Writing a book is never just about stringing words together on paper; it is an intellectual and emotional journey that demands depth of data and profound empathy. This is the exact process I am currently navigating while working on my upcoming book, titled "Across Borders, Across Classes: Real Stories and Global Analysis of Indonesian Migrant Workers from Indonesia’s Sociology Study in Hong Kong".

This book was born from an intellectual restlessness and a deep unease with mainstream narratives that often look down upon migrant professions. Frequently, migrant workers—particularly those in the domestic sector—are unfairly stereotyped as mere victims or low-skilled labourers with no agency. Yet, upon closer inspection, the decision to cross national borders is a form of social mobility, a survival strategy, and an extraordinary gateway to self-development. Furthermore, today's phenomena reveal a striking "class anomaly": many highly educated young people and university graduates in Indonesia willingly step abroad to reshape their futures amid a scarcity of decent domestic formal jobs.

The process behind crafting this book combines a comprehensive dual approach: macroeconomic analysis and field research grounded in authentic lived experiences.

In the initial stages, I performed data alignment using official government figures, notably from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). According to BPS data, Indonesia's National Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) stands at 4.68%, with over 7.24 million members of the labour force yet to be absorbed domestically. This macro data serves as the objective foundation explaining why economic pressure and a shortage of decent local jobs act as primary push factors prompting educated migration.

However, statistics alone are never enough. To capture the true soul of this book, data collection extends directly into the field—focusing on the dynamic community of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in Hong Kong. Through questionnaires, interviews, and deep dives into real-life narratives, I explore how these young diasporas navigate rigorous regulations, gruelling work pressures, and social stigmas.

Through this research, a powerful premise continues to prove true: if an individual can survive, adapt, and forge mental resilience under the pressure of Hong Kong’s ecosystem, they can conquer challenges anywhere in the world. Hong Kong is not merely a place to earn remittances; it is a crucible where psychological strength and global networks are forged.

As the writing and data processing continue to unfold, my hope for Across Borders, Across Classes is to challenge readers to see migrant workers not as mere poverty statistics, but as resilient, empowered global actors who carry the nation's dignity across international borders.