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A Chinese national living in Malaysia has drawn attention online after explaining why some Chinese parents are choosing Malaysia as a destination for their children's education, from primary school to higher education
In a video posted on Xiaohongshu recently, influencer Zhi Zhi said Malaysia has become an attractive education destination for Chinese families due to a mix of economic, demographic, and educational factors.
One of the main reasons, she said, is the intense academic pressure in countries such as China and Singapore, which has led to severe burnout among students.
According to her, many parents are now actively looking for environments where their children can maintain a healthy study-life balance without completely losing their competitive edge or "lying flat", a term commonly used to describe opting out of intense societal competition.
She said Malaysia provides a much-needed middle ground.
"Have you noticed that the reason more and more Chinese families are coming to Malaysia now is not simply for a cheaper education?
"More so, they are looking for a space where their children can breathe a little but won't become complacent in their growth," she shared.
Zhi Zhi also pointed out that Malaysia allows Chinese students to continue using Mandarin in their daily lives while improving their English proficiency, helping them avoid the "sudden immersion" into a fully English-speaking environment that can sometimes lead to culture shock and academic struggles.
She said Malaysia's multilingual society acts as an important buffer for international students adjusting to a new environment.
Zhi Zhi noted that Malaysia provides a solid educational foundation that can also serve as a "springboard" for students who plan to further their studies overseas
For many international families, she said, studying in Malaysia is less about settling down permanently and more about strategic academic planning.
She added that the country offers an international syllabus at a significantly lower cost compared to many Western nations.
"When you compare it with Europe and the US, the cost here is not as exaggerated. And compared to Singapore, the competitive pressure isn't as intense," she explained.
"What many parents value is not actually staying in Malaysia, but rather using a relatively gentle and more cost-effective environment to build up their children's international foundation first.
"In the future, whether the child wants to go to Singapore, the UK, or Australia, their path will be much smoother."
In the video, Zhi Zhi also touched on issues such as purported discrimination faced by some Malaysians and the country's ongoing brain drain problem. You can watch the video here.
