Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s marine life, rich greenery surroundings and multicultural environment are attracting international students looking for a unique university experience, with students from Sweden and Timor-Leste starting their studies at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
Clara Sofia, a 22-year-old Swedish student, chose UMS after searching for an affordable university that offered a bachelor’s degree in marine science in English.
Clara, who has been wanting to pursue a career as a marine biologist since she was a child, chose UMS for its strong access mainly to the Borneo marine and natural environment.
“I knew that I wanted to study abroad and I knew that I wanted to study marine science. So, I was looking for a place that has a lot of marine life, and also somewhere that is affordable and has their whole bachelor degree to be in English,” she said.
She said UMS had piqued her interest after she discovered the university websites and was impressed by its campus and surroundings.
“I’m also very interested in the Borneon nature, the jungle and the mountains, and there was just nothing wrong with Sabah and Kinabalu,” she said.
Clara said her long-term goal is to pursue postgraduate studies after finishing her marine science degree, with a particular interest in whales and dolphins.
“Ever since I was a kid, I had a dream that I wanted to become a marine biologist, and study whales and dolphins,” she said.
