OtotSendi Special Edition of the 75th Indonesian Independence Day
For celebrating Indonesian Independence Day, VDMI held a special talk show with VDMI alumni who study or work abroad. The talk show aimed to know the meaning of independence from the perspective of alumni and what they do to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day in the countries where they currently live. There were nine alumni that lively streamed through the VDMI Youtube Channel that are: Albert Budi Christian (PhD. Candidate National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan), Febriana Riestyaningrum K (Tourism Management, Master Student Zhengzhou University, China), Frans Prathama (Graduate Student, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, South Korea), I Gde Manik Sukanegara Adhita (Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, Kobe University, Japan), Muhammad Arham (Digital Content Analyst, Kelly Service, Malaysia), Nessia Rachma Dianti (Master Student of Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, The Netherlands), Randi Proska Sandra (Graduate Student, Institute of Network Learning Technology, National Central University, Taiwan), Rio Putra (Data Analyst at Accenture, Malaysia), dan Zain Fathoni (Senior Software Engineer Ninja Van, Singapore).
Firstly, the alumni shared their activities during the Indonesian Independence Day before the pandemic such as attending the Indonesian flag ceremonies or join the competitions held by the Indonesian Embassy in their countries. Unfortunately, this year, they have to stay at home. Some Indonesian Embassy asked the Indonesia Diaspora to be active in social media promoting Indonesian Independence Day. When all the alumni were asked what independence means to them, they replied no discrimination based on race or gender, freedom to speak, and free to do positive things as long as do not violate others’ rights.
When asked the reason why they choose to study or take a career abroad, some said that they take the opportunity that is available for them. Those who studied answered that the countries where they live have the best programs in the field that they willing to study. The alumni shared that regardless of where they live, they will always love Indonesia. Besides working or studying abroad, they contribute to Indonesia by actively participating in the Indonesian community programs such as providing information technology training to immigrants from Indonesia.
The talk show was last for almost two hours. VDMI family enthusiastically interacted with the alumni through the live chat during the session. At the end of the talk show, the alumni were given a quiz about Indonesia. Although they have been live abroad for a long time, they still remember some facts or information about Indonesia. They hope that in the future Indonesians will be better in terms of respecting others and celebrating diversities so that we can build this country together.
