Two Weeks In The Bay: The Rollercoaster Ride of My Big Move

Today marks two weeks since I arrived in the Bay Area, and I can hardly believe how fast time has flown. It feels like just yesterday that my mom dropped me off at the airport in Jakarta. The whirlwind of emotions and events has been overwhelming, but I want to take a moment to reflect on this experience—both for my own archive and in the hope that others might find something helpful in my story.

Applying and Getting Accepted to UC Berkeley

Alhamdulillah, all praise to Allah, who made this journey possible for me. It still feels surreal to be living the dream I’ve had for so long. But getting here was far from easy. In fact, my first attempt at applying to UC Berkeley for the Fall 2023 intake in 2022 ended in rejection. I knew my application wasn’t particularly strong; my CV was unimpressive, and my essays lacked conviction. There were also personal challenges that made it impossible for me to pursue my master's in 2023. 

However, I’m nothing if not determined. I reapplied the following year, and Alhamdulillah, I was accepted. This time, I put in the work—strengthening my application, improving my essays, and addressing the weaknesses that had held me back before. The journey to that acceptance was anything but straightforward, and I could write pages about the ups and downs. But in the end, with Allah's permission, the hard work and persistence paid off. Alhamdulillaah.

When I finally received my Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from UC Berkeley, it was just two days before the LPDP scholarship application deadline. I even reached out to the admissions team for an early decision, which was nerve-wracking, but necessary. Applying for the LPDP scholarship for the first time was stressful—I kept worrying about what would happen if I had to wait another year. But Allah is the best planner, and everything fell into place perfectly. Looking back, I can see how every delay, every challenge, was a part of His greater plan for me.

Saying Goodbye (or maybe See You Again) to Minahasa

Leaving Minahasa after more than six years was bittersweet. My last day at the office was emotional, a moment I’d often imagined but wasn’t sure I’d ever experience. While I don’t know if it was my final farewell to Minahasa, it was definitely my last day before embarking on this new chapter of my life. I still remember the date—July 19th.

There was also a funny, albeit expensive, lesson learned that day. My suitcases were overweight by 28 kg, and I ended up paying 1.6 million IDR in extra fees. In hindsight, I should have shipped my belongings via cargo, which would have only cost 1.3 million IDR for 93 kg. Lesson learned!

The Endless Cycle of Packing, Unpacking, and Repacking

I spent about three weeks at home, but during that time, I was constantly shuttling back and forth to Jakarta to sort out my visa and service passport. While I cherished the quality time with my mom and little brother, packing was a constant priority. Condensing my life into two suitcases was a challenging task, emotionally and practically.

I never realized how much of my identity was tied to the things I owned. Each item held a memory, a connection to home, and deciding what to bring and what to leave behind was tough. At first, I packed so many clothes that my suitcases were already bursting before I even got to shoes, food (yes, I packed plenty of Indomie and bumbu Bamboe), and skincare products. I had to pack, unpack, and repack multiple times, using vacuum-sealed bags to squeeze everything in. Even then, I ended up with an overweight suitcase by 9 kg! Emirates informed me that I’d need to pay $75 for the extra weight, but thankfully, on the day of my flight, they didn’t charge me. Alhamdulillah for that!

The Firsts: A Mix of Excitement and Anxiety

Every "first" is a blend of excitement and fear, and my first solo long-haul flight from Jakarta to San Francisco was no exception. I was grateful my family could see me off at the airport, but from that point on, I was on my own. It was also my first midnight-flight, which made me a bit anxious since I usually prefer flying during the day. The first leg of the journey—seven hours from Jakarta to Dubai—was the longest flight I’d ever taken at that time.

Dubai International Airport was another "first" for me, particularly because it’s a silent airport with no announcements. I had to rely on reading signs and asking for directions to navigate my way through. After a three-hour layover, I boarded my second flight, a 15-hour journey from Dubai to San Francisco—the longest flight I’ve experienced so far. It was a strange sensation to leave Dubai at 9 AM and land in San Francisco at 2 PM the same day, with no night in between.

Touching Down in California

I’ll never forget the moment I landed at San Francisco International Airport. It felt unreal—like a dream come true. I couldn’t believe I was actually in San Francisco, a place I once thought was beyond my reach.

My first experiences in the US started right at the airport—my first time using an American restroom (which was a bit confusing at first), my first time buying a virtual SIM card, and my first Uber ride. It was all a bit overwhelming, but Alhamdulillah, Allah guided me through it all. I was fortunate to meet kind and helpful people, including my mom and Kak Astari, who supported me along the way.

One funny hiccup: I mistakenly booked my flight a day early, which meant I couldn’t check into my apartment until the next day. Thankfully, my friend Lauren and her husband kindly offered me a place to stay for the night. I’m so grateful to them for their generosity.

Settling In

The next day, I moved into my apartment, lugging my two suitcases by myself. I noticed that many of the other residents had their families helping them move in, which made me a little homesick. But it was also empowering to handle everything on my own. This was my first time living in an apartment, and although it was fully furnished, there were still plenty of essentials I needed to buy. 

I had my first grocery shopping experience at Target, which was exciting because I’d watched so many videos of people shopping there. However, the prices were a bit shocking when I converted them to IDR, so I quickly learned to stop doing that for the sake of my sanity!

The next day, I opened a bank account, another task I had to figure out on my own. I kept praying that my English was good enough to communicate effectively and that I’d understand everything I needed to. Alhamdulillah, Allah made the process smooth and straightforward.

The past two weeks have been all about adjusting to my new environment. I’ve been exploring the campus by joining multiple events and connecting with fellow Indonesian students. Today was also a big day—it was the first day of classes! Finally got a chance to go to school without wearing uniforms yeayyyyy. It might sound simple, yet I had to wait for 29 years to eventually experience it myself. Alhamdulillaah. 

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. I’m still waiting for my Bank of America debit card to arrive—it’s been almost two weeks, and I have no idea where it is. On top of that, I had a bit of a scare with my Indonesian debit cards. I nearly got scammed, so I had to permanently block all my cards, which was a hassle. To add to the drama, I transferred money from my Indonesian bank account to my Bank of America account, but it’s taking forever to arrive. The funds have already been deducted from my Indonesian account, but they’re still not showing up in my US account.

Through it all, I can’t help but laugh. I’m pretty sure Allah has it all under control. I’ve done my part to sort things out, but the rest is in His hands.

Looking Forward

As I reflect on these past two weeks, I’m filled with gratitude for the journey that brought me here. It hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has taught me something valuable. I’m excited to see what the future holds and to continue embracing all the "firsts" that come my way. This move has been a huge step out of my comfort zone, but it’s also been an incredible opportunity for growth. 

I hope that by sharing my experiences, others can find some comfort or inspiration in their own journeys. Whether you’re planning a big move yourself or just curious about what it’s like to start fresh in a new country, know that with faith, determination, and a little bit of courage, you can achieve more than you ever imagined. 

Alhamdulillah for these blessings and for the chance to live out this dream. The journey has just begun, and I’m ready to see where it takes me.