My hand phone alarm rings. Immediately I get up, take a shower, put on my uniform and prepare myself for school. The house is still calm. Outside my room I jerk slightly as I notice a movement in the darkness. But it’s only Sarodin, who is praying. In her BMW Aliza takes me to my school: SMK Bukit Jelutong. It’s a public secondary school. Having entered the modern building, everyone’s staring at me. We proceed to the principal’s office. The principal is friendly and he greets me in German: “Guten Morgen”. On the way to my class students and teachers stand rooted to the ground as they catch sight of me, the new Mat Salleh. Mat Salleh is a Malaysian synonym for western or white people.

My classmates welcome me cordially. I give a brief introduction about myself. They are excited since I give it in Malay. Quickly I mix with students. There are 45 Malay, Chinese and Indian Malaysians in my class. The classroom is equipped with a white board and some 50 wooden desks with chairs. Three fans stir the hot and moist air.

Two Prefects offer me to guide me trough the school. They show me the main ring-shaped, four storey building, another building that houses the science laboratories, a canteen, a small Mushollah (prayer room) and two basketball courts. But what amazes me the most, is the huge football field. As we arrive back in our class Mathematics has just started. The subject matter doesn’t challenge me at all but I have my problems with the English terminology. Except of Sejarah (History), Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) and Pendidikan Moral (Moral Education) all subjects are taught in English. This is likely the reason for the formidable vocabulary, which most of the Malaysians possess.

During the recess many more students want to shake hands with me. Mostly they are boys since some Muslim girls don’t want to touch boys. Only if the Muslim girl reaches her hand out first, I can shake hands with her. While chattering with Prefects and other students who have gathered around me I noticed the various types of uniforms. My friends explain me that the coloring tells me which position in the school organization they are in charge of. Prefects are wearing a shirt in cream color and blue pants. Librarians are dressed in brown, whereas counseling members wear black clothes. Besides that one can figure out the religion, just by looking at the different styles. Most Muslim girls wear a white Baju Kurung (dress) and turquoise skirt. In addition the majority of the Muslim girls wear scarves. Ethnic Indian and Chinese girls wear turquoises pinafores. All boys wear white shirts, olive green pants and a dark blue tie.

Prefects are students, who supervise the students all day long. They have to execute school rules to maintain the discipline and they ensure silence during the assembly. Still the discipline is pretty bad. The restrooms are dirty and the classes noisy. Sometimes groups of students leave or enter the class to see me. While talking to classmates and discussing differences between Germany and Malaysia I notice that actually only three out of seven lessons have taken place so far.

I am happy to have found so many friends today and I’m looking forward to meet them all tomorrow again.