What is your intended major?

My intended major is Economics. I developed an interest in economics from working and attending a business meeting where I met one of my father’s associates. The tsunami of 2004 prompted me to help the citizens and visitors to Indonesia in any way that I could. It was amongst this disaster that I saw a better part of humanity. The sheer willingness of people wanting to help in any way they could, opened my eyes. I found that I wasn’t really helping; volunteering was helping me.

I was actually becoming a better person.

I started thinking about more than just the things that affected my world; that there are other people who don’t necessarily need help; they just need a push in the right direction. It was while working and attending a business meeting that I met a gentleman who changed everything and would greatly impact my decision to study economics. At the end of the meeting I timidly approached this gentleman and he said that I should learn economics in order to help my country and its citizens.

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He went on to say that by studying economics I could gain a better understanding of where my country is today, where my country would like to go, and if I have the good fortune, be able to help with that direction. I told him that I helped out with the tsunami disaster. He asked how I felt about the disaster, volunteering and what impact this had on my life.

I told him that I wasn’t contented to let things go right by me and not do anything about it. He just smiled and told me to pursue this direction.

He also told me that by serving my people I will serve myself. After meeting this gentleman and speaking briefly with him, it has greatly impacted the way I see things in my country. As an Indonesian I have seen the very rich to the very poor. Although we have a population that is approximately 90% literate, we also have high unemployment, poor sewage and water treatment, a government that doesn’t spend on our oil and resource infrastructure, and an ever evolving political climate.

The tsunami of 2004 also had a large economic impact as well as the terrorist bombings in Bali. Regardless of these events I am optimistic that Indonesia can re-develop its trade ties with many more nations that it currently has. I believe that Indonesia needs to expand its reach to as many countries as it can, and not limit itself to only countries in its immediate region. Working has taught me the importance of teamwork and independent action. Accountability, time management, and responsibility have also greatly impacted the way at how I view things.

Not only is it important to act, it is also important to be aware of the possible impact of the decision to act and the decision not to act. Consequences play a huge part of my life. After meeting the gentleman, I started thinking about more possibilities. I saw everything around me differently. Supposing if we as Indonesians began working on a project in one area of the country that has very poor sanitation. Start slowly by creating the infrastructure in that area. At the same time create a water/sewage treatment facility.

When those projects are completed, move on to the next area. It doesn’t matter how long it takes as long as it gets done properly. I started to read everything I could get my hands on regarding economics, government, politics, people, and psychology. The more I read, the more I was convinced that I needed to study economics. I volunteered by going into the rural areas and helping them rebuild their communities. The more I volunteered, the more I helped, the more I learned about my people. The more I was convinced that I needed to study economics.

Change is necessary for any people to grow and become better. I know that the change I seek may not take place in my lifetime. What I do know, is that change always begins with one person. If I happen to be that catalyst, fine. If the next generation of Indonesian is the catalyst, that’s great too. What I do know is that if nothing gets done, we will not progress as a people. We will stagnate and wither. This also increased my awareness that in order to have a fresh perspective, I really needed to leave Indonesia and see what other countries are doing.

I chose The University of California because of great economists such as Professor Zvi Griliches (deceased) Professor Michael P. Dooley, Professor Robert C. Feenstra, Professor James D. Hamilton, Professor Charles I. Jones just to name a few. With these scholars, I know I will benefit from their collective insight and wisdom. 2. Tell us about a talent, experience, contribution or personal quality you will bring to the University of California. I truly enjoy meeting new people and having new experiences.

I might be a little timid at first, however, I don’t refuse any experience where I can learn. The University of California offers an excellent opportunity to meet with people from as diverse a background as my own. I believe that my natural curiosity combined with my willingness to learn and listen will enable me to contribute to the University of California. I have a true desire to be exposed to different ways of thinking, being and living. I would like to have a new perspective so as to be able to bring and communicate these ideas to enhance my fellow Indonesians and other members of humanity.

I also would like to experience North American culture by joining different social clubs, writing for the school newspaper, and maybe joining the badminton team (I’m pretty good! ) Whatever it is I am no longer willing to stay within my ‘comfortable zone’. 3. This question seeks to give students the opportunity to share important aspects of their schooling or their lives – such as their personal circumstances, family experiences, and opportunities that were or were not available at their school or college – that may not have been sufficiently addressed elsewhere in the application?

I see myself as an ambassador of my country. As an ambassador I am able to view the perspectives of both my home country and the country I am stationed. As an ambassador I would be able to get a fresh perspective on what may help my country, and what contributions my country may bring. The only way to expose yourself to new ideas is to have new ideas and to embrace a different way of thinking. I truly believe that this can be achieved by attending the University of California. Attending the University of California is not just about me.

It’s also about the knowledge and insight that I would be able to bring my fellow Indonesians. Through this insight and knowledge they might believe they can also make a difference and pursue an education that will also benefit their fellow Indonesians and other countries. I am not content to blindly let things go by me anymore. The bubble of a world that I lived in was shattered when I decided to get out of my ‘comfortable zone’ and embrace helping others. It was through helping others that I saw that people were willing to try if given a chance.I would like to afford my fellow Indonesians more chances by studying economics at the University of California.