A Cup of Green Tea Latte

its painful to be unable to express yourself because of the differences of perspective.

Sometimes, those judgements are the killer of improvement. And its sad to know, in some points, that the only thing you can do is nothing.

Bangkok: ICES 2011

So, I am going to tell you my story when I had a short trip to Bangkok on July 2011. This story started when my mom paid a short visit to Jakarta and we had (as-usual) deep conversation about life and so much more. Then, I told her about my dream to travel around the world and my hope for at least I’ll be able to travel to Asia+Australia before I graduate in 2014. My mom response is simple. “How do you get the money to travel? Do you have any plan to achieve your hope?” Na-ah, I still couldn’t figure it out at that time. As usual, my mom always have awesome advices. “Go attend conferences, participate in call for paper or join competition abroad.”

Thats what I’ve done.

The next day, I tried to search about those opportunities and I found a call-for-paper program for economics student, in order to present in International Conference of Economics Students which held by Thammasat University, Bangkok. As a first year university student, I had no expectation toward this conference because I know really well that the course taught in my classes is all basic. There was a point when I am thinking about giving up this opportunity but again, my mom managed to reassure me.

So, after struggling with the new kind of activity, which is making paper and feeling nervous in waiting for the announcement, then on June 18, 2011 came an email from the committee.

Despite the imperfectness of the paper and so, I GOT THE CHANCE TO PRESENT MY PAPER! plus i got free conference fee and accommodation. Lol yeah, i am still excited till now.

So then, I flied to Bangkok on July. My turn to present the paper is on the first day first session and first speaker. Nervous as hell, but everything was going on okay though not really smooth tehee. My session is about integration in Asia, especially in terms of economics. Well, actually this conference is not only talking about integration, but we also discussed about aging population in Asia, environment in Asia in relation of economics and so on. There was 5 session of paper presentation with different subject in the rising Asia.

Not just talking about economics in the conference, we also had field trip to temples in Bangkok and Ayutthaya floating market plus International night, when awarding is being held also cultural performance.

Beside the conference and its side-events, I also visited Madame Tussauds plus Platinum Mall when my friends and I went crazy with the unbelievably cheap fashion stuff. Well, girl thing :P

I learn so many things in my first experience of attending conference abroad. Its actually feel good to have friends in other countries, listen and see their perspective towards problems or life and appreciate the differences and learn from it. Its an opener experience for me, to see things in life clearer and better than before. I cant imagine myself when I was a high school student to be able to fly to Bangkok, even to attend conference but well, i did and I am so grateful for that. Nothing is impossible, right?

:”)

My holidays is a fun-insightful-crazework-productive days i ever been experienced.

will tell the details soon :*