The Dog Days Are Over

"lumba-lumbanya telat datang," pic.twitter.com/6YJSryWUOo
— Rifka (@RifkaSibarani) July 20, 2014

Been dating this guy for a while and he's a #ProudNerd.

WHEN SOMEONE CUTE SENDS ME A FRIEND REQUEST

LET ME BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU:

ME: SUSPICIOUS

MY FRIEND: BEING SUPPORTIVE/ MAKING FUN OF ME

ME: ... just another mistake. 

How I Look Like When I'm Falling In Love

How I Look Outside:

"With all the make up and everything" 

Actually, inside I am just like this, 

"Messed up as f*ck - just because I love you and I don't wanna lose you"


and when we break up, I'd be like this...

So, don't mess up with me

When Someone Asks If I Want To Go for Karaoke

and then, I show up like this... 

... to be then waken up like this, 

How It Feels To Be A Moralist In A Religious Country

"Imagination is the eye of the soul -Joseph Joubert"
Source: "JOSEPH JOUBER – FRENCH MORALIST UND ESSAYIST" by Natalie Hush < http://nataliehush.wordpress.com> Retrieved : 11/06/204

It feels terrible. Not many people can get you. 

Indonesia is one of the populous countries in which most of the people embrace one of the official religions available*. For us, acknowledging one of the religions is important. Your religion is your identity. It tells who you are, where you come from and what kind of conversation people can share with you. You will not find any forms that do not request the access to know what your spiritual belief. Your religion information is on your official ID/ documents (except your passport**). Anyway, have i sounded racial yet?

However, now, more and more young people*** are trying to separate themselves from the religious identities. Many reasons drive this social change. However, I do not want to talk about the social change at a macro scale here but I am one of them. I would like to call myself a moralist. Aside from the good notion that you might get, still many people can't get me. 

What is a moralist?

Principally, the term moralists are associated with the French Moralists. Again, what is this "French Moralists"? Are they French and they have such good moral situations? Well, actually they are. So they are a kind of nerds who really love the ideas of  Michel de Montaigne. They have like Blaise Pasca, Jean de La Bruyère, Nicolas Chamfort, Joseph Joubert, François de La Rochefoucauld, Luc de Clapiers, Marquis de Vauvenargues (cool names, huh?). 

Mons. Montaigne mostly wrote about how to live life at the best, through his own perspective. In fact, the way he wrote his works in such bubbly anecdotes makes him one of the most relateable thinkers from his era. Not to mention it's in French. 

The more I read about the French Moralists, the more I get fascinated by them. Why wouldn't I? They're kind of people who investigate - ask - people as moral beings. As La Rochefoucauld (Henri Chamard, 1930) explains moralists study human beings in such a broad sense. Not only a moralist observes the way someone thinks, feels, wills or act as a moral being, but also other things that constitutes his real life. However, the idea of a moralist as an observer of humans as a moral being and things that constitutes them are not constant. A moralist has a great favor to frame moral ideas and put guidance how to live it up. Somehow, they both can work in two ways and support each other. 

Hey, and these are other moralists' work ... in visuals. 

"Nicholas Chamfort"

"Jean de la Buyere"

Who Else?

This guy!

 "Louis C.K" 

* I don't know the best way explain it in academic sense

**That's a good thing

*** They don't have statistics for this. I could just make it up, but if you're interested in funding that kind of research, I am available. 

Epilogue: Defrina 'Ina' Pasaribu

(She has the loveliest smile*)
*Ina, I don't understand why you have 'Kerak Telor' seller as a background prop. 

Dear Ina, 

If life is a book, yesterday was the end of the story of your life. You have finished your last chapter and you did it as a champion!

Now, we are here, reading your book. I must say, this is a remarkably beautiful piece. You have successfully written a story that moves our hearts; a call to reflect on our lives and do better in life. Undoubtedly, you have fabricated the standard of how we should live and we all thank you for that.

A wise man  once said, the life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living. And there you are, placed in the best memory our ours. The best place, for a friend, who always put people before herself. A friend, who taught people to think positively. A friend, who told us that there's a good side in everyone and we should not lose faith in love and life. 

Life is beautiful, and death is always feared. Now that understand why people fear death. It's actually not because they're afraid of being dead, it's just only many of us regret the good things that we did not do even though we had chance. In fact, I regret how I did not stay in touch with you even though you were in a critical condition. I restrained myself because I was not ready for that situation. I did not know what to say to you because I thought you needed time and focus. I thought my stupid texts or calls may disrupt you. Thus, I trusted information from other friends about your condition. I wish I had more guts to come to you and hug you, telling you that we love you. 

Now the chance has gone. I wish I had guts to express that I care.

Never though that it happened so fast, though we know that every beginning must have an end. For you, this is not the end of the story of a life. In fact, this is a new chapter in our life; so that we know there are more important things than the life itself - friendship, love,  hopes and family. 

I guess, from now on I will call my family more frequently. They're greatest gifts that God's sent to me. 

Ina, thank you for the life lessons and love you shared. 

May you rest in peace, Na. 

Until we meet again. 

Best,

R

Things That I Wish The Grown Ups Had Told Me Earlier About Growing Up. And They Are No Fun

"Possibly, the voice of my generation"

When I was 10, I was so SO ready to be a grown up, because being a child was boring and annoying: people did not take me seriously and I could not watch Titanic. Fifteen years later, now, I wish I could still hide inside my closet when everything falls apart. The truth to be told, being a grown up is a curse for every child's birthday wish. If you're 3 and you're reading this note, please, do not wish "to be a grown up". Wish something else, like, scholarship for your college or a filthy rich spouse -- either will work.

Being a grown up is tough, and instead of telling me to be a successful person, I wish people could have been that smart to tell me that there are 3 life lessons that I need to learn before I step into the real world of the adult nation: dealing with separation, failing in love and making real friendship. 

1) "You gotta get along with separation. Shit happens"

Separation is an inevitable situation that everyone must get along with. And yes, meeting someone special must come with a price: a goodbye. It is sad that nothing lasts forever: friendship; love; job; life. As Nelly Furtado said, "Why do all good things come to an end?". I also ask the same thing when I have to say goodbye to my favourite food, but that's not the point. 

It is sad to wake up in the morning, knowing that you probably will not see this person tomorrow. Recently one of my dorm mate in high school got lupus. It was a surprising news, because she is just 25 like many of us. In addition, she is a very good person and for God's sake, she's just 25.

"Ina, In her bed."

For many of us, this news is a tragedy because lupus is an incurable disease; your immune system attacks, killing every good cell in your body. In brief, now we see her in a different way: there is a chance that we may not see this beautiful heart again. Since lupus is incurable, the best medicine are mental supports and love. I have not met her again since she's hospitalized, but my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

Ina, I know we have not been in touch for such a long time. Despite the fact that we have not been in touch in such a long time, I just want to let you know that you mean a lot to me. I may not have said it, but you are a truly kind person. I hope our prayers will come true: that you will get through this critical condition. You inspire us, that whatever happens in this life is not to be feared but to be accepted.

For separation in any means is debilitative, many of us - including me - are not ready to accept the process. When I lost my grandfather to stroke, for almost more than 5 years after his death, I could not embrace the fact that he was gone forever. His death had a major impact on the way I react to death. I became resistant to death and farewells. I tried to avoid farewell parties or death ceremonies because I did not want to say goodbyes. Later, many complained about the way I acted. They thought I was a stone-cold b*tch, but they just did not understand the anxiety that I had to bear of the fear of losing. 

What are the best strategy to cope with loss? A study finds that  seeking for social support and talking to people about your feelings are good coping strategies.  Not just that you know you have people to talk to, at least, you know there are people who care about you :)

By now, I understand that I can always preserve my loving memory about my grandpa by sharing my heart and love with others in need.

2) "Do not fall in love, there is so much to lose"

Letting go someone you love is hard. It takes time, courage and lots of crying, alcohol and chocolate. Sadly, being in a relationship is a part of growing up. It is great that finally you have someone to share your crazy and sorrow but when all the good things gone, all you have is sh*t. 

If I knew that being in love was that risky, I would have had purchased an insurance for my heart.  

I fell in love with this person. That was the first time I really felt safe and happy when I was with someone. We laughed, we cried, we fought like we would always be together forever. He was my Freddie Mercury and he let me sing some  Freddie’s parts in “Somebody to Love” and “Bohemian Rhapsody”. He told me that I was too fat and exercised with me. He was the best I ever had. 

Now he’s gone and I have nothing but shattered pieces of my heart. He left every best memory when we were together, which hurt me so bad that I wish I were dead already. 

But have I learned my lesson? Nope. And like any single women in her mid-twenties, I will keep failing in love until I find the right person to share my crazy and love - until I will have to lose that person and say goodbye. And sh*t happens again.

3) "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"

"Yeah, the life kinda looks like this"

Competition is real in this adult nation and... tough. It's to kill or be killed - kind of rule. Thus, making your way to the top on your own is a perfect suicide plan. Yeah, some people can totally make it straight to the top. Yeah, probably Josh. But we know he's a straight up weirdo. Friends, coworkers, mates, networking, friends with benefits - whatever you name them- are important to help you.  I cannot imagine a generation of people who always think that they can survive in this world without the help of others. Even your enemies themselves. In fact, do not call them your enemies, call them 'partners with not so much in common'. 

Do not hold yourself from making new friends. I know she's a total ass, but, before judging that you cannot be friends with them, think again the benefits of making good relationship with them. If you cannot be friends with them, at least, you can keep pretending that they do not exist in your universe. I don't know, you know them better than me. 

So far, being an adult is a great experience when you have life principles you can hold on to. And some friends to talk to. It’s a kinda lonely and crazy at the same time. But, when you’ve found your ‘Dagobah’, you will feel safe and less fear. 

Images: via , via 

Sentimental Heart

It's Tina Fey week, people!

I don't know, I'm just having some free time and I have to read some reading materials. Turns out my brain  is not working and I decide that  this week will be my "Tina Fey" week, starting from making posts with her Gifs.

So, what am I gonna do with the rest of the week? Still have no idea, but I'd go for free drinks.

Source: http://media3.giphy.com

Me, every single day, to myself.

... and be like,

When I Make A Fake Phone Call to Avoid A Familiar Face

Source: http://cdn03.cdnwp.celebuzz.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NERD RAGE!!

A shallow person just came to me and said,

"What are these people doing in the library so late? Are they even studying? Or they're just pretending? Nerds!!"

Really?? That's all what you got?? You really want to see nerds!! This is NERD!!

I restrained myself from listing names of "nerds" who have made great impacts to the society. Instead, I asked him, "What is your REAL contribution, scum?" 

Everything I Need to Know About Real Life, I Know From Amy Poehler

"The Beautiful Amy Poehler"

Yes, bitches! Amy Poehler survived a nuclear blast... and everything. You name it.

I want  to write about y Poehler, my heroine. She is a mother of two, a woman right activist, a feminist and a golden globe winner. Phuihhh...there are a few more but I'm typing on my phone. So let's move on.

Aside from her outstanding acting career, Poehler is a truly inspiring public speaker. In 2011, she delivered a commencement speech to hundreds of Harvard students. As usual, she was witty, smart and her words touched her audience...in the heart, not in the... After watching the video for like... a hundred times, there were some good advice, which are actually very applicable to our daily life. Here they are:

)

 1) Look people in the face, because the face can tell you a lot of things
This advice is simply valid. Nowadays, modern people are attached to their phones. In fact, our relationship with the phones is so intimate that we check that thing more regularly than our spouse. Sure, the technology brings people together, I could not agree more. It's just sometimes it's very (polite) and nice when people really care about what you're "saying" rather than your tweets.

2)'Hold someone’s hand while you do it. You will feel less scared. You can’t do this alone. Besides it is much more fun to succeed and fail with other people.'
I come from Indonesia, where I was raised under the influence of Asian culture. The Asian upbringing is known for its 'strict' definition of success. Many of us were taught to be very competitive, to (always) be on the top of  our class, and eventually make big money. Then, without even realizing it, we grow up as a pessimist and later, we also will tell our kids to do so.  If I may, I will call it a vicious cycle. However, I will not generalize my statement, for I believe many Asians also do not raise their children that way. I have some friends who really live their dreams. Their parents are very supportive and my friends enjoy their work and life.

In addition, I notice that some people can't handle failure, some just always want to be the best. It has become a tradition that we want to make it to the top alone. I did that too.  I felt that I did not need anyone else, which is totally wrong. For later I understood that I had never made it alone. It is true, that It feels amazing to reach the top alone. We feel satisfied, proud and being hated at the same time. However, when I look back to my past, I just want to tell the past-me; "I bet it was a long journey, wasn't it? I am very proud of you... Just a little thing, I wish you had had spent some time with one or two. So that you can have someone to talk to when you feel lonely."

3) Take your risks now. As you grow older, you become more fearful and less flexible.
 I quit my job a few months ago. I remember the fear in my first three days after I walked out of my office. It was my first job, and I was 24. In Indonesia, unless you have a Master's, or a Doctoral degree, basically you're just a garbage man in your office. Before I told my supervisors that I would quit my job, I kept reading this advice; taking the risks now or never.

It is true, that is easier said than done. After quitting my job, I worked very hard to live my dreams: being a comedy  writer. That dream has not happened until now, because not too long after that,  I got a news that my scholarship application was successful and I  would go to Australia. However, those days were very difficult, I had to move to Jakarta, finding side jobs that would help me pay for my bills. In the "living the dream" period, everything was difficult. First, a friend who offered me a job cancelled the project; Second, even though my previous office promised to use my service as an associate, there was one time when I was not invited in a meeting; Third, turned out I failed in two job recruitment. Not just one but two!!! Just in two months I felt like I was going to the direction. Did I just make a wrong decision? Should I have never listen to Amy Poehler? But what about people who live their dreams??? Those questions loomed around me.

After those difficult times, I looked back and evaluated my life. Turned out, Amy was right. We need to take risks while we are younger. Why? Because taking risks is not an easy thing, as we get older we will become less fearless and more to sacrifice. Meanwhile, taking the big leap now means that we will sacrifice less, more fearless and more open to ANY possibilities.

Just be brave, because if we never take the risks earlier, we can never tell others to take them too even if they need one. And if you decide to be a parent, someday,  you will want to see your kids grow to be an open-minded and brave generation. And it starts from you now.

Oh, before i leave, here's another kick-ass quote that I think you'd like

Source: http://iamchiq.fooyoh.com/iamchiq_living_lifestyle/8629455

How Pope Francis Restored My Faith In Marriage

I have a great marriage phobia, which makes my family question why would I date my boyfriend this long. A good question, actually. Since me and my boyfriend have been together for the last five years. During these years, we've talked about our future but never mention marriage. Probably because we're just scared, or the fact that we can never be married in Indonesia. The Indonesian marriage law has been interpreted as prohibiting marriage between people who follow different religions. The only practical alternative is for one of the two to convert to the other faith. Another option is that the couples get married in another country that legalizes inter-religious marriages.

This brings me to my obsession: to against marriage in young age. I,whatsoever, sum up that there is no good to get married in such young age - especially in your 20's. For me it is much better to pursue my career, or travel, or even get involved to humanitarian acts...rather than get married. No wonder, I always laugh my ass off every time I read about "celebrities who get married and want dozen of kids" on the magazine. That's the silliest opinion I've ever read (besides my own opinion--to some people), why would you want a dozen of kids? Are you sure you can take care of them all? Providing them with sufficient love and care? Will you be able to pay they schools? Toys? Diapers? Oh well, to quote Pope Francis, "Who am I to judge?". For I know, that "dozen of kids" will be taken care of their mother's assistants: a.k.a nannies. What a wise mom.

Earlier this morning, I read Pope Francis' twitter status. He encouraged young people to be brave to embrace marriage. It was certainly non-sense to me, as I don't believe in marriage. Then, I kept reading his twit and he said, "A faithful marriage will bring you happiness". #snap!

Dear young people, don’t be afraid to marry. A faithful and fruitful marriage will bring you happiness.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) February 14, 2014

Thanks Pope

Ali Ghufron Mukti: The Way You Look At Your Life, Shapes Your Life

In my rebellious years, I always perceived wealth as something superfluous.  I  hated working for money, leading me to against major paradigm of success in my family. My family, who raise us in a culture which emphasizes the importance of wealth and prosperity, did not get me. They thought I was just a little "lost".

As I grew older, I realized that people need money. I cannot simply live like I do not have bills to pay or relatives to help. Money is the currency of everyday life, including your nephew's love or your neighbors' respect. Time is money, love is money even someday hopefully people shit money. No wonder people will pay a lot just for a motivational seminar, like : "HOW TO GET RICH, LIKE FILTHY RICH".

"That's how you get rich baby, want it! Like you want honey in Valentine's day!"
The amazing "Ken Jeong" in Pain & Gain (2012) as Jonny Wu, a motivational speaker.

I am not blabbing about how to get filthy rich in 5 ways. Nope. That's non sense. For me. But let me share an inspiring conversation with Mr. Ali Ghufron Mukti last night. It's always a great rare opportunity to meet an Indonesian leader in their house, they are more welcoming and you can meet other family members.

Okay, let's move on.

Mr. Ali Ghufron Mukti is one of Indonesian visionary in health financing policy sector. He was the first youngest dean in the history faculty of medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada. His vision of providing accessible, good quality health care with affordable price for vulnerable groups in Indonesia have emerged various national health insurance programs, such as: Jamkesda (Provincial Health Insurance), Jamkesmas (National Health Insurance for The Poor and Near Poor), and now Indonesia just launched its universal health coverage model of a national health insurance, the BPJS. Aside from his political career,  Mr. Ghufron Mukti is always a professor in heart.  Like the other day, he gave a talk about looking at life in a different way. As for me, it's like "looking life, in a hundred ways better than I know".

"The way you look at your life, shapes your life," he made a hand gesture to emphasize his words. He explained how successful people often come from ordinary family background. Even some start from zero. But the thing that makes them different is they way see their life. This mentality creates distinguished impacts in the way they work, collecting properties and wealth. "That's why you see many rich, successful business people came from ordinary family. In fact, many did not attend higher education... they use their instincts and they have guts to take the risk. Unlike some people who might have number of titles, but may make 0 in real life."

Thus, after observing many communities in Indonesia, he found that culture also plays important role in shaping people's perspective towards wealth . Some see it as sin, some see it as pride. Some see it  given, some see it earned. The more someone sees wealth/ success as something given, the less he will eager to take risk. "In the context of running a business, it is very important to think like a true business person: eager to take risk and use your instinct."

That talk was a slap for me. I am a kind of person who believes every leap equals the risk. However when it comes to managing finance and seeing wealth as a purpose of life, I suck. I am 25 now, still have no idea how I will manage to have my future house. Especially if I become a lecturer, just like my long life aspiration. The worst thing is I always  distract my mind with the fear of failure and rejection.

I am always jealous at my mom who is able to manage a great business. Despite she did not go to a management school, she earns more than most managers from companies do. And she's 48.  Meanwhile, I feel like I am a big loser for not being her successor. I wonder if someday I could be like her, with my degrees and academic experience. I guess, it means I must work harder, change my paradigm toward wealth/ success and stop over thinking about EVERYTHING.

He smiled at us, a smile that brightened the room. I restrained myself for over thinking. I smiled at Mr. Ghufron.  He ended the evening with a classical joke, "Okay, now that's the end of our lecture today", and we all smiled. Filled with new upgraded optimism, we know now the secret of success and rich, is in our mind. The way we see our life, and project it to our work.

Who doesn't like peanuts, are you kiddin' me?

Can you spot me here?

5 Rahasia Tembus Beasiswa Luar Negeri

Saya baru saya mendapat kabar dari pihak Australian Awards Indonesia bahwa saya berhasil mendapatkan beasiswa yang sangat bergengsi tersebut untuk periode 2014. Rasa haru, bahagia dan syukur bercampur aduk di malam saya membuka email pengumuman tersebut. Terutama karena saya sudah berulang kali gagal dalam beberapa kesempatan beasiswa exchange di masa kuliah S1 dulu. 

Me, when i opened the email.

"It's like a dream come true," balas saya di setiap email yang mengucapkan selamat. Tentu saja kemudian banyak yang menanyakan bagaimana mendapatkan beasiswa yang kabarnya memang tiap tahunnya memberikan posisi terbanyak bagi warga Indonesia, dibanding beasiswa luar lainnya. 

"The Email"

Untuk beasiswa Australian Development Awards atau yang sekarang lebih dikenal dengan Australian Awards, sudah banyak yang membahas tipsnya. Salah satunya adalah di blog dan buku mas I Made Andi Arsana. *Sebentar, saya bingung ini gimana caranya insert link di Kompasiana yang baru*. Udah deh, saya pindah ke blogger.com aja, bingung. 

Anyway, saya juga banyak belajar dari website mas Andi, yang mana saya belajar bagaimana baiknya mempersiapkan aplikasi, persiapan wawancara hingga menghadapi para pewawancara (yang umumnya dari pihak Indonesia dan Australia). Berikut saya bagikan beberapa tips yang mungkin membantu:

1) Impressive Resume

Resume yang mencuri perhatian itu punya: 1) nilai IPK yang di atas 2,75, 2) pengalaman penelitian/ magang/ kerja/ pembicara, 3) publikasi (penelitian, jurnal, buku, media massa, media online,dsb). Yang pasti resume anda harus rapi, singkat dan padat.  Contoh resume saya:

Thanks to the kind Emma Weaver who taught me to write a proper resume

Pengalaman gagal mendapatkan beasiswa zaman kuliah dulu, membuat saya belajar bahwa resume (CV) itu tidak dibangun dalam 1 malam. Saya dulu seorang yang pemalu di kelas. Saya gak pede yang namanya ikut konferensi internasional, nulis di koran, atau ikut organisasi mahasiswa. Mungkin sejalan sama saya yang dari keluarga kelas menengah yang pikirannya kuliah supaya bisa dapat pekerjaan yang nyaman dan menghasilkan uang. Saya akhirnya lebih banyak berkecimpung di dunia profesional. Saya pontang panting kerja supaya bisa membiayai sekolah dan hidup di Jogja. Saya kerja dari jadi guru les hingga volunteer di Perpustakaan UGM. Apa saja saya lakukan supaya bisa sekolah, serta hidup layak di Jogja. 

Jadwal saya yang padat membuat saya yang awalnya tidak tertarik berorganisasi, semakin tidak ingin bergabung dengan organisasi mahasiswa manapun. Sempat beberapa kali lulus tes organisasi mahasiswa, akhirnya saya tolak karena saya malas. Akhirnya ketika akan mengisi aplikasi beasiswa saya bingung karena ternyata di resume saya tidak pernah tercantum pengalaman berorganisasi. Akhirnya demi beasiswa ADS, begitu saya lulus kuliah saya langsung secara aktif bergabung di beberapa komunitas. Syukurlah, walaupun tidak banyak, mereka melihat potensi "leadership" dalam diri saya. 

2) Practice The Language!

Ga lucu kan, udah sampe negara tujuan, bilang "tolong" aja ga tau gimana. Pengalaman soalnya pernah ketemu mahasiswa luar negeri yang datang ke Indonesia, dia bener-bener ga tau bahasa Indonesia, bahkan bilang "terima kasih". Yang paling parah, dia bahkan ga ngerti Yogyakarta itu dimananya Indonesia. *krik krik*. Ga paham gimana dia bisa nyampe ke Indonesia dan kuliah di UGM pula. Memahami bahasa dan budaya setempat itu penting. Tunjukkan bahwa kita adalah warga negara yang tahu sopan santun dan menghargai keberagaman. 

Kalau mau ke Jepang, ambillah kursus bahasa Jepang. Demikian juga kalau mau ke Jerman, Belanda, Perancis, Cina, Afrika atau Amerika Serikat. Yang mana kalau di Amerika Serikat bakal nemu yang kayak gini:

Ya terserah mba-nya sih mau ngomong apa. Tapi ya saya baru tau kalo di bahasa "Amerika" itu your itu adalah possessive pronoun. 
Mind my grammar, dah!

3) Go out and talk to people. 

Banyak jadi bagian dari organisasi tidak menjamin bahwa kamu punya  kualitas leadership yang mereka cari. Maka jangan heran kalau ada temen yang tampaknya biasa -biasa aja, ternyata bisa dapat beasiswa hingga ke sekolah top seperti Harvard, dsb. Bisa jadi karena mereka punya personality yang baik dan santun. Tidak ada orang yang tidak senang berbicara dengan orang yang punya karisma dan santun. 

Apalagi di tahap wawancara, di tahap ini kita dilihat secara kepribadian dan pengalaman. Di tahap inilah kita harus memukau pewawancara. Hingga mereka bersedia mempertimbangkan anda untuk mendapat beasiswa tersebut. Bayangkan, anda harus memukau orang asing yang jadi penentu masa depan anda. Latihan dengan banyak-banyak ketemu orang dan ngobrol dengan mereka. Tumbuhkan kepribadian yang menyenangkan. Intinya, ketika kita tertarik terhadap sesuatu, kita akan menjadi menarik.

Kuncinya: listen more, and you'll have a meaningful conversation. 

4) Be nice to your academic supervisors, lecturers and even your sloppy manager. 

It's a universal law, be nice and people will be nice to you. After all, you're gonna need them someday. 

5) Be yourself

Untuk tujuan Australia, umumnya pelamar dari Indonesia senang kampus besar kayak Australian National University (ANU), Melbourne University, Sydney, Flinders, dsb. Banyak yang asing dengan kampus bagus semisal Wolongong, Curtins atau Macquaire University, cuma karena sedikit mahasiswa Indonesia yang kesana. Alasannya, "Itu kok ga terkenal ya?" Alasan klasik yang menurut saya sebagai pemburu beasiswa, kadang kalau kita memang paham alasan kita sekolah postgraduate, universitas itu malah jadi nomer kesekian. Yang menjadi prioritas adalah cocok tidaknya jurusan yang kita ambil dengan tujuan karir kita di masa mendatang, ketersediaan supervisor yang memang kompetibel di area penelitian/ jurusan tersebut serta bagaimana prospek kelulusan anda nantinya. 

Saya sering diketawain ketika saya bilang kalau kampus tujuan saya adalah University of Tasmania di Hobart, Pulau Tasmania, Australia. Temen dan keluarga bilang, "Ngapain ke Tasmania? Mau lihat Tasmanian Devil?" Bahkan pewawancara saya yang dari Indonesia juga melihat saya sambil tersenyum kecil, berbeda dengan pewawancara dari Flinders University yang melihat saya lebih serius. 

Saya jelaskan, "Many bright and talented Indonesian students would prefer to go to major universities, such as the ANU, Melbourne, Sydney, NSW and so on. I also considered those   universities. It must be an amazing experience to go to one of those schools. I did research about the University of Tasmania. I found that it has good research facilities. It's also one of the oldest universities and they offer internship program. Which it means, I will experience working with Australian organizations. Not only I will have strong theoretical knowledge, but also real experiences in professional world." Pewawancara dari Flinders university itu langsung senyum, dia malah nambahin, "You will love Hobart. It's a lovely city." 

I guess, I just got her attention, didn't I?

Intinya, sebagai pencari beasiswa, siapkan diri sejak 3 tahun, atau kalau bisa sejak semester 1 kuliah. Kenapa? Karena pemberi beasiswa sangat mempertimbangkan track record dan kontribusi anda di bidang yang anda minati. Sejauh apa anda akan terus memberi kontribusi kepada masyarakat serta  mengembangkan kapasitas dan kemampuan anda di bidang tersebut. Mulailah rutin menulis, dimana saja, media apa saja. Kecuali tembok umum, karena kalau ketangkep repot. Milikilah kepribadian yang rendah hati, senang berbagi dan tidak mempersulit orang lain. In short, don't be an ass. You'll need others. As long as you cannot upload your the-so-intellectual brain in a high speed connection, you'd probably still need anyone else. 

Finally, I want to say, "Nothing is impossible, if you put your mind to it you could accomplish anything" - Dr. Emmett Brown, Back to The Future (1985).

*Speaking of Tasmanian Devil

Looney Tunes' Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Devil Baby -- still cute

The Real Tasmanian Devil.
You don't want to mess with them. They bite...and kill. This shit is real.