Have you ever found yourself in a place far from home, where everything feels both familiar yet foreign? Some might say this experience belongs to those whose ancestral villages are distant from the bustling life of the city, whether from the maternal or paternal side. Well, for me, it’s being placed in a country that is approximately 1,183 kilometers (Geodatos, 2025) away from my homeland’s capital, Jakarta. You might already be quite familiar with the country that I’m talking about. Yes, it’s Malaysia — or as we often call it the neighboring country.
Living and growing up in a neighboring country such as Malaysia not only highlights the value of our cultural awareness, but also opens the door to understanding the dynamics of cross-border education. One particularly interesting aspect to explore is the life of Indonesian student diaspora in Malaysia.
There several Indonesian schools located in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu. These schools are categorized by educational level and institutional status. Among them, Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur (SIKL) is a full-fledged formal school under the auspices of the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Kuala Lumpur. SIKL is also known as the Centre of culture and education. It is followed by two other formal institutions: Sekolah Indonesia Kota Kinabalu (SIKK) and Sekolah Indonesia Johor Bahru (SIJB). SIKK, located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, offers formal education from early childhood (PAUD) to vocational high school (SMK), and also serves as the main hub for Community Learning Centers (CLC). These CLCs are non-formal education centers that provide equivalent elementary to high school education for Indonesian children, especially those of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in the regions of Sabah and Sarawak. Meanwhile, SIJB operates under the coordination of the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Johor Bahru and offers formal education at the elementary and junior high school levels
As an Indonesian citizen studying at one of the Indonesian educational institutions in Malaysia, SIKL, I receive an education that follows the Indonesian national curriculum, covering levels from kindergarten to senior high school. Although I didn’t enroll in SIKL immediately upon arriving in this neighboring country, I gained many insights and experiences from my previous school, which was part of the Malaysian education system. Even though it was a private tahfiz school and my time there was brief, it didn’t stop me from being able to directly compare my school life as an Indonesian student in a Malaysian school and as an Indonesian student at an Indonesian school in Malaysia. My main focus here is SIKL — a learning institution that has taught me about the values and cultural heritage of my homeland.
Before stepping into SIKL, I had virtually no thoughts about Indonesia. Well, I was familiar with the language, but beyond that? I had no clue. Coming from a private school background before moving to Malaysia, I didn’t get much exposure to information about my own country, especially when I attended a private Malaysian school, where I have acquired comprehensive knowledge of Malaysia’s administrative divisions through my studies, while my own country possesses a more complex structure of provinces and regions which I knew very little about. All of that began to shift when I entered the halls of SIKL, a school that officially established in 1969. My very first question as a student there was, “What is Pancasila?”—a curiosity that gradually expanded into broader insights. And without a doubt, learning about Indonesia’s rich diversity and cultural heritage has only made me more excited to study at this school.
I have been exposed and practiced the core values of Indonesia through SIKL. The school taught me how to compete in a healthy way, courtesy of politeness to adult, the spirit of ‘Gotong Royong’ and team work, and respect to teachers, old and young people and the surroundings. There are many more values that the Indonesian people uphold until now that I think the younger generation like us need to preserve. SIKL also taught me the importance of preserving our cultures and tradition as living abroad sometimes make us forget our roots path in Indonesia.
My daily life at SIKL reflects that enthusiasm, where each lesson and interaction bring me closer to the nation’s rich cultural heritage. An interesting fact is that the students, teachers, and staff come from all across Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke. This experience was a real eye-opener, allowing me to broaden my horizons and connect with our diverse kindred spirits. We found ourselves delighted by our unique and colorful personalities. One of the highlights of my experience has been the sense of connection to my homeland through the diverse community at school. Being surrounded by fellow Indonesians has brought a comforting familiarity. At the same time, I’ve embraced the opportunity to engage with both local Malaysians and individuals from other backgrounds, enriching my cultural understanding.
Admittedly, I do miss the vibrant street food stalls that line the fronts of schools back in Indonesia. However, I’ve come to appreciate the unique flavors Malaysia has to offer. Dishes like nasi lemak and roti canai have become new favorites. Especially the nasi lemak from Nasi Lemak Saleha that stands out with its fragrant coconut rice and flavorful sambal.
While there are many positive aspects, being an Indonesian student attending school abroad comes with its own set of challenges. I find myself in the unique position of living in Malaysia, where I strive to represent and uphold the good name of my homeland. Nonetheless, I personally view these challenges as intriguing opportunities for growth. They pave the way for my continuous development and self-improvement. Ultimately, the hard work and perseverance invested in overcoming these obstacles are rewarded by the pride and appreciation expressed by others for successfully bringing prestige to Indonesia. When others feel proud, the individual who has achieved this recognition naturally feels an even greater sense of pride.
Hence, my experience as an Indonesian high schooler in Malaysia has significantly contributed to my personal development and deepened my connection to my homeland. The awareness of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage has inspired me to contribute more to my country. However, I recognize that my journey in serving Indonesia is just beginning and this path is not only about personal growth but also about actively participating in the collective progress of our nation.