I decided to leave Indonesia after finishing my bachelor’s degree in 2014. I just wanted you to know that, while most people in my country believe that my dream of traveling the world is impossible, I still believe in it. My overseas travel adventure has begun since then.

In 2014, I was an au pair in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. At that time, I was able to travel around Europe for a month with Interrail. It was a very unforgettable experience because, for the first time in my life, I was able to travel on my own for a month around Europe and meet many amazing people from all over the world. That journey opened my eyes and my mind that traveling solo is not a scary thing to do, but very interesting and challenging instead. 

In 2015, I moved to Hemsedal, Norway, as an au pair. Hemsedal is a fairytale village in the winter. White, cold, and stunning! Even from my room, I could see the northern light. Isn’t it incredible? Finally, I told you that the impossible was possible. Living in a very cold place (-28 C) for months causes my body to become very accustomed to the cold. Don’t be shocked if, as a girl from a tropical country, I love snow and glaciers a lot! Norway always has a way of stealing my heart and making me fall in love with cold places. I used this au pair opportunity to hitchhike and tent in some Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland). It was one of my best solo adventures so far!

Aside from traveling, I am interested in human rights issues, so I enrolled in a master’s degree program in Victimology and Criminal Justice at Tilburg University in the Netherlands in 2016. My life took a 180-degree turn after I received my Master of Science. In the past, I worked for a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations in the Netherlands. I am currently employed as a programme officer for one of the United Nations agencies in Indonesia. Yes, working in this field has long been a dream of mine, and here I am!