The Decision to Go
Leaving Surabaya for Delft was not a decision made lightly. For many Indonesian students, the prospect of studying abroad comes bundled with equal parts excitement and fear — fear of the unknown, of being far from family, of not being good enough in a foreign academic environment. But as many who have made the leap will tell you, the growth that happens on the other side of that fear is extraordinary.
This is a story that reflects the experiences shared by many Indonesians studying in the Netherlands — a country home to one of the larger Indonesian student communities in Europe, thanks in part to the historical ties between the two nations.
The First Weeks: Culture Shock Is Real
The Netherlands is famously direct. Dutch people say what they think, rarely soften criticism, and expect the same in return. For many Indonesians raised in a culture that values sopan santun (politeness and indirectness), this can feel jarring at first. A professor giving blunt feedback on a presentation, or a classmate disagreeing openly in a seminar — these interactions take some getting used to.
Then there's the weather. The grey skies and persistent drizzle of a Dutch autumn and winter are a dramatic contrast to the warmth of Surabaya or Makassar. Many Indonesian students report that adjusting to the climate is, surprisingly, one of the hardest parts.
Finding Community Through PPI
One of the first things many Indonesian students do upon arriving in the Netherlands is find their local Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia (PPI) chapter. These student associations exist in cities like Delft, Amsterdam, Groningen, and Wageningen, and they serve as an immediate social anchor.
Through PPI, students find housemates, get advice on navigating Dutch bureaucracy, celebrate Indonesian national holidays together, and simply have a space to be fully themselves. The friendships formed in these communities often become some of the deepest of a student's life — forged through shared displacement, shared longing, and shared laughter.
Academic Life: Challenges and Rewards
Dutch universities are known for their problem-based learning approach, group projects, and an expectation that students think critically and independently from day one. For Indonesian students from more lecture-based academic backgrounds, this shift requires active adjustment.
Students who thrive tend to be those who embrace participation early — asking questions, joining study groups with local students, and seeking feedback rather than avoiding it. The academic challenge is real, but the skills gained — critical thinking, cross-cultural communication, self-direction — are genuinely transformative.
What Students Bring Home
After years of study abroad, Indonesian students return home changed — not in their core identity, but in their perspective. They bring back technical expertise, language skills, professional networks, and a broader view of what is possible. Many describe a renewed appreciation for Indonesia itself: its warmth, its creativity, its resilience.
The experience of being an outsider, of navigating difference, and of building community from scratch is ultimately one of the most valuable educations a young person can receive — no classroom required.
A Message to Those Considering the Journey
If you are an Indonesian student wondering whether to take the leap and study abroad: the hardest part is not the academics, the weather, or the food (though you will miss nasi goreng). The hardest part is saying yes. And it is almost always worth it.