Introduction to Self
To kick off my Medium journey, let me introduce myself.
Who am I? Well, my full name is Rivelino Oryza Santos, but most people know me as Ninoy. “Ninoy” was a nickname from my grandmother, though my parents originally intended to call me “Nino” (meaning “little boy” in Spanish). My father, an avid football fan, named me after Brazilian football legends: “Rivelino” after Roberto Rivelino and “Nino” after Juninho Pernambucano. My last name, Santos, is a bit unique for Indonesia, where family names aren’t common. Although my father’s last name is Adiwijaya, I inherited “Santos” from his given name, a fun quirk passed on to me and my sister.
I was born in Bandung in 1997, so here I am, at 27, finally stepping into the professional world. To some, this might seem late, but I feel ready now, prepared by experiences and growth.
My Path to a Master’s Degree
Pursuing a Master’s degree in International Commercial and Business Law at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) marked a significant turning point in my life, both professionally and personally. It was my first experience living abroad, far from family and the familiarity of Indonesia, and I found myself immersed in a dynamic academic and cultural environment that demanded adaptability and growth.
In terms of language, I was fortunate; I’d grown up speaking English, so communication wasn’t a barrier. However, studying law in Australia brought its own unique challenges. In Indonesia, law is largely statute-based, meaning most legal research and analysis center around interpreting established written laws and regulations. The Australian legal system, by contrast, places a significant emphasis on case law — precedents set by previous judicial decisions. This meant that, rather than focusing only on written statutes, I had to dive into a complex web of past court cases, each adding new layers of interpretation and application.
The challenge of case law didn’t just require me to adjust my reading and research strategies; it transformed my approach to legal thinking. Instead of looking for a single authoritative source, I had to explore and reconcile various cases, each with its own nuances and judgments, which were sometimes even contradictory. Adapting to this approach was both demanding and eye-opening. I quickly learned that my conclusions couldn’t be based solely on black-letter law; they had to be supported by careful, layered analysis of how similar cases had been resolved in the past. This expanded my perspective, helping me see the law not as a rigid set of rules but as an evolving field shaped by real-world scenarios and changing societal values.
Within this broader framework, certain courses truly stood out, particularly Negotiation, International Commercial Transactions, and Contemporary Business Law. These subjects were more than just academic; they felt directly relevant to real-world challenges I’d face in my career.
The Negotiation course, for example, was an intense, three-day workshop that went from 9 AM to 4 PM, simulating real negotiation scenarios and equipping us with strategies that would prove valuable in business and law alike. It was more than a class — it was a crash course in handling complex interpersonal dynamics under pressure. Each day was packed with insights, simulations, and exercises, where we weren’t just learning about negotiation but actively practicing it. I discovered the importance of understanding opposing perspectives, balancing assertiveness with empathy, and managing high-stakes discussions with poise and strategy.
International Commercial Transactions offered me a fresh understanding of how cross-border business deals work, from contract formation to risk management and dispute resolution. The practical, hands-on approach of the class helped me grasp the intricate details that make or break international agreements. We analyzed real cases, dissected various deal structures, and explored how international treaties and agreements come into play. This subject helped me understand the global business landscape and how a legal advisor plays a pivotal role in facilitating international trade while mitigating risks.
Lastly, Contemporary Business Law broadened my knowledge of current legal challenges and opportunities within business, exploring issues like intellectual property, data privacy, and the regulatory impact of emerging technologies. The class wasn’t just a lecture; it was an exploration of how law must evolve alongside advancements in business and technology. It prepared me to think critically about the future of law in an increasingly interconnected and digital world.
These experiences at UTS did more than educate me; they reshaped how I approach both the law and my role within it. Studying abroad in this setting gave me a new level of confidence and adaptability, which I hope to bring into my professional journey ahead. The skills and perspectives I gained at UTS weren’t just lessons for a career in law — they were preparation for a life of continued learning and adaptation in a rapidly changing world.
Why I Decided to Further My Studies
Pursuing a master’s degree wasn’t just a career move; it was a promise I’d made to my family and a step I knew I’d eventually take. When I completed my undergraduate degree in Business Law in 2019, my parents encouraged me to continue straight into postgraduate studies. They wanted to see me advance, to build on my education and deepen my expertise. But I wanted to experience the professional world first, to understand the practical side of the work I’d spent years studying. I asked them for two years, a period to grow and prove myself in a real-world setting. Those two years quickly stretched into three.
During those years, I worked for an environmental and technology company, where I was part of a dynamic team navigating the complexities of the industry. As a legal officer, I was responsible for everything from handling administrative tasks to managing legal documents and assisting in contract negotiations with prospective partners. It was a high-energy, demanding role, and every day presented a new set of challenges. I found immense satisfaction in seeing our projects take shape and knowing I had a hand in their success. Those years taught me the ins and outs of working in a structured corporate environment, honed my understanding of business operations, and helped me gain confidence in my skills.
Despite how fulfilling that work was, the promise to further my studies remained with me. Eventually, I decided it was time to honor that commitment. When I handed in my resignation, it was a bittersweet moment. My boss was incredibly supportive and proud of my decision to take on a new challenge, while the company’s owner expressed sadness at my departure. I felt like I was leaving behind a meaningful chapter, but I knew it was the right move to start the next one. I was ready to step into academia again, this time with a professional perspective that would deepen my understanding of what I’d study.
Choosing to attend the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) felt both symbolic and natural. UTS was the same university where my father had completed his master’s degree in 1997. I remember hearing about his time there, his stories of studying abroad, and the doors that experience opened for him. My father’s career and achievements had always inspired me, and seeing the success he’d built with the foundation of his education gave me a clear model to follow. By choosing UTS, I wasn’t just picking a reputable institution; I was honoring my family’s legacy and building on a path that my father had laid out. Following in his footsteps felt right, as though I was carrying forward a part of our family story, while carving out my own unique journey within it.
With this decision, I was aiming to achieve more than just an academic degree. I wanted to refine my skills, expand my knowledge, and build a network that would support my career for years to come.
Why Law?
In high school, I had an early sense of my strengths and limitations. Numbers and science didn’t spark my interest, and I realized that while I could express myself confidently, my natural communication style was informal — probably not the ideal fit for traditional public speaking or structured debate. But I noticed something unique in the way Indonesian lawyers spoke on TV or in interviews. They often adopted a conversational tone, delivering their arguments in a way that felt approachable yet authoritative. This balance between clarity and command resonated with me.
Choosing to study law felt almost inevitable. My father, a legal scholar with a doctorate, had built his career in the field, and my older sister was already in her first year of law school. We’d always shared a similar educational path, from grade school to high school, even attending the same institutions up until university. It was as if law was a part of our family identity, a tradition that was both inspiring and motivating. So, when it came time to decide, I gravitated toward law — not because it was expected of me, but because it felt like a natural progression. Seeing my father’s dedication to the field and my sister’s growing passion reinforced my own desire to enter a profession with depth, impact, and room for individual expression.
There’s a common misconception that law is all about memorization — being able to recite codes and statutes by heart. But what I discovered early on was that law is far more dynamic. I don’t see it as simply citing statutes; instead, I view it as understanding the underlying principles so deeply that they guide me to practical solutions. This approach allows me to interpret and apply the law in ways that are both creative and grounded, enabling me to solve problems by seeing the bigger picture rather than relying on rote knowledge alone. The analytical process behind finding these solutions — the thrill of examining different perspectives and piecing together a cohesive argument — has become one of my favorite aspects of the field.
Ultimately, I’ve come to see law as a bridge between knowledge and action. It’s a tool that can effect change, influence decision-making, and, ideally, make life a little fairer. This perspective shapes my work, from writing legal opinions to consulting on cases and advising businesses. For me, law is about making complex information accessible and actionable, helping clients or colleagues navigate through challenges with clarity and purpose.
So, that’s a glimpse into why I chose law, how my journey led me here, and why I’m starting this Medium blog. My goal is to share experiences, insights, and questions that might resonate with others navigating similar paths. I believe in learning from every interaction and think there’s immense value in connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Through this platform, I hope to build a community where we can exchange ideas, challenge each other’s viewpoints, and encourage personal and professional growth. Whether we’re discussing law, technology, startups, or sports, I look forward to diving into these topics with you and exploring how they intersect and evolve. Let’s create a space that fuels our curiosity, sharpens our insights, and inspires us to see the world in new ways.
Thank you for reading — I can’t wait to embark on this journey with you.
