Long Life Abroad, Emir Mahira Alami Culture Shocks When Returning To Indonesia

Emir Mahira (Ivan Two Men/VOI)

JAKARTA - Born in Indonesia 25 years ago, Emir Mahira had lived abroad for a long time. When he was in junior high school, he had to join his father who worked abroad.

After completing his higher education in Canada, Emir returned to his homeland and continued his career as an actor, a job he had lived with as a child.

However, Emir admitted that there were moments when he was surprised to return to Indonesia. The habits that were carried out abroad made him experience shock culture when he returned to Jakarta.

"Braket ya (I feel culture in shock). The one who was shocked was jammed. Traffic jams were something, that reward, so be patient," said Emir Mahira with a laugh when met at Senayan Park, Central Jakarta on Tuesday, June 13.

Not only traffic jams, Emir admitted that he was surprised when he saw Indonesian people using escalators. He felt the way in Indonesia was different from Canada, where he studied higher.

One more thing, get an escalator. I study in Canada, yes, left is for people who don't want to walk, right, who want to walk. So obviously, if you want to hurry up to the right, if you want to be patient to the left," said Emir.

"Here, we are swerving. If someone is dating, they have to be next to each other. So that's a little thing," he continued.

Leaving Indonesia for 10 years, it took Emir Mahira approximately a year to adjust when he returned. Currently, he feels more comfortable in his homeland.

"About a year I started to find the frequency. Because I'm also far from my friends in Canada, I also don't have friends here. Finally I can do it again, it's more comfortable here," concluded Emir Mahira.