Introduction
Since 1998, the number of Indonesian students in Groningen has increased dramatically. With only a few students in 1996, it is estimated that the total amount of students in the academic year of 2001-2002 reaches approximately around 100. These students are mainly studying in Rijkuniversiteit van Groningen and Hanzehogeschool van Groningen in various disciplines.
As this figure is expected to experience a continued increase each year, the awareness to form a student organization started to flourish. Contrary with the aim of studying abroad, it is still considered necessary to promote the mutual sense of belonging. From then on, an organization is deemed necessary to assist Indonesian students in adapting to he new surrounding and different study environment.
Based on these facts, the few Indonesian pioneers in Groningen established a formal organization by the name of Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia Groningen (PPI Groningen) in June 1998 to unite the Indonesian students in town. In other words, this organization could be used as a medium to communicate activities internally among the students and externally with any other organizations or institutions.
In addition to supporting present students, this organization also aims, in the long run, to provide future students of Groningen with useful experiences of past students.
Aim and Objectives
As briefly mentioned earlier, PPI Groningen was established to achieve several objectives. In general, we have defined them in two main groups, one is intended within the organization and the other within Groningen community.
Internal goals
Since its establishment in 1998, the PPI Groningen has always organized an annual PPI gathering as a means of gathering between the old students and new ones. Through this event, the students would have the opportunity to share their experiences and establish closer relations with each other. It is expected as well that the relationship between Indonesian students in Groningen will be strengthened as one big family. In addition to this, the organization also aims to train the members in organizations by providing related experiences.
External goals
Within the Groningen community, our organization plans to strengthen the bond with local people. The committee of PPI Groningen would like to enlarge our relationship with Indonesian students in the Netherlands to create further relationship and organize some events and cooperation in the future to expand the functional of the organization for the upcoming students in the next couple of years.