U.S. remains preferred destination
\n
\nT. Sima Gunawan
\nContributor
\nJakarta
\n
\n FOR Focus Issue - April 4, 2004 - Overseas Study<\/p>\n
Studying abroad is the dream of many students who want the
\nchance not only to pursue a good education, but also to broaden
\ntheir horizons and to learn a foreign language.<\/p>\n
This, however, does not necessarily mean that all foreign
\neducational institutions are good or that all universities in
\nIndonesia are bad -- even though the country does have problems
\nwith its education system.<\/p>\n
In general, studying abroad, especially in a developed country
\nlike the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom,
\nGermany or The Netherlands, can boost one's self-esteem. Many
\nIndonesians also tend to have a high regard for the graduates of
\nforeign university's, regardless of the quality of the
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
But those who really want to study, not just get the
\nexperience of living abroad, should be careful when selecting an
\neducation institution.<\/p>\n
\"If you want to study in the United States, make sure the
\nuniversity has been accredited by the U.S. government,\" said
\nRichard L. Carhart, executive director of the American Indonesian
\nExchange Foundation (Aminef), adding that there were 3,360
\naccredited universities in the U.S.<\/p>\n
Basically, the first thing to do is to decide what you want to
\nmajor in and then make a list of universities that offer the
\nfield of study you are interested in. Many books about
\nuniversities in the United States are available at Aminef, which
\nis located in the Balai Pustaka building on Jl. Gunung Sahari in
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Every Thursday, Aminef holds a preadmission orientation for
\npeople who want to study in the United States. There is no charge
\nto join the orientation but students who want a private
\nconsultation are charged Rp 50,000 (about US$6) per session,
\naccording to Hanif Saleh, an adviser at the Aminef Educational
\nAdvising Service. He added that members do not have to pay and to
\nbecome a member the fee is Rp 150,000 a year. For those
\ninterested in graduate study, Aminef's Fulbright commission
\noffers scholarships for qualified Indonesian students.<\/p>\n
America remains the most preferred destination for Indonesian
\nstudents studying overseas. The number of Indonesian students in
\nthe United States is currently between 10,000 and 11,000.
\nHowever, there was a decline of between 8 percent and 9 percent
\nin the number of Indonesian students in the U.S. in 2002, a
\nresult of the 9\/11 terrorist attacks and the tightening of visa
\nprocedures.<\/p>\n
\"The procedures are easier now,\" said Carhart.<\/p>\n
Aminef also helps students with information about visa
\napplication procedures, he said. However, it is unlikely the U.S.
\ngovernment will issue a visa for students who are accepted at
\nunaccredited universities.<\/p>\n
Once they are accepted to a university, students are suggested
\nto remind the school to send them the I-20 form, which is used
\nwhen applying for a visa.<\/p>\n
As soon as students receive the I-20 form, they must contact
\nthe U.S. Embassy to set up an appointment for an interview.<\/p>\n
Being accepted to a university does not automatically mean
\nthat you will be granted a visa. Besides having a valid passport
\nand other necessary documents, students should also be able to
\nshow that you have sufficient funds. They are also encouraged to
\ninclude a letter of recommendation from a local religious leader
\nor another public figure in the community.<\/p>\n
\"The process (of applying for a visa) may take three or four
\nweeks,\" said Ade Kusuma, an education counselor at the Canadian
\nEducation Center.<\/p>\n
The Canadian Education Center, located in the World Trade
\nCenter on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta, is open to anyone
\ninterested in studying in Canada.<\/p>\n
Kusuma said that unlike universities in the United States,
\nalmost all of the 90 universities in Canada were run by the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Currently there are about 500 Indonesian students in Canada,
\nand this number has increased slightly over the past few years.<\/p>\n
Accommodation is another important thing that needs to be
\nlooked into. It is not something that should cause too much worry
\nthough, because most universities have dormitories for students.
\nSome U.S. universities even oblige new students to stay in the
\ndorms for the first year. If you are a nonsmoker, don't worry
\nabout being mixed with smokers, because before assigning
\nroommates, universities send students questionnaires asking about
\ntheir habits and preferences. Therefore, if you like peace and
\nquiet, it is unlikely that you will share a room with a party
\nanimal.<\/p>\n
One benefit of living on campus is that you can save money on
\ntransportation. But if the university does not oblige new
\nstudents to stay in the dorms and you prefer to stay off campus,
\nor if there is no more room in the dorms, there are usually
\nnumerous rooms and apartments available within a short distance
\nof most universities.<\/p>\n
There are many factors to consider other than the price when
\ndeciding on accommodation, like safety. It is also necessary to
\nask whether the room or the apartment is furnished. Telephone and
\nInternet access is quite easy in the U.S. and Canada, so if you
\nwant, you can have a private line in your room.<\/p>\n
\"Actually we don't recommend new students live in an apartment
\noff campus. A dorm or a homestay will be more suitable,\" Kusuma
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Living in a dorm is a little cheaper than a homestay, but the
\nlatter has its own advantages. Those who have never been to
\nCanada before might prefer a homestay because it will allow them
\nto learn more about the culture and the language as they are
\ndirectly involved with the family, according to Kusuma.<\/p>\n
Almost all universities, both in Canada and the U.S, have an
\ninternational students office, which is ready to help foreign
\nstudents who have questions about accommodation or any other
\nmatters.<\/p>\n
The biggest problem facing Indonesian students abroad actually
\nhas nothing to do with visas or accommodation.<\/p>\n
\"As they are living far away from home in a country with a
\ndifferent culture, many suffer from homesickness. But the
\nstudents can get over it quickly. They adjust well,\" Carhart
\nsaid.<\/p>",
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