Tracing Kartini’s Footsteps: A Reflection on the Struggles of Indonesian Students in Australia

"After darkness comes light."  

This iconic quote by Raden Adjeng Kartini remains a symbol of hope, struggle, and transformation passed down from generation to generation. Every April 21st, the Indonesian people celebrate Kartini Day as a way to honor her role in fighting for the right to education, the freedom to think, and the right to speak, especially for women. But more than just a yearly celebration in kebaya attire, Kartini’s spirit continues to live on in broader and deeper forms, especially among Indonesian students pursuing education abroad.

February 2025 marked a new chapter for Indonesian students who had just arrived in Australia. For them, and for those who had started their studies earlier, the experience of studying abroad is nothing short of a great adventure. From snapshots of togetherness shared on Instagram, warm smiles in campus buildings, cups of coffee in the library, to the iconic scenery of Australian cities, many arrived full of spirit and big dreams of a perfect university life. But within those carefully curated stories, there are parts left untold, conversations that were not understood, assignments that felt too difficult, and loneliness that creeps in amid the crowd. In general, these challenges appear in two main forms, academic and cultural adaptation. The strong connection between these two suggests the importance of understanding that each of us is on our own journey, but we are not walking it alone.

The Academic Reality Check

In the academic context, many Indonesian students who are used to a memorisation-based learning system often experience culture shock when they face the Australian education system that emphasises critical thinking, open argument, and active discussion.

It is not a matter of ability, but adapting to such ways of thinking takes time. Samanhudi and Linse (2019) noted that Indonesian postgraduate students often feel insecure during class discussions, especially due to language limitations and the fear of making mistakes. Many end up staying silent, even when they have valuable ideas and perspectives to share.

Another common issue is impostor syndrome, the feeling that we are not smart enough, not as capable as other students, not deserving to be here, or just lucky to be studying abroad. That sense of doubt grows slowly but surely, taking up space in the mind. And in the middle of a non-stop routine, burnout often appears. Burnout does not always come dramatically, but gradually makes everything feel heavier than usual. The pile of academic tasks takes up more time, with deadlines coming one after another. This point is not a sign of failure, but a space to pause and reconnect with ourselves.

Cultural Challenges

The challenges do not stop at academics. Students must also face cultural struggles. Differences in how people speak, how they joke, and how they build friendships can feel confusing. Norms that once felt familiar now need to be redefined. Foods that once brought comfort are now harder to find. Simple habits like greeting the neighbours or having a meal with family become quietly missed.

Minimal interaction with locals also increases feelings of isolation. International students who struggle to build social connections tend to experience higher levels of stress. It is not that they do not want to make friends, but the expectations of what is considered friendly or close can vary greatly. Language often becomes part of the cultural challenge. More than grammar or accent, it is sometimes the context that is hardest to read.

But just like Kartini’s spirit, growth often begins from discomfort. From that unease, we learn to better understand ourselves, especially in recognising what values we want to hold on to and what parts of ourselves need to grow in order to live side by side with a new world.

Finding Your Own Kartini Spirit

Amid all the restlessness and struggle, there is one thing we need to remember, that we do not have to carry everything on our own. It is not an easy path, but it also does not have to be walked in silence. In this way, Kartini’s spirit feels incredibly relevant. The meaning of Kartini’s fight is not limited to women’s emancipation, but also about speaking up, creating space to learn and grow in environments that are academically and culturally challenging, and bravely transforming self-doubt into small steps toward empowerment.

For students living abroad, emancipation can take on a deeply personal meaning, in the form of courage to be honest with ourselves when we are tired, homesick, feeling incapable, and afraid of failure. And every one of those feelings deserves space to be felt, without needing to be denied. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness or a sign of giving up, it is in fact the most honest form of self-care, from someone doing their best to keep going with compassion.

The good news is, almost all universities in Australia provide student support services, both academic and mental. Students can make appointments with campus counsellors, attend stress management workshops, or simply drop by the counselling space to talk. Here are the services you can reach out to:

Academic support:

• USYD https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/academic-progression

• UNSW https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/advising

• UQ https://uqu.com.au/student-advocacy-and-support

• Monash https://www.monash.edu/student-academic-success

• UNIMELB https://students.unimelb.edu.au/academic-skills

Counselling services:

• Lifeline Australia https://www.lifeline.org.au/ (13 11 14)

• Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ (1300 22 4636)

• University services:

USYD https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/health-wellbeing.html

UNSW https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/counselling

UQ https://about-us.uq.edu.au/projects/mental-health

Monash https://www.monash.edu/students/support/health/counselling

UNIMELB https://services.unimelb.edu.au/counsel

Commemorating Kartini Day is not just a moment to look back at the past, but an opportunity to keep her spirit alive in the struggles we face today, even if they are not always loud, they are still real.

Happy Kartini Day to all of us who are walking slowly, but never truly stopping.  

“No cloud in the sky remains forever.” —  R A Kartini

References :

1. Samanhudi, U., & Linse, C. (2019). Critical Thinking-Related Challenges to Academic Writing: A Case of Indonesian Postgraduate Students at a UK University. Lingua Cultura, 13(2), 107-114. https://doi.org/10.21512/lc.v13i1.5122

2. Kristiana IF, Karyanta NA, Simanjuntak E, Prihatsanti U, Ingarianti TM, Shohib M. Social Support and Acculturative Stress of International Students. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 27;19(11):6568. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116568. PMID: 35682152; PMCID: PMC9180523.

3. Pinarbasi, G. (2023). International students’ sociocultural adaptation experiences: their perceived stress and coping strategies. Acad Soc Res J, 8(55), 4059-80.

Authors: Lilla Nur Firli, Ilmida Rizka

Editor: Vanessa Angelique N., Zahrah Alfirdaus, Annisa Saraswati