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.