Epiphanies happen during the most unanticipated of times, in my case, toilet sessions. I was reminiscing the times I had as a student exchange in good ol’ Russia and how much it had fostered the change in my perception towards Russians and strangers overall. I dare say that those who went under the same program would want their friends a whole lot more to undergo such a wonderful experience.

                Looking back at how much of a life changing experience it was for me, I said to myself, “What if we do it nationwide instead of internationally?” This was certainly an ingenious idea and coupled with the process of relieving myself, I felt really good about it. This was certainly a very feasible notion in fostering harmony within a country that prides in a multicultural society. One might ask, “What exactly did you come up with?”

                Imagine, a bunch of students with different background staying for say, 3-6 months with a family with a totally different cultural background. Let me illustrate this in a simple manner, put a Malay student living in a majority Chinese area/parents, put a Chinese student living in an Indian majority area/parents, put any students with the Orang Asli or the Penans. Cultural adaptation, tolerance, and whatever same exact benefits you can reap from an international student exchange program!!!

                We have to remember that the program requires host families and this is where the impact becomes wider. Not only do we allow the teenagers to learn and gain a unique experience, the adults won’t be missing out too. That’s two birds with one stone!

                Let us reflect back on the National Service program also known as PLKN (Program Latihan Khidmat Negara) or NS. Now I’m not saying it’s a bad program, most of the people I’ve met said it was a good one as they get to meet new friends and all but that’s about it. The end result in instilling patriotism was not that prevalent, as such emotions would only arise from the sense of belonging and appreciation.

                From my experience during the student exchange program, I wanted to stay in Russia so much that I cried when I had to leave, and I think the majority of those who were in the student exchange program felt that way too in their respective countries. I would bet my savings that the local version of the program would generate better results!

                We could just model the program based on the Rotary Youth Exchange Program or the American Field Study programs, they’re proven to work, so why not? Why we can even ask assistance from Rotary Clubs around Malaysia. Of course we would need to evaluate certain factors in choosing potential host families to allow maximum benefits.

                Having said that, one important issue arise, in the international student exchange program, students are required to attend the local high school in their respective country. Now here’s the golden question, “Should this apply to the local version of the program?”. Personally, I have no idea, this question itself came up while I’m writing this.

(I’m pretty much stumped at this point, the idea doesn’t look so ingenious now)

(After an hour of thinking)          

                I have to admit, this is a difficult issue as the main reason why the International Student Exchange is such a wonderful program is the high school experience. The exchange of cultural differences while attending high school and the friends made was unique to the program that I find it hard to apply the same thing locally. There’s no point for the student to go back to high school now right?

(After two weeks of travelling and holiday-ing)

                What could be done is that the students still go to “school” but instead of your typical Malaysian high school, they could be sent to a centre where they will undergo whatever modules originally panned out.

                This might sound unprofessional but I’m too lazy to develop the intricacies and strategies to approach the program through this concept. I think I might have been redundant back there but anyways, here’s my take on NS.