Name: Rune Schaffalitzky
Home Country: Denmark
Occupation: Sustainability consultant

What brought you to Malaysia?
It was a job opportunity that brought me to Malaysia five years ago.

What do you like and dislike about living here?
I both like and dislike the climate – it is nice to have summer all year round, but it is also the downside, because I’m not a particularly big fan of walking around sweating non-stop.

Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
During the weekends, the sunny weather makes it possible for me to indulge in sports, or head to one of the many malls around the city for shopping, food and sometimes a movie. I also enjoy doing short weekend trips as it allows me to relax before a new week.

What is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia or in the region? Why?
I like Sabah for its unique nature – both above and below sea level.

Describe a memorable eating experience you have had here.
One of my memorable eating experiences would be eating “exotic” animals like bat, fox, rabbit, and frog at a local restaurant near Kuala Selangor. The restaurant belongs to an aunt of one of my Malaysian friends.

What advice do you have for a newly arrived expat?
Become a fan of all the different Malaysian foods and you’ll always be able to chat up a local. Expats should also take advantage of the fact that Malaysia is a great base to explore the rest of the region – it’s so easy to hop on a plane and be somewhere in a couple of hours.

How long do you plan to stay in Malaysia? Where would you like to go next, and why?
No particular plans.

Is Malaysia a good place in which to work and do business? Why?
It is a good place to work for sure. It is quite easy for foreigners to adapt to the working environment because a lot of the people you work with have worked or studied overseas as well – both locals and other expats. It gives an interesting international flavour to the working environment.

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Source: The Expat Magazine April 2015