For many Muslims, Ramadan is a time spent with family, gathering for sahur before dawn, breaking fast together at sunset, and spending evenings in prayer. For those studying overseas, however, the holy month can feel different.
At INTI International College Subang, students from across the world have found ways to recreate the warmth of the season through shared meals, friendships, and small traditions that help ease the distance from their loved ones.
Saaya Ali (left, second row) and Abdullah Al Forkan (right, second row) with friends during an iftar gathering at INTI International College Subang.
With a diverse student population representing many nationalities, the campus often becomes a meeting point for different cultures, especially during festive periods such as Ramadan.
For Abdullah Al Forkan, a final-year student in the Bachelor of Computer Science (3+0) programme in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, this year’s observance carries particular meaning. The Bangladeshi student has spent the past two fasting months and Eids in Malaysia and will soon return to his family for the first time since beginning his studies at INTI.
Abdullah Al Forkan (front, second from right) with fellow students during a Ramadan event at INTI International College Subang.
“Though I miss home and my family, I’ve built strong friendships here,” said Forkan. “I have found a very diverse and welcoming group of people at INTI, and for the past three years we’ve been observing Ramadan together. It’s nice to share a piece of your culture with those who don’t celebrate it.”
During his time at the college, Forkan found a strong sense of belonging through the International Students’ Club (ISC), where he previously served as president. Through the club, he often organised iftar gatherings that brought students from different countries and backgrounds together.
Coming from Bangladesh, he said observing the fasting month and celebrating Eid in Malaysia has been a memorable experience, particularly because of the warm and inclusive atmosphere surrounding the Muslim community.
“The mosques here are very hospitable and welcoming compared to the ones in my home country,” he said. “They make sure everyone is taken care of. There are light sweets and snacks, and there’s a strong sense of togetherness where people genuinely look after one another during times of worship.”
Over time, Forkan and his friends even created their own tradition called the “Bazaar Ramadan Potluck”. A group of friends, including locals, international students, Muslims, and non-Muslims, would visit a Ramadan bazaar together and each choose different dishes. When it was time to break their fast, the group gathered to share the variety of food they had collected, turning the meal into a small celebration of friendship.
Forkan’s experience reflects how many students living abroad adapt their observance while away from their families. For Saaya Ali, a Maldivian student pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (4+0) programme in collaboration with Southern New Hampshire University, USA, the month has also been a time of adjustment and discovery. She currently serves as president of the International Students’ Club.
As one of the few Maldivian students on campus, Saaya admits that moments of homesickness do surface during this period. Yet the warmth of the people around her has helped Malaysia feel increasingly like a second home.
“My friends have made me feel very welcome here. Over time, I feel like I’ve become a little more local to Malaysia,” she said. “For those studying far from their families, building a support network really helps with homesickness. As much as I miss my home, there are iftar events where those who feel homesick can gather, share their cultures, and know that they are not alone.”
One aspect she has grown particularly fond of is the open and inclusive environment at Malaysian mosques, where women can participate comfortably in tarawih prayers.
Students from different parts of the world observe the holy month in their own ways. Nene Aye Sow from Guinea is also pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (4+0) programme in collaboration with Southern New Hampshire University in the USA.
Saaya Ali (sitting, far right) at a Chinese New Year and Ramadan joint event organised by the International Students’ Club and INTIMA.
“In Guinea, Ramadan feels more vibrant and family-centred,” she shared. “There are extended family visits, neighbours coming over, and many traditional homemade dishes prepared together.”
In Malaysia, Nene lives with her brother, and the pair often prepare simple meals for sahur and iftar. While the setting is calmer than the vibrant household gatherings she remembers from childhood, sharing the experience with family still brings her comfort.
At the same time, living here has introduced her to new traditions, particularly the bustling Ramadan bazaars filled with food from many cultures.
“Iftar in Malaysia is exciting because of the Ramadan bazaars. There are so many food options to try,” she said.
Beyond the food and festivities, Nene also finds reassurance in the diverse Muslim congregation she encounters during tarawih prayers.
Nene Aye Sow, a student from Guinea, says Ramadan in Malaysia carries a quieter rhythm compared to celebrations back home.
“Seeing people fasting and praying together reminds me that no matter where we are, the spirit of Ramadan unites us,” she said.
For students like Forkan, Saaya, and Nene, observing the fasting month away from their families can bring moments of longing. Yet through friendships, shared meals, and a supportive environment at INTI International College Subang, they have found their own ways to keep the spirit of the holy month alive while studying far from home