Leadership Retreat in Malaysia
Applications are now open for our Leadership Retreat in Malaysia in July 2025.
The leadership cohort of 8-16 high school and/or college students will carry out a short-term internship at the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). This retreat offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience—blending leadership development, hands-on humanitarian work, cultural exploration, and global networking. Through this program, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the refugee crisis in Malaysia, engage in humanitarian work, and make a direct impact by providing education and aid to those in need.
Retreat Highlights
🌍 Global Internship & Humanitarian Experience – Step into the world of international aid, working alongside UNHCR officials to understand and support refugee communities.
🚀 Leadership & Practical Skills Development – Enhance your cross-cultural communication, problem-solving, and teaching abilities while making a real impact.
📖 Teach & Empower – Provide English or Mandarin lessons to refugee children aged 7-12, helping them gain essential language skills for a better future.
🍽️ Hands-On Humanitarian Work – Distribute relief meals, assist in refugee support programs, and gain a firsthand understanding of global displacement challenges.
🎓 Earn an International Volunteer Certificate & UN Recommendation –
All participants receive an official UNHCR project participation certificate.
Exceptional performers (top 10-15%) will receive a personalized recommendation letter from a UNHCR official, a valuable asset for university and job applications.
📝 Master Digital Storytelling – Learn to create compelling videos or write powerful personal essays and articles to document and share your experience.
✨ A Life-Changing Experience – Immerse yourself in one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian issues, develop resilience, situational judgment skills, and critical leadership skills for university applications, future careers, and beyond.
Background Information
As of November 2024, more than 190,000 refugees and asylum seekers are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia. These individuals come from over 50 countries, most having fled their homelands due to war, persecution, and other crises.
Among them:
170,000+ are from Myanmar, including Rohingya and other ethnic minorities.
5,700 from Pakistan
3,140 from Yemen
2,680 from Syria
2,800 from Somalia
2,750 from Afghanistan
1,100 from Sri Lanka
510 from Iraq
560 from Palestine
More than 50,000 are minors, many without access to formal education or basic resources.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
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6 × 2 hour Video Production sessions or
3 x Crafting Powerful Narratives writing workshop.
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July 2
Arrival in Kuala Lumpur & Airport Pickup (Please book a flight arriving between 12 PM - 6 PM)
Welcome Dinner: Seafood feast
July 3
Morning: Guided visit to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) office to learn about its operations and refugee conditions in Malaysia
Afternoon: Hands-on humanitarian work—prepare and distribute food to refugees, interview displaced individuals, and provide basic English or Chinese lessons to refugee children
July 4
Morning: Second visit to the UNHCR office for deeper insights into refugee challenges
Afternoon: Continue hands-on humanitarian work—food distribution, interviews, and tutoring sessions
Evening: Dinner with representatives from the International Chamber of Commerce Youth Network, a UN-affiliated partner organization
July 5
Day Trip to Malacca: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage City, known for its rich cultural heritage and historical charm
July 6
Kuala Lumpur City Tour:
Visit the iconic Petronas Twin Towers
Explore the Royal Selangor Museum
Discover the majestic Batu Caves, a cultural and natural wonder
Experience the National Mosque, a symbol of Malaysia’s Islamic heritage
July 7
Morning: UNHCR site visit for continued learning
Afternoon: Community service—food distribution, refugee interviews, and tutoring sessions
July 8
Morning: Final visit to the UNHCR office for reflections and insights
Afternoon: Wrap-up service activities, final interactions with local community.
Evening: Closing Ceremony & Farewell Dinner – Certificate Presentation
July 9
Departure & Airport Drop-off (Recommended flight departure between 12 - 6PM)
FEE STRUCTURE
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Pre-Departure: 6 online sessions (2 hours each), covering vlog introduction, interview & scripting techniques, camera work, and editing.
On-Site: Create a short vlog (under 5 minutes) with the guidance of an on-site cinematographer and online mentor, capturing the highlights of the journey and documenting volunteer work.
Equipment: Can be filmed with a phone or camera and edited using a phone or computer.
Suitable for: Beginners interested in video production.
Fee: 18,900 RMB or $2690 USD
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Pre-Departure: 3 online sessions led by cultural expert and published Canadian writer, XiRen Wang.
During the Tour: Ongoing online guidance, adjusting the elements of the story and establishing and sculpting a strong Point of View (POV).
Post-tour:
1 x editing session to refine the final piece. Additional sessions available if interested in pitching and publishing.Requirement: Basic English comprehension and writing skills.
More options here.
Fee: 17,900 RMB or $2690 USD
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Retreat experience alone, no coaching.
Fee: 13,900 RMB or $1990 USD
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Travel insurance
3-star hotel accommodation (twin rooms or family rooms)
Entrance tickets to attractions
Meals
Guided tours
Local transportation
Learning & hands-on activities
Volunteer certificate issued by an international nonprofit organization
Bonus: A 1-2 minute highlight video capturing the team’s journey and volunteer work, produced by the accompanying photographer
❌ Not Included:
Round-trip airfare from and to your home-base
Personal expenses
📢 Special Notes:
Malaysia: Visa-free entry for Chinese citizens
费用包含:旅行保险、三星级酒店双人间住宿、⻔票、餐饮、导 游、交通、学习实践、志愿者证书。附赠由随团摄影师拍摄制作的 记录团队旅行和工作的1-2分钟短视频。 需自理项目:国际机票、个人消费。 注:⻢来西亚对中国公⺠免签。