I’m back!!!
The past three weeks were hard for me. On April 4, I received devastated news from my graduate coordinator. The new dean imposed a new regulation cutting several funds for our department. This regulation affected me and another student; we are not eligible for assistantship for next academic year. Without any assistantship, how I can complete my study. Even worse, my permit to stay in the USA will expire on May 7, 2007. I was depressed. My advisor suggested me to apply for any other assistantship around campus to cover my study next term, and that what I did. I went to any center at campus, from center of Asian studies to institute of Black Culture. It was 19 in total. The results were only rejection letters. I was so scared. I was totally lost focus. My class and my research fell apart.
On Wednesday April 25, I received very good news, my advisor was able to renegotiate with the dean, used her position and challenged the dean to invest in me. The dean finally agreed to give me full funding for one more academic year to complete my study. Next year my advisor suggested me to move to another school to continue my education. Anyway, I am glad that everything is back to normal.
Next fall will be tough for me. My advisor said it’s like you have two full time jobs. One is working on my own research and working for the Center of Tourism Research and Development. I do not know the detail of my responsibility yet as I haven’t signed the contract. I will sign the contract next week. However, my advisor said that my responsibility include overseeing tourism development project in Tampa Bay, Florida; writing technical reports, serving as the center’s public relation and deal with tourism and leisure service providers in south Florida. I am so excited with this new project. The degree will not guarantee your future but the contact you make with people in any project will guarantee it… For this reason I have to postpone and change most of my plan this summer, fall and the spring next year.
I feel blessed to have these people around me. They believe in me more that I do.
Dr LPG, my advisor who fought for me and said to the dean “I want this guy” Using her position she challenged the dean to give me second chance. Thank you for investing in me.
Dr. BT, my co-advisor who joined the mission to save me and searched any opportunity to fund my study. Thank Dr T
DA, coordinator of international student at UF who said “Pulung no matter what you will get your degree. I will pay your tuition fee for your last semester” FYI it’s around $9000… I said D there is no way I can pay it back even when I work in Indonesia. She just smiled and said I do not expect you to pay it back, I just hope you will do the same thing to anyone else in the future … I was speechless…
BG, thanks for your encouragement when I was down and lost focus, and yes I will move with you next fall…
All friends in Gainesville who spread my CV and story to any professor at UF asking do you have something to do for this guy next fall? He needs money to complete his degree. I love y’all.
Everyone who believes in my dreams and helps to make them real. Thank you and I really appreciate your help…
Congrat yah ^_^
Nah kan itu ada jalan. Namanya juga si Pulung sang Superman jadi pasti ada jalan okeeh.
Asyik banget tuh sepertinya job baru mu. Gud lak aja
Indri said this on April 28, 2007 at 9:13 am
thank you.. terima kasih.. terima kasih. sedikit lega sekarang. Paling tidak bisa nyelesaikan kuliah dan tidak jadi anak putus sekolah… iya aku excited dengan job baru cuma sedikit ragu saja, apa iya aku bisa ngerjain..anyway… dirimu sudah mau selesai khan? mau OPT atau pulang kampung?
G’luck juga ya….
Pulung said this on April 28, 2007 at 4:34 pm
yah… minggu depan presentasi master project ku.
Udah beli tiket seh jadi mesti na pulang ha ha ha ^_^
Nggak tau tapi nanti nek kepengen OPT. Susah euy lulusan TESOL. Mau kerja apa di sini? Apa ngajari native speaker bahasa Inggris… lha malah kacau nanti jadi diajari
Indri said this on April 28, 2007 at 5:19 pm