When I was admitted to Columbia University School of Social Work, I searched about things that I have to prepare for joining the class. One of them was that I kept asking people who have experienced studying in the US and remembered about my experience when I studied at the University of Nebraska Omaha last year. At that time, I realized that studying in the US is very different from my university in Indonesia. As far as I know, students who are studying at Columbia University have to read many books and do many assignments every week.
In addition, there are some cultural differences that make me need time to adjust. For instance, if I talk to another student who is coming from a different country, I have to be more focused on his/her voices/intonation because our dialect is not same. Moreover, we are from different backgrounds. However, these kinds of challenge are common for me because I come from Indonesia who has more than a hundred languages and tribes. One thing that we have to implement is respect towards each other. I believe that by having this mindset, we are going to have a peaceful environment.
Personally speaking, the most difficult thing to adjust as a new student at Columbia University is reading books, journals, articles, and news every day and summarizing it. Probably, it is common for other students especially for the US students. In contrast, this is the biggest challenge for me because my background is Physics when I was in college. Yet, I will face it by having exercises every day. Yeah, welcome to Columbia University in the City of New York, U.S.A!
Butler Library
Yes, there are a lot of assignments every week, but I still have time to explore New York City. Here are some places that I have visited;
Times Square
4th of July in Brooklyn
China Town
Central Park
Cathedral Church St. John the Devine
I have been studying at Columbia University for more than five weeks. I learnt a lot about what social workers have done here in the city. I visited and communicated with some agencies that focus on social work. In addition, I gained so much new knowledge from the professors who were teaching us in the class. I am still consistent with my idea to be a social worker and even more excited than before coming here. One thing that makes me curious until now is how to find the real method that I will take for next year. Frankly speaking, I do love all the topics or methods that Columbia School of Social Work offers to us. From these several weeks, I realized that social workers play a big role to change the society. No matter what kind of methods the students take, all of them are good and meaningful.
At my faculty! #LPDP #Pinisi67
I tend to believe that all knowledge, skills, and experience during my time here will be useful in my country. I will bring all those things and hopefully implement them. One of the most important things to be implemented in Indonesia is how to reduce poverty or increase the economics of the poor people and how to develop children, youth and family. These kinds of knowledge and experience that I really need for my future. Besides, I also want to bring the international experience to my community. Therefore, I can share what many people do in the United States. I do want to influence many people in my country with international skills that I have gained from Columbia University and New York City. I know that I still need a lot of advice from my classmates, lecturers, and professors to make me ready for the field practice for next year. I will try my best to achieve my dream from this school. I will learn more and give more effort for that.
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