"Are you sure about studying abroad?"

بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم

Assalamu'alaikum

When in Leipzig, early March.

Hallo, Lieblings!

What I found really typical of having a long 'holiday', thanks to quarantine, is that I lost count of days really easily. It's almost April y'all! Time flies really fast, just like the fact that I've made the choice to study abroad around 3 years ago. I've been through many crazy decisions and fought countless odds. It felt surreal that I'm still standing on my feet on this very day.

Call me idealistic (or rather flexing?! sorry not sorry) but I found it really important to scale your own self-worthiness by the experiences and how wonderful your mind and thought had grown to be who you are today. Now note that down, that is an opinion alright.

Recounting to my high school, pre-abroad life, there were countless people who had conspired and asked me the same question. Behold, the FAQ kids.

Are you sure about studying abroad?
Are you sure about leaving your family so early?
Are you sure you are strong enough to handle those challenges?
Are you sure you are ready to live so far away all alone?

I often question myself how could some people claimed themselves knowing myself better... when I don't even know who am I yet. I believe that every great people starts with letting themselves to learn as a beginner. Every. Single. Person. Starts with level one. What is so wrong about wanting to achieve something? Great stories may start with a single daydream.

I am no more than a broke kid that has very little experience in this field of expertise, but I know that before starting a new game, a player should know themselves better. Which ammunition do you have? Do you still have enough booster in your inventory? Which items you need to buy in the shop?

I know this may not be the most helpful but through this flow of thinking and plotting one by one of the things we need to do -- slowly but surely. Here are some tips based on my past that may help answer that "Where should I start?" question.  The numbers aren't according to the level of importance though. What works for me may or may not work for you, please don't eat 'em all up easily. Pick the ones that suit you best. 💪

#1 Be conscious of your 'why'

I think it's really crucial to know your reasons before you start everything, knowing this is indeed a very BIG decision to make. I tend to see this as the phase of 'knowing myself better'. To root yourself down you may ask yourself these sample questions:

• What is the biggest reason for you to embark on this journey?
• Are you financially, psychologically, and physically ready? (I understand that money is a sensitive topic to talk about especially, but it is crucial to understand if your family has urgent priorities or vital plans to do in the future)
• Do you have any other responsibilities to do in your homeland?
• Will this journey makes you grow to be a better you? Why?
• What do you really want to learn and achieve?
• Are you ready to face every challenge that is coming? How is it?
• Will you be okay if you fail? What would you do next?

#2 Choose your target!

There are some people like me that wanted to go studying abroad because they wanted to. It doesn't really have a certain country to go as long as it is, you know, abroad. Ridiculous, I know. But at that point, I was really thirsty for looking into different windows from other parts of the world.

I think there are two types of thinking flow regarding studying abroad.

• First, because of the country. Some countries provide specific programs or unique characteristics that any other countries don't. For example, Germany is known for its unquestionable work ethic, wonderful renaissance architecture, and amazing landscapes. Plus, if you got a Schengen Visa, you can go to all EU Countries with no additional work to do!
• Second, because of the course of study. Some countries may provide better courses or even courses that others don't. For example, Biomedicine, Nanotech, and Bioinformatic aren't really common in Indonesia. That's why some of my friends eagerly continue their studies in Germany to learn what they think to suit them best.

#3 Educate yourself, do research!

Rank the countries you've chosen according to your specific standards. It may include the estimated life cost, the prospect of work, the language, the skill that you need and every detail. Write down which particular city in the country that interests you the most and why. Write the pros and cons!

Ask the pros. Brave yourself to ask people that have been actually staying in your targetted country. Stalk influencers, watch vlogs, read articles, ask communities like Union of Indonesia Students (Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia/PPI) that spread widely across the globe, actually READ the requirements thoroughly. I'm sure the Embassy doesn't put a bunch of Infos there just to dECoraTE their website. Don't come running to me like you couldn't get certain Information, because believe me, those Infos are really just as far as pressing the enter button. 😱

I'm actually excited yet scared tbh in this time of exploration haha. The more I know, the better. Yet that not only includes the ups, but also the downs. The more I know what kind of challenge I have to face though...

Looking at my life be like Kaonashi standing under the shower of sadness.

You may want to see how many hours does the country allows its foreign students to work. I really admire many of my friends that are solo financially supporting themselves. Tbh, I don't really recommend you to work during your studies if you have the privilege not to and can easily be distracted. However, every individual is different and you understand your capabilities better than anyone else. If part-timing doesn't really affect your study flow and priorities, then just go for it! It's a great experience anyway.

#4 Pray

There are a lot of things to do to feel content about what you are doing, one of them is through praying. In Islam, I was taught that the first thing to do when you feel like standing in front of a T-junction is to ask for God's guidance. If you have the same faith as I do, I recommend you to pray Istikhara (seeking goodness). It is a prayer to seek blessing and guidance from Allah ﷻ for a decision.

I guess every belief has its own unique way of seeking guidance from The Almighty. Meditate and even yoga may help you clear up the mess in your head. Do whatever suits your cup of tea! 😇

#5 Strengthen yourself

Hard times are coming and they gonna hit you like endless tsunamis. But, you are your biggest supporter and influencer. Realize that opinions are just opinions. They are just subjective thoughts made by the brain according to different perspectives.

Get your heart ready to receive both dis- and approval. Try to put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself why do they say so. Remind yourself to not be upset easily and prepare for the worst. You are the sailor of your ship called life anyway, the storms and the speck of sunlight can't ever change that fact.

Me fighting my deepest anxiety and fears!1!

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#6 Getting to the fam

Ask your homies and close relatives (before going to the peak of the family tree, lol). For me personally, I tend to see their opinions as a 'practice test'. Their so-called interviews actually made my skin thicker and ready to answer whatever questions my parents will ask. Listen to their advice, know when to rethink your decision and when to keep going.

Know that the perfect time will never come. You just need to start being brave and do this last but very important thing: ask the parents. Time is ticking! Tell them what you really want to do, your 'why', your research journey, that you've made an in-depth talk to yourself, that why you believe you can. Prove to them that you are deadly serious and ready for this and you had enough plan ABCDE if one doesn't work.

#7 (Trying our best to) be wise with every answer

The keyword here is 'trying our best' y'all note 'em down. I wouldn't blame you leaving that long conversation feeling heartbroken and betrayed... But on the other side, I will honestly never understand how does it feels like letting a child out of the house (especially you are the only child) until I eventually become a parent myself.

• If their answer is yes, get yourself ready and be grateful. One to-do list is now checked but there are still many things to do and prepare. Never lose that grip of 'why' and faith of yours. Get ready for a whole dose of upcoming challenges (and dramas)!
• If their answer is no, it's alright and still, be grateful for that. 'There are 1000 ways to go to Rome' and this door may not be yours this time. But what if it is your door tomorrow? Next week? Next year? Next couple of years? If our 'why' is crystal clear, let's put a comma in between rather than a period. Try to understand the 'why' of your parents saying so just like you wanted them to listen to yours and put yourself in their shoes. Maybe this 'extra challenge' is going to make your skin thicker and your heart stronger than it will ever be.

#8 Still, inhale knowledge

Whatsoever the answers you've gotten, I hope they won't affect your thirst on absorbing as much knowledge as possible. Because kids, don't you realize the thought of wanting to study abroad is a sign that you've grown yourself? That you wanted to learn many more things? Just like what Confucius said, It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you don't stop.

Learn whatsoever language you wanted to, whatever major you are interested in wherever and whenever. I believe that studying in this era would be made easy through the technologies we have. Online classes in various fields are widespread on the net too. Keep moving, make your own flow!

Pheww, es ist schon lange her -- it's a long time ago. But here is a life update from me! I'm still in my gap semester, waiting for the next Wintersemester to come which is on around August/September.  I'm trying to make my life seem productive during the quarantine by awakening my imagination HAHA. No, not hallucinating my love-life with imaginary North Korean Oppa that saves me from a paragliding accident ofc (Crash Landing On You fans raise your hands!!)

As you guys can see, I'm falling head over heels with Studio Ghibli's movies. I've watched several movies from the studio back in middle school and never had the time to really sink in it again until recently. They are honestly thought-provoking masterpieces that could warm my heart like no one ever could 😭 Every time I'm watching one, it feels like I'm being thrown back into my unproblematic childhood life. The music, the animation, the powerful character developments, the details are swirling my emotions in such harmony. What a piece of art. I would really recommend you to watch it, starting from two of my personal favorites; Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. 

I'm grateful for Hayao Miyazaki and his hardworking team for always successfully making me drowned in my own tears watching this scene from Spirited Away 💩

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"Even amidst the hatred and carnage, life is still worth living. It is possible for wonderful encounters and beautiful things to exist." (Hayao Miyazaki)

Anyway, despite the Covid 19 situation, wherever you are, I hope you are doing great. May your day be filled with warm rays of sunshine. Stay healthy, stay clean, stay at home! 🙋

Love and light,

Sintya

+ Sites to refer to:

PPI Jerman | PPI TV | PPI Dunia | German Embassy in Jakarta / Kedutaan Jerman

+ Recommended people to stalk, who are sharing their experiences abroad (Indonesian):

Jerome Polin (Japan/YT) | Ica Zahra (Japan/IG) | Zhafira Aqyla (Japan/IG) | Billy Kurniawan (Singapore/IG) | Leonardo Edwin (USA/YT) | Adinda Negara (South Korea/IG)

+ Indonesian Youtubers living in Germany: Gita Savitri | Sarah Diba | Mega Liyanti (Pangkatenam) | Quita Windiartono