Malaysian students celebrate Queen’s Birthday in NZ

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NEARLY 2,000 Malaysian students got to take a day off from their studies and celebrate the Queen of England’s birthday last Monday, just like Kiwis do.

Celebrated on a different date throughout Commonwealth countries, the Queen’s birthday is celebrated in New Zealand on the first Monday of June, and in accordance with the Holidays Act, all of New Zealand’s working public are entitled to a paid day off, also resulting in students having a day off too.

Students around the country, especially those in the south anticipate the long weekend with great excitement as the Queen’s birthday weekend has also become synonymous with the official opening of the ski season.

For many Malaysian students, this is their first chance to experience snow, and ride a ski lift to the top for a breathtaking view, usually spanning the Southern Alps or the Canterbury plains, with many ski fields offering good discounts to students, and university clubs offering special trips to the snow.

Although not all students are brave enough to endure the cold or put on a set of skis for the first time, many others will spend this time to ‘tiki-tour’ (travel like a tourist) or perhaps go home with friends for a home cooked meal and experience living with a New Zealand family.

Every Commonwealth country experiences their holidays differently, and at different times, so for Malaysian students in New Zealand, this is a great chance to experience another culture and learn something outside the classroom.

Also a part of the Commonwealth but an independent monarchy, Malaysia has traditionally not celebrated the Queen of England’s birthday, however on the first Saturday of June, the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is celebrated. This is when Trooping the Colour ceremony is performed.

Trooping the Colour is a colourful ceremony publicly performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies, also known as The Queen’s Birthday Parade, and is broadcast live by the BBC every year.

In Malaysia, Trooping the Colour involves a Royal Procession before and after the parade, The Sovereign’s Escort, Saluting Base at Merdeka Square or at the Merdeka Stadium, a Royal Inspection, the Royal Salute, 21-gun salutes by the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and flypasts (flying the Malaysian flag and the flags of the Armed forces).

One major difference to the English tradition is that it is conducted in Malay and includes prayers, in the Islamic traditions of the Malaysian Armed Forces.

If you’re a student interested in studying abroad and maybe want to try skiing or some of New Zealand’s breathtaking mountains, visit www.studyinnewzealand.com to find out more.