The delegates for this exchange program are the following:
Rainier John Buensalida, AMSA-UERMMMCI
Mark Jason de Jesus, UP MSSR-IPPNW
Joe Patrick Jamelo, USLS-COMEDSC
Joven Ledesma, USLS-COMEDSC
Kyla Janika Nerva, AMSA-UST
Kimberly Mae Ong, UP MSSR-IPPNW
Michael Erick Ong, AMSA-DLSHSI
Patricia Orduña, UP MSSR-IPPNW
Davidson Pastrana, UP MSSR-IPPNW
Dana Cheska Santos, UP MSSR-IPPNW
ACTIVITIES
December 17, 2011
Four delegates (Buensalida, Jamelo, Ledesma, and Pastrana) arrived at around 12:30 AM at Kuala Lumpur Low Coast Terminal. AMSEP-UKM volunteers picked up the delegates and brought them to the inn located in front of UKM. While waiting for the arrival of the other six delegates, the first batch of Filipino medical students was brought to Time Square Mall and Plaza Low Yat for shopping. The 10 delegates were united and had dinner at Midvalley Mall.
December 18, 2011
The 10 delegates spent the whole day and had fun with UKM students at Sunway Lagoon. It is a theme park with different rides and a very beautiful water park. After enjoying the day at Sunway Lagoon, the delegates headed back to UKM hostel for the opening ceremony. Different varieties of Malay, Indian and Chinese food were served. There were also presentations and games prepared by the students for the event. After the opening program, the Filipino delegates were toured around the students’ hostel to take a look of where the UKM medical students stay.
December 19, 2011
In the morning, the delegates visited Hospital UniversitasKebangsaan Malaysia, the university hospital. A courtesy call was done and the delegates met with Dr. Prof. Rohaizak Muhammad, the Deputy Dean of Graduate Affairs and International Relations of the said hospital. There was a tour of around the hospital. Visits were done in the library, Spine Ward, Pathology and Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology and The Malaysian Cohort – an ongoing project of the government tied up with the hospital.
In the afternoon, the delegates were brought to KompleksKraf Kuala Lumpur to check on the Malaysian craftsmanship and try doing batik. After the activity at KompleksKraf, the delegates together with the UKM students went to Petaling Street and Central Market to buy souvenirs. Later that night, everyone went to I-city to have dinner and enjoy the lights in the place.
December 20, 2011
The delegates attended two lectures in the morning with the first year students. After which, 10 delegates were separated and attended a Problem Based Learning Session about Diabetes Mellitus with the second year students. In the afternoon, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center was visited. In KLCC, the students also explored Petronas Art Gallery. In that night, the delegates headed to Lookout Point to have dinner. It was a place in the mountains surrounding Kuala Lumpur, which gives you a good view of the city at night.
December 21, 2011
The university’s medical shop was visited. In there, books of cheaper price can be bought. The anatomy department was also visited with the guidance of Dr. Daas. Students went back to KLCC to go up and experience the Petronas Tower. In the afternoon, National Museum was visited. The delegates spent the rest of the afternoon at Putrajaya to see the office of the Prime Minister, and visit a Mosque. In the evening, the students went on a cruise to see more of Putrajaya.
December 22, 2011
The students started to day early for a five-hour drive to Penang, Malaysia. The delegates had a taste of Laksa and different local dishes of Penang. The famous landmarks such as KekLok Si Temple and George Town were visited. The rest of the night was spent on shopping at Gurney Drive. The delegates and the student volunteers stayed in a condotel near the beach.
December 23, 2011
Early in the morning, the Filipino and Malaysian students went to the beach and bonded with each other. They left for Kuala Lumpur at 10 AM and went straight to the closing program. Yet again, the delegates were surprised on how the AMSEP committee prepared for the party. It was also a big surprise that the AMSEP officer from the Philippines, Greco Malijan, paid a visit. It was fun and very emotional party. Presentations from both Filipino and Malaysian students were performed.
Ms. Nerva, went ahead to the airport because of her flight schedule. However, the 9 delegates spent another night of shopping and bonding with the UKM students at the Pavilion Mall.
December 24, 2011
Mr. Jamelo, Mr. Ledesma, and Mr. Pastrana went ahead from the other delegates and took the bus bound for Singapore. While the other delegates spent a few hours at Royal Selangor before heading to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for their flight back to the Philippines.
(written by chief delegate Davidson Pastrana, UP MSSR-IPPNW)
