23 AMERICANS TO TEACH IN M`SIA`S TERENGGANU-STATE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Conservative Muslim state, the monsoon
season and beautiful islands. These are among the first things that come to mind
for a group of American youths who will undergo a 10-month stint as English
teaching assistants (ETAs) in east coast Terengganu state in Peninsular
Malaysia.

Despite being unsure of what they will get, the 23 participants aged between
22 and 33 are very excited and raring to experience Terengganu's culture and
charms.

They will leave for the state on Friday and placed at 23 government schools
statewide.

One of the students, 22-year-old Khadijeh Zarafshar, an English major
student from Georgetown University, Washington D.C. said the stint would give
her an opportunity to explore and learn more about Malaysia's diverse culture
from the locals.

She said she chose Malaysia as "it is a multicultural country and to
experience how the Muslims get along with the people of other religions".

"I heard the country is beautiful and I am fascinated by the Malaysian
culture. Although it is a Muslim country, it is so culturally diverse compared
to the Muslim countries in the Middle East," she said.

Elizabeth Bowen, also 22, said the programme would definitely be fruitful
for her as she would get to learn a new culture and share her own with the
students.

When asked why she chose Malaysia, she said a couple of her friends had
visited the country and appreciated its way of life.

"Based on the research I made before coming to Malaysia, I found that
Terengganu is a conservative place and hence, I will wear baju kurung for class
to show my respect for the local culture," said the University of Pittsburgh
student.

Another participant, Matt Skarzymski of the University of Santiago, said he
looked forward to enjoying the local delights and nature.



"I am excited about the whole new experience and looking forward to start my
adventure in the state," he enthused.

Skarzymski decided to apply to come to Malaysia after he fell in love with
the region during a students exchange programme in Thailand in 2006.

The ETA programme which began in 2006 with just 10 participants is an
initiative co-funded by the Terengganu government and US State Department.

"It is aimed at enhancing English proficiency of the local students and
fostering closer ties and cultural understanding between Malaysians and
Americans," Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE)
executive director and coordinator of the programme, Dr James Coffman, told a
news conference earlier.

"From our experience, this programme has been a success as the local
students have improved their English proficiency," he said.

-- BERNAMA