Happy Natanael Sudarma and Happiness Natanael Sudarma are siblings currently studying in SEGi College Subang Jaya, both pursuing their BA (Hons) Business and Management in collaboration with University of Sunderland. Both of them have just completed their Year 1 Semester 3.
Indonesia is one of the most affected countries in the world due to COVID-19. The pandemic has hit the socio-economy badly especially the tourism industry. As the number of cases increases by day, the government has closed Bali’s border to international as well as local tourists, which has cut off travel to the island, ergo a sharp decline in economic growth this year.
A study done by Kopernik suggested that more than 80% Balinese are facing the negative impact on their income, and more than 40% of them were terminated permanently. It is also reported that the prolonged negative effect of the pandemic on the livelihood will incur continued livelihood support to the government as an incentive to those affected due to COVID-19.
“Bali is now very quiet and no longer a happening place for the past few months as it used to just few months ago”, said Happy Natanael Sudarma.
Happy together with his brother recently went back to her hometown in Bali, Indonesia to attend to their family matters, and they are unable to travel back to Malaysia due to travelling restriction since.
“During Covid-19 pandemic, everything, including our classes are all conducted online granting me more free time to spend with my family. Everything can be done at home. Two things I like the most with online classes; its flexibility and not having to wake up early to get ready to go to campus”
“Other than my studies, my family is starting a new family business that allows me to practice what I have learnt in theory from my classes in SEGi. This real-life experience made me realize that what I learnt in SEGi is industry-relevant,” added Happy.
The debt rate in Bali is very alarming, especially during this pandemic. Since most of the job is badly affected, many Balinese are unable to pay their motorcycles’ monthly commitment. Therefore, they have no other option but to return it to the bank to avoid being dragged further in debt.
Happy and his family turn it into an opportunity. They bought few units of secondhand motorcycles from the bank and they re-sell them. Fourteen motorcycles were sold within 3 weeks.
“I am glad that I am able to assist my father with our family business. At the same time, it doesn’t really affect my studies as the classes in SEGi are online. I pretty like the way SEGi conducted the online study. I can still interact with my lecturers and friends in Malaysia. Sometimes, I would also video call Mr Roslan and give him an update on our condition here in Bali,” said Happiness Natanael Sudarma, Happy’s eldest brother.
“While I am still in Bali, online studies do not really interfere with my daily activities; handling family business. I do not really waste my time here, and I still get great support from SEGi”, added Happiness.
