Salam (Greetings)! My name is Isaac Xie, and I grew up in Rockville, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. I always loved going outside and exploring the world around me, whether it's the beach, the mountains, or the downtown of a bustling city. This curiosity inspired me to take on environmental sciences at Middlebury College in beautiful Vermont.
One of my other favorite things to do is eating good food! Alongside my passion for sustainability, I naturally wondered: what happens to food that nobody eats? Fortunately, I got the very chance to explore that very question as a Fulbright researcher in flavorful Malaysia! During our time together, I will study how heat and water can give old food a new job, right in the heart of Malaysia's bustling capital, Kuala Lumpur. The process involves turning the old food into hydrochar, a coal-like material less polluting than coal, that can power the city lights!
Outside the lab, I'll be exploring diverse Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia, a multicultural crossroads with a truly vibrant food scene! Malaysians are also known to be welcoming: during holidays, Malaysians may celebrate with a tradition called rumah terbuka or “open house.” Families invite friends, neighbors, and even sometimes folks they don’t know well to celebrate together. Food they might share include the famous Nasi lemak, a traditional Malay rice dish that is often also made with Chinese-style meats or Indian-influenced curries.
I’m so excited to get to know about your journeys through the school year, and have you join me as we discover the unique cultures and flavors of Malaysia.
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
