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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Indonesia /Culture & Society

Studying While Driving a Motorcycle Taxi: Raihan Nurhafidz's Struggle to Graduation with a 3.82 GPA

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Raihan Nurhafidz graduated from Universitas Islam Bandung with a GPA of 3.82, balancing studies with work as an online motorcycle taxi driver.
  • He received the Jabar Future Leadership scholarship but worked as an 'ojol' to cover daily expenses and support his family.
  • Raihan's parents, a housewife and a security guard, instilled in him the value of hard work, inspiring his dedication throughout his college years.

Raihan Nurhafidz has graduated from Universitas Islam Bandung (Unisba) with a GPA of 3.82, completing his studies in Islamic Religious Education with honors. His graduation marks the culmination of a four-year journey that involved not only attending classes and participating in campus organizations but also working as an online motorcycle taxi driver to manage his daily expenses.

Nurhafidz received the Jabar Future Leadership scholarship, which helped alleviate tuition costs and connected him with students from various West Javanese universities. However, he chose to remain financially independent for his daily needs. "I wanted to hang out with friends after class, but I saw that my parents' and my own finances were lacking. So, I decided to work as an ojol," Raihan explained, referring to the common term for motorcycle taxi drivers.

I wanted to hang out with friends after class, but I saw that my parents' and my own finances were lacking. So, I decided to work as an ojol.

โ€” Raihan NurhafidzExplaining his decision to work as an online motorcycle taxi driver while studying.

His work as an 'ojol' required careful time management, fitting it in after lectures and organizational activities. Raihan was actively involved on campus, serving in committees and the Student Executive Board's media and information division. He shared an amusing anecdote about navigating a route at night that unexpectedly led through a cemetery, highlighting the varied experiences his job provided.

Coming from a modest background, with a mother who is a homemaker and runs a small shop, and a father who works as a security guard (and previously as an 'ojol'), Raihan witnessed the importance of hard work from a young age. His father described him as an obedient child who understood his parents' struggles. Raihan's determination to pursue higher education was a testament to his family's support and his own commitment to overcoming financial challenges.

He is indeed an obedient child. He seems to share his parents' suffering. He experiences what his parents experience.

โ€” Raihan's FatherDescribing Raihan's understanding of his family's financial struggles.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.