ESSAYS

1. Describe your short-term and long-term career goals and explain how your past
experience together with an IMAS degree from NCCU will contribute to your achieving them.
(1000 words maximum)
My previous education was International Relations (majoring East Asian studies) and post-graduate
program of Japanese Studies. Since the beginning, I have strong passion and curiosity on East
Asian studies in interdisciplinary context. As we know that this regional has a very great history of
civilization. Furthermore, many scholars mentioned that the countries in this region will be the next
worlds main power as it shows many developments in many sectors; not only in the term of hard
diplomacy but also the soft diplomacy. To support this passion, I also learned Chinese, Japanese
and Korean language for helping me to communicate and understand the society in this region.
I have very high curiosity and passion on how international people relate each other through many
kinds of interaction, communication and cooperation in the term of interdisciplinary studies.
Furthermore, in this globalization era, international relations are not dominated by the state actors
anymore but already spread to grass-root actors (multi-track diplomacy). I want to connect and build
up my international networks, and also promote Indonesia Taiwans relations through education.
For my career goals, I want to be a lecturer and researcher with East Asian expertise. I have a
strong commitment to realize the concepts of education; 1) emphasizing knowledge, 2) growing the
maturity and 3) developing the good manners. Of course, to be a good lecturer and commit with
those concept, I have to increase my quality of knowledge and research. Beside of being a lecturer
and researcher, in the future I want to be the head of international office in my institution. Nowadays,
building up and maintaining an international network between the educational institutions is highly
needed, especially in this more globalize world. My mid-long term goal is developing the TaiwanIndonesias relations and cooperation, not only in political, economical, and security aspects, but
also in cultural aspects.
When I read this program, I found that IMAS NCCU has a comprehensive curriculum on Asia Pacific
Studies, specifically in East Asian Studies, that is suitable with my study focus and passion. That is
why; I am highly motivated to continue my study in IMAS NCCU Taiwan. Having an IMAS degree
from NCCU will help me to broaden my perspective and knowledge, and also increase my capability
to be a qualified lecturer and East Asian studies expert. Furthermore, Indonesia and Taiwan relations
are still developing and I do hope that in the future it will grow more and more. With my experience
studying in IMAS NCCU Taiwan, it will give me a direct experience and knowledge about Taiwan
itself.

2.

Based on your current understanding of the IMAS program curriculum, describe your

initial study plan. Among other relevant information, please describe your specific research
focus or interest, the rationale or motivation for pursuing your research interest, the
relationship between your educational or professional experience and your research interest,
courses that are related to your interest, and your plan to complete the program within a
reasonable length of time. (1000 words maximum)
I am interested in socio-culture. As for my research, I will focus on ethnic development in China,
especially how the government manages the minority issues in north-west region of China. So, I
want to learn and do a comprehensive research about this topic during my study in IMAS. The
reason why I am interested in this topic is because Indonesia has multi-cultural and multi-ethnic
background and there are a lot of conflict which caused by it. To get a better understanding and
comprehension, it is important for me to do comparison studies.
Having research in this field will give me a vision about how to manage the minority issue.
Furthermore, in my opinion there is some similarity between Indonesia and China on it. By
comparing the ethnic issue between Indonesia and China, I hope I can have valuable knowledge
and understanding, so that it can be implemented in Indonesia to manage the problems. As for the
reason why I choose and conduct this research theme in Taiwan is because of the educational
atmosphere in Taiwan that is conducive and supportive.
After seeing the IMAS curriculum, I found some courses that are suitable with my study and
research focus. Beside of taking the required courses, I will also take the elective courses that are
related to my research. Those courses are:

Chinese Philosophy and Religion

Ethnic Development of Mainland China

International Status of Mainland China

Political Development of Mainland China

Research Methods in China Studies

Spatial Development of Mainland China

Social Development of Mainland China

Cultural Ethnic Structure of Taiwan

During my stay and study period in Taiwan, I also planning to increase my ability in Chinese
language and learn more Chinese culture. As for the length of time, Im planning to complete my
degree in IMAS NCCU in two years (until mid-year 2014), including for my thesis. Of course,
during these two years, I will do my best effort to finish my study on time, without ignoring the quality
of my research and study.
3. Please include any other information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions
Committee in considering your application. (500 words maximum)
I have good academic record and achievement, not only in my bachelor degree time in University of
Gadjah Mada but also in master degree in University of Indonesia. I ever joined several international
events and conferences in Japan, Turkey, Lao PDR, and Thailand, which gives me adaptability skill
in multi-cultural and international atmosphere. It also helps me to increase my ability on using foreign
language and communication fluency.
I also join several organizational activities which increase my leadership skill, such as; managing
work, adaptability, decision making, and initiating action. In my organization, I am responsible to
provide scholarship information to the university students and also give some seminars/ workshop to
increase their motivation and courage to study abroad. From it, I learn how to develop and coach
others. And from my working experience, I got chance to increase my skill on writing and engaging
the public through online and printed media, where I responsible for the communication and content
management.
Beside of that, I always interested with something new such as cultures. So thats why, during my
study in Taiwan, Im planning to increase my proficiency in Mandarin. In exchange, I would be very
happy for introducing and discussing about my origin country, includes its cultures and languages
with other students in NCCU.
Indonesia has many diverse cultures inside herself. There are hundreds of ethnic, local languages,
and also various traditional customs which is spread in thousands of islands.
In my opinion, by understanding the other cultures and languages, we can communicate and
understand each other which can support the people to people understanding. Im sure by sharing
and discussing, these can help us to broaden our perspective and knowledge. The more experience
we will have, the more knowledge we will gain. By gaining more knowledge, we can increase our
chance to create a better understanding about others.
With those explanations above, I am sure that I am the suitable candidate for the IMAS program. I
hope it can be helpful for the admission committee to consider my application. I am really excited
and highly motivated to be the part of IMAS NCCU, Taiwan.
Sincerely,

Retno Widyastuti