My personal experience

Everything is good. First visit was Amsterdam. I booked two apartments Bellinis’ apartment (host: Pasqual) and Art Hotel (host: Robert). My experience with Airbnb is great as both host is very helpful and friendly. As a guest, I was allowed to use anything to make myself feel at home.

Picture: Bellini’s apartment and Art Hotel (me) — Airbnb Amsterdam

I like the fact that I can enjoy a cup of coffee and tea any time. Since I love to cook, I was allowed to use the kitchen for making meal for breakfast and supper. If I were to stay in hotel, none of this would happened. I have visited Keukenhoff, the largest flower garden in the world with the help of Pasqual and also getting around the local area. Similar to Rob, the Art-Hotel is superb and posh! I even asked Rob, the host, to prepare a bouquet of flowers for my girlfriend (with printed greetings card).

I got to travel around Amsterdam and staying with Airbnb was a good decision.

Next, I went to Stockholm and I stayed at Johan’s apartment. During my stay, I only got the chance to talk with Johan (due to his errands) for couple of minutes but he provided me with essential informations. His apartment is very clean and cost – I feel like home. Moreover, few weeks ago, a friend of mine DM me on twitter that due to my review, she is going to stay there for her visit to Stockholm!

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My holiday was held on hold because I had an interview with Petronas in the middle of the holiday (I know, it’s killing the mood but everything is going well). The interview was held in London and I stayed at Rowan’s apartment and Gowen apartment — both are on Airbnb.

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After about 3 days staying in London, I went straight to the city of love, Paris. I stayed at Yvette’s apartment. It’s located at Montreuil, outside Paris. I skipped staying at the city centre to feel what was it like to be a local.

Yvette helped me a lot even long before my arrival especially getting to her apartment, helping me with the transportation info on my trip to Disneyland Paris and interesting areas in Paris.

I feel welcomed during my stay as I got the opportunity to ask should I have any doubt. The conversations that I had with Yvette and all of the hosts open an opportunity for me to learn more about the ins and outs of the city and cultures. Besides, socializing with people and creating new circle of friends.

Overall

I look no further when searching for a place to stay. It will always be Airbnb. No doubt for my coming up trip to Milan, Rome and Frankfurt. The difference now, I am going with my girlfriend’s family instead two of us. Second time experience for both of us, first time experience for her parents.

View my Airbnb profile and recommendations

Booking

My friend, Mardhiah recommended this site to me and the overall website experience is superb. The tagline travel like human, is really what determine whether you are an Airbnb type of person or not. I skipped the hotel booking as this is more of a personal touch.

Airbnb provides room of flexibility. I don’t want to worry about what time I should check in, check out, etc. The people who have put up their room/house/apartment for stay are not governed by red tape, so you could skip it (though some of the listing are managed by property management company, but 99% is not).

Features that I found useful?

• Contact the host – Prior to your stay, you could ask anything from the host.
• Review and description – Always helpful, especially with the reviews by people who stayed there before.
• Pictures of place that you wish to stay – What you see is what you will get.
• The flexibility of number of guest

Can it be trusted?

Until now, I am still worried when choosing where I should stay. But the above features somehow bridge the gap. If it is your first time maybe the tips below could be useful when booking through Airbnb.

• Look for reviews and the host profile. If none available, contact the host.
• After you have decided which accommodation, normally they would ask you about your travel details such as time of arrival, special needs, etc for them to plan for your arrival.
• Write down or print the map, address and phone number of the host. I use Google Street View to check out the place of stay.
• Write down emergency contact details of Airbnb and your travel insurance.
• Contact the host prior to your travel or a day before noting that it is confirmed.
• Contact the host once arrived at the airport or city centre.

Worried about paying full amount upfront?

No worries. The host will only get the payment 24 hours after you have checked-in (Read the FAQ). If anything happens, contact Airbnb straight away.

So?

Give it a go – http://www.airbnb.com. Even if you’re a local at that area, try to stay at one of the Airbnb host is a good step to see how it works.

I am looking forward to the interview and hoping to score it with flying colours!

Wish me luck!

Photo credit: Bain McLeod

I have been studying in the UK since September 2007 – almost 3 years now. Apart from the things that I discovered in what is life in the UK, there are still few matters in which I wish to share and today is regarding the education.

Why UK?

I was here in the UK because of a scholarship opportunities that I received from Petronas. I am glad that I am graduating this July 2010 with a honours Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In the first place, I don’t get the choice to choose which country I wish to pursue my education. It was all set by them. But I am glad that I am here because I believe I have earned more than what they expect me to earn here.

Isn’t it famous to be UK graduate

It is famous. People have high expectation of you. But it is rather subjective. The UK graduates that earn that respect are those who have taken all the opportunities. If I were to tone it down, if you are a UK graduate and you can go back and talk about UK, inside out. Not many will be able to do that.

It is not my intention for you to drink what they drink and party like they do – because I never do things that against my own principle. Perhaps you should try to listen, experience wherever necessary and judge, regardless what you believe in.

Living in London is not the same as living in Cardiff. But wherever you are, be the local there. Travel with the people, talk with the people. Some people don’t care about these things, but these are things that allow you to share with people when you are back in Malaysia, at least for me.

Money matters

I am grateful that I am sponsored here thus everything from accommodation, tuition fees and pocket money is covered. It depends on where you are, but the cost of living in the UK varies. For cities like London, you need a deep pocket money. You will be amazed how much does it cost for transportation only. Food? That is already different pocket money. So, if you were to come here in the UK, city-wise, I’d go for more cost-effective cities like Cardiff, Sheffield and Manchester.

Although it maybe argued that top universities will charge internatinal students up to quadruple times what they local students are paying (that is how universities here makes money – International students). But wherever you go, make sure it is worth it.

And by worth it, I mean:

• Your degree is recognized by a perfessional institution. For example, my engineering degree course is recognized by IMechE, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
• Always check out the university ranking in terms of the department you wish to join. This list is for the top UK universities for Mechanical Engineering. Note: Choose the subject on top of the table to see yours.
• And what you heart tells you!

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Working in the UK?

It is hard but not impossible. With the immigration issues that the UK have to handle at the moment, I would expect getting job in the UK is quite hard. You have to convince your employer why they should take the extra steps employing you rather than local graduates.

I would love to serve Malaysia through working with Petronas. And that is my dream. So, I am not looking forward to working here. But if you are thinking about it, I wish you a success!

Earning money is nice, but doing something that you love doing driven by passion is a whole different level. Bottom line is, whatever you do. Make sure it counts, make sure it is worth it!

P/s: I would be happy to answer any questions, just drop your comment below.

Photo credit: a.drian, lewishamdreamer

I am a person that don’t like to travel in a rush condition. What meant by this is that I prefer to stay at one place for quite some time. Wake up in the morning and have a nice cuppa tea. Perfect holiday getaway perhaps but that is just me. And this summer, I have managed to live a London life.

Photo by realSMILEY

I might not know all the tube stops for Picadilly line like the back of my hand, but I learnt quite a few tricks like how to get a free bus ride and yet to try a free tube ride – not that I have tried. I give you one loop hole:

If you are travelling by bus, stop at Earl’s Court. At the tube station, there is no gate in which you should swipe your card as you enter.

Meaning, it is based on the Underground faith on to you. Find a next stop that does the same. Where? I found one where I live close by – Finsbury Park station. You can go back and forth if you wish.

I made  a conclusion based on my theory, find a work near Earl’s Court and live in Islington (near Finsbury Park Station). Despite that, once you get caught, you will be fined £50. Deductible to £25 if paid in 30 days (please double check). I’m not encouraging you to try, but I found it intriguing myself.

London "Long" Bus

What another? What about if I tell you that the bus with the number 29 is a lucky bus!