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 world’s 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 – Taiwan’s 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 Taiwan-Indonesia’s relations and cooperation, not only in political,
economic, 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, I’m
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
that’s why, during my study in Taiwan, I’m 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. I’m
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.

Source: http://motivasibeasiswa.org/2013/02/27/retno-widyastuti/