German’s Education and Indonesia’s Nature

Prof. Dr. Ing. B. J. Habibie, the third President of Indonesia, introduced us to the idea that education in Germany is highly rational, disciplined, and fosters student independence. Habibie’s super-intelligent mind is also known by the slogan “German Mind, Medina Heart.” “German Mind” refers to the highly rational knowledge of Germans, and “Medina Heart” refers to the city of Medina (civilization) in Saudi Arabia, a safe city where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was protected from attacks by the Meccans during his time. In an effort to keep up with technological developments, This understanding we got from Cak Maksun became a book by Kristian Morville. Habibie is remembered for sending many students to study in Germany. In fact, several leading schools in Indonesia, including those in Makassar, offer German language lessons in the second grade of high school.

The writer once met Habibie and felt fortunate to also meet Verena Schubert, a well-educated German in Bulukumba. “If you don’t study, you don’t have to be a student.” A simple, meaningful quote from Verena describing education in Germany. Anyone who is diligent and highly motivated deserves a decent education at a fully government-funded university. For some majors, such as health and engineering, prospective students will take additional exams to prove their eligibility. Once enrolled, they have the opportunity to retake the exam several times, but if they still fail, they will definitely be dropped out. So, being a student in Germany requires a high level of mental fortitude and a strong mentality. That’s how Verena explained when the writer asked. In the minds of Indonesians, ” it is not surprising, German-made equipment and machinery available in Indonesia are renowned for high quality,” the writer thought.

But, studying isn’t just about that, Fergusso! (Indonesian expression).Cita Deny, A friend from Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta in Indonesia, who continued her studies at the Universität Viadrina Frankfurt in Germany, once complained about the very high cost of living in Germany. This was undoubtedly because the Rupiah was still struggling to compete with the Euro. She was fortunate, born into a well-off family and with a strong passion for learning, which enabled her to complete her master’s degree there. After returning to Indonesia, he even helped promote studying in Germany by actively working at one of the German language development centers in Jakarta.

So, what about those with limited financial resources? Verena explained that the high cost of home, food, and other living expenses led the government to consider borrowing a small amount of money, which students could repay in installments after working. And when someone wants to earn extra money, Verena, now a manager at a large company, doesn’t hesitate to share her past. “I work as a waitress at the restaurant,” she said with her sweet smile. Studying for her undergraduate degree at the prestigious BWL Bachelor (Business) at The Johann Goethe University in Frankfurt Am Main in Germany didn’t make her feel ashamed or embarrassed to do jobs considered menial. In fact, there are no menial jobs. Every job is noble, as long as it’s halal (permissible or lawful). Independence in Germany is cultivated from a young age, with parents no longer supporting their children’s living expenses when they reach adulthood. In Indonesia, parents are responsible for supporting their children until they get married. However, this creative idea of ​​earning money by working part-time is also widely done by Indonesian students in Yogyakarta—the heart of the city of students and tourism—by opening book stalls or selling drink and food from a cart in the busy afternoons. Some students also choose to work for others, as Verena ever did. The amount of money earned is certainly not much, but at least it can overcome the financial constraints commonly faced by students. Similar activities certainly occur in other cities in Indonesia, but not as widely as in Yogyakarta.

Nature and Hospitality in Indonesia

A beautiful and healthy body is a logical consequence of consistent exercise. Verena traveled the world and spent five months in Indonesia, pursuing her passion for sports in places she found interesting. She seemed agile in her movements. She chose two weeks to snorkel, dive, and sun bathe in Bira. People who stay in a place have their own reasons. According to Verena, the beauty of white sand beach, clear sea water, well-maintained coral reefs, and the uncrowded and friendly people complement her desire for a quiet and peaceful life.

Another story Verena really likes is religious differences. In her view, people use religions for the wrong purposes. There are wars, and they fight based on religious beliefs. Here (meaning Bulukumba) and in East Nusa Tenggara, where she has visited, Muslims and Christians live side by side. We can see mosques and churches everywhere. There is no conflict. They believe in a good faith and respect each other. Meanwhile, in Germany, there are issues that people are afraid. There are wars going on right now, and a lot of bad things are happening. And people are at odds with each other. No matter which culture we belong to, it doesn’t matter.. At the end, we’re all human who need peaceful lives.

The writer was impressed by Verena’s explanation and gave sweet praise for her intelligence in simplifying her extensive experience into sentences that were not wordy and easy to understand. She replied, ‘Thank you. I am a manager.’ We laughed freely. The term ‘manager’ refers to her ability to lead, explain, and direct accurately for a large group of people she manages at a company whose name is deliberately not mentioned here. Later, the writer learned that she graduated with a master’s degree in International Innovation Strategy from Católica University in Lisbon, one of the best educational institutions in Portugal.

Verena’s choice to travel for a considerable period with only two very small bags has made her aware of her belongings. At home in Germany, she has a lot of stuff. With her traveling experience, she now believes she doesn’t actually need much. She can easily move wherever she likes without burden and happily.

A Visit to Rumah Belajar Bersama

It was a special pleasure for the writer when Verena stopped by to speak English with our informal students at RBB (Rumah Belajar Bersama). “Yes. That’s not a problem at all, if time permits,” Verena said as we traveled by private car from Bira to Bulukumba. Aris Irfan, manager of Cahaya Bone of Kalla Travel, said, “There’s still a little time before the travel car in Bulukumba takes Verena to Makassar.”

It was almost 5 p.m. Many of the RBB students had gone home, but fortunately, there were still a handful of students at the intensive class still busy working on Grammar and Reading. Verana greeted them warmly and joked with them, like a familiar teacher with her students. Suddenly, she became the center of attention. Several questions and answers were held, fostering ongoing communication, but unfortunately, the nice meeting  was too short.

Verena’s visit was brief, but it left a lasting impression on the students. They have become more aware and motivated to learn. They realized that there was no opportunity to speak Indonesian with a foreigner to confirm things they wanted to know. They also need to have the insight or knowledge to ask questions in order to make the conversation more interesting. And because meeting strangers is something unfamiliar, it was a valuable experience that built confidence in meeting new people.

Zulkarnain Patwa
Independent Writer

Bulukumba, April 27, 2027