In 2019, Noor Hidayat, a Forensic Science Master’s graduate from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), was seeking to further his studies when he received an unexpected offer to study in Taiwan.
This comes after he received a scholarship to pursue a PhD in Chemistry at the National Tsing Hua University from the Taiwanese government.
Despite his hesitation and limited knowledge about the country, the opportunity to enjoy a fully funded education was too good to pass up.
Five years later, Hidayat has since graduated and now works as a postdoctoral researcher and is currently a member of a competitive dragon boat team in Taiwan, a venture outside his comfort zone which has led him on an unforeseeable and fulfilling journey.
Early challenges and adaptation
The beginning of Hidayat’s adventure in Taiwan was anything but easy. Unfamiliar with the local customs and without a support network in place, the first few weeks were particularly tough for him.
I struggled to find halal food, relying mostly on vegetables and fruits, and lost significant weight during this period.
“The scarcity of halal-labeled products also meant that I had to meticulously read the ingredient list to avoid consuming foods which contained ‘haram’ and ‘syubhah’ ingredients,” he said.
Over time, Hidayat gradually adapted to life in Taiwan and started incorporating seafood into his diet to avoid haram food. Despite seafood typically being halal, he was cautious about how it was prepared.
“In Malaysia, as Muslims, we’re taught to strictly follow halal restrictions, meaning the food must be cooked by Muslims, ingredients need to be slaughtered and prepared in a halal way, and eaten in halal restaurants. But when you live in a different country, you have to adapt and blend in.
“I became adept at identifying ingredients, finding halal eateries, and cooking for myself, which effectively resolved any food-related challenges,” he shared.
Getting to know about dragon boat racing
During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 which occurred during his second year of studies, Hidayat found himself unable to travel back home due to Taiwan’s strict entry and exit restrictions.
Seeking to build connections and a support system, he came across a Facebook post recruiting members for a dragon boat team for foreigners in Taiwan.
Motivated by boredom and a desire for friendship and exercise, Hidayat decided to give it a try. What began as a casual endeavor soon developed into deep bonds and a strong support network.
“Before joining the team, I didn’t even know dragon boat racing existed, despite its presence within the Malaysian Chinese culture.
“Once I became part of the team, I quickly grew to love the sport’s competitiveness and strong sense of camaraderie among my teammates.”
Hidayat shared that joining the team involved a rigorous selection process and demanding training sessions due to the physically intense nature of the sport.
“Once we’re on the boat charging forward, you cannot stop. If you stop or go slower, the force from both sides will be imbalanced, and the direction of the boat would tilt. In the worst case, the whole boat might turn turtle.“
Aside from being physically demanding, dragon boat racing also requires one to yell at the top of their lungs to ensure the team is in sync and propel the boat forward.
Hidayat recounted being yelled at by his teammates the first time he became the first paddle— that is the captain of the boat.
I was too nervous and inexperienced for the job, and I didn’t shout my counting properly, which messed up our team rhythm.
“Being competitive person, I understood my teammate’s frustration and took responsibility for my mistake without holding any grudges. He apologised to me later on, but I never took it to heart. We all want our team to do better,” he said,
Hidayat and his team have since made a name for themselves in the competitive dragon boat racing scene, securing sixth place in the 2022 Taipei International Dragon Boat Race and fourth place in the 2023 International Penang Dragon Boat Festival.
This year, Hidayat’s team also secured fourth place in the 2024 Dragon Boat Festival competition, which was a significant international event, attracting participants from countries such as Australia, Hong Kong, China, Japan, the Netherlands, and the Philippines, among others.
“Going through all this together as a team has really formed a strong bond and support system within our group.
“Having a team and support system like this really makes me feel at home and eases my homesickness. We train together and hike together in our free time,” he added.
Future plans
Looking ahead, Hidayat has no immediate plans to return to Malaysia, where he explained that his current salary in Taiwan allows him to save more money each month compared to working in Shah Alam.
He also expressed a deep found appreciation for Taiwan’s punctual and hardworking culture as well as its top-notch transportation system.
“But the most important thing is the four seasons that Malaysia doesn’t have. Winter is my favorite as I can wear many stylish outfits during the cold months,” he noted.
Despite his love for Taiwan, Hidayat still misses Malaysia, especially his friends, family, and of course, the food.
I still think Malaysia has the best food in the world. I really miss eating satay, nasi lemak, and roti canai. If I were rich enough, I would open a Malaysian halal restaurant in Taiwan to offer our signature dishes.
“I also miss the festivals and celebrations such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali,” he said.
As for his decision to stay put in Taiwan for the foreseeable future, Hidayat says it’s primarily influenced by a combination of factors, such as financial stability and future prospects of working as a researcher in the country.
“I believe it’s a great opportunity for everyone to go overseas and explore different parts of the world.
“You will learn a lot of new things about your field and, most importantly, about yourself. It’s a journey of personal growth and self-discovery.”
