SEVENTEEN-year-old German Eric Schuette learned how to eat with his hand and came to like Malaysian food.

Schuette, also known as Aris to his foster family and Malaysian friends, is part of the American Field Service Intercultural programme.

Under this student exchange programme, Aris lived with his foster parents and went to a national school. He learned about the different cultures in Malaysia, and had the opportunity to celebrate many festivals such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Moon Cake Festival and Thaipusam.

For Aris, his newfound family not only opened their house, but their hearts too, to a stranger when they played host to him for a year.

"My foster parents taught me Malay traditions and changed my view of the religion," says Aris.
Aris made many friends at school despite the language barrier. He was a member of the English Society and took part in extra-curricular activities such as badminton.

For Sebastian Thiel, or Shazlee, 21, also from Germany, local food was an experience in itself. His favourite food is nasi lemak, roti canai and naan.

Shazlee loves the relaxed Malaysian lifestyle compared to the German way of life. During his stay, Shazlee went snorkelling, scuba diving and spotted a clownfish.

He also joined the school choir and the basketball team.

"I went carolling at an old folks' home and visited an orphanage in Petaling Jaya," he says.

Shazlee and his friends formed a "drum band" with a keyboard, empty bottles, tins, baskets and containers, playing self-composed rhythm songs.

"We usually practised after school. We had gigs at the school's Leo Club Installation as well as at a Celcom event in Hotel Hilton Kuala Lumpur."

For 24-year-old Soley Omarsdottir, also known as Solehah, from Iceland, staying in Malaysia was a colourful experience. She got to taste a variety of food and experienced different cultures.

Solehah discovered that the Malaysian education system focused on both academic programmes and extra-curricular activities.

All three exchange students stayed with CIMB-Principal Asset Management Bhd Chief Executive Datuk Noripah Kamso. She recently held a reunion dinner for them at Tropicana Golf and Country Resort, Petaling Jaya.