Hugh H.

Home University: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, Australia

Indonesian University: Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogykarta

Course of study: Degree in International Development.

Duration: Full-year student exchange in immersion (self-organized)

Source of funding: Part-time work, university support (mobility grant) and scholarships (DEEWR)

Why do you recommend studying in Indonesia / Yogyakarta / and at UGM? Yogyakarta is an accessible city in which to live. It has a neighbourly nature about it. People there are always up for a chat and the lifestyle is much more relaxed and laid back than in Melbourne. Making friends was easy and enjoyable in such a hospitable city. Some of my favorite memories are from the kos (boarding house) I lived in. I was awakened most mornings by a man selling chicken soup from a cart. The guy living in the room above me became one of my best friends. I would usually hang out with friends after class at a café somewhere. The food is delicious and cheap and exploring the region is easy to organise. I enjoyed Yogyakarta so much that I extended my one semester exchange into a full year and I plan to return to visit my friends by the end of the year.

Matt K.

Home University: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, Australia

Indonesian University: Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogykarta

Course of study: Degree in Asian Studies (Indonesian)

Duration: Full-year student exchange in immersion (self-organized)

Source of funding: Part-time work, university support (mobility grant) and scholarships (DEEWR+Darmasiswa)

What did you enjoy most about studying in Indonesia?

The experience of living in Indonesia while also studying there was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed studying in Indonesia because it became a lifestyle. I met excellent friends, ate delicious foods and studied in one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

Why do you recommend studying in Yogyakarta / at UGM?

Yogyakarta is a city that is full of students. It's easy to meet people and make friends. Universitas Gadjah Mada was a really nice university with a large range of subjects and courses. The city is within an hour of some beautiful beaches, next to an awesome volcano and filled with culture, art and crafts. The people in Yogyakarta are friendly and caring.  

Suli L.

Home University: La Trobe University, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne, Australia

Indonesian University: Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogykarta

Course of study: Degree in Asian Studies (Indonesian).

Duration: Full-year student exchange with the Australian Consortium for 'In-Country' Indonesian Studies also known as (ACICIS)

Source of funding: University support.

What did you enjoy most about studying in Indonesia?

Studying in Indonesia is a fantastic experience! The people of Indonesia are all very friendly and welcoming, so it is easy to make new friends. The study experience can be at times a challenge, but from my own experience the lecturers and my fellow classmates were always encouraging of my efforts, and were there to help if I didn't understand something.

Why do you recommend studying in Yogyakarta / at UGM?

Yogyakarta is an excellent place to live and study, because it is the centre of traditional Javanese culture as well as education. Fore people who are interested in learning about Indonesian culture, Yogya has a thriving arts scene, both traditional and contemporary. As well as it's cultural aspect, Yogya is located within close proximity to beautiful beaches, temples and majestic Mount Merapi, so, as a lover of art and nature, I really appreciated Yogya's cultural side and it's natural beauty. The people however, are probably what's most special about Yogya for me. You will make friendships in Yogya that last a lifetime!

Hannah CW.

Home University: La Trobe University, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne, Australia

Indonesian University: Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogykarta

Course of study: Indonesian and English (Literature and linguistics) studies.

Duration: Full-year student exchange in immersion (self-organized).

Source of funding: Part-time work, university support and scholarships (DEEWR international scholarship)

Why do you recommend studying in Indonesia / Yogyakarta / and at UGM? 

I loved how most people in Yogyakarta were friendly. I enjoyed the cheap food and accommodation, and had lots of fun tasting all the new foods! There is a nice vibe in NorthYogya because of all the students who live there. I stayed in a quiet kampung very close to my University, on Jalan Kaliurang. It was great because I was close to the supermarket, internet cafe's, laundromats and printing/photocopying shops. Because there were no other Australians at my boarding house (kos), I was able to practise Indonesian heaps!

Nicholas Metherall
Home University: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, Australia

Indonesian University: Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogykarta

Course of study: Diploma of languages (Indonesian) with a degree in International Relations

Duration: Full-year student exchange in immersion (self-organized).

Source of funding: Part-time work, university support (mobility grant) and scholarships (DEEWR+Darmasiswa).

What did you enjoy most about studying in Indonesia?

Studying in Indonesia was a life-changing experience which provided insights into an educational and cultural system very different to the system which exists in Australia. This was a particularly valuable opportunity to learn Bahasa Indonesia in an immersion setting. After a while many of us found value not only in what we learned in classes but also what we learned outside of classes. 

With more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is far too vast to explore within a single lifetime. Indonesia offers a wide variety of delicious food and exciting travel. While studying at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), I found that many new local Indonesian friends. I hope these friends can gain the same opportunity that I did, in studying overseas. 

Overall, Indonesia promises a unique cultural immersion experience. Everyday there was new and different experience to be had. These experiences were especially unique when held in contrast to life in Australia. 

Why do you recommend studying in Yogyakarta / at UGM?

Yogyakarta is a great place to study and live. The city blends traditional and modern culture. It is a student city with more than 20 universities. In some places bustling with hundreds of people yet in other places you can find peace, quiet and tranquility.

Yogyakarta has a big city buzz but it retains that small city feel. The high rise buildings and skyscrapers that dominate Jakarta are virtually non-existent.

Universitas Gadjah Mada is one of the highest regarded Universities in Indonesia. I had a number of insightful and inspiring professors there and met dozens of new friends on campus.