Why Do So Many Indonesian Students Want to Study Abroad? Let’s Talk About It

 

Lately, more and more Indonesian students are dreaming of studying abroad — Japan, Korea, Europe, even the US. Those big university names keep popping up in conversations, whether it’s at hangouts, seminars, or all over social media.

As a student myself, I totally get why people prefer going overseas. One of the main reasons is the lack of proper facilities at many local universities. A lot of classes are still held online, even though students crave face-to-face interaction. Plus, the technology and access to quality resources are still pretty limited in some places.

On top of that, studying in Indonesia isn’t exactly cheap, and some people feel like, “it’s expensive, but the facilities are just so-so.” Paying a lot without getting equivalent quality? No wonder people think twice.

But here’s the thing: studying abroad doesn’t automatically guarantee success. There are plenty of people who study in Indonesia and still make it big. At the end of the day, it comes down to each person’s mindset. If you’re motivated, adaptable, and eager to grow, literally any campus can be a great place to learn.

That’s where we, as students, should reflect. It’s totally okay to dream of studying abroad — that’s awesome, and I support it! But don’t let that dream come from a place of giving up on local education. Instead, maybe we can be the ones to help fix it.

Some questions to reflect on together:

  • What exactly makes us feel dissatisfied with universities here?

  • Is studying abroad really about better quality, or just about status?

  • If all the smartest students leave and never come back, who’s gonna help build this country?

  • What can we actually contribute to make studying in Indonesia feel like a cool choice, too?

In the end, studying here or abroad is 100% your choice. But wherever you go, I hope the goal stays the same: to learn wholeheartedly, grow into someone who makes a positive impact, and never forget to give back.

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