I live in… I’m from Batam, a city located on Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia, just below Singapore. However, I currently live in Yogyakarta with one of my brothers because I am at school here, so I am far from my home and my family. I have recently graduated school and am now applying for universities here in Yogyakarta. I like it here. It is a friendly, peaceful, city full of culture and with lots going on, although it can sometimes be dangerous.
Being a teenager is… Hmm, this is one tricky question, LOL! I guess generally being a teenager is awesome because you still have the power and the time to do anything you want. And if you use your time wisely you can have lots of experiences. I think you only regret things you didn’t do so my advice to all the teenagers is do what you want while you can, while you’re still young, before it’s too late and you get into serious adulthood. Good things though, not bad things. Something I don’t like about being a teenager though is having to rely on your parents for money, that sucks.
Issues facing teenagers today are… One problem with teenagers is the issue of morality and the distinction between right and wrong, or good behaviour and bad behaviour. Some teenagers today don’t understand the difference, for example teens who use drugs or smoke, etc. Saying that we also have to look at the reasons behind why they are doing things like that – some of them come from the broken homes, some of them get mixed up in the wrong crowds. That’s why family is so important to the development and wellbeing of children.
My ambitions are… To work in finance, either as an accountant, or a financial consultant or something else. Also, because I live in Indonesia, a developing country, I dream about living in a developed country one day, like maybe somewhere in Europe, or the USA. Not that I hate Indonesia, but I would like to know how people live in developed countries.
Things or experiences? I think both are important.
My concerns for the future are… About competing on a global level and surviving in what can be a cruel world. I worry that I won’t be a good father or husband because I won’t be able to get stable work. And also, as the eldest son in my family I worry about setting a good example to my little brothers.
When I’m not at school… I hang out with my friends. Usually we eat somewhere and talk about life. Sometimes we go to the beach, or the mountains, to have fun, and sometimes we go and play football or basketball. But mostly we just go somewhere to eat and talk. It’s nice when you have friends to talk to.
Is the future bright? In terms of opportunities I think I’ll have as good a life as my parents. I just have to try my best at everything I do and then the rest is in God’s hands.
For guidance I turn to… Mostly my parents, and my best friend. My parents have gone through so many ups and downs in life so they are good teachers, and good parents. On the other hand my best friends know me inside out so its good to speak to them about things, too.
The boundaries for teenagers in my country are… Education, definitely. In developing countries the education is not as good as is it in developed countries.
Friends are… I am what I am today because of my friends. They are definitely very important to me.
