Selamat datang!

Born and raised in a small village in Jambi, Indonesia, I grew up listening to stories everywhere I could, from friendly neighbors regaling each other with memories and gossip to international news that filled the old plasma screen TV in my living room.

 

I have always been fascinated with storytelling — how stories cross borders and even continents, and how they find their way to connect people from all corners of the globe. That same fascination helped me pursue my dream that, over a decade later, brought me across the world to study mass communication at the University of Florida.

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Moving to a country more than 10,000 miles away from home was exciting yet nerve-wracking. I spent hours on the internet trying to find information about important contacts, community hubs, or even simple tips about studying in Florida from the perspective of Indonesian students — but there wasn’t much available. I realized how helpful it would be to have a platform where Indonesian students could share their experiences and connect.

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That realization is the driving force of my capstone project. I wanted to create something that went beyond just a mandatory project to graduate, but a platform that could actually help my fellow Indonesian students. I noticed there was no statewide Indonesian student association, let alone a community-based online platform where the students could find necessary information or as asimple as asking questions without hesitation. So, I decided to build one.

 

I named it Langkah Pelajar Indonesia di Florida, which means the footsteps of Indonesian students in Florida. The name symbolizes the journey we all go through — the courage to leave home, the struggles of finding a sense of belonging, and every single triumph that makes this hard work worthwhile.

 

This website is a medium for Indonesian students in Florida to connect, share their stories, find resources, and support one another. My hope is that every Indonesian student who visits this website won’t feel alone. 

 

Whether you’ve just arrived or have been here for years, I hope Langkah Pelajar Indonesia di Florida helps you feel a little closer to home.​

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If you ever want to share your story or reach out, I’d love to hear from you.

 

Salam hangat,

 

Novia Lestari

Graduate student in the mass communication program at the University of Florida.

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