It has been two decades since I left Indonesia to pursue education in America. Being the first in my family to study abroad and receive a doctorate from a university 10,000 miles away from home was an incredibly humbling experience. Reflecting on my journey, I recall the roads that led me to become who I am today.
The Struggle
My journey started back at home. Growing up, I went through an ongoing battle when it came to deciding on higher education. I was a curious teenager who wanted to seek multicultural experiences, but my family did not share the same educational values as I did. These different points of view fueled my ambition to study overseas and become the first in my family to do so. I took a leap of faith, left home, and moved to New York at the age of 18.
My first year in the United States was very difficult as I struggled academically and financially. I could not start college immediately because my TOEFL score did not meet the standard requirement for university. I applied to the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Hunter College to improve my language skills. The program offers international non-native speaker students the chance to learn and improve their English skills. This program is considered a remedial English class before getting into college.
While working on my language improvement, I was also working a part-time job to make ends meet. I did not receive any financial aid, so I tried everything to earn extra money–from being a cashier at a local grocery store to selling bottles of windshield cleaner at a gas station. I also recall getting fired from my first job because I did not speak English well.
After attending ESL classes for a few months, I took the City University of New York (CUNY) placement test. CUNY is a public university system in New York with multiple colleges spread across the city. After completing the placement test, I was accepted into LaGuardia Community College and enrolled in the LaGuardia-Baruch Business Academy. The program allows me to transfer within the CUNY system to Baruch College, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2009.
The Turning Point
Initially, I planned to return to Indonesia after graduating from college. But, I took another turn, started building my career, and got opportunities to work with various corporations. Still, I felt dissatisfied and unhappy for two years until I started exploring a non-profit organization where I volunteered to teach literacy students from Africa. I was so humbled by the experience of helping immigrants achieve their American dreams. My whole life completely changed. I decided to switch gears.
I went back to school to get my Master’s degree in Education. After graduating from Hunter College-CUNY in 2012, I received teaching offers from colleges and local institutions while continuing to volunteer in my free time. Being an educator was an eye-opening moment, which led me to start having a purpose in life. Finally, in 2021, I received my Doctorate in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. This was such a tremendous moment for me after battling so hard to complete my research dissertation while working 6 different jobs in addition to being a parent and helping my husband with his small business.
Doctorate graduation from Grand Canyon University in 2021. Source: Personal documentation
The Road Ahead
After years of soul searching, I have finally found what I am passionate about: education. This rewarding career has not only allowed me to travel the world but has also opened many doors of opportunities for self-improvement and development, making me a self-made leader in the field of education. I have also become involved in many not-for-profit organizations and am a proud member of the United Nations Association.
President’s Service Award from the United Nations. Source: Personal documentation
With my experiences in the education field, I have become determined to extend my knowledge for the greater good. To give back to my home country, I opened my first trilingual institute called New York English Academy in Kampus Inggris Pare, Kediri, East Java. Through this academy, I wish to provide quality and affordable learning experiences to students in the community.
In addition, I also coordinate the CUNY Indonesia programs. Along with fellow CUNY professors, I visit different parts of Indonesia, especially remote islands to organize summer camps and English courses for students from low-income families.
CUNY Indonesia program in Pesisir Kei Besar. Source: Personal documentation
The Reflection
My journey to become who I am today was full of twists and turns. 17 years ago, I walked into the classroom, afraid and anxiously thinking of how I could pass English 101 when I could barely comprehend the first page of an English textbook. 17 years later, I proudly walked into the same classroom, teaching the subject I once struggled with.
Teaching in rural Indonesia. Source: Personal documentation.
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Editor: Annisa Putri
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