Ms Siti Hazariah Abu Bakar, 20, still recounts with delight her passage to India where she connected with its culture.

That three-week visit took place four years ago when she was on a secondary school exchange programme.

As part of that trip, she and other international students visited New Delhi and Agra.

'India is so beautiful because it is homogenous, yet there is a fine line between the Brahmins and the untouchables, the Hindus and the Muslims. I was fascinated with the idea of being the same, yet different,' Miss Siti Hazariah said.

'I fell head over heels in love with India and its people.'

She is now a second-year South Asian major at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

While taking her A levels in the Malay language, she studied ancient Indian texts like the Mahabaratha and the Ramayana, which have been woven into Malay folk tales.

'The overlap with my own culture fascinated me even more,' she said.

She went on to sign up for Tamil lessons at NUS for two semesters.

'I think language reflects the culture and also the perceptions and perspectives of people. It's such a thrill to actually speak in Tamil with my Indian friends, and for them to understand me.'

Miss Siti Hazariah plans to start Hindi lessons next.

Her mother, Madam Wook Mohamed Kasim, 53, a hospital healthcare assistant, is supportive of her daughter's newfound love for Indian culture.

'Most young adults today are into Western cultures, but Hazariah is different,' she said.

Her father wondered if it might just be another passing phase, 'mostly based on the Bollywood movies that she watches'.

Mr Abu Bakar Abdul Rahman, 52, a technician, added: 'She should learn more about her own Malay culture instead.'

But Miss Siti Hazariah feels her father need not worry about her cross-cultural explorations.

'I would like to think that I know enough about my own race,' she said.