Patricia Wartaja

After finishing my first degree at the University of Indonesia, I had the urge to continue studying law abroad and I chose the Netherlands. It was not only that the legal system of Indonesia and the Netherlands are the same but also my parents thought it would be safer for me, as a girl, to study in the Netherlands since we have a relative there.

I was not sure which university I would enrol, as I did not have any information concerning universities in the Netherlands. All I knew and I did really want was I would like to take my master degree in the field of business law. Then, I went to the Netherlands Education Centre (NEC) in my country and looked for advice and information.

Many universities offered very good programs and subjects. I was confused and kept on looking for information until I met Prof. Verwey in Holland Education Fair in my country. I talked to him and he explained every single thing I wanted to know, for example about the subjects, the university, the facilities, the housing, and Groningen itself. Because of what he told me, I decided to apply and was admitted.

Inhaling the weather of Groningen gave me a strange feeling. Happy, exciting, afraid. Happy, because I was going to get a master degree. Exciting, since I would start my new experience of studying abroad with new environment and many kinds of students with different languages, cultures, etc. Afraid, as I was used to live with my family and I had never lived alone.

The beginning was quite rough, adapting to a new environment, but days changed into weeks, weeks into months. I got used to studying the subjects taught in the class and I found that living on my own was so much fun. I could arrange everything the way I wanted. So, I could say that after the first three months in which I had to face with adaptation problems, I got used to living in Groningen. I enjoyed the weather, the activities, my friends.

A lot of parties or dinners were held. Sinterklaas party, Spring Festival, or even birthday parties. We gathered not only in parties but also in group studies in the library. We helped each other in the subjects that we had difficulties with. So many friends, so much fun.

Finally, everything had to end. The graduation ceremony was the last day of the students gathering. Happy, because we all completed studying and became Master of Laws. Sad, because it might be the last time we all could get together.

One year finished. Everybody was going back home to their countries with all of their memories. Good ones I think. We had to get back home.

All I can say is that I am very happy that I could finish my master degree at the University of Groningen, and that I am glad that I could have all of those experiences and memories; I am lucky that I have friends who became my best friends all around the world. To some persons, Groningen may be only a small city in the northern part of the Netherlands, but for me, it is my home.

Patricia Ruri Wartaja,  Indonesia , International Business Law