Kuala Lumpur Expat Life- Get Involved!

I know I’m still new at this whole “expat” thing  but let me tell you the single most important thing that I have learned thus far is this: venture out on your own and…….

GET INVOLVED!!

Expat life forces you to get completely out of your comfort zone in more ways than one- new country, new home, new car/transportation situation, new cuisine, new routine, new grocery stores, new job, new friends, etc….the list goes on and on. I think sometimes one of the hardest thing to do is to get out of your shell and make an effort to meet people.

 If you are currently an Expat in Kuala Lumpur, I hope that this list gives you some ideas on where to start. If you are thinking about moving to KL for an expat assignment, check out all the options (and more!) below. Last but not least, if you are simply a reader from afar, enjoy reading about the diversity that KL offers expats!!

1. Your home country’s local Embassy-  http://malaysia.usembassy.gov/index.html. We are US citizens so I’ll talk about them. The US Embassy has a wealth of information available for its citizens living abroad in Kuala Lumpur & throughout Malaysia. Its imperative that you register yourselves with them upon arrival. This enables them to contact any US citizens living in Malaysia if there are any alerts here or in the US, keeps you in the loop on any embassy functions, and is a “safe-house” for any questions, concerns, voting, etc that you may have while living abroad. Nowadays they make it so easy that you can register online at STEP and they will even SMS/Text you with alerts, updates, etc- so awesome & FREE.

2. American Association of Malaysia- http://www.klamerican.com/. This is an organization I found out about before even moving out to KL. Virtually every major country has an “expat” association here in Malaysia. Its a great starting point and it also helps with the feeling of homesickness….just hearing the “accents” you are used to, etc. They put on events such as cooking classes, charity work around town, fashion shows, lunch & learns, trips to surrounding countries, annual galas, and American holiday gatherings. Its a wonderful place to meet new friends & to get a taste of home while abroad.….and its open to all ages. The cost is minimal & they also put out a monthly magazine detailing events, know-hows, & more!

3. The Expat KL Group- http://www.expatgomalaysia.com/index.php. This is a fantastic organziation. I really love their outlook as they focus on expats from all over the world living here in Kuala Lumpur (they have one started in Penang too). Every month they put on a “mingle” as well as a separate “wine dinner”. The mingle is great because its held at various hot spots around town and is basically a meet & greet. Crowds upwards of 200 gather for drinks & apps to get to know new people. The wine dinner is also great as its a smaller group of less than 20 and is held at select restaurants around town and allows you to get to know fewer people on a deeper level. Aside from these 2 events, they also recently put on a Ladies Only Sparkling Brunch & Lingerie Fashion Show (so much fun!!) as well as various other events scattered throughout the year. Cost is again minimal & they also put out a monthly magazine full of info as well as give discounts to members at select restaurants, bars, and stores.

4. The Expatriate Lifestyle- http://www.expatriatelifestyle.com/. This is not as much of a group as it is a lifestyle magazine- both print as well as electronic via email & website. Its chock full of information on everything from hot picks on restaurants & bars, to travel ideas & calendar of events around Malaysia, to education & arrival info, shopping extras, etc. They put on a “Best of Malaysia” as well which is fun to see whats rated well amongst expats in the different categories. The organization also puts on an annual Charity Golf Event that I hear is fantastic and plan on attending next spring! Definitely subscribe to this one…plus its FREE.

5. InterNations- http://www.internations.org/malaysia-expats. We’ve just recently joined this organization and have yet to attend a function but I hear its similar to “LinkedIn”, except is focused more on expat assignments and such. I thought it would be a great way for my husband to network and get to know other professionals around town in their various industries. You can connect online or in person. They also put on mingles, dinners, etc and we plan on attending the next one that works for our schedules :). Oh yea, and its FREE to join, minimal cost for functions.

6. Hashing- http://www.malaysiahash.org/. Ok I’m not going to lie- this one is only applicable to active & party people. They actually like to call themselves “runners with a drinking problem”- haha. Basically its a group of people that run/hike either in urban areas (there are numerous groups in KL alone) or within the surrounding highlands. We went with a friend and his 12 yr old daughter to one that was in the highlands. It was about a 7K trek and was such a blast!

At times you run, other times walk, other times hike up a hill or jump down and over a stream….its so great to get out of the city and do something outdoors…even if it is stifling HOT, plus its a fantastic workout! After the “finish” line, you gather for some cold beverages and then head to dinner for more drinks & grub. I like all aspects except the “hazing/college” like atmosphere at the dinners….unnecessary in my opinion but I’d go again for the run & hike alone. Oh, and you follow small pieces of paper that will lead you through the jungle if you lose the group in front of you….its fun & cheap (35RM) each time as a guest (can vary by group).

7. Church- http://standrewschurch.org.my/. Although Malaysia is predominately Muslim, both by government as well as citizenship (about 70%), its actually quite diverse in what religions you run across here. There are hindu temples, mosques, Christian & Catholic churches, and more. We have found a wonderful home in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Its funny as neither of us are Presbyterian (other Christian denominations), but it doesn’t matter as we all love & follow the same Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Luckily its a very international church and the members are from all over the globe…the paster being from South Dakota, USA! They put on events- for families, men & women only, youth programs, and of course multiple charity functions…and of course its FREE.

8. LEGS- Ladies Expat Golfing Society. This is another active group. I found it just by “googling” golf groups around Malaysia. I recently joined for my first round earlier this week and had an absolute BLAST! Although they don’t have a website, I did find an email to get started (legsgolf@gmail.com). There are about 20-30 women ranging from 30-70 yrs old with a wide range of handicaps….and most importantly, they love and require to have a good time above all else. Everyone is so friendly & encouraging, they all stay for lunch after as well & give out “fun” awards for silly games throughout the round. They gather at various golf clubs around town 2-3 Tuesdays every month….I am so glad I found this one! Its reasonable too…well, for golfing that is :).

9. Neighborhoods- This is a sure fire way to meet others!! Whether you choose a condo complex or a stand alone/semi-d housing complex, you can’t help but meet your neighbors just by running into them or by hanging out at the community pools, gyms, etc (90% of complexes have these). We’ve been so lucky to meet some of the nicest neighbors and feel so very furtunate. Dinners out, lazy afternoons out in front of the houses, “sunday fundays”…..we’ve also started meeting people at the gym which is always nice too.

10. Work! Although I’m not “formally” working out here, networking through my husband’s work functions are also a great way to meet others and to gather & introduce yourselves to a wide range of people, both locals & expats alike.

11. Various Charities- There are so many opportunities to contribute to society out here in Kuala Lumpur. Groups such as homeless children, battered women, humane societies, human trafficking, mentally handicapped, autism, etc….you name it & I can guarantee there’s a group! David and I are very passionate about battered women and human trafficking as well as autism and hope to get more involved as time goes on and we get more connected. It will truly be the single most important way to make a difference and feel better from the inside out.

12. Nationality Associations- Beyond your own home country’s association, you can also join in on other country’s events. You wouldn’t be able to be on the board or anything, but its a great way to meet people outside of your own country’s association and to learn about their cultures and such. Who knows, you may find a lifelong friend!

As you can see, there is a plethora of ways to lead a healthy, fun, and fullfilling life here in Kuala Lumpur. This is why I’m so excited to get more and more involed as time goes on. I have a feeling it may be hard to leave when that day comes….

Happy & Safe Travels!

Kimbra