Dr. Samuel Jonson Sutanto

Last month in mid of August 2025, Rif’an arrived in Wageningen for his PhD. I managed to interview him about his choice to pursue his PhD at WUR, the Netherlands. Let’s hear what he say:

What made you deciding to study in the Netherlands, and especially WUR?

The basic motivation why I decided to study in the Netherlands is because I’m already married. I feel that Europe in general and the Netherlands in particular is a quite safe and open country. Even though there is a rising wave of right wing movement and some forms of allergy towards migrants, but overall, this part of the world still offers a sense of security, especially for women.

Previously, I studied in Arizona, the US for my master program. During the study, I have heard many cases of crimes, racisms and many other bad behaviors targeted toward my fellow communities. Besides, my bike was stolen even though I already secured the bike inside the fence of my house and locked it. The worst thing happened just after my graduation – one of my professors was shot dead within his office in my campus during on the bright day by his ex-student. I do not want this happen to my wife and I, so did not decide going back to the US for my PhD.

In addition, the Netherlands is well known with its innovation especially on water and agricultural sectors. There are many connections between Indonesia and the Netherlands. Many current big projects and cooperations in Indonesia come from the Netherlands. I can ride this wave of opportunity, and creating big leverage than having to create my own wave by studying somewhere else.

You have been in the Netherlands now for a few weeks, what make you like the NL and what dont?

What me like the NL:

• People’s kindness and friendliness to other people. They do not really care where you are from. As long as you are doing good, they will help you.
• The tidiness and the obedience of its people with law. In Indonesia, people will behave and act whatever they want, and seemingly no punishment will be imposed. Here, people really know how to behave, because they realize that they are part of a greater community.
• NL people are fair and open. They do not differentiate people based on certain traits, such as family or wealth background. They will say directly on what they feel about, and they do not hesitate to reprimand others if they are wrong. This attitude is something unaffordable in Indonesia.
• The natural environment in the NL is well preserved. We can still see a flock of ducks swimming in a water pool just at the side of the highway. This is so expensive to see. Not far from the city center, we also can find a thriving wildlife, just wonderful.
• The weather of NL is just so perfect in terms of air quality, that it encourages people to stay active and being outdoors. No wonder that the people of NL are so healthy and stay shaped.

What I do not like:

• Expensive and scarce accommodation. I have been trying to find a room for months, and I have not found any.
• Expensive mass transport. The NL public transport rate is among the highest in the EU as far as I know.
• Not easily accessible health facilities. Back in Indonesia, I could easily meet medical doctors, even to meet with the specialists. Do not imagine that this will apply here.

Can you give us your opinion about WUR campus compared with Indonesia in general and the US maybe?

The thing that I like the most about WUR is its openness to everyone, and the equality inside. It seems, that there is no border between students and their professors. This will encourage students to discuss more with their professors. This will eventually lead to more progress in the scientific world. In Indonesia, discussions is something rarely found. Most of the class environments are dominated by the lecturers who give one-way explanation and with little or even no room for discussion.

Students in NL universities are highly competitive, yet they are able to collaborate perfectly with each other. They know what they want to do and achieve during their study, and therefore they are so motivated to thrive during their study. The professors also not easily give high marks to their students, so that students are eager to develop themselves. I think I do not need to explain the conditions of Indonesian campuses in general, for I believe that many of you already know about Indonesian higher education.

WUR is also so diverse in terms of many things, including expertise; yet they are beautifully woven. We can learn one thing from various points of view, and they have experts on almost anything. They also do not hesitate to invite professionals to classrooms to enrich the understanding of their students.

Last, do you have any specific goal or aim during your PhD?

Almost certain, that I want to finish my PhD with perfect results and within timely manner (less than 4 years). However, beyond this, I want to gain so much and strong connections with people from various backgrounds worldwide. I also want to be confident presenting ideas in front of noble people in the world stages. Besides, I also want to carve a strong foundation that will help me establish my career as a dosen and a technocrat after finishing my PhD and return to Indonesia.