Environmental Internship in Indonesia

Last summer break, I participated in a Global Short Program in Indonesia, facilitated by Intentional Internships. In the 4-week program I was joined by an amazing group of peers from a mix of Australian universities and a few Indonesian students as part of an Environmental Internship with YAGASU, a mangrove restoration not-for-profit organisation. Living in Indonesia, a country so different to Australia despite being geographical neighbours, was one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences in my university career thus far.

The program began in Jakarta on the island of Java, where all the Australian interns were to remain for a week. The group participated in a cultural orientation and visited famous landmarks such as the National Monument and the National Library of Indonesia. We also made a variety of visits to different organisations and companies such as the Australian Embassy of Indonesia, WWF Indonesia, the Centre for International Forestry research (CIFOR), and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

After the initial week in Jakarta, my new friends and I flew north to Medan in North Sumatra for the final three weeks of our internship. During this time, we were partnered with our host YAGASU, a not-for-profit organisation that helps with restoring and monitoring mangrove ecosystems across North Sumatra and Indonesia. We participated in workshops, listened to various presentations outlining the work of the company and even got to complete fieldwork which mostly involved thick mangrove undergrowth, thigh-deep mud, and a Pit Viper or three! During the fieldwork my team learned how to measure carbon stocks, take soil samples, and how to navigate mangrove restoration areas.

Outside of internship hours, I was able to explore Medan and the rest of North Sumatra with my internship buddies. From spending an unforgettable weekend at Lake Toba, to climbing a stratovolcano at 4am to watch a breathtaking sunrise, these experiences allowed me to engage with nature and the beautiful landscapes of Indonesia between the busy internship days. I was also lucky enough to go to Bukit Lawang, a breathtaking village near the border of the Gunung Leuser National Park, to go jungle trekking, river rafting, and we even got to see the incredible Sumatran Orangutans in the trees of their natural habitat.

Interning abroad has been nothing short of extraordinary. This experience could not have happened without the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program, financial assistance that I am extremely thankful for. The NCP grant allowed me to experience working abroad within chosen my field of study with like-minded people from different backgrounds and life experiences.

Alice Hewett
Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment
Global Short Programs – International Internships Indonesia – Environmental Internship
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant

For more information about the UTS Global Short Program visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal