Fulbright Professor Seeks Penang / George Town Stay

Description

I'm coming to Penang Mar 3 - Sept 3 2024 for a 6-month residence at the USM. I am a History Professor at UC Riverside, and I'll be alone in Penang until June 1 when my wife and kids (ages 12, 16, 19) join me for the summer break (approximately 2 months). My parents-in-law will visit for a week, possibly a friend or two--so ideally I would like to find a single home to rent for the entire stay that fits my budget and can accommodate the extra visitors in summer 2024. I'm happy to care for indoor plants and receive mail/packages for the owner. My professional webpage for info is: https://davidbiggs.net. Happy to provide references including colleagues in Penang. I'm flexible on housing types - rural/downtown George Town, condos, standalone homes. My research in Penang: I'm working with Penang Institute and George Town Historic District as well as USM to study the history of urbanization and coastal environmental change in the late 19th-early 20th century period with attention to the growth of settler communities, forestry of mangroves, construction of piers and harbors, and growth of urban cultures. It's part of a comparative study looking at urban coastlines around Southeast Asia. About me: I'm a water person -- surfing, diving, open water (and pool/masters) swimming -- and my research likewise examines water-related histories and themes. I've been married 22 years, and my three children are in middle school, high school and college. We've lived and worked in Vietnam for many years, but this is our first stay in Malaysia. A new experience! I have colleagues at USM helping me get settled in Penang, and they are happy to offer references and meet with the owner (speak Malaysian and Chinese) in advance.