A heartwarming video capturing the vibrant send-off for over a hundred Mara scholars at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has gone viral, touching the hearts of Malaysians nationwide.
The video, originally posted by TikTok user @pokya_124, shows a jubilant crowd of family members, friends, and fellow UniKL students cheering wildly as the scholars prepared to depart for South Korea on Sunday. These bright young minds had just completed their foundation studies at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and are now heading to prestigious universities in the East Asian nation.
The atmosphere at KLIA was described by some as resembling a sports stadium, with enthusiastic chants and waves of encouragement filling the air. In the comment section of the viral TikTok post, the uploader shared a personal connection to the event, revealing that their own child was among the scholars, pursuing a data science degree at Korea University alongside four friends.
Netizens were quick to share their joy and pride for the scholars. User Zailani Hussein wrote, "Congratulations to these young achievers. May you be blessed with extraordinary success at the end of your studies. Amin."
Another commenter, Ayang, likened the celebration to a celebrity send-off, remarking, "It's like sending off celebrities, how festive!"
Many others praised the scholars' camaraderie and determination. "Today's students have such strong friendships among themselves. Keep up the spirit of learning and take care of everything while abroad. Congratulations to all," commented @user9812416909371.
Parents of the Mara scholars also shared their experiences and emotions. Siti Khuzaimah reflected on her daughter's similar journey, saying, "This reminds me of two years ago when my daughter and her batch were celebrated at KLIA. Alhamdulillah, she's now entering her third year."
Shahimah Satuhat recounted her bittersweet feelings when her child flew to France under Mara's sponsorship in August.
For some, the celebration evoked memories of simpler farewells in the past. User @PakTam reminisced, "In my time, decades ago, I went overseas with just a backpack and a big suitcase, traveling alone. It's so different now for students going abroad in 2025."
Others humorously noted how subdued their own departures were. "When I left for England to pursue my degree and PhD, no one cheered," shared Thunder Thundercats.
Despite the varying experiences, one sentiment remained consistent: the significance of studying abroad as a life-changing journey. As user Tah aptly put it, "This marks the beginning of chasing dreams."
The viral send-off serves as a testament to the spirit of community and support that defines Malaysians, highlighting the pride and hope invested in the next generation of scholars. For these Mara students, their departure from KLIA is just the beginning of an exciting chapter as they embark on their journey to pursue their dreams in South Korea.
Source: NST
