Name: Stephanie Vincenti
Home country: England
Marital status: Single

What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here?
I came to Malaysia to work with a feature film production company. I have been here for almost exactly one year.

What do like and dislike most about living in Malaysia?
I like the weather very much – year round sunshine. I like that living in Malaysia enables easier travel to many beautiful and/or exciting places in and around Asia and I like meeting new people, people from different walks of life that I would probably never meet, certainly not if I was still living in England.

I dislike being bitten regularly and unfortunately I am one of those unlucky people that the mosquitoes love to bite! At times I dislike the quality of customer service, especially when I am trying to find out information and get conflicting feedback. I am vegetarian and I dislike when I order sup sayur and find ayam in there too!

Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
I enjoy shopping, although I enjoy the markets rather than the many malls. I often go to the cinema and see friends. I used to try and visit museums and other places of interest but I find that that has waned the longer I have been here.

What is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia or in the region. Why?
I think the place I have enjoyed most while traveling around Malaysia is Penang. There’s a lot of documented history there and wonderful places to visit and discover, the people are friendly and it is easy to navigate.

Do you own property here? If so, where? If not, why?
No, I rent a condo with some friends. I have property back in the UK and I don’t see myself living in Malaysia for a very long time.

What do you miss most about your home country?
I miss quite a few things. Being able to buy certain things that I can’t find in Malaysia, being able to understand what is being said and people understanding what I am saying at all times, but mainly I miss my friends and family. Three of my friends had babies while I have been living in Malaysia and I wasn’t there to celebrate or be there to help them.

What advice would you give to a newly-arrived expat?
My advice would be: be patient. You may find that things move more slowly than you’re used to and perhaps not quite in the way you expected but they will come good in the end.
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Name: Kerr Rawden
Home country: Spain
Marital status: Single
Other countries you have lived in: Spain, Kenya, India, England

What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here?
I came to start off my gap year. I’ve been here for 5 months now.

What do like and dislike most about living in Malaysia?
Like the crazy driving, dislike the jams.

Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
Going clubbing, playing rugby, eating roti canai.

What is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia or in the region. Why?
Langkawi – beautiful island and cheap beer.

Describe a memorable eating experience you have had here.
Roti canai at any mamak shop.

What do you miss most about your home country?
Friends.

What advice would you give to a newly-arrived expat?
Try roti canai and don’t get ripped off on accommodation.

How long do you plan to stay in Malaysia? Where would you like to go next, and why?
Another 2 months. New Zealand next to continue my gap year travels.

Is Malaysia a good country to raise children? Why?
Yeah it’s wicked, lots for them to do.

Is Malaysia a good place in which to work and do business? Why?
Pay is not good compared to Europe. Good, fun work ethic.

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Name: Flynn Brougan
Home country: New Zealand
Company: Life-Support-Technician/Oil&Gas/Freelance
Marital status/Number of children: Single/None
Other countries you have lived in: New Zealand /Thailand

What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here?
I had been living (surviving) in Bangkok, Thailand for just over 5 years and in 2010 the rallies/riots between red/yellow shirts and military were too close for comfort. I had to get away so I came to KL for a 2 week holiday to stay with very close friends who’d then recently relocated to KL also from Bangkok. This ended with me returning packing up and moving down to KL wishing id done so 5 years earlier.

Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
A beer or 10 down Bangsar, A few Jager Bombs in Bukit Bintang and of course lazy Sunday Roti Canai.

What is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia or in the region. Why?
I sadly haven’t had much chance to holiday around Malaysia. Work has taken me to a few places but that’s work. So for now I’d have to fall back on the sandy beaches of Thailand, gotta love ‘em.

Describe a memorable eating experience you have had here.
Haha just 1? Hmm id have to say there’s too many to choose from whether it’s a simple bite at a mamak corner or big clawed chilli crabs down Jalan Alor. I think KL has so much variety and so much to try I’m still learning and loving it all.

Do you own property here? If so, where? If not, why?
Nope, I have looked into it but for me and my situation renting suits me fine.

What do you miss most about your home country?
Family, Friends, Food! Oh and 4 seasons.

What advice would you give to a newly-arrived expat?
Space on Heritage Road for RM15 Jager Bombs!!!!

How long do you plan to stay in Malaysia? Where would you like to go next, and why?
Time flies, it’s already come to another New Year in KL. I didn’t come here with a plan on how long I’d stay but I knew it would be a while.

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Name: David Spencer
Home country: England
Designation: CEO, Vineyards Direct
Marital Status: Married with 3 children
Other countries you have lived in: Hong Kong, Dubai, Malta, Prague, Tenerife

What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here?
6 months. To start up Vineyards Direct operations in Malaysia.

If you had to pick a sound, a smell, a taste or a touch to describe Malaysia, what would it be?
The call to prayers from the mosques. Takes me back to my time in Emirates.

What are the three things you like most about living in Malaysia?
Quality of life, friendly people and climate.

What are three things you dislike about living in Malaysia?
Climate, attitude towards customer service and taxis who don’t use meters.

Name three places you would take an overseas visitor.
KLCC, Penang and Langkawi.

Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
Relaxing with family, swimming, watching united play on tv and having a beer.

What’s your favourite restaurant and bar in Malaysia?
Not found one yet but I am enjoying the search.

Do you own property here? If so, where? If not, why?
Not been here long enough yet to know whether this is going to be long term stay.

Are most of your friends Malaysians or expats? Why?
At this time, mostly colleagues and they are a mixture.

What do you miss most about your home country?
Well, I live in the Canary Islands for over 20 years so that’s home. I miss the people/weather and the local tapas.

Source: The Expat January 2012 
This article has been edited for ExpatGomalaysia.com
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