By Audrey Edwards

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: Determined to cast his vote for the presidential elections despite not being in the United States, Peter Christeleit got registered as an absentee voter before leaving for Malaysia in July.

"Registering was easy. Then again, I come from a town in Wyoming with 510 people," he said, adding he had cast his vote a few weeks ago.

The 24-year-old is in Malaysia as a Fulbright scholar researching Asean integration. Attached to the Institute for Diplomacy and Foreign Relations here, he leaves for home next June.

Christeleit said he felt isolated because he could not be personally there to have his voice heard should there be an "awful turn of events".

Pewitt: It is a very patriotic thing to get the opportunity

Americans went to the polls yesterday to choose between the two candidates, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.

Another Fulbright scholar Salem Ghandour, said he missed the excitement and festive atmosphere at home.

"We are aware that there is a lot at stake, such as the feelings people have over US foreign policy," said the scholar doing research in matters like alternative energy, and how Malaysia's economic model could be used in the Middle East.

American Association of Malaysia president Jana Pewitt, 41, who has lived overseas for about 10 years, said she was very excited over this election as either candidate would signal a change.

"Once I moved outside the US and saw the different kinds of governments, I'm thankful for the democracy of my country.

"It is a very patriotic thing to get the opportunity to vote," she said.

audee@thestar.com.my