Making a decision about where to study for higher education — for yourself or for your children — is never easy. Indonesian universities now offer an array of good quality degrees and they appear less expensive than studying abroad because they are right on our doorstep.

However, the option of studying overseas also brings its own benefits, at the very least in broadening our academic and personal horizons. There is no obvious answer to the question of where to go; it is just a matter of which choice is more suited to one’s situation and circumstances.

There are several advantages to studying in Britain, from the relatively short duration needed to earn a degree, the quality of the education and the diverse choice of locations to study.

“British education offers a unique opportunity where quality and value for money come at the same time, particularly for master’s level,” said Yanuar Nugroho, lecturer and research fellow at Manchester Business School of the University of Manchester.

“Instead of two years in the US or 18 months in other European Union countries, it only takes one year to complete most master’s degrees. With universities quality being constantly monitored, you can expect a similar level of quality of masters’ degrees across the country.”

Graduates of UK universities and currently enrolled students find different fulfilment from their experiences.

“Studying in the UK for me meant embracing academic freedom, enjoying the full attention that we received from the lecturers and full access to all types of learning resources such as books, journals and audio video,” said Binny Buchori.

Trying time: An international food festival showcases delicacies from the foreign students’ lands.(JP/Mark Cooke)
“I also learned to be analytical. Discussions, essays and reports are focused on analyzing the topics. Lecturers expected us to lay out our arguments and not necessarily give the correct answers.”

Imee Putri, currently studying for her MSc in marketing at the University of Manchester, agreed that a UK education required more independent study and emphasized academic ethics.

“It requires high quality referencing. To prevent plagiarism, each university has software to monitor their students’ assignments. The grading system is also fair and open.”

Theresia Sugianto, an alumnus of the University of Salford who studied MSc in Management, also found the UK campus setting pushed her to explore her academic independence.

“It encourages students to explore and find the answers themselves, in comparison to the majority of Indonesian institutions that tend to spoon-feed students with answers.“

Something to suit all tastes

Most Indonesian students in the UK pursue higher education in major universities in big cities such as London, Manchester, Edinburgh, not to mention Oxford and Cambridge.

But studying in a small town away from the hustle and bustle of urban centers may be a better choice for some.

Binny studied librarianship at University College of Wales in Aberystwyth, a coastal town of 10,000 people.

“It took me some time to adjust. But once adjusted I enjoyed living there. There were not many distractions, so I could concentrate on my study. Living costs were cheaper than in big cities. I could walk to campus, so no cost for transportation. The other positive factor [about small towns] is that international students are able to develop close friendships with fellow students as well as lecturers,” she said.

“There are choices of local clubs or study groups that one can join. I joined an English literature club, with whom I visited theaters in Manchester and Stratford-upon-Avon. I was also a member of the Railway and Transport Society. They organized train journeys to many different towns to visit train museums.”

Choosing to study in a big city does not necessarily mean that students cannot experience what Binny encountered in rural Wales. Most universities in the UK have international student groups that offer special trips nationwide. University of Salford in Greater Manchester offered a day trip to York for just £5 last semester — an unbeatable price for travelling alone!

Besides universities’ international groups, the Indonesian student association, with branches at many campuses occasionally offers trips to the countryside and other areas.

Why Britain?

Students find different attractions in the experience, from the UK’s multicultural society, student activism and even soccer!

“It is a multicultural society where students experience cultural exchange on top of their education. It is also a dynamic intellectual society in which knowledge extends and develops. There are many ‘new frontier’ research and studies enriching the materials for learning. It has a culture of ‘freedom in learning’ in which students can decide their own orientation and pace for study,” Yanuar said.

“It’s really fun and great to know people from all over the world. And of course England is home to famous soccer clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool,” Imee Putri commented.

For Binny, studying in Britain in the mid-1980s was an eye-opener in witnessing and participating in student activism.

“I remember watching friends who joined Amnesty International sending telegrams advocating the release of prisoners of conscience. This exposure inspired and reaffirmed my intention to become an NGO activist.”

And why does Britain work for me?

Warm welcome: The UK may be notorious for its inclement weather, but many Indonesian students are cheered by its academic freedom and high standards.(JP/Adeline Tumenggung-Cooke)

When I arrived at the Manchester airport seven years ago, I thought about the country where modern democracy was born, the place of the Magna Carta, and about learning in a society with a good welfare system and that looks after its poor.

Today, as I write this article, I saw in the media that UK Prime Minister David Cameron does not know the meaning of the Magna Carta; at the same time, civil servants have taken to the streets because their pensions are being cut and the poor receive less benefits. There are many things that do not work as they were intended to. Oddly enough, all the imperfections make me feel at home.

In a nutshell, is a UK education all that it’s cracked up to be? It is for me, and for Yanuar, Binny, Imee, Theresia and many other Indonesian students and alumni. After all, I am now starting another course of postgraduate study. A UK education has proved addictive for me!

The writer completed her MA in Television Documentary Production in 2007. She currently lives and works in Manchester and is now studying for her MA in Social Work.

 

UK orientation

• The British Council’s Education UK website is a good place to start (http://www.educationuk.org/) if you are considering an education in Britain. Its interactive map provides a brief introduction to cities and towns in the UK and the choices of subjects they offer.

• Another useful website to help you choose your higher education is The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) (http://www.ucas.com/students/wheretostart/nonukstudents/)

• Make sure you sort out all details of the immigration process and meet all the requirements. UK Council for International Student Affairs (http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/) has useful tips and advice for international students.

• To explore the financial side of your study, the international student calculator is recommended (http://international.studentcalculator.org.uk/)

• Once you have arrived in the UK and enrolled in your institution, it’s a good idea to join your international student society to meet students from all over the world.

• As an Indonesian citizen, you are required to report to the Indonesian Embassy. For students outside London, the embassy does an annual “Safari KBRI” registration around the country. Check with your regional Indonesian Student Society (www.ppiuk.org).