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Appendix A.

Letter requesting participation

Hello,

My name is PADITSAVANH THAMMAVONGSITH, and I am a Master

student from Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. Currently, I am

conducting a research study about the motivation and challenges of overseas

workers in Laos. (A case study of overseas Indonesian workers in the mining

companies in Laos). The purpose of this letter is to request your participation in a

case study, where I will be interviewing the overseas workers from Indonesia who

were in this scope.

The interview will take approximately 60 minutes. The interview will be

recorded, with your permission, to help in transcribing. The voice recording will

be transcribed by me. Only I will hear the recordings. You will be permitted to

review the transcript of your interview to correct any errors or remove any

information you wish to redact.

Participants for this research project have been purposefully selected based

on their experience and background. Your participation in this study will make a

unique contribution to the study of this critically important issue within your

company. Your participation in this study will be held in confidence. Your name

will not appear on the transcript, the published report, or any follow-up articles or

publications.

If you have any additional questions or would like to discuss the research

prior to participate, feel free to send me a message with this social Medias:
Face book account: Padit TMVS

Line Account ID: @padi92

What’s app Number: +62089536330540

Regards,

Paditsavanh.
Appendix B.

Interview Protocol question

Appendix B Semi-Structure Question Guide

1. Why did you decide to work overseas?

2. How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live,

clothing, living cost etc.?

3. Describe How do you experience about work contract, health policy,

workplace, accommodation and environment?)

4. Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between

your coworkers, family members, friends and etc.

5. What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

6. Describe how does this job help you pursue your talent?

7. What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?

8. Is there anything more that you would like to share about working

experience that I did not ask you today?


Appendix C.

Data transcription

Before I started to conduct the interview with my informants. I have sent

the permission letter to the HR department to get the approval to conduct the

interview from the different Mining companies in Laos.

* Interviewer

** Interviewee

Participant A

* Hello Pak.

** Hi Mbak

*Before I started to conduct the interview I would like to introduce myself and my

Purposes first.My name is Paditsavanh, Currently I am studying in Atma Jaya

Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask some

questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explained you via

email and chat before.I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge

that you have faced during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those

challenges and I hope at the end I will understand better what is going on with you

in here and how you see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are

facing. And I would take time between half hour up to 2 hours for our

conversation in this time. It’ s ok For You ?


May be it will take time ½ hour or maybe will reached to 2 hours, It depends on

what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the question that we are

going in to the method. So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your

opinion and experiences. It does not matter that it right or wrong because you

have your own perspectives. Everything that you share with me today will be

confidential, which means that everything you tell me will be safe between me

and you.If you are ok with it I will captured on my voice recorder. But only for

me to remember what we will say and if you agree.

** Yeah, I am Ok and I would try my best to answer you.

*Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able to listen

to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But everything that

you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in generalized. No one

even knows who said it.

*Do you have any question so far for me?

** No.

* So, we start the Interview Then. Can you tell me about yourself?

** I am a site superintendent in here, i have been working here since

2016, and this is my second time to come back to Laos to run this project

in this company. Before I came here I have been in other country already

to follow up my project. The reason that I came back here also. I got the

contract with this company as a sub-contractor and I have to manage my


work in here, i think that this company will help me to refresh my

knowledge and provide new skills and I might gain more experience here.

*Ok thanks Pak, as my understanding, your reason to come to work in Laos is to

follow up your project as a representative of the contractor, and this is your

second time to work in here right ?

** Yub

* Ok, let 's move to another question. How do you experience about work

contract, health policy, workplace, accommodation and environment?) I meant

how about your work contract, workplace, accommodation and the environment

surround you? Is it acceptable for you or not?

**According to this issue i did not have any problem with work contract,

health policy, workplace and accommodation or any environment issue

because the company has provided everything that meet with the standard

of the international Mining company and it is not totally different. Food

has provided 3 meals every day, provide gym and trainer for exercise,

have soccer field, Tennis, basketball court,

Just some time when i go out from the site, I found that the living cost in

here is a little bit expensive if compare with my country.

**Taste of the food is a little bit different from my country also and

according to my religion, i cannot eat pork but the main food of people in
here is pork. And the local people here always try some strange food from

the forest.

**For the weather, dry season here sometimes is too hot and sometimes is

too cold. Overall, I am satisfied with the thing that this company provided

to me.

* How your job helps you for social interactions between your coworkers, family

members, and friends?

** For my colleague, working together and have good communication

strategy with all employees also with their families. Good attitudes and

good behavior during communication and working with them, and always

respect all issue from them. But sometime Language becomes the main

obstacle and this is my main challenges here. By the way I can

communicate with my team as normal because I try to communicate with

them in many different ways if they don’t understand what i want to

communicate with them.

** For my family, I have my roster break 28 days works and 14 days off.

Therefore, I have enough time to spend my holiday with them.

* What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

** For me i am very happy to work here because the local staffs here are

welcome and kind to me even though we have different culture and

language. We respect and help each other and always share our

knowledge and experience with in our team.


*Please tell me, how does this Job help you to pursue your talent?

**This job is very good for me to pursue my talent because the company always

provides me a lot of training and practical skills.

* What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos?

** According to my experience in here, there are not many obstacles if I

just work on site. But if I go outside the site or camp I have to be careful

with the food, due to this area is closed to Vietnam. People here consume

too much Alcohol.

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some questions.
Participant B

* Hi brother

** Hallo,

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some questions. Before I

started to conduct the interview I would like to introduce myself and my Purposes

of my study first. My name is Paditsavanh or you can call me Dee, I am the

previous admin from PKM Trade training department. Currently I am studying in

Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask

some questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explain you via

email and chat before. I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge

that you have faced during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those

challenges and I hope at the end I will understand better what is going on with you

in here and how you see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are

facing. And I would take time around half hour up to 2 hours for our conversation

in this time. It’ s ok For You? or maybe it will take time ½ hour reached to 2

hours, It depends on what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the

question that we are going in to the method.

So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your opinion and

experiences. It does not matter that it right or wrong because you have your own

perspectives. Everything that you share with me today will be confidential, which

means that everything you tell me will be safe between me and you.
If you are ok with it I will captured on my voice recorder. But only for me to

remember what we will say and if you agree.

** OK

* Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able to listen

to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But everything that

you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in generalized. No one

even knows who said it. Your name will not appear on the transcript, the

published report, or any follow-up articles or publications.

* Do you have any question so far for me?

**No.

* Ok let’s start with the first question. Why did you decide to work overseas?

** Because here I will get new challenges, new experiences, new friends

and new work situation and work condition. That’s all make me really

interested to work overseas. Another reason because salary I will get, of

course bigger than if I work in my own country with same level position.

*Why did you choose Laos as the destination country for working?

**Actually random. If I can get another destination for work doesn’t really

matter where, as long as that will be a safe country without conflict.

Because Laos is a safe country, good company, good offering I get, here I

am.
*How do you motivate yourself to continue working in Laos?

**Family is the first thing really motivates me to work here. Another is

make good friendships with coworkers here, joint with social event with

local community and visit tour objects in Laos. All off them motivate me to

work here.

*How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live, clothing,

living cost etc.?

**For food I usually make it by myself, sometimes I buy from restaurant.

For place to live, company already prepared apartment for me to live.

Clothing I bought and brought from Indonesia.

*How similar or different is the everyday customs in Laos from what is followed

in your country?

** Different, here people like to consume drink with alcohol in every

single event.

*To what extent you face communication problem as far as language is

concerned?

**Communication no problem with me, 80% I understand Lao language.

Only writing, I can’t read Laos writing.

*How do you celebrate your religious or social rituals? And participate in the

local customs, traditions and rituals of Laos?


** For me a Muslim, I didn’t find any problem here. Here we have got 2

mosques in Vientiane, so if I want to pray or do religious rituals I just go

there. For local customs and traditions, as long as it will not contradictory

with my religion I will joint and celebrate it.

*Is there a difference between general living conditions here, compared to your

home country?

** Of course different, here too much party every week. Every party will

serve beer and drink with alcohol. Every day many people drunk here.

*How similar or different is using the healthcare system here, to that in your

country?

** I have never been to the hospital since I work here, so I can’t answer

this question. But on site, healthcare system what we use in company quite

similar with company in Indonesia.

*What are the differences in transportation systems compared to your host

country, and has this influenced your ability to get to work?

** This country has limited public transportation and also less options.

Here we don’t have online transportation too like in Indonesia, which

foreigners like me difficult to get transportation with make sense price.

They know I'm a foreigner, so I will pay more than local people usually

pay. Sometimes I use a taxi, but it is also expensive. Lucky my apartment

close to the office where I work, so I just walk to the office.


*What do you think about the general cost of living? Is it the same as your

country?

**Because rate of exchange IDR (Indonesia Rupiah) is lower than LAK

(Lao Kip), all the cost of living here has become more expensive than cost

in Indonesia.

*How different is the available quality and type of foods here, to that in your

country?

**Here really hard to find halal food, different in Indonesia I will find

halal food in every place. For quality or hygienist of the food quite similar.

*What is the climate in your country like? Is there any similarity or difference in

the climate/weather here compared to your country?

**Actually similar, the different is only because here we have winter

season what in Indonesia we don’t have.

*What is the housing pattern in Laos if compared with home country?

**Same as in Indonesia.

*Describe How do you experience about work contract, health policy, workplace,

accommodation and environment?

** Work with roster 4 weeks work and 2 weeks on break, 8 hours’ work a

day, live in apartment, good work contract and good income. All of them
make me feel fine work here better than work in my own country, that’s

why I’m still working here.

*Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between your

coworkers, family members, friends and etc.

** My job makes me have to communicate with my coworkers to get the

best quality training or courses materials to conduct for students. For

communication with my family and friends, there is no barrier and

limitation from my job to communicate each other. I can call them

whenever I want to.

*How your current job provides opportunities for you to collaborate (work

together) and build a relationship with your coworkers?

**To get the best result of our jobs, we need to communicate and discuss

with each other. To do all this thing, we need to collaborate and build a

good relationship with each other of coworkers. With good communication

attitude of course, because here we work with people from many countries,

not only Laos and Indonesia but many.

*Do you feel loved, accepted, or connected in your current job? (Please describe)

both in the working hours and outside working hours.

**Yes, I do. So hard to find a job even in my country with all conditions I

get in here. Maybe I can get same roster work and position here in
Indonesia, but I will never get salary same like here in my own country. So

now, work in Laos is better than anywhere for me.

*How do you amalgamate with your colleagues and other people surrounding

you?

** That’s all just about adaptation. As long as I can adapt with everything

around me, it will be OK. So far I’m here, I can adapt with people around

me. Be mixed with local peoples and colleagues.

*What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

**Transfer my skills and experiences to develop my students to become

good workers, make their skills acceptable for company requirements and

able to work overseas like me.

*Describe how does this job help you pursue your talent?

** I really like to learn something new, than my position as a trainer here

make me always get something new to learn here.

*What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?

**First time I came here was family, because this is the first time I work

overseas what its mean this first time too I stay far away from my family

that’s filling too hard for me. But as time went by I got friends here and

have good relations with other coworkers, than I love my job here. Now,

only the travel time back to my hometown is the obstacles work here.
When something emergency thing happen in my hometown, I can't go back

to my hometown suddenly. I have to spent 2 days travel back to my

hometown.

*Is there anything more that you would like to share about working experience

that I did not ask you today?

**Yes, I have one. There is good to work overseas wherever country you

will work to. We can find new friends, new experiences, and many things

that you will never get if you just stay in your country. World is big, you

must explore more to see more and get more. I hope next time, another

opportunity, I can work in another country not only in Laos.


Participant C

* Hi

** Hallo,

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some questions.

Before I started to conduct the interview I would like to introduce myself

and my Purposes of my study first.

My name is Paditsavanh or you can call me Dee, Currently I am studying

in Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask

some questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explained to you

via email and chat before.

I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge that you have

faced during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those challenges and I

hope at the end I will understand better what is going on with you in here and how

you see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are facing. And I would

take time around half hour up to 2 hours for our conversation in this time.

It’ s ok For You? or maybe it will take time ½ hour reached to 2 hours, It

depends on what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the question that

we are going in to the method.


So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your opinion and

experiences. It does not matter that it right or wrong because you have your own

perspectives. Everything that you share with me today will be confidential, which

means that everything you tell me will be safe between me and you.

If you are ok with it, I will capture on my voice recorder. But only for me

to remember what we will say and if you agree.

** Please Dee

* Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able to listen

to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But everything that

you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in generalized. No one

even knows who said it. Your name will not appear on the transcript, the

published report, or any follow-up articles or publications.

* Do you have any question so far for me?

**No.

* Why did you decide to work overseas?

**To get better income and find new culture

*Why did you choose Laos as the destination country for working?

**Just follow my coworker

*How do you motivate yourself to continue working in Laos?

**Nice country with good people and friendly


*How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live, clothing,

living cost etc.?

**Company prepared everything

*How similar or different is the everyday customs in Laos from what is followed

in your country?

**Little bit similar

*To what extent you face communication problem as far as language is

concerned?

**After 5 years I can learn Lao language so no problem now

communicates with local

*How do you celebrate your religious or social rituals? And participate in the

local customs, traditions and rituals of Laos?

**We just celebrate it by our own activity inside room, and respect Lao

traditional.

*Is there a difference between general living conditions here, compared to your

home country?

**Almost same

*How similar or different is using the healthcare system here, to that in your

country?

**Almost same
*What are the differences in transportation systems compared to your host

country, and has this influenced your ability to get to work?

**Transportation still limited here while in our country, even my small

town already have online transport such as Grab

*What do you think about the general cost of living? Is it the same as your

country?

**Almost same

*How different is the available quality and type of foods here, to that in your

country?

**Good but I prefer Indonesian food

*What is the climate in your country like? Is there any similarity or difference in

the climate/weather here compared to your country?

**Almost the same, only cold season no have, have only in some region

*What is the housing pattern in Laos if compared with home country?

**Almost same

*Describe How do you experience about work contract, health policy, workplace,

accommodation and environment?)

**I have experienced almost 5 years and found no problem; I get used to

already
*Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between your

coworkers, family members, friends and etc.

**I separated time between job and family time

*How your current job provides opportunities for you to collaborate (work

together) and build a relationship with your coworkers?

**Just have good attitude and respect each other

*Do you feel loved, accepted, or connected in your current job? (Please describe)

both in the working hours and outside working hours.

**Accepted and loved

*How do you amalgamate with your colleagues and other people surrounding

you?

**I have no idea

*What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

**Not yet accomplished.

*Describe how does this job help you pursue your talent?

**I just do my job, it’s not a talent

*What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?

**No obstacle, I am easy going person


*Is there anything more that you would like to share about working experience

that I did not ask you today?

**No thanks
Participant D

* Hi

** Hallo,

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some question.

Before I started to conduct the interview, I would like to introduce myself

and my Purposes of my study first.

My name is Paditsavanh or you can call me Dee. Currently I am studying

in Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask

some questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explained to you

via email and chat before.

I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge that you have

faced during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those challenges and I

hope at the end I will understand better what is going on with you in here and how

you see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are facing. And I would

take time around half hour up to 2 hours for our conversation in this time.

It’ s ok For You? or maybe it will take time ½ hour reached to 2 hours, It

depends on what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the question that

we are going in to the method.


So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your opinion and

experiences. It does not matter that it right or wrong because you have your own

perspectives. Everything that you share with me today will be confidential, which

means that everything you tell me will be safe between me and you.

If you are ok with it. I will captured on my voice recorder. But only for me

to remember what we will say and if you agree.

** Please Dee

* Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able to listen

to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But everything that

you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in generalized. No one

even knows who said it. Your name will not appear on the transcript, the

published report, or any follow-up articles or publications.

* Do you have any question so far for me?

**No.

*Why did you decide to work overseas?

**First i just try then i Got the job. Actually I already work in my country

that have the same field with in the thing that i worked in here. But the

main point is to be recognized by the international company like this

company is an international company that operated by the australian

system.

*Why did you choose Laos as the destination country for working?
**Got the job from internet and PBM bases at Laos, then apply

*How do you motivate yourself to continue working in Laos?

**Had challenging to improved skill and knowledge for Lao technician

which working in PBM.

*How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live, clothing,

living cost etc.?

**For the foods is same like my country, people are friendly also, clothing

are same models, living cost quite expensive compared to my country but

acceptable

*How similar or different is the everyday customs in Laos from what is followed

in your country?

**For the custom is similar, every person in this country are kind and

hospitable.

*To what extent you face communication problem as far as language is

concerned?

**Lao people mostly hard to speak English, so we must adapt to speak

Lao languages.

*How do you celebrate your religious or social rituals? And participate in the

local customs, traditions and rituals of Laos?


**Here we have a 1 catholic church only, the place also quite far but it’s

not the main problem I still went there. In Laos we have some of the

festivals, and Pii Mai (Lao New Year, mostly I attended).

*Is there a difference between general living conditions here, compared to your

home country?

**Not so many different, the just only religion. Buddhist and Muslim

majority

*How similar or different is using the healthcare system here, to that in your

country?

**Not so many different also, here also have international hospital and

regional hospitals

*What are the differences in transportation systems compared to your host

country, and has this influenced your ability to get to work?

**For the transportation site not so many different also have taxi, bus, tuk

tuk and personal cars But in here not have yet the trains compare in my

country.

*What do you think about the general cost of living? Is it the same as your

country?

**General cost for living in here similar with my country. Here many

things that come from other closed country like Thailand, Vietnam and

China.
*How different is the available quality and type of foods here, to that in your

country?

**The foods also quite similar we eaten rice for our daily food. The

different in here mostly the eat sticky rice as the favorite’s menus. They

like the taste of foods are mostly spicy, sour and bitter.

*What is the climate in your country like? Is there any similarity or difference in

the climate/weather here compared to your country?

**For the climate also similar with my country. In my country just have 2

season hot and rainy season, but here they have 3 season rain, spring and

hot season.

*What is the housing pattern in Laos if compared with home country?

**Housing in Laos mostly follow the France style, it's quite different from

my country about the designed and architectures.

*Describe How do you experience about work contract, health policy, workplace,

accommodation and environment?)

**All things make sense, for contract, healthy covered by insurance,

environment also had the Mekong River.

*Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between your

coworkers, family members, friends and etc.


**The company provide snack bar on site so we can have time to relax

after work, the company provide free Wi-Fi internet, so we can make any

good communication with family and friends.

*How your current job provides opportunities for you to collaborate (work

together) and build a relationship with your coworkers?

**Sure in the team work we can support each other to improve our skill

and knowledge or new things that have relation with the works.

*Do you feel loved, accepted, or connected in your current job? (Please describe)

both in the working hours and outside working hours.

**Yes, we enjoy with the working hours (8hours) and outside working our

mostly we have monthly BBQ/gathering, beer or soft drinks provided to

release our stress from working hours.

*How do you amalgamate with your colleagues and other people surrounding

you?

**We can assimilate with PBM team for discussing or just joking also with

the LGTC teachers

*What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

**We can completed more than 180 technician upgrade to be senior with

the 1C-1D programed and also currently we run with CAP (Certification

Assessment Program) which targeting 1D (senior) mechanics that doesn’t

hold any engineering/mechanic degree from the previous schools .


*Describe how does this job help you pursue your talent?

**This job is related with my school previously, so can boost my skill and

knowledge be better regarding with my talent

*What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?

**Here I don’t have any significant obstacle, just hard to find any halal

foods.

*Is there anything more that you would like to share about working experience

that I did not ask you today?

**It’s enough for me, the point I am happy working in Lao PDR.
Participant E

* Hi

** Hallo,

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some questions.

Before I started to conduct the interview, I would like to introduce myself

and my Purposes of my study first.

My name is Paditsavanh or you can call me Dee, currently I am studying

in Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask

some questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explained you

via email and chat before.

I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge that you have

faced during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those challenges and I

hope at the end I will understand better what is going on with you in here and how

you see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are facing. And I would

take time around half hour up to 2 hours for our conversation in this time.

It’ s ok For You ? or maybe it will take time ½ hour reached to 2 hours, It

depends on what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the question that

we are going in to the method.


So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your opinion and

experiences? It does not matter that it right or wrong because you have your own

perspectives. Everything that you share with me today will be confidential, which

means that everything you tell me will be safe between me and you.

If you are ok with it I will captured on my voice recorder. But only for me

to remember what we will say and if you agree.

** Please Dee

* Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able to listen

to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But everything that

you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in generalized. No one

even knows who said it. Your name will not appear on the transcript, the

published report, or any follow-up articles or publications.

* Do you have any question so far for me?

** Other than me, Do you interview with other Indonesian also or not or

just only me?

*Yeah, I do. I have an interview with other Indonesian also but I cannot tell you

who is she or he that I have invited them to get involved with this research study

because all of the result I will not mention their name and also your name in my

research. I just analyzed the result in generalized.

*Why did you decide to work overseas?

**To get more experience and better payment as an expat


*Why did you choose Laos as the destination country for working?

**No specific reason. At that time there was vacanced at Sepon

*How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live, clothing,

living cost etc.?

**No issue with the food, Laos food similar with Indonesian food. Living

cost in Laos is higher than Indonesia

*How similar or different is the everyday customs in Laos from what is followed

in your country?

**Similar. But it's not easy to find the things in Laos.

*To what extent you face communication problem as far as language is

concerned?

**At working area, no issue. Most of the employees in my office use

English when communicating with me

*How do you celebrate your religious or social rituals? And participate in the

local customs, traditions and rituals of Laos?

**I can do church services every Sunday in Vientiane, no issue. I was also

involved in some of Laos tradition, especially during phi mai (Lao New

Year)

*Is there a difference between general living conditions here, compared to your

home country?
**Yes. Public transfer in Laos is not reliable. Air quality sometimes is bad

due to smoke and dust.

*How similar or different is using the healthcare system here, to that in your

country?

**Very different. Not easy to find doctor specialist in laos. Normally I go

to Udonthani or Bangkok for medical

*What are the differences in transportation systems compared to your host

country, and has this influenced your ability to get to work? Very different. Public

transport is not reliable.

**No issue for me to get to work, because our company provide

transportation.

*What do you think about the general cost of living? Is it the same as your

country?

**Living cost in Laos generally higher than Indonesia

*How different is the available quality and type of foods here, to that in your

country?

**Almost the same

*What is the climate in your country like? Is there any similarity or difference in

the climate/weather here compared to your country?


**Different. In Laos cold in some period and was very hot also in some

period

*What is the housing pattern in Laos if compared with home country?

**House in Laos mostly builds with the old model. In Indonesia more

modern

*How do you experience about work contract, health policy, workplace,

accommodation and environment?)

**So far all good. Company provided some benefit for me and family

*Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between your

coworkers, family members, friends and etc.

**I had a good relationship with coworkers here, we respected each other

*How your current job provides opportunities for you to collaborate (work

together) and build a relationship with your coworkers?

**We had a target in our company. We need to work together to achieve

the target

*Do you feel loved, accepted, or connected in your current job? (Please describe)

both in the working hours and outside working hours.

**Yes. I am enjoying working here. We had a lot of activities outside

working hours as well, playing badminton, volleyball, soccer, etc


*How do you amalgamate with your colleagues and other people surrounding

you?

**We work together; we do some after work activities together.

*What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

**I achieved the company targets as per budgeted

*How does this job help you pursue your talent?

**Company give me opportunity to show my skill as a mine engineer

*What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?

**Working habit in Laos. Most employees have no eager to learn. Always

say yes, even they don’t want to do it

*Is there anything more that you would like to share about working experience

that I did not ask you today?

**No, thanks
Participant F

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some questions.

Before I started to conduct the interview, I would like to introduce myself

and my Purposes of my study first.

My name is Paditsavanh or you can call me Dee, currently I am studying

in Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask

some questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explained you

via email and chat before.

I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge that you have

faced during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those challenges and I

hope at the end I will understand better what is going on with you in here and how

you see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are facing. And I would

take time around half hour up to 2 hours for our conversation in this time.

It’s ok For You? Or maybe it will take time ½ hour reached to 2 hours, It

depends on what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the question that

we are going in to the method.

So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your opinion and

experiences. It does not matter that it right or wrong because you have your own

perspectives. Everything that you share with me today will be confidential, which

means that everything you tell me will be safe between me and you.
If you are ok with it I will captured on my voice recorder. But only for me

to remember what we will say and if you agree.

** Please Dee

* Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able

to listen to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But

everything that you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in

generalized. No one even knows who said it. Your name will not appear on the

transcript, the published report, or any follow-up articles or publications.

* Do you have any question so far for me?

*Why did you decide to work overseas?

**Lack of better option domestically

*Why did you choose Laos as the destination country for working?

**The only available opening on that time

*How do you motivate yourself to continue working in Laos?

**interaction with locals which prove better working conditions than in

Indonesia is possible to achieve

*How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live, clothing,

living cost etc?

**Primary needs are covered by the host company


*How similar or different is the everyday customs in Laos from what is followed

in your country?

**Almost 180 degree different. Laos is more open and receiving to

external influences. Religion is practiced loosely and mostly not interfere

with human interactions.

*To what extent you face communication problem as far as language is

concerned?

**Not a big issue due to the internet and transaction service is available.

*How do you celebrate your religious or social rituals? And participate in the

local customs, traditions and rituals of Laos?

**Religion facilities are available and religious practices are allowed as

long as it's done discreetly. I participate in the Lao New Year Celebration,

and the participation is welcomed by the locals and also attended some

wedding by invitation.

*Is there a difference between general living conditions here, compared to your

home country?

**Generally things are more expensive and most common Indonesian

things are not available locally.

*How similar or different is using the healthcare system here, to that in your

country?

**No idea. I have never been to the hospital here.


*What are the differences in transportation systems compared to your home

country, and has this influenced your ability to get to work? "

**Quite the same mode, but Laos still lacking in online transportation

arrangement modes. Bus system in Vientiane is a little bit better than in

Jakarta. For working transport i have no issue about this due to the

company has provided it for me.

*What do you think about the general cost of living? Is it the same as your

country?

**The living cost in here is so expensive than in Indonesia. Maybe 40 %

more expensive.

* How different is the available quality and type of foods here, to that in your

country?

**Much more varieties in Laos but Indonesian foods are very hard to find.

*What is the climate in your country like? Is there any similarity or difference in

the climate/weather here compared to your country?

**Mostly the same except no cold season in most of Indonesia

*What is the housing pattern in Laos if compared with home country?

**Almost the same, cities are not well planned

*Describe how you experience about work contract, health policy, workplace,

accommodation and environment?)


**All good in accordance to local and international laws and regulations.

* Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between your

coworkers, family members, friends and etc.

** Work become platform to interact with coworkers. Interaction of other

people outside work is easy since internet become a thing.

*How your current job provides opportunities for you to collaborate (work

together) and build a relationship with your coworkers?

**Collaboration and relationship are ncietable to do the work

*Do you feel loved, accepted, or connected in your current job? (Please describe)

both in the working hours and outside working hours.

**Yes, coworkers are comfortable talking about their issues, daily life,

family & friend stories, etc in and out of working time.

*How do you amalgamate with your colleagues and other people surrounding

you?

**Just happened, naturally.

*What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

**Lao nationality coworker are absorbing a lot of knowledge and now

able to do work without detailed instruction and taking more responsibility in

their actions. The purposes of expatriation is fulfilled

*Describe how does this job help you pursue your talent?
**Company has provided facilities and freedom to improvise which helps

a lot in skill building /talent recognition.

*What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?

**Despite high education degree, still plenty of Lao nationals that are

coming from technical colleges. Lacking in basic knowledge/skills. Basic match,

science, computer skill has to be re-taught to coworkers.

*Is there anything more that you would like to share about working experience

that I did not ask you today?

**No
Participant G

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some questions.

Before I started to conduct the interview, I would like to introduce myself

and my Purposes of my study first.

My name is Paditsavanh or you can call me Dee, currently I am studying

in Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask

some questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explained you

via email and chat before.

I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge that you have

faced during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those challenges and I

hope at the end I will understand better what is going on with you in here and how

you see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are facing. And I would

take time around half hour up to 2 hours for our conversation in this time.

It’ s ok For You ? or maybe it will take time ½ hour reached to 2 hours, It

depends on what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the question that

we are going in to the method.

So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your opinion and

experiences. It does not matter that it right or wrong because you have your own

perspectives. Everything that you share with me today will be confidential, which

means that everything you tell me will be safe between me and you.
If you are ok with it I will captured on my voice recorder. But only for me

to remember what we will say and if you agree.

** Please Dee

* Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able

to listen to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But

everything that you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in

generalized. No one even knows who said it. Your name will not appear on the

transcript, the published report, or any follow-up articles or publications.

* Do you have any question so far for me?

**No

*Why did you decide to work overseas?

**Because I want to gain more experience

*Why did you choose Laos as the destination country for working?

**There are so many reasons for me to come here. If ask me to

explain, I will tell you some reasons. First is I love to work with

Lao people, they are so respectful and help me in my everyday life.

Since my first time here since 2015 if you still remember. I came

here for the first time, I don’t know anything but my colleague like

Me . Sakhone, Khamlar, Housekeeper, Driver and also my team

help and advise me about life in here. By the time pass I can work

with them without any problem. Even I can speak some local
languages here. I would like to have a bit more experience in

projects site.

**Lao is close to my home and it easy to come back to my home

town in Aceh

*How do you motivate yourself to continue working in Laos?

**try to adapt to local customs and enjoy life here make more happy to

keen to do my job.

*How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live, clothing,

living cost etc?

**According to the work contract. They offer me the reasonable I like

spicy food, i love mountain nature and living cost id fair.

*How similar or different is the everyday customs in Laos from what is followed

in your country?

**Life custom is mostly similar, Unless about the legalization of alcohol in

Laos which is not in Indonesia

*To what extent you face communication problem as far as language is

concerned?

**After 3 years in Lao, I learnt many words, and able to do some basic

communication. Not only verbal but also gesture. Sometimes my

team also have different body language to communicate with me in

case we worked in the noisy place.


*How do you celebrate your religious or social rituals? And participate in the

local customs, traditions and rituals of Laos?

**I did not celebrate my social ritual in my mission. Though, I participated at any

invitation to local tradition

*Is there a difference between general living conditions here, compared to your

home country?

**Yes, Life custom is mostly similar, Unless about the legalization of

alcohol in laos which is not in indonesia

*How similar or different is using the healthcare system here, to that in your

country?

**Lack of medical facilities in the village

*What are the differences in transportation systems compared to your home

country, and has this influenced your ability to get to work?

**Not that much different and Not influenced

*What do you think about the general cost of living? Is it the same as your

country?

**A bit expensive

*How different is the available quality and type of foods here, to that in your

country?

**I can't compare those, As the food nature in lao and indonesia are

mostly different
*What is the climate in your country like? Is there any similarity or difference in

the climate/weather here compared to your country?

**Mostly similar

*What is the housing pattern in Laos if compared with home country?

**Not really different

*Describe How do you experience about work contract, health policy, workplace,

accommodation and environment?)

**According to the work contract. They offer me the acceptable condition.

I like spicy food, I love mountain nature and living cost is fair and,

I am Satisfied with it.

*Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between your

coworkers, family members, friends and etc.

**Most senior teams are english speaker. Though, I used to speak both

english and lao to drivers and cleaner I take leave every 3 months

to be with families at home.As my post is coordinator, A close

collaboration with local senior team is one of the main

responsibility keys.

*How your current job provides opportunities for you to collaborate (work

together) and build a relationship with your coworkers?

**As my post is coordinator, A close collaboration with local senior team

is one of the main responsibilities keys


*Do you feel loved, accepted, or connected in your current job? (Please describe)

both in the working hours and outside working hours.

**Yes. I am enjoying working here. We had a lot of activities outside working

hours as well, Many parties arranged by the host village and I have an

invitation in every time.

*How do you amalgamate with your colleagues and other people surrounding

you?

**Adaptation. Accept as I'm accepted

*What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

**Reaching the IAP set

*Describe how does this job help you pursue your talent?

**Having different challenges will teach me different solution to take,

Having more experiences with project team, I may apply another higher

coordination post

*What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?

**Nothing particular,

*Is there anything more that you would like to share about working experience

that I did not ask you today?

**No
Participant H

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some questions.

Before I started to conduct the interview, I would like to introduce myself

and my Purposes of my study first.

My name is Paditsavanh or you can call me Dee, currently I am studying

in Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask

some questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explained you

via email and chat before.

I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge that you have

faced during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those challenges and I

hope at the end I will understand better what is going on with you in here and how

you see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are facing. And I would

take time around half hour up to 2 hours for our conversation in this time.

It’ s ok For You ? or maybe it will take time ½ hour reached to 2 hours, It

depends on what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the question that

we are going in to the method.

So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your opinion and

experiences. It does not matter that it right or wrong because you have your own

perspectives. Everything that you share with me today will be confidential, which

means that everything you tell me will be safe between me and you.
If you are ok with it I will captured on my voice recorder. But only for me

to remember what we will say and if you agree.

** Please Dee

* Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able

to listen to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But

everything that you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in

generalized. No one even knows who said it. Your name will not appear on the

transcript, the published report, or any follow-up articles or publications.

* Do you have any question so far for me?

** No

*Why did you decide to work overseas?

**I should gain some experience as a Technical Instructor to develop my

experiences in class and workshop in different cultures in Indonesia,

And of course, for my financial.

* Why did you choose Laos as the destination country for working?

**Started on 2012 I offered by PBM for Technical Trainer Mechanic on

Field Service and I said no, And 2016 they offered for Trade Trainer or

Apprenticeship Program with base on Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.

That time, I think PBM is best choice become expatriate and not too far

from Indonesia.
*How do you motivate yourself to continue working in Laos?

**I want to share my knowledge to develop local Lao Technician, I need

them become best technician on site (phukam or banhou xai).

*How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live, clothing,

living cost etc.?

**The hardest part when lived on Laos is not about food, place, cloth and

cost because all that likely in Indonesia,

I got the best Chef in the world, his name is Derry, He is always cooked

for me, happy and happier when we start eating together in apartment,

*How similar or different is the everyday customs in Laos from what is followed

in your country?

**The different are wherever you go to a restaurant, you must ask “is this

pork?”. Even in Phukam, you must ask it first before you eat or prepare

your meal by yourself

*To what extent you face communication problem as far as language is

concerned?

**Some Laotian very hard to use English, in my class almost 70% are

hard to speak English. So I had a rule, in my class must be able to speak

in English. If can’t, please close the door from outside, And after 2 months

they increased their English and it reported by English Teacher


*How do you celebrate your religious or social rituals? And participate in the

local customs, traditions and rituals of Laos?

** It very hard to do for my Friday Pray, Eid Fitry pray, and Eid Adha

pray,

For Friday, we must ride from office to mosque in Vientiane near Brunei

Darussalam Embassy.

We must start early at 11.30 and finish around 14.00, and it cut my

effective class hours every week.

*Is there a difference between general living conditions here, compared to your

home country?

**Yes, especially for halal food,

*How similar or different is using the healthcare system here, to that in your

country?

**I think easier in Indonesia, because we have healthcare in every

kampung and we called PUSKESMAS.In Vientiane, you have to go

directly to hospital and as an expatriate, you must fill in a lot of paper

with no English inside,

*What are the differences in transportation systems compared to your host

country, and has this influenced your ability to get to work?

**Too early end of bus operating hours, because of it I must took a taxi,

more expensive than bus,


But it has not affected to work,

*What do you think about the general cost of living? Is it the same as your

country?

**It looks like no different with Indonesia for cost living

*How different is the available quality and type of foods here, to that in your

country?

**The different just for taste and halal food,We can handle for taste easier,

**What is the climate in your country like? Is there any similarity or difference in

the climate/weather here compared to your country?

**I think the same for weather

*What is the housing pattern in Laos if compared with home country?

**I think more better in Indonesia, because we have a lot of sun inside

when morning till afternoon,

*Describe How do you experience about work contract, health policy, workplace,

accommodation and environment?)

**It best experience for work with Phu Bia Mining,

Some point for consider is about health policy which is only employee will

be cover by the company exclude family,

*Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between your

coworkers, family members, friends and etc.


**In here I have some good friends who accompany me when at site and

office, We hang out around together at the Mekong River as well,

*How your current job provides opportunities for you to collaborate (work

together) and build a relationship with your coworkers?

** I think in Phu Bia who work in LGTC is hard to say we collaborate

with others,

* Do you feel loved, accepted, or connected in your current job? (Please describe)

both in the working hours and outside working hours.

**For current job, yes. I have good environment in social factor,

*How do you amalgamate with your colleagues and other people surrounding

you?

**We try as kin, one family,

*What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

**It everything, work not just about salary we get more than it is value

who I give and take.

*Describe how does this job help you pursue your talent?

**Work is real school for life, some matter not you get at school even at

university

*What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?

**Friday pray and halal food,

Prepare some quiz for my apprentice before I go to mosque every week,


And we prepare our meal or go to halal restaurant at Mekong River,

*Is there anything more that you would like to share about working experience that I did

not ask you today?

** Lao is best country who have hidden beautiful scenery,

You must elevate and endorse your tourism sector, it will work and gather big

income for your country


Participant I

* Hi

** Hallo,

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some questions.

Before I started to conduct the interview, I would like to introduce myself

and my Purposes of my study first.

My name is Paditsavanh or you can call me Dee, I am the previous admin

from PKM Trade training department. Currently I am studying in Atma Jaya

Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask some

questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explained to you via

email and chat before.

I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge that you have

faced during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those challenges and I

hope at the end I will understand better what is going on with you in here and how

you see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are facing. And I would

take time around half hour up to 2 hours for our conversation in this time.

It’s ok For You ? or maybe it will take time ½ hour reached to 2 hours, It

depends on what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the question that

we are going in to the method.


So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your opinion and

experiences. It does not matter that it right or wrong because you have

your own perspectives. Everything that you share with me today will be

confidential, which means that every thing you tell me will be safe

between me and you.

If you are ok with it I will captured on my voice recorder. But only for me

to remember what we will say and if you agree.

** Please Dee

* Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able to listen

to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But everything that

you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in generalized. No one

even knows who said it. Your name will not appear on the transcript, the

published report, or any follow-up articles or publications. Do you have any

question so far for me?

**Other than me, Do you interview with other Indonesian also or not or

just only me ?

*Yeah, I do. I have an interview with other Indonesian also but I cannot tell you

who is she or he that I have invited them to get involved with this research study

because all of the result I will not mention their name and also your name in my

research. I just analyzed the result in generalized.

*Why did you decide to work overseas?


**Better salary and working roster if I compare with my previous job in

Indonesia

*Why did you choose Laos as the destination country for working?

**Laos is not so far from Indonesia, has Indonesian embassy and has

stability in politics. Laos also is not epidemic for some weird disease like

in Africa and safe for working.

*How do you motivate yourself to continue working in Laos?

**Lao people are very friendly to foreigners, has similarities culture in

some aspects and has high tolerance and respect to the foreigners

especially for my religion believes.

Other thing is, the company treats the employee very well and respect to

the rights of any employee, provide good and clear career path and

development of any employee.

*How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live, clothing,

living cost etc.?

**I am living in Vientiane capital city and has no issue related with the

basic needs. Company provide me the apartment and vehicle including

meal allowance.

Very easy to find restaurants around my apartment or I can cook by myself

if want to eat Indonesian food. Some vegetables, rice, cooking oil, rice etc.
are very easy to be found around my apartment, we can get from the

traditional market or supermarket in the city.

cost of living is much higher if I compare with many cities in Indonesia,

especially to rent an apartment or house, also for household requirements.

Only lack of entertainment and less of open and green area to relax during

my off day in Vientiane city. Also lack of halal food available in Vientiane.

*How similar or different is the everyday customs in Laos from what is followed

in your country?

**Living in Laos is more relaxed than my country that never sleeps. Most

restaurant will close at 3 PM and no operate on the weekend. This situation is

extremely different from my country Indonesia that never sleeps and can

provide goods and service 24 hours.

Other thing is, not easy in Laos to find service products such as motorcycle

workshop, laundry, computer or electronic devices services or small welding

shop for repairing something.

*To what extent you face communication problem as far as language is

concerned?

**Only a few people in Laos can speak English, and even though can

speak English, misunderstanding in communication frequently happened.

Face to face communication is the best way to make it clear.


*How do you celebrate your religious or social rituals? And participate in the

local customs, traditions and rituals of Laos?

**I celebrate my religion rituals by myself, daily praying in the room and

sometimes in the office/classroom. And Friday praying in the mosque.

*Is there a difference between general living conditions here, compared to your

home country?

**Sure. Lao people are typical people who loves party, and mostly

reluctant to take the challenge and does not want to work hard.

Community already impacted with hedonism, money is everything in here.

*How similar or different is using the healthcare system here, to that in your

country?

**Extremely different. Indonesia has PUSKESMAS that can provide and

cover medical services in every district – this is not available in Laos.

Other thing is, the Lao government has not applied for health insurance

for their people formally like BPJS in Indonesia.

*What are the differences in transportation systems compared to your host

country, and has this influenced your ability to get to work?

**In Laos, Vientiane capital city especially has very limited public

transportation and not reach outer side of the city also not available ride

hailing services.
Mostly people here use private car and/or motorcycle. For me I have no

issue to get to work due to my workplace is very close with the apartment,

however it becomes a big issue if I will do another business, for example

go to the bank or main office if I don’t have personal car or motorcycle.

*What do you think about the general cost of living? Is it the same as your

country?

**More expensive than my country, due to very limited local products and

services.

*How different is the available quality and type of foods here, to that in your

country?

**Some local restaurant still need to improve their hygienist, including to

provide halal food to the foreigners who comes from Muslim country.

**No halal certification in Laos as mostly halal food and products are

coming from Thailand.

*What is the climate in your country like? Is there any similarity or difference in

the climate/weather here compared to your country?

**The climate is similar to my country as Laos also has rainy and hot

season, only the duration of every season are different.

*What is the housing pattern in Laos if compared with home country?


**Similar in rural area but different in the city. Cluster system and real

estate complex has been applied in Indonesia.

*Describe How do you experience about work contract, health policy, workplace,

accommodation and environment?)

**I have 2 years fixed term contract with the company and contract will

be extended every two years based on the performance, so far I enjoyed

this system and has no issue.

Company covers my health and medical insurance, unfortunately there is

no good quality hospital in Vientiane, and so we (foreigners) must go to

Thailand to find International hospital to get good service for medical

treatment.

*Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between your

coworkers, family members, friends and etc.

**We develop good relationship within team member, visit each other

when one of the employees has a wedding party and/basi ceremony for

their family.

*How your current job provides opportunities for you to collaborate (work

together) and build a relationship with your coworkers?

**My job is really rally on to the local employee due to we need a

translator in every training activity, it will build up trust and relationship

within team member, between foreigners and local employees.


*Do you feel loved, accepted, or connected in your current job? (Please describe)

both in the working hours and outside working hours.

**I feel loved, accepted or connected in my workplace only, NOT outside

my working hours.

As I observed, individualistic of the people here is very high.

*How do you amalgamate with your colleagues and other people surrounding

you?

**I have socialized only in the workplace, not outside.

Party, drinking alcohol is a habit in Lao and I cannot do that. I don’t like

parties and alcohol is prohibited in my religion believe.

*What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

**I could inspire other people, and increase their knowledge and skills,

including increase their career are the best accomplishment for me.

*Describe how does this job help you pursue your talent?

**Company push and provide internal development for every employee,

external training and seminar opportunity is provided every year to the

employee.

*What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?


**I feel hard to take Lao people to think hard, they are relax people and

reluctant to work and think hard.

People need to be more creative, dare to take challenges and proactive to

pick up the balls.

*Is there anything more that you would like to share about working experience

that I did not ask you today?

**Level of jealousy between people here is very high, probably because

socialist country.
Participant J

* Thank you so much for your time and letting me ask some questions.

Before I started to conduct the interview, I would like to introduce myself and my

Purposes of my study first.

My name is Paditsavanh or you can call me Dee, currently I am studying in Atma

Jaya Yogyakarta University, Indonesia. I am contacting you today to ask some

questions about your Working experience in Laos as I have explained to you via

email and chat before.

I am very curious about your Motivation and the challenge that you have faced

during you worked in Laos and how you deal with those challenges and I hope at

the end I will understand better what is going on with you in here and how you

see the possibility solution for the challenges that you are facing. And I would

take time around half hour up to 2 hours for our conversation in this time.

It’ s ok For You ? or maybe it will take time ½ hour reached to 2 hours, It depends

on what you want to share with me and how in-depth of the question that we are

going in to the method.

So, you just tell me any things, what referred to your opinion and experiences. It

does not matter that it right or wrong because you have your own perspectives.

Everything that you share with me today will be confidential, which means that

everything you tell me will be safe between me and you. If you are ok with it I
will captured on my voice recorder. But only for me to remember what we will

say and if you agree.

** Please Dee

* Great, that’s very nice because at the end of the interview, I will be able to listen

to it again and remember everything then make some notes. But everything that

you said is only me hearing exactly and the results will be in generalized. No one

even knows who said it. Your name will not appear on the transcript, the

published report, or any follow-up articles or publications.

* Do you have any question so far for me?

**No

*Why did you decide to work overseas?

**To earn money and learn new things from a different perspective other

than my home country

*Why did you choose Laos as the destination country for working?

** Laos is not too far from Indonesia.

** Laos have some similar food/customs with Indonesia.

** I can do pray (as Moslem) freely at workplace and living area

*How do you motivate yourself to continue working in Laos?

**I have no guarantee will have the freedom to pray as I have here (in

Laos) if I work at another country.

**Make some plan to bring family to Vientiane (at least once a year) to

make me feel Laos as a second home.


**Regularly cook Indonesian food for dinner together with another

Indonesian.

*How does this job help you meet basic needs like food, a place to live, clothing,

living cost etc.?

**Some of the Laos customs similar with Indonesia (eg removing

shoes/slipper/footwear before we entering the house, bow when we pass

over people (mostly elderly), and we speak with not to loud voice)**Some

of Laos Custom dissimilar with Indonesia (eg no alcohol drinks allowed in

Indonesia (specially for Moslem), no pork allowed in Indonesia (specially

for Moslem), have many holidays in a year for Laotian (compared with

Indonesian public holidays in a year) and Laos also have many parties for

many reasons (baci, when we have good luck/bad luck, when we first

come/ when we want to leave)

*To what extent you face communication problem as far as language is

concerned?

**A bit difficult to learn Lao language because have different intonation

to pronounce some words, when the intonation was not correct the

meaning will be different. Some of funny people I meet, they continuously

speak in Lao language even they know I confused/ can’t understand them

*How do you celebrate your religious or social rituals? And participate in the

local customs, traditions and rituals of Laos?

**I have freedom here to do daily prayer at home, Friday pray (weekly)

prayer at Mosque and we are free to celebrate Muslim great days at VTE,
I ever join some baci ceremony and funeral/cremation ceremony at a

temple.

*Is there a difference between general living conditions here, compared to your

home country?

**The funny thing in Laos look like people more interest to enjoy their

weekend on Friday night, meanwhile in Indonesia people enjoy their

weekend on Saturday night. But overall not so many different with

Indonesia where people enjoy spending time with family and colleagues at

home or at a restaurant/ bar.

*How similar or different is using the healthcare system here, to that in your

country?

**The one I noticed there are many dentists in Vientiane, more than health

clinic here, I got social security card, someone said I can go to hospital

that noticed in the card for free when need medical assistance (nearly

similar with BPJS Kesehatan in Indonesia), I never visit any clinic or

hospital here so I don’t really know how the different.

*What are the differences in transportation systems compared to your host

country, and has this influenced your ability to get to work?

**Vientiane have quite good public bus transportation system, it has a

good time schedule and it connected to Android Apps so we can estimate

how long we will wait for the bus come, some of area (mostly capital and

province capital) in Indonesia applied similar public transportation like

here but there are so many traffic jams in Indonesia.. My office near my
apartment so the public transportation not really influence my ability to

get to work.

*What do you think about the general cost of living? Is it the same as your

country?

**General cost livin here a bit higher than Indonesia, cause of different

currency, 1 LAK equal with 1,8 IDR, I can get noodle soup with drink with

15.000- 20.000 LAK, its equal with 27.000-36.000 IDR (that can buy 2 set

similar noodle soup in Indonesia)

*How different between Lao and Indonesian in general like food, accommodation

that you think that different and familiar with Indonesia ?

**Indonesia is a big country and have many variety food from every

region, meanwhile Laos not too big and most of the area have similar

signature dish like “larp and papaya salad” (combining with sticky rice

and chicken BBQ it feel like food from heaven for me)

**But the good thing in Laos they only sell very fresh food & vegetables.

Everything so fresh and so green.

**We only have 2 (two) season in Indonesia rainy & dry season, but in

Laos, I can say it has 3 (three) season, rainy, hot (summer), and winter. We

feel more heat (at capital) than in the countryside, and we feel less cold

(at capital) then at countryside.

**Housing pattern here not so different with Indonesia, big houses at

cities adopt style from France (in Indonesia long time ago we adopt style

from Netherland).
*Describe How do you experience about work contract, health policy, workplace,

accommodation and environment?)

**I have worked here for two companies (Phu Bia and MMG) mostly the

contract was similar. I get good health policy here. Amazing workplace

and beautiful environment. Both of the companies provide good housing

(camp) good food, and both of them are concerned with the environment.

Phu Bia have big concern for the mining closure, they prepare they start

do reforestation some unused mining area.

*Please describe how your job helps you for social interactions between your

coworkers, family members, friends and etc.

**Here I work as a trainer I should work together with translator team

and teach lao Students. And at Project I work together with Lao technician

to do daily task at field. It’s a good opportunity for me to build

relationships with coworkers here.

**Laos is my second home; I feel like really accepted here, all of coworker

very nice while working together or after hours. We spent many times

together do BBQ, dinner together, and went to a buffet restaurant

*How do you amalgamate with your colleagues and other people surrounding

you?

**We usually go to a restaurant for lunch/dinner together, or we bought

sticky rice and eat together at the office. Lao people very nice when they

know we try to approach them; they were very open.


*What is sense of accomplishment for you as far as job is concerned?

**I can get more value when I work here, not only financial value but also

social value. I can get money here and I can get many friends also here.

*Describe how does this job help you pursue your talent?

**A lot of experience I gained while I work here. Phu Bia provide all of

resource (computer, equipment shop manual/textbook, access to equipment

dealer shop manual) I need to daily job.

*What obstacles do you experience while you work in Laos? (Non-

cultural/cultural) How did you overcome these obstacles?

**Language is a big barrier for newcomer foreign like me, not all Lao

people can speak English, but little by little I learn daily conversation in

Lao language, so it will not be a big matter.

**I’m a Moslem and can’t eat pork and drink beer, sometimes I feel guilty

when reject some offering from friend to drink/ eat together. But day by

day they understand my limitation as a Moslem.

*Is there anything more that you would like to share about working experience

that I did not ask you today?

**Enough Dee, I’m hungry and thirsty during fasting, and I still have to

do other things also. I just want to say I really enjoy to work and stay in

Laos, with very kind people, tasty food (papaya salad and larp) combining

with chicken BBQ and sticky rice is the best thing I ever had in Laos.

*Hahahah, I am so sorry to disturb you during Ramadan. Anyway, Thank you

……Hope to see you soon in VTE.

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