Sampai Jumpa, Jakarta!

At the end of September 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a two-week Global Short Program in Jakarta, Indonesia. If I could describe my experience in three words, it would be nothing less than: transformative, immersive, and enriching.

I was introduced to the Global Shorts Program and International Internships through my university program coordinators, who very brightly described the opportunities and their experiences with the program. Having never completed an overseas internship program nor travelled overseas by myself, I saw this as an opportunity to open myself to new learnings and growth and was inspired to apply for the program. I can say with full confidence that it was one of the best decisions I have made for both my professional and personal development.

The program itinerary was extensive but thorough, ensuring all participants were able to gain a well-rounded cultural and professional experience. We were able to meet so many inspiring students, companies, and leaders in the Indonesian fintech and VC space, and visit the Australian Embassy in Indonesia, as well as many communities in urban and rural regions of Indonesia. Moreover, the program was filled with many wonderful cultural experiences. One of the highlights was our visits to the Bogor Botanical Gardens and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a beautiful microcosm of the country with replica buildings, artworks and other artefacts from the different regions of Indonesia.

During the program, I was also involved in a group project in collaboration with Amartha, a fintech company which serves as an intermediary facilitating P2P lending and other financial services for rural communities. It was an invaluable experience working on a project aimed to attract and uplift ultra-MSMEs and women entrepreneurs in Indonesian rural communities through digitisation. I also had the opportunity to participate in volunteering and social impact projects, being involved in river-cleaning and sustainability initiatives in Bogor with WWF.

What stood out to me most about Indonesia was the contrast in values and lifestyle compared to Australia. There was a deep emphasis on respect and courtesy, fostering harmony, unity and understanding. Communication was expressed beyond merely words but also in body language, tone and facial expression. I also appreciated the culture of generosity shared in Indonesia. This was displayed in gift-giving, and I was grateful to receive various Indonesian snacks and cultural souvenirs, and I personally reciprocated this by sharing some Australian souvenirs.

I felt very comfortable throughout my journey in Indonesia and found the financial landscape very exciting, particularly with the rapid growth of fintech in the country. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Indonesia and would definitely consider living and working in the Indo-Pacific in the future.

If you want to broaden your horizons, experience new cultures, and are interested in potentially working or living overseas in the future, I definitely recommend embarking on an exchange program!

Terima kasih, Jakarta!

Ethan Nguyen
Bachelor of Accounting
International Internships – Indonesia
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant recipient

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