.jpg)
Malaysia's Student Visa Health Checkup
When preparing to study abroad, you typically need to obtain a health certificate in English from your home country (in my case, Japan). However, in Malaysia, you're required to undergo a health checkup upon arrival.
I recently underwent this health checkup, which is necessary for obtaining a Malaysia student visa, so I wanted to share my experience and what you might expect.
Before Undergoing the Health Checkup
For the Malaysia student visa, there's a designated hospital where you can undergo the health checkup for free. During orientation, they introduced the nearest hospital to us. I initially thought I would need to go there on my own, but the school staff informed me the day before the checkup that we'd be going together.
Items to Bring as Directed by the Language School:
- Passport
- EMGS App (on your smartphone)
- Health Examination Form
The next day, I arrived at the designated time, and I wasn't the only student going for the student visa checkup. We traveled to the hospital together using Grab, Malaysia's ride-hailing service.
The Health Checkup at the Clinic
We arrived at a clinic near the language school, different from the one introduced during orientation. Since we were the first to arrive, the check-in process went smoothly, with the initial check-in completed through the EMGS app.
With a school staff member present, we received assistance with the details, questions to ask at the reception, and the overall process.
The health checkup involved three separate steps, each conducted in a different room:
- Chest X-ray
- Height, weight measurement, and urine sample
- Consultation with a doctor and blood draw
Being in a foreign country and going through a health checkup for the first time, I was extremely nervous. I also worried about whether my English would suffice, but ultimately, it was fine. The procedures were similar to health checkups in Japan, so if you've had one before, you might not find it too different. For those who don't have experience with health checkups, it might be a bit intimidating.
Differences and Tips for Health Checkups Abroad (in Malaysia)
Huge Urine Sample Cup:
In Japan, you often receive a relatively small tube for the urine sample. However, in Malaysia, they instruct you to fill a larger container. Some students found it challenging to fill it up, and some even needed to drink water to do so. If you're preparing for the checkup, consider drinking a bit more water the day before.
Post-Blood Draw Hemostasis
In Japan, after blood is drawn, they usually apply a bandage with gauze. In my case, the doctor who conducted the checkup also did the blood draw and used a simple method to stop the bleeding. It involved applying a cotton ball with adhesive tape. While it might feel odd to have this on your arm, it stops bleeding quickly. However, unlike in Japan, no one instructed me to apply pressure after removing it. As a result, I still have some blood under my skin. If you're concerned about this or want to avoid it, it might be a good idea to apply pressure after the cotton ball is removed.
Waiting Room Space:
The availability of seats in the waiting area may vary depending on the clinic. In our case, the clinic near our language school had a limited number of chairs. As many students were undergoing the health checkup, as well as others visiting the clinic for various reasons, arriving early if you prefer to sit is recommended.
Please note that the specifics mentioned here are based on my experience at the clinic I visited. Different schools might use different clinics, so this information is meant as a reference.
With the health checkup done, I've moved one step closer to obtaining my student visa. Now, I'm eagerly waiting for the formal issuance of the visa while attending language school.
No comments:
Post a Comment