A student from Fayoum, studying medicine at Al-Azhar University, set out on a remarkable journey that took him across 15 cities in India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Over the course of 43 days, he covered more than 23,000 kilometers, mostly using the cheapest means of transportation: tuk-tuks, motorcycles, and local buses. Along the way, he visited world-famous landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, the great Borobudur Temple, Kuala Lumpur’s Twin Towers, and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Indonesia.

Ahmed Magdy, who is often called “Fayoum’s Ibn Battuta,” explained that the trip was not just about sightseeing but about experiencing the cultures, traditions, and diversity of the countries he visited. He emphasized that the best education comes not only from books but from direct encounters with different peoples and societies.

He added that his goal was to make friends from different backgrounds, something made possible through electronic networks that helped him find affordable accommodation, often staying in hostels for very low prices. He said: “What impressed me most about Indonesians is their humility and kindness. Despite the country being the largest Muslim nation in the world, I discovered that their unity comes from embracing differences rather than erasing them.”

In India, Ahmed learned how people of many religions live together despite their differences, while in Malaysia he came to appreciate the meaning of unity—since its people come from three different ethnic groups. He also noted that Jakarta, despite being overcrowded, is a city full of life and endless opportunities.

During his journey, Ahmed walked across volcanic lands, explored caves, and admired the natural beauty spread across Indonesia. He visited 27 Indonesian provinces and witnessed cultural festivals that bring together the nation’s diversity under one flag.

Ahmed stressed that the three-month preparation for the journey required great effort, including obtaining multiple entry visas and carefully planning his route to minimize costs. He used specialized travel websites to organize his trip and reduce expenses wherever possible.

For him, this was not simply travel—it was a life-changing experience that broadened his horizons, deepened his understanding of other cultures, and gave him a profound sense of what it means to belong to a global community.