Given that studying abroad is costly, it comes as no surprise that international students, including those from Indonesia, have strong reason to choose a program that inspires them to succeed.

Annisa Hayatunnufus, St. Fatimah Zahrah Anwar and Inge Syafrida are among Indonesian students that have chosen a postgraduate course and a university in the United Kingdom and expect their choice to not only help them develop their respective careers but help them make contributions to their home country upon course completion.

Annisa, who is studying for her Master of Public Health (Global Health) at the University of Nottingham, says public health has always been in the back of her mind because, “Somewhere inside me I’ve always wanted a health-related career that lets me bring about change to the larger population. Not to mention the scope of the course is very broad and I think that’s very suitable for a jack-of-all-trades like me.”

“I was inspired by how vital the field is during these unprecedented times and I wanted to learn so much more about it,” says the 23-year-old, who works at the Health Ministry, adding, “I was especially intrigued by the global-minded aspect of the course,” she adds.

She also became interested in the course while working at the Health Ministry. “Almost everything I did correlates so much to this field and I find it baffling and unfortunate that I didn’t know more about it, especially since I wanted to have a career that will impact the health of the population,” she says.

Siti Fatimah, who is studying for a postgraduate degree in Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Technology at the University of Dundee, Scotland, says, “As an aspiring orthopedic surgeon, I always felt like I needed stronger foundation of knowledge before jumping into the training (residency) program.”

 “Being a general practitioner, I perceive orthopedics as one of few areas of medicine where I get to really transform a person’s life by putting them back together after severe trauma or giving back their independence by relieving pain,” says the 26-year-old doctor.

She says that she is especially interested in geriatric orthopedics, “Where we assess and rehabilitate elderly people with walking difficulties, since Indonesia is home to the eighth-largest population of older persons in the world and fourth-largest among Asian countries,” she reasons.

“With a course titled ‘Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Technology’, I believe this program will help me achieve both of my goals, which is why I came to the decision to choose the subject.”

Fatimah acknowledges that she made the decision after devoting five and a half years to becoming a general practitioner and going through all the clinical rotations.

“Orthopedic consultants and residents left a positive impression on me during my clinical rotation.”

According to her, the UK is known for having the most motion analysis labs in the world. “Other than their popularity with international students, their pioneering development in rehabilitation and engineering for geriatric orthopedics’ patient is top notch.

“After all, the first geriatric orthopedic ward in the world was built in the UK. They will provide me with superior fundamental mechanics and specific engineering concepts associated with orthopedic devices and treatments, which is listed in my postgraduate module,” she points out.

“This will further prepare me to take part in the formulation of new technological approaches to orthopedic disease in Indonesia,” she remarks. 

Inge Syafrida, who is studying for a masters in cardiovascular sciences at the University of Glasgow, chose the program because, “I love everything about the human heart for it is a magical little thing God ever created for us,” says the 26-year-old.

“Moreover, on a personal note, my father had a severe heart attack in late 2019. I’m interested in learning more about the cardiovascular system not only clinically but also theoretically to strengthen my basic education on the human heart.”

“Indonesia only offers a cardiovascular course as a specialization program; to be a cardiologist. That is why I chose the UK as my study destination.”

Inge acknowledges that her love of the cardiovascular system began in her fourth year of university. “I came across many heart disease cases when I was in the hospital,” she says.

Regarding the course, she says, “In fact, it is easier for me to catch up with the syllabus because I studied this in my undergraduate studies program.”

Community engagement

Beyond academic activities, most Indonesians studying in the UK also enrich their overseas experience by engaging in a community as part of their learning process, which they’ve found worthwhile. In general, they are part of Indonesian Student Society (PPI) in the UK and many are also engaged in foreign communities.  But with the COVID-19 pandemic still lingering, most of the activities are done virtually. Some are also engaged in health crisis-related activities, especially those who have graduated from medical school.

Annisa, for example, that she is part of the Islamic Society, PPI and Anime Society. However, she says, she is more active outside of these circles because, “I volunteer for a social enterprise called Vanclaron CIC and work part-time for the University of Nottingham’s Covid-19 Asymptomatic Testing Service.”

Most of the activities in Islamic Society, PPI and Anime Society revolve around socializing.

“Right now, socializing is usually done online (participating in a Quran class through Zoom, speed-networking for PPI, and weekly online anime sessions).

“When it comes to volunteering with Vanclaron CIC, I deliver weekly online classes on mindfulness meditation and low-impact aerobic dance class (inspired by Indonesia’s habit of having aerobic sessions every Friday morning) as well as managing some administrative work.”

She says that she does her part-time work with UoN’s Covid-19 testing offline by assembling test kits, distributing them and collecting them from students and staff, and disseminating information about the test itself.

“Whenever I’m not studying, doing assignments or resting, I am engaged with one of the above activities.

“I think being active in those will ultimately contribute to developing your career as well. You will learn so many transferrable skills, expand your network, and just generally make yourself useful to the people around you. Being in a community that lets you connect directly with the locals would be a plus point as well.”

Meanwhile, Fatimah says that she is actively involved in PPI UK and DUIS [Dundee University Islamic Society] at the University of Dundee. “In PPI UK, I worked with KBRI [Indonesian Embassy in the UK] in supporting Indonesian diagnosed or suspected with Covid-19 in the UK. I am responsible for contacting them during my shifts and report back to the KBRI regarding their conditions.”

“In DUIS, I have not really done much because of the pandemic. All the events are held through Zoom, like city tours.”

Highly motivated Annisa, Fatimah and Inge are among Indonesia’s undergraduate students that received GREAT Scholarships for a one-year postgraduate program, with a minimum of 10,000 pound sterling off their tuition fees as part of the Study UK campaign.

“I am grateful for the support of my parents and fully aware of the privileges that I received. They have always had a separate fund saved up for me and this [alongside my own personal savings] was used as proof of funding to apply for the UK study visa initially,” says Annisa.

Fatimah says that prior to her departure for the UK, she was a general practitioner and isolation ward doctor for Covid-19.  “Being on the frontlines in Covid-19 pandemic, I earned enough money from the government to use as my living expenses during the first few months here.”

 Inge says that her parents encouraged her to study abroad since she was in high school. “Thus, they have prepared special savings for me and my younger sister,” Inge says.

For Annisa, Fatimah and Inge, choosing the right course, university and moving away from home for a while, was indeed deemed as crucial in their effort to achieve career success.

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