US High School Students Adicted To Malaysian Food

By Wan Norazween Wan Su and Fadzli Ramli KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- While British singer Robert Palmer's addiction to love was espoused in his chart-topping classic song, 'Addicted to Love', three United States (US) high school students are singing praises of the hot and spicy Malaysian delicacies. Barely six months in Malaysia under the Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES), the trio swear they are addicted to our local cuisine. Having arrived in the country last July before their respective location in different states, they are hooked on local curries and 'nasi lemak' (rice cooked in coconut milk). Sarah Blanchard, 18, from Washington who stayed in Seremban in southern state of Negeri Sembilan, said during her stay, she tried out the Malay curry and the Indian curry, and it was instant addiction. "I stayed with Malay, Indian and Chinese families. Thus, I had the chance to taste different types of Malaysian food, but I really like the curry the most, especially the Indian curry as it is less spicy. "I also learnt a game which involved the use of rocks, 'batu seremban'. It's been a crazy but really pleasant experience...I would never exchange it with anything in this world," she told Bernama in a recent interview. She was interviewed at the Welcome English Teaching Assistants Program, Goodbye Youth Exchange and YES at the residence of US Ambassador to Malaysia Paul W. Jones here last night. Also present were Higher Education Deputy Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and Malaysian-American Commission on Education Exchange (Macee) executive director Dr James Coffman. Another US student, Alexa Zapata, 17, from California, who also stayed in Seremban, said: "I enjoy eating nasi lemak so much and I love it. People here are so friendly and warm, especially my Malaysian friends, and I have been to many interesting places with new friends here. "Although California and Seremban have different cultures and environment, I can adapt myself in Seremban and get along really well with friends here, like how I get along with my friends in California." "It is the opportunity of a lifetime and I am really happy being one of the YES program participants this year, and I will be staying in Michigan with my foster family," he said. Alloyis Jandiusah, 17, from east Malaysia state of Sabah, said he was excited and had done some research on the US for the six-month stay. "I will take along postcards and pictures of interesting places in Malaysia to promote and introduce our country to them." Meanwhile, Jones said the programme would also help in strengthening Malaysia-US relations. "I strongly believe that a country's relations begin with its people...when people connect and bond, the country will do so, too. "The programme is important for young generations of both countries where they can learn to understand other cultures besides their own. Understanding each other is important to foster great relations with each other," he said. -- BERNAMA Malaysia