INDONESIA OPTIONS

This is your roadmap to opportunities in Indonesia.

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There has never been a better time to get acquainted with Indonesia. Already the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is projected to be the world’s 7th largest economy by 2030. Add on the beautiful beaches and amazing hospitality of the local people and it makes Indonesia an amazing place to explore! Bahasa Indonesia is also much easier to learn than other Asian languages and you’ll be speaking in no time! Get started on planning your next trek to Indonesia through our Indonesia Options page.

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Scholarships

As one of the primary countries outlined in the New Colombo Plan, the development of an Indonesia-capable workforce is clearly a priority for the Australian Government and the Education Department. Moreover, the long-term decline of Indonesian studies in Australia means those pursuing Indonesian literacy are more highly valued over time. So how can you get access to information and land yourself a fully-funded study, work or leadership opportunity? The answer is simple – stay tuned to Asia Options for all the latest insights and scholarship information!

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Learning Bahasa Indonesia

Short-term study, cultural exchange or internship programs provide ideal opportunities to learn about the many new worlds of opportunity which lie just across the narrow Timor Sea. They also allow students and young professionals to improve their comprehension and fluency in the relatively accessible lingua franca of the archipelago, Bahasa Indonesia. Indonesia has been the cornerstone of the New Colombo Plan. The Asia Options Indonesia section shares information about the many well-funded study, research and work opportunities available at this opportune moment for Australia-Indonesia engagement.

Bahasa Indonesia Language Program Reviews

It also pays to take the time to carefully consider your options when deciding to study in Indonesia. There are many factors to take into account, the first being whether to enroll in a university or a private institution. Here the Asia Options team have created a Bahasa Indonesia Language Program Review section to help point you in the right direction.

Post-Graduate Study

Undertaking postgraduate study in Indonesia is a great idea for two reasons. Primarily it’s a good idea because international postgraduate study is the best way to kickstart an international career. The other important consideration is that for Australians, postgraduate study in Indonesia is relatively cheap in terms of tuition and living expenses. Finding the right postgraduate program should involve a long and detailed investigation into the offerings that are relevant to your skill set. Make sure that the postgraduate program you’re assessing is credible (an easy way to do this is to restrict your searches to the top 20 or so Indonesian universities) unless it’s an organisation that you’re familiar with. You can start by reading about what it’s like undertaking field study in rural Indonesia by following the link below.

Careers

Finding employment abroad usually involves a certain degree of bureaucratic wrangling and an in-depth understanding of the rules and regulations regarding employment. Finding work in Asia is no exception, especially so for Indonesia. However, don’t let that put you off! With good qualifications, strong English and Indonesian language skills, and a willingness to put yourself out there, you have a good shot at finding employment in Indonesia.

Visa Considerations

There are two residency visas that will allow you to be employed as a foreign national in Indonesia, the KITAS (limited stay visa) and the KITAP (permanent residency visa). In order to apply for a KITAS visa, it is a prerequisite to be the holder of a VITAS, which is a single entry visa valid for up to a year that can be extended. A sponsor in Indonesia is required to assist with the visa process and apply on your behalf at the immigration office in Indonesia. It is required that you apply for their VITAS and have it placed in your passport before leaving for Indonesia. The VITAS will allow entry into Indonesia and you’ll need to report to the immigration office within seven days of arrival.

Job Boards

Similar to an internship, the best way to find jobs in Indonesia that fit with your experience/career trajectory is to build a list of relevant organisations and investigate their overseas offerings one by one. Complementary to that it is, of course, helpful to check out the websites that aggregate job offerings:

Internships

Finding an internship in Indonesia is easy if you’re thinking of working with a multinational company, which host some of the more well-regarded programmes. To find programs that are a good fit for your skill set and professional development, do some research and build a list of organisations that are relevant to your career path. Once you’ve got the list, see if there’s an Indonesian subsidiary website (for example anz.co.id gets you to Indonesia’s ANZ page) look for the careers section. It usually helps to start with the bigger organisations that are more likely to have a program. We’ve started the search for you and collected some of the programs on offer across the banking, consultancy, arts and engineering space.

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Volunteering

Australia remains the largest bilateral grant-based donor to Indonesia, providing a wide range of technical and economic support to the country. As Indonesia develops over time, the many donor-recipient links and opportunities are likely to evolve into partnerships of mutual benefit. See Australian Aid Volunteers for opportunities from the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program. The Australia Indonesia Youth Association has also emerged as a proactive volunteer-led organisation offering a valuable platform for young people to gain leadership experience and develop their personal connections.

Networking

A key part of professional development that leads to an international career is the building and maintenance of networks. Luckily there is a plethora of youth, business, advocacy and educational organisations that bring together leaders, stakeholders and young professionals that are active participants in Australia-Indonesia relations. Find your local chapters, go to events, meet your peers, build rapport and start networking!

Sometimes the best way to brainstorm ideas and gain tips on how to engage with Indonesia is to talk to pioneering young people who have gone before you. Each person’s experience is different but learning from their success and setbacks could well steer you to your next opportunity or stint in Indonesia.

Accommodation Advice

Watch this space!

Mentors, Peers and Advice