BJ Habibie and Germany

Once again, I am back in Germany for the second time. It’s been almost 2 years since I step into Germany. The first time was when I went to Tuebingen-Stuttgart for a summer school program on genetic engineering. I still remember the golden glistening sunset that welcomed me once I arrived in Germany. I couldn’t help but feel such fuzzy feelings in my heart, knowing that I finally reach Germany, fulfilling the dream of ‘little heba’ to study in Germany.

Just now, I departed from Frankfurt after finishing the project at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. As usual, I fixated my gazing towards the window of the airplane, despite seating next to the aisle. Wherever I am , my gaze is always be directed to the sky- as if my body is receiving an instruction subconsciously. 

Innately, I am someone who’s full of aspirations and eagerness to see the world beyond what it is. Perhaps that’s why I always look for windows- to look at the sky- as if doing so allows my mind to wander itself in a non-isolated medium; to let my imagination sprout without limitation and borders. 

Even when I am brainstorming answers during the examination, I always look up to the sky (or in this case; ceiling)- it’s a natural act of mine that I just noticed. More so when the shy moon is peeking up in the sky- I can't turn my gaze away from her beauty. And the vastness and 'emptiness' of sky- painted by hues and blushes of colours- they make me feel calm inside. 'Less earthy-ly stimulus'. 

Anyway, back to where i am now- in the Airbus 380. Whilst looking out to the plane window, I can’t help but to think about BJ Habibie. For Indonesians, Germany is being synonymed to BJ Habibie, the bright mind that paved pathways for Indonesians to broaden their wings to Europe- to dream the impossible and have the courage to go forward and beyond.

Hence, since I am in the plane now, I can’t help but to relate these to things to him; airplane, and Germany. 

Some thoughts that crossed my mind; ‘He must’ve been to Frankfurt, right? I wonder how the world looks like when he was just my age, with hot blood running in himself, embarking his studies in Europe, away from his comfort and loved ones. 

Was he having the same conflicts as I am now? How much has he sacrificed to come this far? What keeps him going on despite the adversities?’

I try to put myself in his shoes- to imagine living a life full of dedication and perseverance to build a better future for himself, family, and for the future generation to come. 

‘Has he always been full of ambitions and aspirations? Has he always be living with such vision?.’

I am wondering how he was as a person at my age, if I am to meet the young BJ Habibie- 'what kind of conversations we would have had together? Will we be talking about such aspiration and vision full of hopes and dreams? Or maybe we’ll just be having normal conversation, ranting to each other and whining about how hard it is to live as an international student?— since he is also a normal human being who’s not an exception towards the harshness of adulting process?

Of course, I will never find out about it (unless I can travel back in time and meet the younger version of him). 

Or maybe, just MAYBE, I will meet someone like him unexpectedly, when my path cross with that person— who shares the same aspiration and hopes for building a better future, not just for ourself, not just for our family, but for the generations to come… maybe, just maybe, I will be lucky enough to stumble upon someone like that.

20:55, joi 29th of May 

- in the sky of Frankfurt, Germany en route to Bucharest, Romania

love and mundaneness- a realisation

In my tiptoes to finishing my degree, I’ve never given much thoughts on the subject ‘love’.

For years, I am always occupied with what I have in my plate- getting the best out of my uni years. If I am not busy studying, I’ll be busy volunteering or working on some projects. I collected responsabilities like a pokemon card- I cherish my time too much that I don’t want to 'spend' them into something uncertain such as ‘love’.

Looking back, I think I did a great job in keeping focused and adamant on my goals and responsibilites. However, I realised that I might have framed ‘love’ wrongly, or at least, in a very narrowed dimension.

Not only to romantic feelings, but I guarded myself from any kind of warmth that the world has to offer. I build a high wall upon myself, shielding myself away from everything, including friendship and familial. I thought, opening up myself will make me vulnerable, and giving away my time will make me loss more of the time for myself. 

However, as I live more and meet different kind of people, I realised that love is never a waste- it is what keeps the world going. Love is not meant just for romantics, but it’s the simple gesture of kindness, of attentiveness, of remembrance. 

It’s when we blossom a smile to strangers on the streets, when we open the door and wait for the next people to enter, the random message to a friend just to make sure they are doing fine, the random dinner hosting at one’s place filled with laughters and cosy moments, the unexpected hand holding out to offer help, the short walk in the park under the glistening sunset- it’s all the small and mundane things, never something grandiose. 

Especially for people at my age, I think people are afraid to let themselves to soak in this ray of 'effortless' love. We used to think love as something big with huge sacrifice, that can only be intimately experienced between two lovers. But love is all around us, and it's always there.

Maybe we're just too blinded by our fears to actually realise it.

And for this note, I hope you, who are reading this, will not be afraid to embrace the love given, and to give love to people around you.

Because no matter what, love is never a waste.

15:18,

25th of May,

Sky of Germany

another adventure: first step in empowering education?

 [Mai 25 ’25]

It’s 1 hour into my flight to Frankfurt. Yesterday, I just finished the 4th exam I have on biochimie clinica si hematologie. I didn’t manage to do my best, as I was juggling with my thesis writing and preparation for uni project. But, I don’t blame myself much, as I think I have done my best in the situation I was in (:

So, what am I doing at Frankfurt? Well specifically, I am actually going to Strasbourg in France. Due to convenience, it is much better for me to take the flight to Germany, and take a connecting bus to France. Funny right?

Back in February, I got selected to represent my university and the alliance as a panelist to the European Student Assembly 2025, which is going to take place at the European Parliament in France! When the international office sent me application information, I wasn’t really expecting much. After all, I am a biochemistry student, and was never involved in anything political. Let alone public speaking and debating? I shied myself away from those.

But somehow, they put the trust in me to represent the alliance. I am the only one representing my university. Hence, I am taking a leap of faith to embark in this new experience, out of my comfort zone. I am grateful that in the past 2 years, I have joined several volunteering  and lead some projects- thus, i think have a pretty good organisational foundation? Though it was pretty challenging to work with international people remotely- juggling between drafting policy recommendations, having meetings, and finishing my final semester of degree, I am trying to embrace everything and to learn as much as I can! After all, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and trust they put into having me onboard on this massive international project :'

ANNDDD what's more exciting is that I am working on drafting policy recommendations on education and lifelong-learning; something that I am deeply passionate about. Aside from my immense admiration in anything scientific, I am a huge advocate of education and accessibility. Thus, I hope that my participation in this program will serve as a major foundation for my effort to become an educator (and perhaps a policymaker?) in the future, amin (:

So I guess, see you at #ESA25? 

May Allah bless this journey and ease everything for me and everyone involved, amin ya rabbal alamin.

15:02,

25th of May,

In the sky between Romania and Germany

*update: i got 9/10 for my biochimie clinica exam!!