" Live by having a purpose and hope not to live in a dream "
This is the wisdom that I get as an International seminar speaker in Indonesia, it seems that my life was prepared first to be forged in my own country and to be trusted to speak in the international arena. In the following year I get an opportunity to join the Youth program
Exchange in April 2018 in Budapest, Hungary, Eastern Europe funded by the Open Society Institute. Country I never imagined before. However, it is only because it is the belief that guides every path that I must take. As I recall the lyrics of a song that is always played in an amateur radio station that reads "I'm sure when you say, I swear when you act, my life is only determined by Your power, For God nothing is impossible, for God nothing is impossible , my life is only determined by your words ... His miracles are provided for me, I am lifted and restored ... ". I do not know what song it is and who is singing but the song's lyrics have touched my heart and also have inspired me to do better and work.
This is what I can do to keep my beliefs in place. Because of my belief and unyielding spirit I can overcome the obstacles and limitations that exist. This is my first trip abroad to Hungary.
For me dreams and hopes are the beginning of life to reach the ideals of the star that it wants to achieve even though it feels difficult but the process is a boon that will shape me into a person who wants to keep fighting. Now, what I feel is that reaching dreams and hopes is not impossible anymore. U.G.M is the lamp of my path that leads me to the streets that I have to pass even though the road is steep, narrow, and thorny but with all my limitations, I am sure that I can pass through it.
This is where I have to show that I am Indonesian. I do not want to be like a student who just abroad has no stock. Before I left I tried to find as much information as possible about Hungary, I started searching the internet about maps of Hungary, transportation there and the embassy in Hungary because if anything happened I could run to the Embassy to ask for help. I am also looking for Hungarian people in Yogyakarta to ask about what the country is like, what systems, culture, food, and people are. Later, I found a student exchange student from Hungary studying at ISI because I only capitalize the spirit therefore I must be able to survive in another country. I got a lot of information from the Hungarian students. I feel better and ready to go.
After I got a letter of introduction from the Office of International Affairs, UGM I went directly to the Hungarian Embassy in Jakarta to apply for a visa. After a week my visa is out, I am happy and I confirm to the committee to be followed up for the electronic ticket. When I receive an e-ticket I immediately prepare myself. I also have to bring something I can share for my friends there. Since I am also a cultural ambassador for my nation then I must show my nation's identity in the eyes of the International. I brought some traditional souvenirs and traditional clothes of Yogyakarta. In Budapest, I met young people from developing countries such as Czech, Uzbekistan, Tazkistan, Ukraine, Bosnia, Thailand, Philippines, Nepal, Georgia, Poland, Turkey, Macedonia and some other European countries, about 100 youths from 50 countries gather to discuss the future of the nation. We share experiences and thoughts on how to build the nation and the ideals of the young generation to become future successors.
I am touched that I can reach the country of people through obstacles and limitations. I also heard and saw friends from other countries how they told about the conditions experienced by the nation.
I met a lot of youth and some of them asked about my country especially about Soekarno. I am proud that I have Sukarno who has inspired many countries because of his leadership. I remembered Soekarno's speech saying Never For ever forget history because from history we can learn about what life means and how other nations struggle to rise.
I am contemplating that this nation also needs a caring and caring young generation to serve a selfless nation. This nation needs our helping hand, to devote our knowledge and our expertise to the progress of the nation. At least we need to take the time, energy, and mind to contribute actively. Indonesia needs recovery and needs to be recovered from adversity. The future of the nation is in the hands of the younger generation. Nowadays many intellectuals are only pursuing the prestige and achievement of individuals but few are willing to sacrifice and volunteer to think about the fate of the nation and do the devotion.
After I returned to Indonesia, in August 2010 I had another opportunity to go abroad. I joined the Citizenship Exchange: Democracy and Tolerance, a State-sponsored Exchange Program sponsored by the US Department of State through the Donanue Institute, University of Massachusetts, USA. This program is a collaborative program of Center for Pancasila Studies and Donahue Institute, University of Massachusetts. I feel grateful to have another opportunity to become an ambassador of the nation and can do something to represent Indonesia.
Since childhood I did dream of seeing a country known as Uncle Sam's nickname. A country that is a dream for everyone. I am a person who has no academic or financial achievement whatsoever. But that dream started when I was in Gadjah
Mada. From the University of Gadjah Mada, every dream I began to materialize and become a reality. The ordinary person can do something. After I got a J-1 visa from the American Embassy in Jakarta the following day I flew to the United States. The first time I landed my feet in the capital city of Washington DC.
The first thing I want to visit is the Embassy in Washington DC. Arrived in Washington DC. I stay at Dupont Hotel. At that time, I told my coordinator program. Hannahan, I want to go to the Indonesian embassy, and ask where is it?, But my coordinator program does not answer clearly just says foreign embassies not far from here you can search for yourself. Then I started searching by asking for a map from the hotel receptionist and armed with a map I found an embassy. After I visited the Embassy, I felt proud when I saw the Embassy was so grand. It is the result of the struggle and dream of the founders of our nation who are willing to struggle and sacrifice for the nation and the country so they can get the Embassy in a strategic and magnificent place in the land of Uncle Sam. I walked and wandered around the embassy, where along the block there was no embassy building from any country as great as the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington DC.
Because it is a vision that moves the founders of our nation to inherit the glory and greatness of a great and sovereign nation for the grandchildren and future generations of the nation. As long as in the United States I do not stay silent I want to explore further what is in the country. I was invited by Dr. Michael Hannahan, program coordinator of the Donahue Institute circumnavigated the city of Washington DC, to Amherst, and Boston. I see that the diversity of the Indonesian nation overcame the limits of colorful life. The diversity of the Indonesian nation will be a great nation and I have never seen in any country including in the United States.
In a small town called Belchertown, Massachusetts I saw a charity concert there I met one of the veterans of the US soldiers in the Vietnam war calling me and asking where you came from, I replied that I was from Indonesia. Then, a veteran said that I knew Sukarno. I feel very proud that Soekarno is also known to the US war army
in those days. It is remarkable that what Sukarno not only spoke of the racial nation, but also the future and future of the nation.
This is called the nation's character building. Whoever the leader but this nation will not be separated from the figure of Sukarno who gave the basic character of the nation. Indonesia is known by many countries because of the figure of Sukarno who has struggled to fight for the nation and state. Life is full of wonders and the meaning of life is how I can deliver miracles to everyone around me. Indonesia is a country I love that also has millions of wonders and hopes. Now it's time we show everyone through realizing our dreams as a service for the nation and country.