Internship at University of Indonesia

Just a few days of living in Indonesia as a student studying forensic science will shock you. I spent just over six weeks in Indonesia experiencing all the positives and the negatives there were to experience, as you would expect living in a country so unique to Australian people.

My work placement was at the University of Indonesia (known as Universitas Indonesia), in the Department of Criminology. My task was to provide a comparison between Australia and Indonesia in regard to the use and process of forensic science in disclosing crime events. At the end of this research report, I was asked to provide recommendations that may help facilitate the improvement of Indonesia’s forensic science system. Interacting with my Indonesian colleagues was a highlight for me as I had studied the language and culture in high school.

They were always excited to speak to a foreigner in Indonesian who understood the language, and they also significantly expanded my vocabulary, including the Betawi (nationality of Jakarta) slang. It was, however, a very eye-opening experience seeing how a criminal justice system operates in an underdeveloped economy. Unlike Australia, It is very uncommon for forensic science to be used as a tool to assign guilt in a courtroom. This allowed me to value the research and experience I was able to provide to Universitas Indonesia.

Outside of work hours, I was able to explore the island of Java, including visiting the Botanical Gardens, and going to Ragunan Zoo to see Australian animals. I also had the opportunity to experience Indonesia’s public transport, from taking a train down to Bogor (West Java), and using the new MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) to visit Ancol, North Jakarta Wharf. These experiences allowed me to engage with both tourism activities, as well as living like a local, where kicking a soccer ball and painting with the local children was a highlight. Eating out at local Indonesian restaurants with my work colleagues was an additional highlight, especially because they helped me to navigate the menu!

When considering my entire experience in Indonesia, I am extremely thankful to the longstanding New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program for allowing me to experience working abroad, and opening many global networking opportunities to me, within my field of study.

Ashlyn White
Faculty of Science
International Internship in Indonesia
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant recipient