I find myself standing at a crossroads. I have spent twenty-seven years studying, teaching, researching, and conversing with minds outside of Indonesia. Yet, in the silence of the night, this heart’s voice begins to whisper, calling me back to Indonesia.
Returning—the word is so simple yet laden with meaning. Not just a return to the place of origin but a return to the embrace of a mission, a call to serve. Amidst the glitter of a career abroad, I realize there is an empty space that has never been filled, a void that can only be filled by giving meaning to this life through tangible contributions to the homeland.
In every drop of knowledge I have acquired, I ponder, what is it all for if not to share with those in my own country? For me, serving the homeland is not just an option but a necessity. I want to share knowledge, build bridges of understanding, and inspire the young generation that there is hope worth fighting for amidst limitations.
Seeking a deeper meaning is my reason for returning. Success and recognition, I realize, are just temporary stops on the long journey of life. True satisfaction comes when we can touch the lives of others, when we can be part of the change we hope to see in the world.
Redemption, perhaps that word sounds too dramatic. However, that feeling is the desire to make up for time spent far from Indonesia. I want to return with something to offer, a contribution that might, in small or large ways, bring about change.
Inspiration to inspire—that is my hope. I want to show that with knowledge, dedication, and hard work, we can achieve dreams. I want to be living proof that each of us can make a difference in our own way.
And here I am, on the verge of the decision to return, not without doubts or questions. I know, the path I will take will not be easy. Challenges will always be there, differences in systems, bureaucratic hurdles, adapting to new realities. However, I believe, all this is part of the learning process, part of the journey that will make me grow.
My return is about coming back with a mission, a desire to contribute to education in Indonesia. This is not just the end of one chapter, but the beginning of a new chapter in my life. A chapter that I hope, is filled with stories of sharing, learning, and growing together. A chapter that, one day, I can recount with pride and satisfaction, that I chose not to just be a witness to history, but to be part of the change itself.