Mentality-Driven Bond: Common among students in competitive programs (e.g., Foundation in Science). Romance emerges from shared academic stress. “We fell in love over organic chemistry at 2 AM in the 24-hour study lounge” (Raj, 20). However, breakups often coincide with exam results: a disparity in grades creates shame.
A phenomenological approach was taken. 30 participants (18 female, 12 male; ages 18-24) were recruited via snowball sampling on Sunway’s student-run confession pages and Discord servers. Inclusion criteria: had at least one romantic relationship lasting >2 months during their time at Sunway College (Foundation in Arts, Commerce, or Science; Diploma in IT or Business). Semi-structured interviews were conducted at the Starbucks inside Sunway Pyramid (to leverage ambient context). Names and identifying details have been anonymized. However, breakups often coincide with exam results: a
Sunway College is not a traditional university campus. Located in Bandar Sunway, Selangor, it is an integrated township where education, retail, and entertainment collide. Students walk directly from lectures at Sunway University/College into the Sunway Pyramid mall or the Sunway Lagoon theme park. This spatial arrangement creates a unique "courtship economy." While previous studies have examined Malaysian university romance (e.g., Mohd Daud, 2018), few have focused on the specific pressures of a private, for-profit education setting where social status is visibly performed through consumption. This paper asks: How do the spatial, temporal, and socioeconomic features of Sunway College shape romantic storylines? Inclusion criteria: had at least one romantic relationship
Canal Crossings: Navigating Romantic Scripts, Academic Pressure, and Social Stratification at Sunway College, Malaysia The physical integration of the mall
Romantic storylines at Sunway College are not mere subplots to academic life; they are central to how students negotiate identity, class, and future aspirations. The physical integration of the mall, theme park, and university erodes the boundary between study and leisure, turning dating into a performative, consumption-driven act. However, the Mentality-Driven Bond offers a counter-narrative, suggesting that shared academic ambition remains a potent, if fragile, foundation for love. Future research should examine how these dynamics change when students articulate to Sunway University’s degree programs.