Name: Joy Tan
Home Country: Canada
Industry/Job: Mistress of the house and family manager
Other countries you have lived in: Singapore
What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here?
My husband’s job brought us to KL and we moved here in June 2013, so we’re fairly new.
What do you like and dislike about living here?
I enjoy exploring all the different suburbs and neighbourhoods within KL, and all the friendly people I’ve been meeting. KL is a big city, so I’m looking forward to exploring more. I’m not so keen on the traffic, but it isn’t always at a standstill so I’m able to reach my destination in good time. It’s best to plan ahead so you’re not journeying across the city at rush hour.
Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
As we are usually out during the week, I enjoy just relaxing and unwinding at home. We also love digging into some dim sum at our favourite Chinese restaurant, or checking out new restaurants. And we love visiting new places, like the Sky Trex Adventure, where you can trek through the Malaysian jungle high up, along the trees. It’s amazing!
What is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia or in the region. Why?
We have yet to explore Malaysia since moving here, but in the region, our favourite family destination has to be Boracay in the Philippines, because of its amazing beaches! Although it’s difficult to reach (you need to take two flights, plus a boat ride), it is well worth the visit.
Describe a memorable eating experience here.
We recently enjoyed a Chinese New Year yee sang (raw fish salad) with friends, who are also new to KL. As we have recently moved from Singapore, we were able to share with them the meanings of the different ingredients introduced into the salad and the reasoning behind the “tossing” of the salad. Although raw fish salad didn’t sound appealing at first, I’m happy to say that everyone surprisingly enjoyed the new dish!
What do you miss about your home country?
We miss our family and close friends.
What advice would you give to a new expat?
Back in Singapore, I had previously worked in the relocation industry, and I can safely say it has helped in our move to KL. At the time, my advice to my clients certainly applies here as well! I would say wherever you end up, go with an open mind and lots of patience. You will find that you will enjoy your new environment, and settle in and adapt more easily. The key here is patience, patience and lots more patience!
How long do you plan to stay in Malaysia? Where would you like to go next, and why?
We hope to stay for a couple more years, but it really depends on my husband’s employer. If we do move, I’d like to stay within Asia, so perhaps Hong Kong will be next as it’s much easier to head back to Canada from there.
Source: The Expat Magazine April 2014
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