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 postgraduate 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 Taiwan-Indonesias 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