Rahmi, Exchange Student from Indonesia

－Which university are you from and what was your major?
Department of Library and Information Science, Facutly of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia. Library and Information Science is my major of study.

－What made you decide to study abroad?
Enrolled in Dept. of Library and Information Science (LIS), that’s not really well-known major among students in my university, but it make me feel I can’t deserve the chance to study abroad. Sometimes my friend asks me about what am I doing and what future will I get in my future. They said that I can’t develop my ability because I will stuck at a place (library) which is just staring at a bunch of books in the shelf and the salary that will I get is so little. I want to prove to them that I can change the image of my major. On that time, I think “I am not expecting the world change as I want. So, I must change myself first”.
My father said “When you do something, do it with whole-heartedly. Try this, try that, try everything!” From that time, I always do my best to get the best scores, joined Toefl course and English Conversation course. At the same time, I am active for being a reporter at 2 media campus. I worked as a reporter at Jurnal Depok (Local Newspaper at Depok, Indonesia). Also, I worked at National Nuclear Energy Agency Library as an internship librarian. Such a tough time.
I want to share, study, learn, and know something new. I want to increase my experience in studying and being independent to life abroad. I’ve been seriously thinking is that I’d really like to study a lot. I want to study and I want to adsorb. I still believe and I’ll always do my best. The world is continuing to turn at fast pace. So, if I want something, I devote myself to getting it. I want to attain the high level of Japanese proficiency required for research in my specialized disciplines, Library and Information Science.

－Why did you decide to study in Japan or at Keio?
“Nothing is impossible.” That’s my motto.
My reason for applying to the Japanese Language Program at Keio University is, when I’m in 2nd semester, I was searching Library and Information Science in Japan for my future plan to take Master degree program. I found one and only private university that has Undergraduate, Master, and Ph.D program is Keio University. Library and Information Science at Keio University was “assisted by the American Library Association and staffed by well qualified American instructors at the time of establishment”. One of another purposes is that I can’t found at my major in Universitas Indonesia.
In 4th semester I was recommended by Universitas Indonesia for the student exchange program at Keio University. Each university has procedures to recommend their students. From 7 students with various faculty and major background, I was chosen as a candidate. However, the student exchange agreement between Universitas Indonesia and Keio University was not signed yet, and I couldn’t get JASSO Scholarship or any financial assistance from Keio. So I decided to postpone my plan to study abroad at Keio until this year. Now, I enrolled as exchange student for Japanese Language Program (from Spring Semester-Fall Semester 2011).

－Please tell us about some of the aspects of your life in Japan or at Keio.
I'm falling in love with Japan and Keio University.
Japan was one of the countries that really paid attention to the quality of higher education in their country. It is proven with the number of universities in Japan that got ready and improved their education system. Respectively the knowledge field developed very seriously, the study of the research that was carried out deeply and uniquely. The supporting infrastructure and the success of the study is really overwhelming. Japan is beautiful, that’s why I like it. A country with the harmonious blend between traditional culture and the progress of astonishing science and technology.
The language was the main key to penetrating knowledge and science. The field that I keen at this time was Library and Information science and because of that the capacity in speaking Japanese was really needed. So, with this chance I want to take Japanese Language Program. It would make more sense for me to study Japanese first in the Japanese Language Program (JLP), then might wish to learn Library and Information Science at Keio University. I planned to continue my education in Japan because there is pursued knowledge to the Asian Country and wanted to get science that wasn’t obtained by me in my Country, Indonesia.

－What are differences you have noticed between Keio and your home university?
Speaking about my home university, Universitas Indonesia, is really big area about 320 ha. The facilities support students for their activities. Compared to Keio University, the lecturer and students are really different. From my view, study method in Keio University is really good. The lecturers are teaching in very comprehensive curricula and always on time for attending the class. They really are kind and teach us patiently. To make it simple, according to my field (LIS), I have to retrieve information in very fast ways. More than that, Keio University Library has very much features in it. I can request a book that I want via Kosmos and I can freely access journals, databases, etc. I love to spare my time in the 5th floor of new library at Mita Campus. There’s so many magazine related my field (LIS). And, If I got a documents and journals that I want, then I smile and often called this journals paradise. I love it!

－Please tell us about what you feel you gained by studying at Keio.
Knowledge, experiences and friends. Summary, I am enrolled as student for Japanese Language Program. Although it was a program for Japanese language, I also took independent study course that offered by International Center, Keio University for being a researcher on Fall semester 2011. This research is under my supervisor from School of Library and Information, Keio University’s staff, Prof. Shunsaku Tamura. He is really kind and gives me opportunities to follow his seminar in Japanese and he knows a lot of knowledge that I’ve never heard before. He gave me an invitation ticket to follow the 13th Library Fair on November 2011 for interviewing some people regarding my research. I am so thankful that I meet with very great “Sensei” (professor), in my life. Thank you, Professor.

－What is your plan after you go back?
After I go back, I will continue and completing my study for 1 year. And, after I graduate, I have an expectation to continue my study at Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Keio University. I wish to study at Keio University as a regular student on a graduate degree program.
Now, I am doing research. Because of that, I really want to dig deeply about my research that I do now for a long-term research. I wish Keio University will invite/recommend me to follow University Nominated Students for MEXT. I wish I could realize my dream. Could I?

－Do you have any advice for students who are considering studying abroad?
You can be any person you want to be. Knowledgeable and civilized people won’t be stand in his hometown. Leave your country and go abroad. You'll get a replacement from relatives and friends. Have a very strong motivation, strive and pray fervently.
For example, what I experience now is, I am a muslim, wearing hijab and being a minority at Japan is very hard. Every time I go to campus or traveling around, all Japanese people eyes stare at me. I am adapting myself with this situation and trying to think in positive ways. “Even if it’s just for a second, I’ve crossed your mind, right?” that’s what I think, funny huh?
The last advice for you who are considering studying abroad “You see things; and you say “Why?” But I dream things that never were; and I say “Why not?” - George Bernard Shaw.
Catch and believe your dream! Don’t give up in the middle of your way! And always give your best!

Information of Universitas Indonesia
Universitas Indonesia(UI) is a state, comprehensive world class university located in Depok, West Java and Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia. UI is the oldest tertiary-level educational institution in Indonesia. UI is a modern, comprehensive, open-minded, multi-culture, and humanism campus that covers wide arrays of scientific disciplines. According to the latest survey of Globe Asia (2008), UI ranked number first among the top universities in Indonesia. The university consists of 12 faculties. The facilities are library, ukhuwah islamiyah mosque, dormitory, campus bus, campus bike, health center, student hall, wisma makara, and sport area.

About the writer
Rahmi
Japanese Language Program Student
*Have completed Japanese Language Program in March 2012.