Happy 3rd Monthversary!

Caution: If you think that I am going to write a romantic article about my relationship, put aside that because you are totally wrong. The title does not only belong to lovebirds, despite my way to catch reader attention on my blog. And those who already keen their eye to this page, congrats, you are my guests to celebrate this moment!

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It’s only been three months since I moved to the UK, but this country has influenced me in its way. I chose to continue my master study in the heart of England, small but quite vibrant city, Birmingham. Regarding many people in my home country ask me how it does feel living in a western country provoked me to summarise my experience directly. I should say, every time we step in a new place, it must be so exciting. Birmingham is not as metropolitan as London, but living without famous stereotype as ‘Londoners’ was not a big deal for me. While my university has its way to call their students as ‘Brummies’, I am not always tagging myself on it to be cool. But if the comparison is the way to ease your imagination, I would say, if London feels like Jakarta, then Birmingham feels like Jogja!

The City is located in a county of West Midlands, only two hours from the capital of the UK by train. Historically, the name of Birmingham consists of three phrases, Birm comes from tribal leader Birm or Beorma, Ing means the people, and Ham refers to a home. Interestingly, you might not know there is a crater on the moon called Birmingham! If you asked me what makes me love this city, I would give you more than Bull Ring and city center. Birmingham has Cadbury World, the heaven for chocolate lovers. Besides its fact as a green city with six million trees and more parks than any other European countries, Birmingham also has a unique library, which the shape looks like a wedding cake, with the open garden at its rooftop. Effortlessly to enjoy the book with beautiful city view. I never like museum while I was in Indonesia, but here, I found it as a magnetic place to visit. ThinkThank if you’re science Hunter, Back to Backs if you’re cultural hunter, Jewelry Quarter if you’re prestige hunter, Sarehole Mill, if you’re J.R.R. Tolkien’s big fan, The Museum Collections Center if you’re who are curious of Indiana Jones’s stuff and Newman Brothers Coffin Works if you’re unusual like me. The rest to complete my not-so-promotion, Birmingham is enough strategic city to explore the UK!

I preferably live at shared house than campus accommodation, not only because of the price but also the atmosphere. My housemates at 77 Hubert Rd are all Indonesian, Muslim, and Javanese. I feel like the youngest in the family by having two brothers, Mas Pram and Mas Amir, and a sister, Mba Alif. Every morning, Mba Alif and I were so busy at our small kitchen, while she prepares the breakfast to her husband, Mas Pram, and I cook the dish for my lunch. Then I walk distance to campus about 15 minutes. Although there is a church at twelve steps from my house, every Sunday, I go to St. Stephen church because the service is quite similar with my church in Indonesia. I met John & Anne, also Nick & Pamela, who became God’s parents for international students in that church.

The most important thing to share is my study. Here I am supported by LPDP scholarship and proud to be a part of PK-33 Suryanara, who were wholeheartedly contributed on sanitation in Citereup and bridge in Lebak, as our projects. Then, I thanked God who brought me here, as a part of the University of Birmingham, a member of Russel Group universities.  I was the first Indonesian student in School of Social Policy and the youngest master student in major of Policy into Practice. I took 21-months program because there will be six months of Integrated Placement before the dissertation. For this Autumn Term, I took three modules and one sit-in class; I have no exam, but 100% of my mark will be assessed by 4,000 words of essay and research proposal. For Sector and Services in British Social Policy module, I chose a topic of Health Provision in the UK specifically to analyse the NHS (like BPJS in Indonesia); for Introduction of Applied Social Research I brought quite a hot issue of International students’expectation after the increasing tuition fees and implementation of Immigration Health Surcharge; for Migration, Super-diversity, Policy and Practice module I compared the policy development on Migrant Domestic Workers between Belgium and UK; and I sit-in a cross-department class of Public Sector Reform and Development which is free from assignment. Overall, I enjoyed the materials, teaching staffs, classmates from others countries, and…the pressure of must-read-books!

Life is too short to be spent in ordinary ways. Of course, I passed through 7304 miles to reach my master degree, but back home as a high-skilled person is more important for me. I have been chosen as Student Representative in my coursework, Head of External Relations in PPI Birmingham 2015/2016, and Event Coordinator for Christmas Celebration. I also actively involved in several related seminars and forum to enlighten my knowledge also to build some networks. In my spare time, as a person who love travelling, I did some trip exploring the UK on my weekend. During three months I have been to Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury Village, Burford, Cheltenham, Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, Bicester, and London. Last, I spent my winter break in another continent, yes I had great experiences in Morroco, Africa. Me and four friends went to Marrakesh, Casablanca, Fez, and Chefchouen. Next, I plan to have campuses and stadiums tour around the UK. Wish me luck!

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These particular story of mine will keep continued. Happy New Year as well and see you soon!