I earned a Masters degree in the School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens between 1980 – 1981. I’d actually made four earlier visits to the United States — but briefer ones.

At the time I entered the Athens program I’d been with TVRI for fourteen years. When I enrolled i was head of our live reporting unit. But soon after I returned I was appointed chief of the entire news department.

The Fulbright experience gave me added confidence in addressing classes and symposiums, which I did a lot of at TVRI. I went into the M.A. programs with a lot of practical experience. But I really didn’t feel that I had the theoretical background I needed. This is exactly what I got at Ohio University. The exchanges with professors were extremely valuable — and my contacts with them still are. I had a chance to read intensively for two years. In my office in Jakarta I was surrounded by books but never seemed to have a spare minute to read them.

I found my two years as a Fulbrighter allowed me to recharge my batteries. I think the experience is most valuable for someone like myself who has had lots of practical experience but not enough of a theoretical grounding

Six more members of the Ministry of Information and TVRI staff have followed me as Fulbright students at Ohio University. And others have gone to other American schools.

My happiest day in Ohio was the day I learned I’d passed the big exam. I’d been sitting in classes alongside eighteen and nineteen year-old students and sometimes feeling a bit intimidated because of my lack of ease in English. But that one day I really got my confidence back.