Letter : From A Sister You Have Never Met Before

I just had my 20th birthday at that time when I first used my passport. I noticed that I have waited for it since I was a very small girl and finally got enough provision after signing out from SMAN Sumsel. I made my passport a year before that chance when I even did not have anything on the mind- all I knew that I should make it. So, before continuing to read this, the first thing I want you to do is having your passport. Noted? Okay, let me tell you a little more about my global experiences! 

If I should describe my first experience abroad, I would caption some lines that I delivered as the chosen participant in the farewell speech during my exchange semester in South Korea two years ago. …” Seven hours in the air kept making feel nervous as well as excited about South Korea especially about that exchange semester. When I finally entered the entrance hall of the best airport I have ever seen, I was cordially welcomed by several university members. Despite my jet lag, I was not tired at all. It was so exciting to see all the new faces. I knew, my journey had just begun.”

Yes, I was fully completed with excitement about my first ever global program and yet so far, the longest time I spent in another country. I had great enthusiasm and eagerness about all classes I took, that not-related-to-my-major (Tips: You must have some other subjects you like but could not get it during your major courses. So, get all ticked during your exchange!). Besides studying, there was no way I did not travel! It must be my most favorite part to tell and maybe for you to listen, right?! However, I am not going to make this article sounds like ones in travel magazine though (peace). As I always love volunteering work (also what I learned from SMAN Sumsel), I applied myself in Regional Council of the National Children’s Center in Seoul. I shared Indonesian culture to almost a hundred children in 4 children care. Together with International day in my university (in which I became the coordinator just because I was the youngest Indonesian there), I found this volunteering had helped me to get greater awareness of my own national identity. This is also a thing that I should be thanked for and might not get even I was not there. 

Since that life-changing experience, I could not stop myself in finding for more programs that could bring me abroad with such a good reason, a cheaper (or zero) spending, and most importantly, unlimited lessons that I might not get only by traveling. Hence, to that extent, I had marked 7 countries with 4 international programs including an exchange, a summer camp, a youth forum and a world festival. 

Every time I was abroad, I found myself immersed in a different culture. It struck me that foreigners, previously perceived by myself as peculiar beings, were, in fact, the norm in their context and that I was the stranger. One thing that has helped me settle in every corner of the world has been my confidence. I was blessed to be born in the family who have been so supportive and trust me in all things. But, I could not lie, that spending three years of my life in SMAN Sumsel, yes, our school, was the climax of that self-esteem encounters.

 So, what does it give me other than “fun”? I would answer, a lot. I got a lot of time to think and reflect during many solo flights taken. Tell you the truth, these are not only about having cool experiences, yet I know it such a great help to my future. Valuable life skills set that I have during my whole life was sharpened. My exposure to a new culture allows me to gain a broad and sophisticated worldview and diversify my personal thoughts and values. It will be such a countless aid for me to work effectively in tackling multinational challenges as key jobs skills such as leadership, adaptableness, global understanding, and independence are directly fostered by learning abroad. I am more than thrilled to tell you how I will spend my weekdays (re: working) soon and see how it will be proven! 

Lastly, the strange feeling of being “the foreigner” is something I have had to get used to and I love the most in my life, yet somehow I could not describe it to you. So, you better get the answer yourself! (Last tips: to be granted these stories, I have been a number one fan of myself and keep believing her to show all she gets and do all she can).

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An article I wrote for “The Alumni” column in my high school’s newsletter.

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Thank you!

Sella Lametta ♡