Far From Home – The Little Things I Miss About Indonesia After Leaving for University by Tanishka Gopalan
As they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder.
I never realized how much I would miss home until I left it. Home is different for everyone, and even though I am Indian by blood, I consider Indonesia as one of my homes since I was born and raised here. I moved away from home for university and that only made me miss and appreciate it even more. Don’t get me wrong- it’s an amazing experience to move across the globe and start a new life from scratch, learning about and adapting to new cultures, making new friends, and discovering yourself outside the world you’re used to. However, sometimes it’s also okay to miss home- after all, it is the place that made you, you! As much as I am grateful to even have the opportunity to study abroad, I am equally grateful that I can come back home and still be accepted with open arms. There are little treasures that make Indonesia feel like home to me- ones that I find myself missing the most. They aren’t always grand or glamorous, but they’re the threads that stitched together my childhood.
One thing I miss greatly is the comfort of Indonesian food- although to me that goes without saying! The best part for me was knowing that no matter the time or place- where there is food, there is sambal (and probably rice)! The comfort of a home-cooked meal is something I will never take for granted again! Another thing I won’t take for granted again is the weather. Sure, the heat and humidity can be unbearable at times, but I’ve grown to miss it after living in a country that is always cold. It’s almost as if the warmth in the air back home wraps around you like a constant hug- even when it leaves you sticky and sweaty.
Furthermore, the community around me in Indonesia makes it even harder to leave home. Something I truly admire about Indonesian culture is how collectivistic and friendly everyone is. One example I see of this is when neighborhoods come together on Independence Day and play games with one another despite possibly being strangers. It certainly makes coming home more welcoming and heartwarming.
Of course, I can’t forget about certain unspoken rules Indonesian cultures has- jam karet in particular… While this may seem silly, it’s comforting knowing as late as I am to an event, someone will always be later!
I am blessed to have been able to travel around Indonesia and witness the diverse cultural and natural beauty- whether that be through visiting temples, beaches, waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes, historical sites, etc. I miss being so close in proximity to all these wonders.
There is a certain comfort of routine that I miss while being away from home. While I create my own, new routine in another country, there’s still a sense of nostalgia that can’t be replaced. The predictable yet unpredictable Jakartan traffic, the late night Indomie or martabak runs, the community gatherings with enough food for double the amount of people there, the weekend road trips with family or friends, the last minute Indomaret trips and so much more! What I miss most about living in Indonesia isn’t just one thing- it’s all these little moments woven together. They are what keep me coming back home. I hope to continue to carry parts of Indonesia within me throughout my life, wherever it takes me!
