Case Study - Belonging Beyond Borders: Student Success for Malaysian Students
Inspired by SETU India, the "Jom Settle Lah" is our upcoming platform designed to help Malaysian students in Australia belong faster, manage transitions smoothly, and showcase their growth. It bridges culture, community, and career in one unified journey.
- Client
- Malaysian Students in Australia
- Year
- Service
- Emergency Services for Community
Overview
Following the success of SETU for Indian students, What's On! is preparing to launch a dedicated platform for Malaysian students in Australia. The initiative will bring together cultural connection, practical support, and career development into one digital home. We aim to help over 13,000 Malaysian students transition smoothly into life overseas.
The Challenge
Malaysian students face unique challenges when studying abroad:
- Adapting to a new education system and culture.
- Navigating housing, finances, and wellbeing away from family.
- Maintaining cultural identity while seeking career opportunities.
Currently, support is fragmented, leaving many students without a structured way to belong, connect, and thrive.
The Solution
What's On! Malaysia will provide a centralized digital companion, co-designed with student leaders and community partners:
- Cultural Anchoring — Events and groups highlighting Malaysian traditions, festivals, and food.
- Practical Guidance — Visa, housing, and cost-of-living resources tailored to Malaysian contexts.
- Employability Pathways — Skill growth tracking, internship opportunities, and mentorship programs with alumni.
- Gamified Engagement — Students earn recognition, discounts, and badges for their involvement.
Impact Goals (Projected for Pilot Year)
- 5,000+ Malaysian students reached across NSW and Victoria.
- 70% of active users completing at least one employability pathway.
- 50+ partnerships with societies, cultural groups, and employers.
- Tangible improvement in student wellbeing and sense of belonging.
Why It Matters
This project embodies our belief that student life is borderless. By expanding from India to Malaysia, What's On! continues to deliver on its mission: to make student journeys visible, celebrated, and connected to future opportunities.
For interns and collaborators, this is a chance to shape a platform from the ground up—from user research and community building to product design and data insights.
What we need
- Marketing
- Business Strategy
- Government Sales
- Partnerships
- Community
Contact us to apply!
By expanding Malaysia, we're extending the same promise we made to Indian students — that no one should have to navigate studying abroad alone. Malaysian students bring such rich culture and talent to Australia, and this platform will make sure their journeys are not just supported, but celebrated. It's about creating belonging from day one and giving them the tools to grow with confidence.
CEO of What's On!
- Less anxiety
- 80%
- Diaspora connection
- 12x
- Lesser transition costs
- 30%
- Saved in potential scams
- $100K