Interview of the participant of the international arrival "SHUM.Industry Journalism 5.0"

Q: What is your name, where are you from and what kind of job do you have?

A: Okay, my name is Fauzan Al-Rasyid. I come from Indonesia, from the city of Jakarta. It's our capital city. I work as a news producer. Well, actually I work in a Russian media company. I work with RT (Russian today) since last year. They opened a new office in Jakarta. But I have been working in the media for more than 10 years.

Q: How did you know about this program (about SHUM)?

A: Well, I was a participant of the World Youth Festival in February. In fact, I'm the head of the NPC Indonesia I was responsible to gather all the participants from Indonesia to Sochi. So I heard about this forum, of course, from the platform, from the World Youth Festival Directions. And I thought this is aligned with my specialization and work, that's why I joined.
Then I saw a regional program in St.Petersburg, Murmansk, Pskov and Nizhny Novgorod. I was in St.Petersburg and Murmansk already. So, it's either Nizhny Novgorod either Pskov.

I have known that Nizhny Novgorod is a very ancient city. So, I thought it will be interesting to visit it. I’ve been to Russia many times, but I could not even imagine when I would have come to Nizhny Novgorod if it's not because of the regional program.

Q: And what do you think about the regional program?

A: You know, I've been to the World Youth Festival before in 2017. And also in 2024, this year. There was a regional program after Sochi too. But I didn't participate. Because I need to take care of all the students like a member of National Preparatory Committee.

That's why when I have a chance to have a regional program, finally, I take it.

And I heard from my friends, that whenever they go to a regional program, they feel so happy and welcome by the Russian people, the culture and everything. And that's exactly what I felt right after I arrived at the airport In Nizhny Novgorod.

You have these mascots – the bird (it’s call ‘Gor’) and the deer (‘Nino’), there are was two girls singing folk songs, we got this bread (‘Karavai’) – it was a very warm welcome. And this is only the first day, actually.

Q: How do you feel about Russia when you talk about it in your country?

A: I’ve been working with Russian people for 10 years. That's why I also try to learn the language. It's still very hard for me, but at least I'm trying.

All these years, I feel that Russia is like my second home.

It's not as warm as Indonesia, it’s cold in here. But I feel the warmth in the people. They are very nice.

Just two days ago, I was still in Kaliningrad, and I wanted to change the money. I wanted to find the currency. I followed the Maps and I was stuck. Sometimes It’s a little bit difficult to find the way.

But then I met two oldies – dedushka and babushka. And I said: ‘I want to find a bank’, and they said ‘Oh, let's see. We are sorry, we are actually not living here. But let us help you’

I mean, they really put efforts to help. And we walked together. And finally, I found the bank. It was really nice, thanks to them.

So, I was bringing many friends to Russia. And they may have some perceptions about Russia in Indonesia. But when they go to Russia and they meet the people, a very nice people, they have a different opinion.

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2024 Region program, @molodezh_no