Titus - The Son We Never Had - From UNIKA Atmajaya to Catholic University of Korea

September 18, 2014

It was in January 2013 when my husband and I interviewed Titus at Catholic University of Atmajaya, Yogyakarta. With the help of the Dean of Political and Social Sciences, we received 28 applicants one month prior, and selected 5 top students for interview. He was one of the 5 candidates to receive our sponsorship for a one-month of educational trip to the United States.

"Mommy and Son"

After meeeting everyone of them, we found it difficult to pick the recipient as each student had his/her strong points that was hard to compare. We took a week of thinking over the holiday in Bali and still couldn't make a decision. It was one of the toughest decisions we had ever had to make. My husband returned to the United States, and I decided to stay in Indonesia for a couple more weeks. I invited the 5 students to our home in Semarang for 3 days to get to know them. Only 4 students accepted my invitation. We spent the time together, mostly doing some brainstorming about education, life philosophy, campus life, social life outside the university, the part time jobs they had while attending school..... and lots of silly laughter. We also tried several restaurants, went to the mall for little treats, doing some cooking together, chatting all night long...... just like a family. It was magical!

Catholic University of Korea, where Titus attended for his Masters Degree.

To make the long story short, Titus didn't get selected, but our chemistry has transitioned to a "mother and son" relationship to this day. It was a joy to both my husband and I to have him in our life, though geographically we are distant, he is always present in our mind and heart. The coaching continues for this young man is relentlessly trying to get a scholarship for higher education abroad. The "go getter" Titus later received a scholarship from the Catholic University of Korea in Seoul. These photos are taken during my visit in September 2014.

Titus and his friends at the campus cafetaria.

August 2015. He graduated with Masters Degree in International Relations.