“Just go, just do it,” said Rifqi, a young man from Aceh who ventured to the industrial city of Cikarang. “Most of the worries you have before you take the leap are just overthinking. Once you start, things will fall into place.”
Cikarang – Migrating to a new city or country to study is a dream for many people, it is an exciting experience and full of unforgettable challenges that can be remembered for all time.
However, behind the excitement of starting a new chapter, there are often challenges that must be faced, one of which is culture shock.
Rifqi Alvy, a student from Aceh who migrated to Cikarang to study at President University. His journey from a small town in Aceh to the hustle and bustle of this industrial city has shaped him into a more independent, open, and resilient person. Not only that, he discovered knowledge, found a new family and identity.
In an interview conducted on December 17, 2024 at a cafe in Cikarang, Rifqi shared his culture shock experience about how cultural differences, adaptation challenges, and life lessons he learned while migrating to this industrial city.
College Motivation
Rifqi started his story by mentioning his main reason for migrating, which was to build relationships “Why do I want to study at President University? The main goal is just to develop relationships,” said Rifqi. For him, the Business Administration major provides a great opportunity to expand relationships, especially for someone who aspires to build a startup in the future.
The choice of President University, which offers a three-year course program and the option to graduate with an internship or build a startup, was the main attraction for him to choose President University.
A Striking Difference
Upon his arrival in Cikarang, Rifqi was faced with differences that he had never imagined before. One of the first culture shocks he felt was the food. “When I came to Cikarang, I didn’t expect anything,” he said. He thought Indonesian spices would be the same everywhere, but the reality was different.
“It’s hard to find spicy food here. The chili sauce is more towards sour or salty,” he says.
Apart from food, the differences in coffee preferences are also interesting. As an Acehnese accustomed to the bitter taste of robusta coffee, he had to adapt to a different drink.
“In Aceh, we prefer bitter robusta coffee, while here people prefer sour Arabica,” he said. This difference, according to Rifqi, surprised him at first.
However, this difference is not always bad. Rifqi sees it as an opportunity to understand new cultures.
Baca Juga: Merantau ke Cikarang: Dari Culture Shock hingga Menemukan Rumah Kedua
New Family
Initially, Rifqi felt very worried about how he would adapt to the new environment. However, his worries disappeared when he met “B”, the initials for a classmate who was familiar with him from the beginning of his migration.
He helped Rifqi a lot to adapt and get to know his surroundings better, taking him for a walk around Cikarang, finding places to hang out, places to have fun, and many more. “He is my first friend. He introduced me to places in Cikarang,” he recalled.
In addition, Rifqi also began to make friends with several other students, they were both from Indonesia and some were from abroad. Together they spent time together, supported each other, and created beautiful memories. “They are friends but they feel like a family.” said Rifqi.
Solidarity and Friendship
He also joined the Acehnese student community at President University, where he could feel like he was back in his hometown and share stories with people who shared the same culture.
“As long as there is coffee, we can talk about anything,” he says with a laugh.
Solidarity, his most memorable experience during his time migrating. The experience of living in a high school dormitory helped form a solidarity that has carried on until now “it feels like I found a new family,” said Rifqi, he found many new friends who are like his own family.
He learned that friendship is not only about sharing origins, but also building trust and a sense of comfort.
Experience
“Experience is important,” said Rifqi. The experience of wandering has had a significant impact on Rifqi’s life. Although this is not his first time away from home, he still feels that the adaptation process has brought new lessons. “This is not the first time I have migrated. So, I’m used to it and don’t panic too much,” he said.
Rifqi feels more confident in dealing with differences, but he remains himself. “I didn’t become more open or more closed, I just became myself,” he said.
In addition, he admits that this experience helped him understand how the world works. “Not everyone can fit into all environments. But this experience builds a foundation to better understand others,” he says.
Future Plans
Rifqi’s hope is simple, to complete his education as soon as possible and focus on realizing his dreams.
After graduation, Rifqi plans to develop a coffee business with a unique concept, he has dreamed since childhood to open a coffee shop with old school vibes that prioritizes a comfortable place for everyone.
The concept was inspired by a movie he watched that tells about a person’s journey in search of coffee. He also wanted to serve Acehnese coffee with many modern flavors.
A Message for Migrate Student
For my friends who are just about to migrate, Rifqi has one simple advice for you not to worry too much and try to get out of your comfort zone. “Just go, just do it” He emphasized that initial fears often only start from overthinking. “Most of the worries you have before you take the leap are just overthinking. Once you start, things will fall into place,” he said.
According to Rifqi, migrating is an important experience that shapes one’s character. “Experience is important. Every step you take will be a lesson,” he added.
Learning from Differences
Rifqi’s story is a reminder that differences are not barriers, but opportunities to learn and grow. The culture shocks he experienced in Cikarang enriched his view of the world and strengthened his desire to pursue his dreams.
As an immigrant student, Rifqi shows that with determination and openness, challenges can be turned into valuable experiences. “I want to build relationships, businesses, and a better future. And it all starts from here,” he concluded.
Author: Namira Putri Annisa
Department of Communication Science, President University
Editor: Siti Sajidah El-Zahra
Bahasa: Rahmat Al Kafi
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