Going overseas to study higher is no longer a far-fetched dream for non-academic public servant. Unlike two decades ago, abundant scholarship is nowadays accessible and even gives priority to those working for government, through a scheme that privileges them as targeted candidate. Those who succeed are getting opportunity (in addition to earn the degree) to explore a new world, catch up with different cultures, visit famous places, taste unique cuisine, and (for some who need or are willing) experience part-time job. It is worth to discuss the last one given the fact that most jobs are something unlikely performed in homeland, where most of the government officers spend their working time behind desk.  

Doing part-time work is a positive side-activity for international student. Overseas student can do part-time job for certain hours. In Australia for instance, foreign master (non-research) student is allowed to work up to 40 hours fortnightly (equal to 4 hours a day). During semester break, they can even work as much as they wish for. Meanwhile, there is no working hour limit for student doing research (master or doctoral) in the sense that their activity in research is considered working a job. Occasionally some cash-in-hand jobs are offered. It is where the employment is not officially recorded, so the student could potentially break the maximum working hour. Besides, the employer doesn’t withhold tax from the payment fee.

It is recognised that doing part-time job for overseas student is financially motivated. Is it due to insufficient paid allowance? In one side, it may be the case. A friend of mine shared that he did part-time job when taking PhD in Australia mainly to cover family costs. He said the stipend from the scholarships was more than enough if the recipient lives alone, but it might not when one brings their family along. In his case he took his spouse and 3 children, which consequently inflated the living cost. Though sending children to attend public school was free, housing expense for 5 people was costly. The local living standard was that a bedroom could only accommodate 2 people, so having more than 2 children required him to afford another extra bedroom. More bedroom means higher rent cost. The cost difference between 2 and 3-bedrooms house might reach AUD 200 fortnightly. In brief, such a situation necessitates having additional income, where part-time job might among others help. 

Nonetheless, once an overseas student does part-time job, not only has their living cost been covered, but extra money is also available for savings and leisure. Generally, they also get ‘bonus’ through annual tax return and pension fund that could be withdrawn when they are back for good.  

Various part-time jobs are open for overseas student, ranging from teaching assistant/tutor and library assistant, to kitchen-hand in restaurant, newspaper delivery, cleaner, and cherry picker. Particular job like teaching or library assistant is limited; only few can be filled up. I should personally take my hat off to those who are lucky getting this vacancy.   

This circumstance renders most students to pick up a job requiring more physical effort. However, they deserve equal respect as well, for it demonstrates their determination and humility. To illustrate, for doing newspaper delivery, one needs to wake up much earlier and start the job at 3 o’clock. Similarly, cleaning job normally lasts from 4 to 8 am. If the student lives in a four-season country, doing the routine in winter is suffering as they have to deal with freezing weather. Cleaning is also special because it is a sort of “dirty job” where the worker must carry out rubbish-handling among others. Yet, student doing this will possess ‘down to earth’ quality, which will in turn make them easily appreciate the profession back at home. My colleague with such an experience says he would walk cautiously every time he passes through a remain-wet surface in his current office, simply to pay respect to cleaner who just mopped the floor. 

Doing part-time job abroad may also give interesting lesson. A group of Indonesians studying in Japan was once involved in an end of semester cleaning project where all equipment in every classroom should temporarily be removed to enable thorough cleaning. Hence, the workers were divided into two squads: one was tasked to empty the rooms, while the other would sweep and mop the surface. The first squad would complete the job by moving the furniture back afterwards. Interestingly, when the first team had undertaken the initial job and had nothing to do until further instruction, they were locked in a separate room while waiting for the other team to finish. They were free to do whatever they wanted to do inside; they were just prohibited from going around and being seen idle while their counterpart was working. It is a simple way to respect others. What a code of conduct! 

Naf'an Widiarso Rafid - Kepala KPKNL Palopo