I grew up in the United States as the daughter of Indonesian parents, but I didn’t really feel like an American or Indonesian. I learned the English language in school but spoke Bahasa Indonesia at home so it was hard for me to express myself freely in both languages. I was fluent in speaking Bahasa Indonesia but didn’t know how to write it, and I was better at writing English, although I was apprehensive about speaking it. I felt like I didn’t belong fully with either of the two cultures because what I am exposed to at home and what I constantly experience in school are very different. I now know that I share this particular feeling with many people who have recently migrated.
Growing up, I learned to cherish my background and have been able to make my being a daughter of two diverse cultures work in my favor. I know that not everyone can fully appreciate the positives of two cultures, especially if they were raised in a country where everyone else seemed to embrace only one. I persevered in college and eventually learned to write in Bahasa Indonesia and I’m very glad that I can now speak English as if it were my native language. With these skills, I hope to help transform the Indonesian legal system as I progress through my intended legal career.
I have always taken my studies seriously. I was always afraid that, if ever I would have gotten failing grades, these would have appeared in my transcripts and would constantly remind me that I had shortcomings in a particular area of study. I majored in Business Administration during college and did well in this field. As expected because of my grades, I graduated third in my class and got a job in a pharmaceutical company fairly quickly because of my academic records and from the recommendations of my professors, who mentored me during my undergraduate years. However, I did not find my job fulfilling so I worked as a research assistant for a lawyer in Indonesia.
Unknowingly, my exposure to the legal profession sparked my passion for the law and has inspired me to do my own research and read about international legal systems, which I hope to study more intensively in law school. Before I worked as a research assistant, I did not know about Indonesia’s legal system, its economy, nor the problems the country is facing. My parents usually vacationed in Indonesia every year and, sometimes, they would take us with them.
During the times I was in Indonesia, I noticed that Indonesians are very hardworking. I feel saddened, however, that the country lacks the kind of legal system that would provide protection for businesses and workers. Without this legal structure, the country’s economy will remain the same. I intend to work hard, study, and apply my knowledge so that I, along with other people with adequate legal training, can do what needs to be done to improve Indonesia’s legal system. If ever I do get a law degree and hopefully from your university, I will do my share in bringing Indonesia at par with the world’s best in terms of the legal aspects of business.
I know that earning a legal degree from _____ University can equip me with the kind of knowledge I need to pursue my goals. Studying the legal system of the United States and comparing it to that of Indonesia can help me and other people figure out what needs to be done. I hope to contribute my passion, perseverance, and bi-cultural heritage to the university while striving hard to succeed in my academic pursuits.
Photo Credit : brokenhrt2
