all rooms are in the same condition. Some rooms their toilet flush, water heater and shower are perfectly working..... but not mine. Ill try to adapt to it while I get the warden to attend to the matter.

Thats all for today! I feel like im really going to get accustomed to this place, it takes time and an open mind, but all is well as long as you try to accept.

I hope you all enjoy reading and thanks for reading through, while I have the time to tell you my journey. Its going to get pretty busy soon!

tata~