Name: Carolyn Hawkins
Home Country: United Kingdom
Marital status: Married
What brought you to Malaysia?
My Husband, Trevor, was seconded here to oversee the construction of The University of Reading Campus on the EduCity site in Nusajaya, Johor. We have been here since September 2012.
What do you like and dislike about living here?
We like the food, although I have yet to take the plunge and try durian. I am definitely getting a taste for the spicier food that Malaysia has to offer and will try most dishes. We certainly dislike the standard of driving here, and it took a while for us to get used to it.
Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
We try to vary what we do at the weekend. We like to go to the local clubhouse attached to our gated community to have a swim and sunbathe. We also attend the local yoga class at the same venue on a Sunday afternoon. We sometimes go to Singapore for shopping opportunities.
What is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia or in the region? Why?
We have visited Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Port Dickson, Penang (Georgetown), and Sarawak. We plan to visit other places around Malaysia, but our favourite destination so far is Kuching, Sarawak. We were able to see Orang Utans in the Semenggoh National Park and Proboscis Monkeys in Bako National Park.
Describe a memorable eating experience you have had here.
We like Traders in Puteri Harbour for their buffet and also The Olive Tree for their Indian Food, also in Puteri Harbour. This area is really opening up. The most memorable eating experience we have had was when our neighbour cooked us various types of fish including crayfish, crab, and a white fish, and then delivered it to our house for us to eat. It was delicious!
What do you miss most about your home country?
Trevor misses the seasons, especially spring. I don’t miss the UK as such but I do miss my close friends and being able to get marzipan all year round for decorating cakes!
What advice do you have for newly arrived expats?
Soak up the sunshine even if it is very hot, experience the culture, taste the amazing food, and blend in with the locals. You will never look back!
How long do you plan to stay in Malaysia? Where would you like to go next, and why?
The University of Reading is due to open to students in September 2015. I expect we will be here for a while after that, but I am not really sure of what will happen. I would like to stay with my job at Marlborough College (in Johor) for as long as possible.
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