“I want to gain various experiences to further develop occupational therapy in Indonesia.”「インドネシアの作業療法をさらに発展させるために、様々な経験を積みたいです。」

Long Interview with Graduate Students – International Students ver. Part 1
（修了生ロングインタビュー　-留学生バージョン第1弾）

Q1. Why did you choose TMU for your graduate studies?
Studying abroad has been my dream since I was, I think middle schooler. Especially I wanted to experience a new culture and then also want to know how it feels like studying outside of Indonesia and to experience what it feels like to be a student abroad. Because I think in several aspects, I still need a lot more development, I wanted to get more knowledge and want to get more experience as an occupational therapist.
So, I searched for several countries like Australia and then the United States because these countries developed some popular therapy programs. However, I decided to try for the Tokyo Metropolitan University. Because I’m coming from a diploma, so I know this is the only one there. This program can be like a direct diploma master. This is the main reason for the decision.

Q2. Could you briefly tell us about your research topic during your master’s degree?
　Research theme “Indonesian Pediatric Occupational Therapists’ Acceptance of Social Robot Use in Therapy: A Mix-method Study”(Supervisor; Kaoru Inoue)
　My research investigated the factors that influence the decision to potentially use a social robot in a clinical setting among occupational therapists in Indonesia. Initially, I was considering targeting children, but in the process of organizing my research topic, I decided to organize my study from the perspective of the therapists who make the decision to implement social robots.

In fact, social robots are widely used not only with children but also with the elderly. In Japan, research targeting the elderly with dementia is particularly active. In Indonesia, there are few opportunities to intervene with the elderly, but if social robots are effective in treating major problems in patients’ mental health, such as aggressivity, they can be used in a variety of clinical settings, not only with children.

Q3. Please tell us about one of the most memorable events during your stay in Japan.
　I experienced lots of things in Japan that I’m very grateful for. Other than the culture, I also got to try various new activities that I ended up falling in love with. I found a new love for the mountains. Through that, I got to know people from different backgrounds and different countries. I enjoyed the discussion of the many different fields in which we work, even within Japan. In the occupational therapy aspect, the most important part was to learn about the gaps in practice. There are practice settings that OTs in Japan have already been involved in that OTs in Indonesia have not yet experienced largely. It was beneficial for me to know that.

Q4. Where and what kind of activities have you been involved in since obtaining your master’s degree?
　Mostly, I work part-time as an occupational therapist at the school. I am handling students from playgroup to middle school. Other than that, I work as a program consultant for a play space in Depok. My role is to oversee their program and activities for their class each week. Moreover, I’m also developing a clinic with my business partners in Jakarta. Since coming back from Japan, I have been planning on exploring more on vocational support center for teenagers. I got to know that the Jakarta area has already done some functional programs, I wonder how they conduct their program. For me personally, I still have a lot to figure out on how to implement this program and what to prepare. Especially as an occupational therapist and our roles within this area. There are still a lot of things that we need to prepare before we can start. Some collaboration with OTs who have been working in this area overseas will be of great value.

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“I would like to further develop special needs education in Indonesia!”
「インドネシアの特別支援教育をさらに発展させたい！」
Long Interview with Graduate Students – International Students ver. Part 2
（修了生ロングインタビュー　-留学生バージョン第２弾）

Q1. Why did you choose TMU for your graduate school doctoral course?
　A year prior to applying for TMU, the university where I work, welcomed an official visit from TMU. It must be a grace that from the visit, I was well-informed about TMU, got to know sensei who visited us, and learned from TMU website. Therefore, I found that TMU has specialty that I wanted to pursue, OT intervention for children and Applied Technology for OT.

Q2. Before you applied, what kind of experience did you hope to gain at TMU?
　I was eager to learn about occupational science, applied technologies in OT, and pediatric OT intervention. In addition, I wanted to travel overseas because I was captivated by the magnificent landscapes, changing seasons, and vibrant cultures in Japan.

Q3. Did you get the experience you were hoping for?
　Essentially, what I got was actually more than my expectation. My day-to-day basis when I was in Tokyo was way beyond what I hope for. Not only the learning, I also got privilege to be a part of the remarkable community (Asian OT for the promotion of occupation, forum for designing assistive devices, Asian OT Network) and to participate in the international conferences. Continuing the scientific bonding with TMU even after graduate, is the most valuable of all.

Q4. Could you briefly tell us about your research topic during your doctor’s degree?
　I have been attentive in OT intervention for children. Underpinning the communal value and distinguish culture in Indonesia, I proposed to develop a model of Occupational therapy intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders. It took me a lot of hard work, however TMU and my supervisors empower me to develop A Model of Occupation Development Therapeutic relationship for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Q5. Where and what kind of activities have you been involved in since obtaining your doctor’s degree?
　To me, having a doctorate holds great significance. Many chances to present in various scientific endeavors, I am grateful to share my expertise with students and to discuss how to be therapeutic in OT care. While developing occupational science community in Indonesia, I began networking with Asian and international community as an occupational scientist. Additionally, I get the opportunity to participate in national and International conferences with World Health Organization, and the upcoming in APOTC (Asia Pasific Occupational Therapy Conference) in Sapporo. In fact, learning at TMU has facilitated me to become the better version of myself. As an OT practitioner, I have grown global perspective in providing care.

Q6. Is there anything you would like to work on in the future?
　In the future, I am happy to continue teaching, doing research and engaging in community service. Flourishing collaboration with TMU as well as networking with other stakeholders, I determine to provide occupational therapy learning resources and environment that will be beneficial for my motherland. Furthermore, considering number of special needs, I would like to develop facilities for the special needs in Indonesia!