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| Sunset near my hometown |
The first thing that appeared in my mind soon when I landed was the willingness to start a new life, the work that had been postponed. I miss my family and friends, I have thousands of stories to tell. I miss my students, wanna see how they have grown.
People told me it's easy to apply for a teacher position but reality proved it wasn't when I tried to get my teaching job back. One month passed, then two months, three months ... I hadn't found a dream job, people love degrees, some don't understand my complex education background. With a recommendation from a friend, I then got an offer from an export import company, the manager said that he needed an active English user. Long story short, I accepted the job. Thus, instead of teaching something based on what I've learned, I took the chance to continue to be a student, learning new things while working.
Though I can't stop thinking about it every single day, I do sometimes feel that my previous experience abroad was just a dream. One morning though, a postman showed up in front of my door -- a package, from my former project coordinator. She sent me all the books and dictionaries I wanted to keep, my certificates and some mails that went to my U.S. address.
"... not just a dream ... " I told myself. A moment later, I'm back to reality. I have started going to work, hanging out with friends and helping my little bro with homework. I have joined a Mandarin class in the town and touched my dusty violin again, driving my neighbors crazy with the bad playing. Recently, I also signed up for a Stanford Online Class (It's free!).
All the activities keep me busy and make me see the color in my life again. The only thing that still bothers me is the non-stop questioning from many many people. They can't stop wondering why I came back to Indonesia, why don't live abroad instead? Others complained that I have changed, I am not the one they used to know. Guess I need more time to get used to them ...
Learning new things is interesting. I studied banking and finance, and now work in the kitchen :D ..but I am happy! ..and people keep wondering why I don't want to come back to Indonesia and work in a bank again.
ReplyDeleteSo, you're back now?
ReplyDeletemost of my friend who studied abroad never came back to Indonesia. I guess their live were much better there and their educational background were more appreciated. Paid more ofcourse hehee..
kamu pengen banget ya jadi guru wah hebat pekerjaan mulia :D
ReplyDeleteyg nanya kenapa kamu kembali ke indonesia jangan2 mereka gak cinta indonesia hehe :P
Well, we never know where our life goes. Reserve culture shock is always more difficult to handle than the culture shock. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a similar experience, people think that if we already went abroad so we would not go back again. And they keep asking that, what a question! They doesn't know that process is not as easy what they think.
However, mostly different from others, my husband really want to go back and doesn't want to move abroad, after he finish his study. He does love the country so much, and no one can change his mind until now. :)
wah, ternyata susah juga ya kalo balik lagi ke Indo. Aku belum berasa soalnya belum pulang2, tapi mungkin kalau ada kesempatan balik, kayak gitu juga.
ReplyDeletekalau masalah berubah... pastilah kita berubah. Tapi kalau bikin kita jadi lebih baik, kenapa harus ditolak kan ya?
@Damz:
ReplyDeleteYou're soooo cool!
I spent years learning Physics, Math and Computer Science. I used to think of working in one of these fields. Now I know I need to learn more things and find what I really like. :)
@Mila:
Yup, I'm back! It's quite true that living abroad can be better. But every time I miss my family and friends, I just wanna go home ...
@Ria:
Thanks... mereka hanya tidak percaya aku benar2 pulang.. :)
@Chita:
Wow, I seldom find someone who thinks like your husband does. I have similar story, my family and close friends think I'm home only for holidays. They don't believe I want to live and settle down here.
But yes, we don't know where life goes. Thanks for sharing the process with me. :)
@Bebe:
Haha, iya nih harus mulai dari awal lagi & penyesuaian lagi. Yup, mudah2an perubahannya lebih baik. :)