Dear Future Intern,
Congratulations!!! I am beyond excited for you and cannot wait to hear all about your adventures at MSRI. It is an extraordinary place, and I hope you cherish your time there.
The following 6-7 months will fly by, and before you know it, you will be writing your ‘dear future intern’ blog; but until then, my biggest advice is to take it all in. Enjoy every single moment, every up and down, because before you know it, you’ll be sitting in your RM 65 grab headed to the airport on your way home.
I have been with MSRI for precisely one year. And it has been an exceptional year of meeting new people, hearing stories, eating fantastic food, sweating, and growing. I want to give you a breakdown of the organization and the education program. This is to help you understand what MSRI is and why it is such a special place. Then, end it with some tips and tricks for your time abroad. I hope this helps! If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!
MSRI: A Brief History
MSRI started initially in 1959 as a research and publication center. The main purpose of the Institute was to publish and promote Malaysian culture and assist Malaysian authors who were at the forefront of Malaysian writing to publish work on Malay culture, history, religion and customs. The goal was to allow Malaysian authors to write their own stories and make their own history. Walking through the MSRI library, you will be surrounded by numerous publications from the organization and countless publications and research papers from the 1920s-90s on various political, feminist, and religious movements throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle East. You are quite literally surrounded by history.
The organization shifted to meet the needs and wants of various marginalized communities. In the 1970s, MSRI ventured into its first humanitarian project, sending medical aid teams to Lebanon refugee camps and starting a Sponsor-a-Palestinian-child Programme. MSRI’s founder, Dato Dr. Alijah Gorden, was extremely passionate about the liberation of Palestine. She was determined and headstrong, and at the age of 24, she was invited to debate against Abba Eban, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, hosted by the New York Times. I recommend reading her biography, which, of course, was published by MSRI.
As time went by, different programs came and went. Pre-covid, there was a flourishing health care clinic, community center and livelihood program for refugee families; unfortunately, the programs closed during the pandemic. In 2011, the MSRI Sahabat Learning Center was started and is still running today. The learning center serves over 500 students from 13 different countries and bridges the education gap which refugee youth face while living in Malaysia. Through the school, the organization can provide food aid and emergency support to refugee families in need. Additionally, the organization has started to provide support and work alongside the Indigenous groups, the Orang Asil Tribes, in Malaysia.
MSRI is considered one of the older NGOs. Its extensive history speaks to the organization’s dedication and passion for its work in support services. There is so much to learn, and I am only scratching the surface.
MSRI: Today
Today, MSRI’s biggest program is the Sahabat Education program, which I mainly worked under. This is an informal learning center (school) for over 500 refugee youth living in Malaysia. But it is much more than just a school. It is a safe space for youth to come to during the day, it is a reason to get out of bed, it gives hope and promise of a brighter future, and it is a place where you connect with the people around you regardless of gender, ethnic background and religion. It is a place that has limited resources and funding yet is still dedicated to providing students with the opportunity to learn, to grow, to try new things, and to be kids. The school is located in a shopping complex with no outdoor field to play on; however, there is a sports program that students can register for on the weekends.
The school starts at kindergarten and continues until IGCSE (the grade 12 equivalent). The students are divided into two sessions: morning and afternoon. Each child attends school for three hours daily and focuses on the four core subjects: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. However, the school is also dedicated to teaching students practical skills they can take with them further into their journey. Previously, the school offered a “Learn to Earn for Good” Program, a series of classes for students to learn computer skills, including starting a Refugee Film School Digital media skills program. Most recently, the school started a “Computer Repair Course,” which is a course that teaches students the foundations of computers and how to perform repairs. The school received a donation of used laptops and desktops that they are currently learning to repair; this sustainable approach is giving a second life to otherwise thrown-out computers and will hopefully be used within the school.
This education program is more than just a school. It is about equipping students with skills they can use in this country and the next. It’s about giving students learning opportunities so they, too, can write their own stories and make their own history. There is so much happening at the school at all times; it’s busy, always buzzing, and there is always something to do. You will be able to find your place in the school as long as you show interest and initiative.
I could genuinely talk about the school for hours, and I cannot tell you how excited I am for you.
Being an Intern
This internship is what you make of it. Here are my top points.
- Say yes to everything & be present.
Say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. Attend all the different events at MSRI, go on the school field trips, work on the weekends when there is an event, and be present. Be engaged, ask questions, offer to help, spend time with the people around you, show initiative, and create work to do. Find work for yourself to do.
Spend your visa runs going to visit other interns in different countries. It is the perfect opportunity to learn about the other organization, meet the people who are a part of it, and see how your other co-interns have created space and routine and be a part of that community. You can travel all you want after the internship, but please take advantage of the opportunity to see the other organizations and your co-interns. Nobody will understand this internship more than those who have done it before and are doing it by your side. Lean on each other.
- Have a side hobby
Something that caught me off guard, especially during my first month in Malaysia in 2023, was how I had free time after work. I filled that time with journaling (I had never journaled before), started reading again, learnt how to watercolour, and had time to breathe and relax again. When you have been a student for so long, you get used to the bombardment of deadlines and assignments, and this internship gives you a little bit of a break. Find a new hobby, skill to learn, or exercise place, but take advantage to learn something new outside of work.
You can volunteer on the weekends with different organizations. I can provide you with a couple of recommendations, or you can also talk to Andrea about this.
- Journal, write letters, send postcards, keep every receipt and plane ticket.
Document your time abroad. Write down the different realizations and thoughts you have, good or bad, during your time. Write thoughtful letters to the people who matter in your life. I will write you letters if you want a pen pal (pls, I’d love to be your pen pal). Trust me, the joy of getting a letter in the mail is untouched. I used a random ziplock back and started saving every plane ticket, random receipt, notes from students, and different currencies; when I returned to Canada, I found a frame and framed it. It’s on my wall now, reminding me of my six months abroad. Every corner of this frame is filled with reminders of different stories and memories from travelling around Southeast Asia. It also looks pretty cool!
Journals, collages, and scrapbooks are the best gifts you could give to yourself. It’s a reminder of the time you lived abroad and will always put a smile on your face.
I can’t tell you how excited I am for you and this new chapter in your life. You are going to love it. It may sometimes be overwhelming but remember to take it one step at a time. Enjoy it, document it, and feel it. The next six months are going to fly by, but it’s going to be amazing. I have butterflies in my stomach thinking about the amazing time you will have at MSRI.
MSRI is such a unique place and holds a special place in my heart. The staff, teachers and especially the students will impact you in one way or another. So, as a future intern, I wish you all the best. Cherish every single moment and take care of yourself and each other. Know that everyone is just one WhatsApp text away, always. And I genuinely mean this, but please do not ever hesitate to reach out. Welcome to the little CAPI family; you will always be supported.
Sincerely,
Faaiza
(P.S. bring a good pair of shoes to MSRI; there are a million staircases (preferably Vessi’s; they are waterproof, bonus!))
