Brain Drain OR Brain Gain? A Debate on Nationalism

It is a common belief within communities of ‘nationalistic’ individuals that returning to your home country after obtaining knowledge from abroad is a moral obligation. Even in one of my favorite fiction novels, The Inheritance of Lost, one of the protagonists’ uncle was thought of as a hero for returning to India with his Law degree from Cambridge University, that he eventually became a judge.

So what does this imply? That people who decide to stay abroad are un-nationalistic (is unnationalistic even a word?), immoral, unethical individuals?
When I went to the Indonesian Embassy last month for an event called ‘Generation 21’, supposedly attended by some of the ‘brightest and accomplished’ Indonesian students in the US, this brain drain topic was heavily discussed. It was mentioned numerous times by Peter Gontha (a successful Indonesian entrepreneur) that we all should return to Indonesia and utilize our knowledge and skills obtained abroad for the greater good of our nation.

Whenever we discussed this topic at the event, my heart was filled with guilt and slight anger. I felt guilty because my career plans mostly involve staying in the US (though returning to Jakarta is definitely on top of my list of options). I felt slightly angry because I firmly belief that being physically back home in Indonesia is not the only way for us to contribute to our country, yet it was brought up as if we were OBLIGATED to return.

When the Indonesian Ambassador asked the crowd to raise their hands if they’re planning to return to Indonesia upon graduation (or slightly after), I kept my hands on my lap while wondering my eyes through my colleagues who ambitiously and enthusiastically raised their hands up high. Could I possibly be the modern ‘enemy of the people’?

When Sri Mulyani left her position as Ministry of Finance to become the managing director of the World Bank, many people claimed that she was unfaithful to the Indonesian people and government (though of course she also has supporters). As a student who believes that you can contribute to Indonesia’s well-being through other means (such as the world’s main financial institution), I can’t help but to fully support her decision to take a higher responsibility in the international community.

And that is why I would like to state my belief to my fellow Indonesian (or any other nationality) scholars and professionals abroad:

If your dream job requires you to stay in another country besides Indonesia, and if that job does not directly allow you to contribute to Indonesia’s political, social, or economic well-being (for example: you’re not working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), do not feel guilty to pursue your dreams because you are not being egotistical.

You contribute to Indonesia by simply showing that as an Indonesian citizen, you are capable of being accomplished in the international setting. By doing so, you indirectly lift our nation’s image within the global community.

As the world’s 4th most populated country, it is a known fact that we are quite ‘invisible’ when compared to fellow highly populated nations that are currently also reaching rapid economic growth such as India or Brazil. We can end this invisibility curse by pushing ourselves to exit our comfort zones and not limiting our people to expand their horizons outside of Indonesia.

And of course, there are many ways to directly contribute to Indonesia’s growth while being abroad, such as spreading videos of Ariel Peterpan and his women to your intellectually curious American friends (just kidding..Excuse my TERRIBLE JOKE!).

Jauh di mata bukan berarti tidak bisa dekat di hati. (source)