#HoyasInJakarta We are more alike than we are different. #HoyasInJakarta, Page 1
June 13th, 2017 On the very first day of the #HoyasInJakarta Common Purpose curriculum, we completed exercises that highlighted the differences in opinion in the room. At the beginning of the activity, each student was given seven statement cards. Written on the statement cards were opinions such as: 50% of all government positions should be allocated to women, same-sex marriage should be legalized in every country, etc. Each student was tasked with placing those statement cards into categories such as: disagree, agree, and I don't know. While it is important to recognize the diversity of opinions in the room, it is more important to discuss them. Therefore, if a student felt that a statement card was placed in the wrong category, then the card was flipped over. This allowed participants to challenge individuals to rethink their beliefs, and understand an opposing viewpoint. So, we were tasked with coming to a consensus on statements. That particular task was difficult, to say the least. As an opinionated individual, even after hearing arguments from the opposing side, I refused to "change sides." I had this idea of there being a "right" opinion, and I assumed that the "right opinion" was my opinion. Consequently, while I listened to the opinions and arguments of my peers, I did not listen to comprehend, rather I listened to respond. What I took from this exercise was that it is impossible, to some extent, to agree with everyone on every idea, belief, or theory put forth. However, we must be more open-minded and less stubborn in our beliefs, particularly in politics. I think that our lawmakers could learn a thing or two from this exercise. #HoyasInJakarta, Page 2
June 14th, 2017 The question posed at the very beginning of the trip was: How do we ensure that smart cities are more inclusive? In order to come up with a solution, we had to start by identifying and examining the problem. Day Two was spent learning about the challenges that smart cities pose. Some students visited IBM and ILO, but I visited the Department of Transportation at Jakarta City Hall. There, I concluded that traffic congestion was at the root of the problem. Many individuals living in the capital opt for private transportation instead of public transportation, thereby increasing the number of private vehicles on the road. On average, the public bus covers only 56% of the travel route. Therefore, if citizens opt for public transportation, then they would have to walk, catch an Uber, or utilize GoJek (similar to Uber) in order to make it to their destination. Additionally, safety was a factor in the decision making process. The buses are oftentimes crowded and individuals find themselves "packed like sardines." With only room the stand and no means of guarding their belongings, many fall victim to petty thefts and pickpocketing. All in all, my trip to the Department of Transportation provided me with information about the everyday lives of daily commuters. #HoyasInJakarta, Page 3
June 15th, 2017 Oftentimes, in the attempt to find our own solutions to problems, we fail to examine the solutions that already exist. On the third day, we visited Jakarta Smart City where we spoke to CEO Rama Raditya. Raditya shared his experience with Jakarta Smart City, and discussed the the current initiatives created to increase its inclusivity. First, Jakarta Smart City provides lower-income individuals with passes that permit them to use public transportation, free of charge, during certain days of the week. This ensures that all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have a means of commuting. Second, Jakarta Smart City joined with start up apps that allow individuals to report anything from vehicular accidents to weaknesses in city infrastructure (I.e. sidewalk erosion). The list goes on! After the visit, my group and I examined the solutions that we brainstormed the day before. Truth be told, many of our solutions had already been implemented or would have obstructed the existing solutions and their progress. We had been so critical of Jakarta Smart City, eager to identify its flaws prior to understanding its benefits. Consequently, we spent the remainder of the day creating a new plan to make smart cities more inclusive. We finally came up with a solution: Jakarta should expand the sidewalks, create a lane for street venders, and create a physical barrier between pedestrians and drivers. This would decrease traffic congestion, make Jakarta a more walkable city, and decrease the likelihood of a vehicular accident. All in all, I learned that oftentimes, we rush to critique ideas, theories, and sometimes each other, without having a concrete understanding of them. On a macro level, the United States government, particularly U.S. Congress is an example of this. Given the partisan divide, our lawmakers often criticize bills before they actually have a concrete understanding of them. P.S. To celebrate our strides, we visited a mall where we went shopping, and saw the Jakarta city skyline! #HoyasInJakarta, Page 4
June 16th, 2017 The last day was by far the most stressful. We had only several hours to create a project outline, put together a skit, and edit a video. The time crunch, the shifting power-dynamics of my group, and the ensuing judgement by three panelists heightened tension. Needless to say, this tension caused many disagreements in my group. "Okay we don't have enough time for that!" "Why do you feel like your idea is better than my idea?" And the list goes on. In the end, after realizing that our presentation was a success, we understood why. While we hit a couple of bumps on the road, we always overcame them. Yes, we disagreed a bit, but that disagreement led each of us to critique ourselves and our own ideas. Oftentimes, we become so fixated on our own ideas that we blind ourselves to their consequences and see only their benefits. Hence, the most important aspects of problem-solving and teamwork are self-awareness, self-analysis, and self-critique. Overall, the last day was bittersweet. We were finally able to present our solutions, but we were all forced to say goodbye to one another. Luckily, Facebook and Instagram have ensured that the bonds created while in Jakarta will continue. #HoyasInJakarta, Page 5
Home Sweet Home: Reflection Prior to traveling to Jakarta, Indonesia, I assumed that I would struggle being in a foreign country, approximately 16, 306km from the place that I call home. I spent two weeks researching aspects of Indonesian culture. I researched proper etiquette, Indonesian customs, commonly accepted beliefs, and the language (Bahasa). Doing so, however, only worsened my anxiety. I understood that I could not learn Bahasa in two weeks; I assumed that U.S customs differed greatly from Indonesian customs; I expected to struggle to connect with the students from BINUS University. While the United States prides itself on being a melting pot, there still exists segregation (i.e. self-segregation, forced segregation, etc.). As an African American woman, I oftentimes find myself interacting with those who look just like me, share the same viewpoints as me, and share the same values as me. Still, I felt at home in Jakarta despite being 16,306km from home. Yuri bonded over our love of taking selfies, Rizky and I bonded over our love of analyzing the decisions made by world leaders, and Rayhan and I bonded over our appreciation for silent leaders. Our shared hobbies, interests, and appreciations brought us together and made BINUS University my home away from home. I laughed as I did at home (at the same memes and YouTube videos), I sang as I did at home (to the same Beyoncé songs), and I shopped as I did at home (non-stop). Yes, I felt out of place as an American speaking on the issues of a country that I had never been to prior to the trip. Yes, I had vastly different political views than my group members. Yes, I disagreed with my group members on how to make smart cities more inclusive. However, my disagreements with the Indonesian students were no different than those with the U Chicago and Harvard Students. I understand that the #HoyasInJakarta trip sought to examine the question: How can we ensure that smart cities are more inclusive? While that question was answered, the broader question, How do we ensure that we, as individuals and as societies, are more inclusive? was also answered. Truth be told, we are more alike than we are different, and the time that we spend dwelling on the differences between us, is time that we can spend learning more about those around us. Learning more about my neighbors, my classmates, etc. will allow me to have an understanding of the world around me. Once I have an understanding of the needs of others, the desires of others, and the dreams of others, then I can put forth solutions to real world problems. Physical barriers are not the greatest detriment to cultural understanding, more so our tendency to preoccupy ourselves with our differences before we acknowledge our similarities. - #HoyasInJakarta, Page 6