Personal Aspirations Research Articles

MACHIAVELLANISM IN EKA KURNIAWAN’S NOVEL LELAKI HARIMAU

This research examines Machiavellianism in Eka Kurniawan’s novel Lelaki Harimau (Man Tiger), investigating how characters navigate power dynamics and ethical dilemmas in rural Indonesia. Drawing on Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince (1532), the study analyzes how characters employ cunning, manipulation, and strategic thinking to achieve personal goals. Utilizing textual, thematic, and interpretative analysis, the study dissects the novel’s narrative structure, character development, and thematic concerns related to Machiavellianism. Key passages reveal that characters, notably Margio, exemplify Machiavellian traits through concealing intentions, manipulating perceptions, and rationalizing morally ambiguous actions. The novel portrays a complex interplay of power dynamics, personal ambition, and cultural influences, shedding light on human capacity for deception and pursuit of power. This research deepens understanding of Machiavellianism in Southeast Asian literature, illuminating its role in exploring universal themes of power, morality, and human nature within an Indonesian context. By contextualizing Machiavellian behavior, the study enriches discussions on literature’s reflection of societal norms and ethical dilemmas, offering a nuanced perspective on Kurniawan’s portrayal of complex moral landscapes in contemporary fiction.

HUMAN EXPLOITATION IN ARAVIND ADIGA’S NOVEL THE WHITE TIGER

Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger explores the stark social disparities between the wealthy and impoverished in India, illustrating how systemic poverty perpetuates marginalization. The protagonist, Balram Halwai, narrates his journey from a lower-caste background to becoming a self-made, successful individual in India. Balram's story is not just one of personal ambition but also of navigating a rigidly stratified society. This study addresses two primary issues: the exploitation Balram endures due to his socioeconomic status; and his strategic actions are to attain freedom from the oppressive forces in his life. Using a library research method, the study integrates secondary sources, including books and articles, to deepen the analysis of the novel. Employing a psychological approach, this study examines the psychological complexities of Balram’s character, supported by theories on character development, data credibility, theoretical triangulation, and reliability. Balram is depicted as an astute yet morally ambiguous character, exhibiting selfishness, cunning, irresponsibility, dishonesty, and a lack of remorse. The analysis reveals how his behaviors and attitudes—such as detachment from others and deviant tendencies—are shaped by his environment. India’s entrenched caste system underpins various social issues in the novel, including poverty, unemployment, corruption in education, inadequate healthcare, exploitation, discrimination, and the persistence of hierarchical master-servant relationships. These factors collectively influence Balram’s psychological development, and shape him into a figure both reflective and critical of the society he navigates.

Introducing Elementary Students to the World of Work

Career development promotes the development of key life skills, allows students to discover opportunities, connects school to work, encourages collaboration, and is instrumental in preparing students for postsecondary success. Despite this, many elementary educators struggle to seamlessly integrate career development activities into curricula. This paper will explore how to strengthen students’ foundational career skills, offer suggestions and resources on how to seamlessly integrate career development into elementary curricula, and how to celebrate and share student learning as elementary students discover their personal, career, and/or educational aspirations.

The Impact of K-pop on Chinese Fan Culture

The influence of K-pop as a global cultural phenomenon extends beyond just music and fashion - it also impacts social patterns in today’s society. This study seeks to delve into the unique characteristics of K-pop and how it shapes the lives of its fans. By conducting surveys through questionnaires, the author has uncovered the profound impact that K-pop has had on Chinese fans in both life and spiritual aspects. In terms of lifestyle choices, it is evident that K-pop has left an indelible mark on its followers. Fans have adopted new aesthetic preferences inspired by their favorite idols while also adapting their language style and even eating habits based on what they see from these stars. It is common for enthusiasts to emulate the appearance and behavior of their beloved idols as a means to establish their own sense of identity. Furthermore, at a deeper level - spiritually - we found that K-pop has significantly shaped the outlooks held by its followers towards life itself along with influencing their consumer behaviors as well as criteria for selecting potential partners or mates. The resilience exhibited by these idols serves not only as inspiration for remaining optimistic during personal challenges but also prompts shifts in personal aspirations leading towards self-realization.

Why do dentists refrain from intervention in cases of persistent asymptomatic apical periodontitis in root canal filled teeth? An interview study among general dental practitioners.

To explore the context in which general dental practitioners (GDPs) decide to refrain from further treatment, that is, ortho- or retrograde retreatment or extraction of a root canal filled tooth with persistent asymptomatic apical periodontitis (PAAP). Fifteen GDPs were strategically selected for in-depth interviews. The informants were encouraged to describe in their own words and in as much detail as possible, the three most recent patient cases of PAAP of a root canal filled tooth, in which they decided to refrain from further treatment. The interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. The collected material was analysed according to Qualitative Content Analysis with an inductive approach. A pattern of varying degrees of uncertainty associated with the decision process was identified. The motives to refrain intervention had great diversity. The result from analysis of the qualitative data was formulated in an overall theme 'Between doubt and certainty in a complex clinical context' covering the latent content. The first main category covering the manifest content was 'The continuum of confidence' with three subcategories 'Experienced uncertainty', 'Reluctant approval' and 'At ease with refraining' illustrating the feelings and attitudes experienced by the informants. The second category was 'In support of acceptance' with three subcategories 'Patient's autonomy, risks and cost-benefits', 'Emotional aspects' and 'Relieving measures' representing the reasons for refraining from intervention. The decision to refrain from further treatment, that is, ortho- or retrograde retreatment or extraction of a root canal filled tooth with PAAP was made with some measure of confidence, combined with compensatory strategies to support the decision, taking into account not only values beneficial to the patient and awareness of limited external resources, but also factors related to the informants' personal preferences, convenience, concerns, ambition and emotions.

Goal orientation of regular and working undergraduate students in the first year of college: A phenomenological study

Purpose: Working individuals pursue higher education for various reasons, including improving qualifications, developing expertise, increasing income, career change, fulfilling personal aspirations, and adapting to technological advancements. Goal orientation is crucial for students to manage time, and stress, and achieve goals. This study aims to determine differences in goal orientation between regular and working students and to conduct further research on this topic. Methods: phenomenological qualitative research with a semi-structured interview method. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) analysis technique. Subjects of this research are students and female students of University "X" in the early semester (1-2 semester) with an age range of 19-40 years old. The subjects of this study were students who met the criteria set by the researcher and were willing to be respondents to the study, obtained a total of 6 people, and were willing to be respondents to the study. Results: The study reveals that regular students prioritize obtaining achievements and a better career, while working students focus on mastering science for their profession and facilitating career promotion, highlighting the differences in undergraduate education. Conclusion: goal orientation owned by regular and working students in continuing their studies is divided into two, namely performance orientation and mastery orientation.

Innovating Against Odds: A Medical Student's Research Journey in a Resource-Constrained Environment

"You need not know the R in Research to embark on the journey; a strong motivation is enough to set things in motion and let the journey unfold naturally." In this article, I share my journey as a medical student starting research in a Resource-Constrained Environment. I talk about the learning curve, milestones, setbacks, and presenting my research work. I've created a simple guide for fellow students in similar situations to do impactful research. Beyond studies, the shared journey with my research partner formed a lasting bond, showing how teamwork fosters understanding and innovation. I also discuss institutional barriers, especially the toxic research culture not talked about much. I stress the importance of raising awareness about these challenges for medical students and the need for a supportive and ethical research environment. It's crucial to create a space where aspiring researchers can thrive without unethical practices, emphasizing the value of knowledge pursuit over personal ambitions.

Beyond the American dream: unveiling the complexity of young people’s (im)mobility in Governador Valadares, Brazil

This study explores the often-overlooked phenomenon of immobility within migration studies, focusing on the Governador Valadares Region of Brazil. Despite the region’s history of significant outmigration to the United States, there needs to be more investigation into why some young people remain in their communities instead of pursuing the American Dream. Using ethnographic methods, the study search surpasses simplistic dichotomies of mobility-immobility, recognizing that decisions to leave or stay are complex and influenced by various interconnected factors. By employing the perspectives of ‘linked lives’ and ‘life-course situatedness’, the study provides nuanced insights into how individual choices are affected by familial, social, and economic contexts over time. The findings shed light on the diverse experiences of young people while revealing the carry of involuntary immobility. Furthermore, it contests assumptions that remaining in a particular location signifies immobility or a lack of ambition. It contributes to a more nuanced comprehension of migration agency and well-being, underscoring the multifaceted nature of aspirations and capabilities. The results illuminate the intricate interplay between personal aspirations and the environment in shaping migration decisions, emphasizing the significance of viewing (im)mobility as a relational and temporally situated phenomenon.

Psychological safety in students’ clinical learning environment – thematic analysis of open-ended questions and DREEM questionnaire assessment

Introduction: The learning environment impacts students’ motivation, success and fulfilment, and central to this is the psychological safety of students. Psychologically safe environments lead to collaboration, positive learning experiences and effective practitioners. This study assessed the perception of clinical learning environments of medical and nursing students (NSs) using the Dundee Ready Education Measure (DREEM) and with two open-ended questions (OEQs): their memorable learning experience and the effect of being in medical school on their lives. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using validated DREEM questionnaires and two OEQs: ‘tell us about a memorable learning experience in medical/nursing school’ (MLE) and ‘what impact has your time in medical/nursing school had on your life’ (IoL). Data were collected from fourth- to sixth-year clinical medical, and first- to third-year NSs. Questionnaire data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. For the OEQs, an inductive approach was used for coding and thematic analysis. Coding was both semantic and interpretive. Results: One hundred and ninety-three students completed the validated questionnaires. Fifty-seven (29%) and 59 (30%) answered the OEQs MLE and Impact IoL, respectively. Thirty-four per cent of medical and 7% of NSs had a negative response to one of the two OEQs. Six themes emerged from the memorable learning experience question, three of which centred around student-centred teachings and two around emotional responses and psychological safety. ‘I reviewed my materials over and over, ate well, put on my best clothes and went to present. It was beautiful’, a third-year medical student. ‘The tutor was a great teacher who, when he teaches, students learn’, an NS. There were four themes on the impact on life questions, and these centred around personal development, social awareness, aspirations and psychological safety. ‘It has made me see that broken people break others’, a third-year medical student. The mean total DREEM score was 111 ± 10.2, interpreted as more positive than negative. In only two of the five DREEM domains, perception of the atmosphere and social self-perception were more negative than positive findings. Whilst there was near unanimity about their teachers being knowledgeable, and most students felt teachers were well-prepared for their teaching sessions, complaints about behaviours that adversely affected learning because of their negative impact on psychological safety in the clinical learning environment were very common. Conclusion: Despite the overall positive picture of clinical learning environments, there are significant areas of students’ welfare that need addressing to ensure psychologically safe clinical learning environment. Students’ feedback feeding into annual appraisals, and pedagogic courses are means to achieving students-centred learning environments.

Governmentality, Democracy, and Liberalism: Desire in Samrat Upadhyay’s ‘The Guru of Love’

In Samrat Upadhyay’s The Guru of Love (2003), the political and the personal intersect, with the novel as a genre exposing how they are interwoven. In the Nepali-American novelist Upadhyay’s novel, democracy and liberalism operate through the management and redirection of desires, instead of constraining them. The novel itself, as a genre, becomes the canvas for orchestrating this transformative process, engaging both characters and readers. Set against the backdrop of Nepal in the global south, The Guru of Love challenges conventional notions, suggesting that democracy’s efficacy does not hinge on industrialisation and education alone. Instead, democracy itself can serve as a potent political tool for nurturing a citizenry that favours such politics. As this novel shows, the key tenet of liberal and capitalist governance lies in the augmentation and regulation of the individual’s desires. Upadhyay’s novel is a testament to the celebration of individualism and shows the workings of capitalist and liberal deregulation as a mechanism for managing and channelling desires. It portrays how these political ideologies shape and mould the individual’s personal aspirations and society’s political paradigms.

Divergent Pathways in North–South Education Policy Development in Ireland in the 1920s: Exploring the Influence of the First Ministers for Education on Both Sides of the Border

ABSTRACT A long tradition of both State and religious interest and support characterised provision for education on the island of Ireland from the 1700s. Following the partition of Ireland in the 1920s, the newly created political entities of the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland forged separate and distinct education policy trajectories that largely reinforced and propagated the dominant identity in each jurisdiction. This article explores and assesses the contributions of the first Ministers for Education in the Irish Free State and in Northern Ireland in the 1920s, Eoin MacNeill and Lord Londonderry, respectively. A particular emphasis is placed on their influence, impact and legacy on primary education policy development and enactment. Ultimately it could be argued that both Ministers can be characterised to a certain extent as political failures in terms of introducing and embedding education policy that aligned with their personal or political ambition and ideology.

한국전쟁 혼혈인 김영도의 생애사 연구

Qualitative research into Kim Young-do's life history offers valuable insights into the societal pressures faced by individuals from multicultural backgrounds stemming from the Korean War. Kim Young-do's mixed-race heritage sheds light on the profound social structural challenges prevalent in Koran society from the 1950s to the mid-1980s. In 1987, Kim Young-do immigrated to the United States, where he encountered significant obstacles due to language barriers. This transition marked a pivotal phase in his life, highlighting the complexities of adapting to and integrating into a new cultural and linguistic milieu. The study emphasizes how historical events and social structures continue to shape individual experiences, particularly in terms of cultural and linguistic barriers affecting immigrant identities. It also explores baseball as a transformative catalyst in Kim Young-do's journey, significantly influencing his educational pursuits. After graduating from college, he dedicated himself to a career in education, illustrating the vital role of educators and paternal figures in shaping the lives of students. This research underscores the intricate interplay between identity, societal expectations, and personal ambitions in multicultural contexts, emphasizing the enduring impact of educational guidance and mentorship on individual trajectories.

Claiming the Reality (of Loss): Some Remarks on the Screenplay, Novel and FilmKwiecień (April, 1961) by Witold Lesiewicz and Józef Hen

The article discusses the interrelationships between Józef Hen’s novel Kwiecień (April), his two unpublishedscreenplays based on it, and Witold Lesiewicz’s fi lm Kwiecień (April, 1961), a canonicalwork of the Polish film school. The key problem concerns the question of the sense of sendingsoldiers to fight in the final days of the war, when its final outcome is already determined. Whenwriting his novel and its screenplay versions, Józef Hen referred to his own experience in April1945, when he fought in the ranks of the Second Polish Army and personally witnessed the tragedyof the soldiers dying in the final hours of the war, when personal ambitions and attitudes of commanderstook precedence over a rational assessment of the situation at the front. Hen’s noveland its screenplay and fi lm versions can therefore be seen as attempts at claiming the realityof loss. This is one of the main themes of Józef Hen’s writing. In April it is reflected in the attitudesof the main characters, as shaped by various dimensions of loss.

Lived experiences of teachers who have undergone attrition in the new normal at a private school

Teacher attrition presents a pressing issue for educational institutions, particularly in the new normal. This study delves into the lived experiences of teachers who faced attrition in a private school in Laguna, Philippines, aiming to understand the reasons behind their decision to leave the profession. Through a qualitative phenomenological approach, specifically, transcendental phenomenology, involving key informant interviews with seven former teachers, recurring themes were identified through thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: (1) Balancing personal and professional realities, which encompasses managing commitments, coping with job demands, and addressing trauma and mental health challenges; (2) Resources and resilience, highlighting the importance of institutional support, compensation, recognition, and professional growth opportunities; (3) Decision dynamics in navigating attrition, involving personal factors, career aspirations, and reflections on the pandemic's impact. These findings underscore the complexity of challenges teachers face in the new normal. Addressing these challenges necessitates a holistic approach that supports teachers' well-being, provides necessary resources, and acknowledges the multifaceted factors influencing their decisions. By understanding and addressing these dynamics, educational institutions can work towards retaining skilled educators and fostering their growth amidst evolving challenges.

Религиозный фактор в деструктивных социальных процессах (на примере исламизма)

Spiritual and cultural characteristics play a significant role in modern society. The religious factor is one of the key elements that ensure spiritual security, strengthen friendly relations between various ethnic and religious groups, and shape their self-determination. Religion is one of the driving forces of the development of civil society and even determines the degree of its intensity. Due to the increasing influence of religion on political processes, its influence is becoming extremely important for domestic and foreign policy activities, therefore, the government of any state should take into account religious specifics. The religious factor has a powerful consolidating condition in countering the development of destructive processes. At the same time, in order to satisfy personal ambitions and achieve political goals, despite the contradiction of the basic religious principles and doctrines, representatives of destructive religious trends actively use psychological methods of influence, using the faith and beliefs of their followers. The implementation of the proposed measures to ensure spiritual security in various spheres of civil society at all levels of government makes it possible to counteract destructive influences using religious beliefs. The aim of the study is to formulate the main outlines of a balanced policy in the ethno-confessional sphere and based on ideological principles that can provide conditions for agreement and unification of relations between political actors. It is precisely such ideological concepts that can act as a weighty opponent to the destructive process. In this study, methods based on rationalism, dialectics, comparative analysis, historiography were used, structural-functional and civilizational approaches were applied. The results of the research can be used in the development of conceptual documents in the field of security.

Ambition, Marital Status, and Burnout: Insights from India’s Gig Economy for Sustainable Employment

This study investigates the link between personal ambition, marital status, and burnout among Indian gig professionals, focusing on how individual traits and life circumstances affect occupational stress. Through structured survey of diverse gig workers, the results reveal significant stress levels, with single individuals showing a stronger connection between ambition and burnout than their married peers. The research explores the crucial role of ambition in causing stress among gig workers and how marital status moderates this relationship. It challenges the conventional view of ambition as merely a motivational asset, highlighting its complex impact on professional stress. It calls for further research into ambition’s role in occupational stress and emphasizes the importance of inclusive policies. These findings support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), advocating for sustainable development and well-being for gig workers.

Childhood Trauma and Remembrance: Weaponised PTSD in Glaydah Namukasa’s The Deadly Ambition

ABSTRACT Defining crime within the prism of personal responsibility without recourse to its triggers engenders post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in victims of unfair hearings. While literary studies interrogating blame for traumatic reactions on the basis of personal responsibility or choice abound, studies tracing traumatic misdemeanour to a first-cause threshold of vulnerability remain scarce. Relying on the intersection of cause-effect reactions, this study identifies unresolved childhood trauma as the cause of the weaponised PTSD in Glaydah Namukasa’s The Deadly Ambition (2006). Evan Busagwa is identified as a victim of an inerasable childhood trauma which develops gradually into PTSD and unfortunately gets weaponised against the society he believes deprives him of love as a child. Julia Kristeva’s Abjection Theory, which accounts for human reaction to the dysfunctionality of meaning in relational difference, is used to justify the repercussions of a tormented childhood on Busagwa’s adulthood. Namukasa engages the transmogrification of a personal ambition from its benign state to an awful deadly state. Having deferred to his parents as a young boy, Busagwa forces deference on the vulnerable as an adult. Through Busagwa’s characterisation, the writer suggests that a good ambition could mutate into something awfully negative if its formative stage is distorted beyond a person’s control.

Exploring the factors affecting undergraduate nursing students' migration intention: A qualitative study

BackgroundThe escalating global nursing shortage, fueled by the migration of healthcare professionals from resource-constrained nations to those with greater economic prosperity, presents a formidable challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Nepal, grappling with a significant brain drain of its nursing workforce, serves as a poignant illustration of this phenomenon. The departure of skilled nurses not only jeopardizes the country's healthcare quality but also underscores the urgent need to address the underlying educational and systemic deficiencies contributing to this trend. AimThe study aims to explore the early formation of migration intentions among undergraduate nursing students in Nepal and identify key factors influencing their decision to pursue opportunities abroad. DesignA descriptive qualitative research design. SettingsThe study was conducted at two urban nursing colleges in Nepal. ParticipantsSeventeen nursing students in their final year of undergraduate studies. MethodsData were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultsThe thematic analysis unearthed four principal themes: (1) Aspirations Beyond Borders: Structural and Systemic Catalysts; (2) Navigating Personal Ambitions; (3) Socio-Political Currents Influencing Career Pathways; (4) Economic Incentives and Realities: Weighing the Prospects. ConclusionThe study's findings highlight the need for systemic changes to retain nursing professionals in Nepal. There is a significant gap between policy initiatives aimed at improving the status of nursing and the persistent challenges nursing students face. This gap fosters disillusionment and drives migration intentions. The research underscores the urgent need to address systemic deficiencies, empower nurses, and ensure equitable recognition. These actions are crucial to cultivating a sustainable nursing workforce dedicated to advancing health equity.

The Verdant Canvas: An Investigation into the Significance of Nature in Romantic Poetry

This paper delves into the profound significance of nature in the works of prominent Romantic poets, including William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats. It argues that nature transcends mere backdrop to become a primary character, shaping poetic themes, influencing language, and offering a canvas for exploring philosophical inquiries, spiritual connections, and emotional expression. Analysing key poems through the lens of pantheism, the role of imagination, and the symbolic potential of landscape, the paper illuminates how Romantic poets utilize nature to challenge societal norms, express personal anxieties and aspirations, and ultimately, reveal a nuanced understanding of the human condition in relation to the natural world.

Exploring Postponing Career Decisions of Indonesian Vocational Students from Biopsychososial Dimension: A Path Analysis

Career decisions encourage students to get opportunities in various career path after graduating. Procrastination in career decision-making made the chance reducted by the time their hanging decision. In wider effect, this impacts the national level of educated unemployment. Multiple factors can be a potential source of procrastination in career decisions. Exploring these factor should be considering the biopsychosocial dimension as genetic and behavior, psychological development, and social-cultural interact on the decision making process. This research aims to examine the influence and relationship between parental expectations and personal career aspirations of vocational school students in the postponing of career decisions, which is mediated by students' dependency and compromise skills. The research method uses quantitative with a non-experimental design. The data analysis technique uses path analysis. The research subjects were 450 vocational school students in East Java, Indonesia. The research results show that parental expectations mediated by dependency positively affect postponing career decision. Students' compromise skills negatively affect postponing career decision. Furthermore, personal career aspirations have a negative direct and indirect effect on the students' postponing career decisions, which is mediated by this research variable. The research results recommend that demographic and cultural exploration be carried out to compare research results comprehensively.