Cultural influences on Psychology and Wellbeing in Malaysia

Second and third year students from all Psychology programmes (including joint), MSc Health Psychology and MSc Psychological Wellbeing are all eligible for this opportunity. There is a maximum of 30 places available, with a minimum of 16 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

Please note, if you have already participated on or been accepted for a DMU Global overseas trip between September 2023 and August 2024 you are not eligible to apply for this opportunity.

Students are recommended to apply for no more than 2 overseas opportunities. Further application submissions will not be considered.

Trip description

Students will explore the influence of culture on personality psychology and psychological well-being in multicultural Malaysia. We will visit the psychology department at Asia Pacific University (APU), our partner university so student will have opportunities to learn with, and from, local and international Psychology students at the university in formal lecture or seminar group settings, and other informal planned activities.

The cross-cultural perspective on human behaviour and approaches to psychological well-being will be a key learning point. This is achieved through formal learning situations, and also through interaction with staff and students. It is anticipated this understanding will improve students’ cross-cultural communication skills. The lived-experience of being in a culturally different country will present students with first-hand knowledge about differences in perceptions, ideas and behaviours; and approaches to managing psychological well-being.

Apart from formal academic visits, visiting nationally important sites such as the National Museum of Malaysia, Art House Gallery Museum of Ethnic Arts, and Orang Asli Craft Museum, and others, will provide rich contextual learning for students in Malaysia. Students will learn about the influences of history, events, and places on the people of Malaysia which will contrast with their own experience living in the U.K.

We also hope to take students to visit a Malaysian charity supporting those with a chronic health condition in the country.

The estimated total cost for flights and accommodation for this trip to Malaysia is £1200. Students will be expected to pay the remaining amount after the £800 DMU Global bursary is deducted from the total.

Learning objectives

Participating in a DMU Global opportunity can help you develop knowledge, skills and competencies that enhance your studies. The objectives of this trip to Malaysia are:

Prior to the trip participants will virtually meet with students from APU to prepare for the trip and provide a buddying opportunity. During this meeting, there will be the opportunity for DMU students to learn about the practicalities and cultural differences of visiting Malaysia, helping develop intercultural awareness.

Cultural activities

Students will have the opportunity to explore places of national importance such as the Petronas Twin Towers; the 272 steps to Batu (limestone) Cave used for Hindu festivals, Chinese temples, and Islamic Art Museum. Based in the capital city, there will be easy access to many attractions such as the Petaling Street, Kwai Chai Hong, KL Tower and KL Bird Park which has the world’s largest free flight aviary. If time permits, a visit to nearby Malacca city which is steeped in colonial (Dutch and Portuguese) history may be possible.