TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – Mark Victor Yanson, an ex member of PPI Germany, has not only pursued his academic dreams but has also become an inspiration to his peers in the world of business.

During his studies, Mark took on the challenge of mitigating the high costs of education in Germany while coming to terms with the fact that the cost of living and studying in the country was quite high. With unwavering determination, he decided to seize the opportunity to work in Germany and fulfill his dreams.

Mark Victor Yanson amongst her frinds in Germany. (Photo: Doc. Mark)

Mark’s primary goal was to overcome all fears and obstacles to pursue his education in a country known for having one of the world’s best education standards. He embarked on this journey with no family or friends in Germany, and initially struggled with the German language.

He realized that to obtain free education in Germany, he needed to study in the German language, which led him to spend a year in a small town named Kothen.

A Challenging Start in Germany

Mark’s educational journey in Germany began in a town known for its desolation, far from the urban centers and surrounded by people who were not welcoming to newcomers, resulting in incidents of violence and even murder against foreigners.

Nevertheless, after completing his studies in Kothen, Anhalt, in East Germany, Mark continued his education in Facility Management at HTW Berlin.

Mark had always been fascinated by homes, buildings, and hospitality, with a strong desire to bring German management systems and standards to Indonesia to improve building quality and the standard of living for the Indonesian people.

Starting with His Father’s Health

Studying in Germany was far from easy, especially with his father suffering a third stroke, which led Mark to make a commitment to stop asking for financial support from his parents.

“During my studies, my father’s condition deteriorated. Therefore, from my second semester onwards, I started working as an intern at a hotel in Berlin. I no longer asked for a monthly allowance from my parents, even until I graduated,” Mark added.

Mark also emphasized that Germany is very open to students working during holidays or as interns. However, it requires determination and good time management to succeed in both studies and work.

Overcoming COVID-19 and Personal Loss

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, Mark was in the midst of completing his thesis and working as an intern at a Smarthome System startup in Germany. His father’s condition continued to worsen, culminating in a fourth stroke and his eventual passing.

Despite the challenges, Mark did not give up and instead worked harder. Eventually, he received a scholarship from DAAD Stipendium.

“That was the toughest time for me, staying in Germany during the COVID period, knowing that my father had been called by God, and I couldn’t go home. However, I turned that into motivation to work even harder. I applied for a scholarship from DAAD Stipendium, and they eventually accepted my application,” he said.

Starting a Company with His very Own Limited Savings

Upon returning to Indonesia with his high school friend, Rangga Rakaspati, Mark co-founded PT. Yanson Properti Sejahtera, a property company specializing in renovating simple houses in Surakarta, his mother’s hometown.

“Both of us started with savings from working during our years in university, intending to establish a small company that would renovate simple houses in Surakarta,” he recalled.

Their big opportunity came when they met a landowner who could not manage his land. They saw this as a golden opportunity since many Indonesians buy land as an investment but struggle to manage it effectively for years.

“I saw this as a golden opportunity because many Indonesians buy land when they have the money to increase their assets. However, they often cannot manage the land for years, and it is too large to be sold as a residential property,” he added.

The Hardwork Paid Off

“I have always loved challenges, just like when I went to Germany. I had no certainty about how I would graduate there, but I pursued it with focus until I succeeded. Similarly, with the challenges of managing this project, I was confident that with focus, I could succeed,” Mark reminisced.

From handling project legality, branding, concept, construction, to sales, Mark and his team managed everything, turning a project that lacked legal documentation into a successful venture with completed sales and client handovers.

“When I started, nothing was in place, the land was still under a governor’s decree, and permits were still in progress. We tackled each challenge one by one until we gained the trust to collaborate with various banks,” he said.

Mark’s inspirational story teaches us the importance of determination, commitment, and focus in facing any challenge to achieve our dreams. Aim high, pursue the best education, and to contribute to the homeland. We all have a duty to make a positive impact on society and the environment in whatever we do, just as Mark Victor Yanson, a graduate of PPI Germany, has done. (*)

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Pewarta	: Khodijah Siti
Editor	: Khodijah Siti