Alice Morgan is a 2024 New Colombo Plan mobility grant recipient from The Australian National University. Alice is studying Bachelor of Asian Studies. Alice undertook the Flexible Language Immersion Program for one semester at Gadjah Mada University from February until July 2024.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake ACICIS’ Flexible Language Immersion Program (FLIP)?
I love Indonesian people and culture. I was very fortunate to be offered mobility support to undertake a semester in Indonesia with ACICIS. Rather than applying for Independent Learning Abroad, ACICIS guides students as part of a cohort. ACICIS offers many unique cultural exchange opportunities, like an optional internship placement, buddies orient you toward accomodation and tourist attractions and hosts events and fieldtrips.
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? If so, how did this contribute to your experience in Indonesia?
Yes, I receieved $7,000AUD to undertake a semester at Universitas Gadjah Mada. This made my exchange possible as a working student, it was an appropriate amount of money to cover tuition, rent and minimal living costs. With casual work savings, I had opportunities to travel across Indonesia. My largest concern in wanting to undertake an exchange was financial, so the mobility grant was pivotal to my ability to travel during my studies.
Q: What classes/units are you currently enrolled in? (List and brief description)
POLS3032 The Politics of Empire: Theory and Methods class. I am only taking one last class this final semester.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs/societies at the university?
I thoroughly enjoy events planned by both the Australian-Indonesian Youth Association and the ANU Indonesian Students Association.
Q: How will your proficiency in Indonesian Language gained through the Flexible Language Immersion Program influence your future career or study?
I will ideally be able to apply my proficiency in my day-to-day working career. It helped to further consolidate the knowledge of my Indonesian Studies major coursework and extend my vocabulary.
Q: How different is in-country Indonesian language learning to your previous experiences in an Australian classroom environment?
There is a much larger variety and specificity of studying Indonesian language in Indonesia, so I had the opportunity to study Javanese and a Linguistics Method course to follow my interests. Some students may choose contextual courses like History or Culture at INCULS.
Q: Did you undertake an internship or volunteering while in Indonesia? (If yes, please provide a brief description on what organisation you are interning with, and what tasks you are undertaking and overall, how you are finding the internship).
I interned with the Indonesian Family Planning Organisation (Perkumpulan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia) and volunteered with Animal Friends Jogja.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time in Yogyakarta?
Went to many food and coffee spots. There are a lot of social exhibitions of cultural arts in Yogyakarta like performances/events/movies in Malioboro street area, a lively local music scene and calendar events at temples on holidays.
Q: Favourite Indonesian food/ favourite place to eat:
My most ordered GoFood orders are for Dadar Beredar (Gejayan), Jus Mangga dari Bu Rinnie (Tamsis) and Pisang Kemul (Kotagede). I also really enjoyed SS Sambal.
Q: Favourite Indonesian word/phrase:
Jangan ikut campur
Q: What places in Indonesia have you visited during your Semester so far?
Bromo, Bandung, Jakarta, Labuan Bajo, Medan and more. I spent a lot of time on trains but it was a great experience to travel and see the countryside.