Stories From People Who Made the Same Move You Are Making
Newcomers from more than 30 countries have attended Denari programmes. Here is what some of them have shared.
Back to Home600+
Participants to Date
4.8/5
Average Rating
30+
Countries Represented
94%
Would Recommend
Voices From Our Community
Sophie Leclerc
Petaling Jaya · From France
"I joined the workshop three weeks after arriving. It covered exactly what I needed — how to open an account, what the different payment apps are for, and how to think about budgeting in a place where I had no idea what things cost. The checklist has been on my fridge ever since."
Getting-Started Workshop · May 2025
Aditya Rao
Cyberjaya · From India
"Genuinely useful. My HR team had given me a basic overview of payroll and EPF, but the day-to-day money stuff was completely unfamiliar. The toolkit has been my reference ever since I received it — especially the section on utilities and mobile banking. I wish I had found it earlier."
Newcomer Toolkit · April 2025
Maria Okonkwo
Kuala Lumpur · From Nigeria
"The multi-session programme was worth every ringgit. It is not just that I now understand the financial side of life in Malaysia — I also met other people in the same situation, and we still share tips with each other through the community space. I felt less alone in the whole process."
Settling-In Literacy Programme · April 2025
James Kim
Subang Jaya · From South Korea
"My wife and I attended the workshop together. We had been in Malaysia for two months and were still confused about basic things. The session answered a lot of questions we had been too embarrassed to ask colleagues. Very approachable facilitator, no silly questions."
Getting-Started Workshop · May 2025
Priya Nair
Cyberjaya · From the UK
"The content was solid and clearly put together by people who know what newcomers actually go through. My one note is that the session could run a little longer — we ran out of time on the bill payment section. That said, the material pack covered it well, so I was not left without an answer."
Getting-Started Workshop · May 2025
Thomas Weber
Shah Alam · From Germany
"What I appreciated most was that Denari makes absolutely no attempt to sell you anything beyond the programme itself. No upselling, no referrals to financial products, no persuasion. Just clear information and a supportive space. That is rare and worth a lot."
Newcomer Toolkit · March 2025
Settling-In Journeys
A closer look at how different newcomers have used Denari programmes at different stages of their time in Malaysia.
The Challenge
No Local Banking History
A professional from South Korea arrived in Cyberjaya on a tech company assignment. Despite a solid income, she had no local credit history and struggled to understand which bank account type to open, or which documents she actually needed.
The Approach
Getting-Started Workshop
She attended the workshop in her second week in Malaysia. The session covered the document requirements for non-resident accounts, how the different banks approach newcomers differently, and which payment apps are worth setting up early.
The Outcome
Fully Set Up Within 3 Weeks
With the checklist as a guide, she had her account opened, utilities set up, and a working budget in place within three weeks of arriving. She described the main benefit as saving "hours of guesswork and one very confusing afternoon at a bank branch."
"The workshop turned what I expected to be a weeks-long puzzle into a weekend of ticking things off a list."
The Challenge
Relocating With a Family
A couple from the UK moved to Kuala Lumpur with two children. Managing household finances in a new currency, with new service providers and unfamiliar billing systems, created ongoing low-level stress for several months.
The Approach
Newcomer Toolkit & Community
They joined the Toolkit six months after arriving, drawn by the community component. The budget planner helped them restructure their household finances around Malaysian costs, and the community answered many of the questions that came up week to week.
The Outcome
Ongoing Clarity and Less Stress
They described the main benefit as moving from "constant low-level confusion" to feeling in control of their household finances. Twelve months later, they remain active in the community and have helped answer questions for more recent arrivals.
"The community was the part we did not expect to value so much. Having other people to ask, who are not trying to sell you anything — that is genuinely helpful."
Questions Before You Join?
+60 17-642 8095
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm
We reply within 1 working day
No. 23, Persiaran Multimedia
63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor
Trust Indicators
Selangor Expatriate Network
Recommended settling-in resource for international newcomers relocating to Selangor — 2024
MSC Community Partner
Partnered with the Multimedia Super Corridor community to support internationally hired professionals
Cyberjaya Community Award
Best Newcomer Education Resource — reader award from the Cyberjaya International Community Forum, May 2025
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