Why the ban on studying abroad?

Having enjoyed years of Western education, President B.J. Habibie would now like to deprive Indonesia's youngsters of the same experience. The line of reasoning, if there is any, seems to be that studying abroad corrupts the mind and diminishes the nationalistic spirit of impressionable young people.

For me, the reverse is true. I studied at an American high school and an English university, and I can only say that what I learned there increased my sense of nationalism. I came back wanting Indonesia to be stronger and more mature as a nation. I wanted Indonesians to experience the benefits of real democracy, equal rights before the law and a government that actually served their best interests.

I longed for the day when Indonesia would be a just, orderly and clean nation that enjoyed an excellent reputation among the international community. In other words, my nationalism was, and still is, based on a wish for Indonesia to improve, to realize its great potential.

Perhaps Habibie and his Cabinet would not agree with my definition of nationalism. Maybe they define nationalism as blind loyalty to the government (the nation is almost beside the point!) and an uncritical acceptance of what is wrong with our country. This kind of "nationalism" among Indonesia's young people would certainly make the government's life easier. And perhaps this is the real reason behind the proposed ban on studying abroad.

If we want Indonesia to thrive as a nation, contact with other countries is part of the solution, not part of the problem. Let's not deprive Indonesia's young people of the right to study abroad.

H. S. ACHADIENA

Jakarta