Studying Overseas During Pandemic Covid-19

19th June 2021 was when son received the notice from KDU or now known as UOWMKDU's Program Leader that his name will be included in the admission to Alma La Scoula Internationale di Cucina, Italiana in their next and final intake of the year 6 September 2021.  

He was suppose to finish off his degree in Italy in 2020 and was delayed till 2021.  Finally he is able to graduate soon.

Information given but much later was changed again to arrival in Milan on 23 August 2021. Flying off on 22 August 2021 instead. The earlier scheduled was as follows:

Arrival: 26^th August 2021

Isolation: 26^th August – 5^th September 2021

In-school-phase: 6^th September – 16^th December 2021

Traineeship: 17^th December 2021– 3^rd May 2022

Final exams: 4^th May  – 6^th May 2022

 

 

THINGS TO DO

Student abroad insurance - I looked at AIG or MSIG, finally purchased with AIG.  You cant buy direct with AIG or online or any counter since Movement Control Order (MCO) their office is closed.  The only way is search for an agent on their website and deal with agent to issue to policy. However, even though you bought optional add on for medical, anything related to Covid 19 is not covered.

Student Visa

Documents and Appointment needed for Student Visa application with Embassy of Italy 

- Form D application form, Letter from KDU, acceptance letter from Alma Italy, student abroad insurance, 1 passport size photo, letter of financial support with IC, birth certificate, bank account statement, proof of accommodation, flight reservation, passport with validity should exceed visa expiry date by 3 months.

 Appointment for student visa was given on 5 Aug and was approved 2 working days later.
 

Mytravelpass (MTP) - it was an hassle since Malaysia border in closed and you need the necessary document to apply for this pass in order to exit Malaysia. We applied immediately once Alma letter of acceptance received on 16 July 2021.  The approval was obtained after 10 days later.

Air ticket - Qatar at first but since the date of flying has been brought forward and the requirement to reach in the morning at Milan, we were told to look at Turkish airline. Turkish airline is a little tiring since the flight from KL to Istanbul 10 hours or more, before 2.5 hours transit time.

Fees to Alma

Transfer of fees to Alma where bank information given on 30 June 2021. However, in order to book a single room which is very limited, we have to pay extra Euro500.  Even we paid immediately, unfortunately son was not able to get a single room and shared room with 2 other course mate.  Thus they refunded the extra Euro 500 but it was mentioned they have extra Euro 400 to refund.

EU digital passenger locator form - suppose to fill up once you have check in online.  However, due to some reasons, online check in not allow on 24 hours before departure.  So it was an hassle to fill up only once you check in at airport counter and obtain your seat number. Once you completed the form online, you will receive an email which the check in counter will require.

Covid-19 Vaccine - though son has registered but no news of any appointment.   And finally there is a helpdesk in Mysejahtera to register as studying abroad.  So finally all 2 doses of Pfizer was administered a week before he left to Milan.

PCR test 72 hours before arrival in Italy.  You can actually do it at BP Pathlab, having their online promotion and same day result. Son done his at Klinik Menjalara RM230 and result was emailed the next morning to him.

Police Permit - permit form approved by police officer required to travel to KLIA. Document required: Mytravelpass approval, IC copy, KDU letter, PCR test. Can be applied a day or 2 before travel to KLIA.

Self isolate - Upon arrival for 10 days as initially told by ended up 14 days quarantine is required.To carry out molecular or antigenic test on the 10th day.  By 12th day the batch of students were finally given their freedom.On day 14th was their study commencement date.

Residence Permit - besides student abroad insurance, you need submit medical fitness letter which we went to clinic on 23 July 2021 as letter validity should be a month prior to arrival I believe because Program leader required the letter from doctor dated after 23 July

Documents required by Alma Italy for residence permit application besides student abroad insurance, they also need a medical report certify by your doctor.

All these were like so rush as we could not apply MTP  till we receive letter stating acceptance to Alma Italy. It takes minimum 10 working days to have the MTP approved.  Meanwhile you need to book ticket and travel agent could only hold for 48 hours.  To issue or not before Student Visa approval is totally up to you. 

 

Simple Recipe - Pork Trotter in Spicy Sour Sauce

This is a dish that I do not know how to appreciate but is one late mom in law style of cooking.  I have not been cooking this for a very long time but is not that difficult to cook anyway.

We call it Tur Kar Chor Zhar Suen in hokkien.

Ingredients

To Blend 

Fresh red chillies 6

Dried chillies 8

Small onion 10

Garlic 5

Cooking Oil

Pounded bean paste - 3 tablespoon

Rice Vinegar - 2 tablespoon

Big Onion quartered - 1

Water

Pork Trotter - blanched in boiling water first

 

Method

Heat up work, pour in cooking oil, follow by 6 tablespoon of blend, bean paste, rice vinegar,  sugar, pork trotter and water. Simmer till pork trotter is soft.

 

Relax in Cameron Highlands

Short and sweet trip to Cameron Highlands with my two sisters and niece.  Vacation has been put on hold for a real long time since pandemic, lock down, no interstate travel and without a domestic helper, all work and no play really makes me a dull person!

Since I have points to clear using my Leisure Holiday membership before expiry on August 2022, so I have booked my favorite place, a cooling and relax place to be.  It was only 3 days 2 nights stay, but my sisters and niece only stayed for a night.

My husband and I arrived first and checked into Green Hill Resort, a walk up apartment with 3 rooms good for 6 pax.  Noticed that the unit has been refurbished.  We arrived about 2 hours earlier than my sisters.  When they arrived, they went straight to Lord's Cafe for the best scone. We joined them there and right after that we went to Cameron Organic Steamboat for early dinner and then Mr Asu for ice cream! You can have vegetarian or chicken soup and 3 sets to choose from. Trying to go night market but the traffic was long,  so we did not manage to go.  Finally my sisters checked into the apartment after a long day.

Next day we went to a shop nearby Cameron Square for a simple breakfast and then visited Walk-up to Siar, a new hostel belong to my sister's friend at Brinchang.  Lunch was at Excellent Food Centre in Tanah Rate Food Court which is opposite Tealive.  The chicken chop was real good.  After lunch my sisters and niece bid us farewell as they need to head back home.  As for me and husband, we had a good nap follow by a very good dinner at Singh Chapati located at Tanah Rata.  We tried try butter chicken masala and potatoes with cauliflower, recommended North Indian cuisine that you must try when you visit Cameron Highland.

Next morning about 9 am we checked out, drove down to the stalls opposite Lakehouse bought some vegetables and sweet corns and then off we drove down to Ringlet for breakfast at Fang Xiang Restaurant before heading to Home Sweet Home.

Simple Recipe - Lady Finger

 A very simple dish and quick to prepare, It is one of hubby's favourite

Ingredient

Lady's Finger - 10

Bean paste - 1/2 tablespoon

1 or 1/2  Lime (depends on size) or 5 Calamansi

Bird eye chilies -  5 (add more if you prefer spicy)

Sugar - 2 teaspoon

Method

Just blanch the lady's finger. Mix bean paste with lime or calamansi juice, sugar and bird eye chilies. Then pout onto lady finger.

There you are a simple dish to go with rice.

Simple Recipe - Garlicky Porky

Younger son missed this dish as the other day he wanted to eat but the restaurant was closed and he was not able to order takeaway.

Upon hearing this, his papa straight away said "I know how to cook!"

So I went to buy requested pork neck but instead was given middle pork loin. Sliced them and hubby did the marinate and cooking.

Ingredients/Method

Pork soft part marinate with mirin, pepper, fish sauce and minced garlic. 

Firstly oil hot,  fry minced garlic, set aside. Same oil use to fry the marinated pork. Then put into a plate and mix with the fried minced garlic. 

As simple as that and the garlicky porky turned out to be yummy, was able to sastify younger son's craving!