This July, Acicis was delighted to welcome 22 enthusiastic participants to Indonesia as part of the Indonesian Language Short Course (ILSC) Winter 2025. Hosted in Salatiga, Central Java, this immersive program offered a dynamic blend of language learning, cultural exploration, and local engagement over three enriching weeks.

Out of the 22 participants, 18 received support through the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Grant, and one participant was an NCP Scholarship recipient, underscoring the program’s strong backing and accessibility for Australian students eager to deepen their understanding of Indonesia.

Orientation & Warm Welcome

The program commenced with a two-day orientation on 28–29 June 2025, where students were introduced to the LTC team, Acicis staff, and fellow participants. Ice-breaking activities, a safety briefing, and a campus tour around Satya Wacana Christian University (UKSW) helped participants settle in and feel right at home.

 

A Comprehensive Language & Cultural Journey

From 30 June to 18 July 2025, participants engaged in intensive Indonesian language classes tailored to their levels, ranging from level 1 to 5. These sessions were complemented by regular classes and independent learning (IL) activities, which provided real-life contexts for practicing their Indonesian.

Each week also featured Indonesian culture classes, where students learned and participated in batik-making activities.

Highlights of the class activities included:

  • Local visits to Salatiga’s cultural landmarks, such as Pasar Raya, Perpustakaan Daerah Salatiga, Kelenteng, and Toko Jamu Air Mancur Dadi Jaya.
  • Interviews and field tasks helped students build vocabulary while engaging with Indonesian society on meaningful levels.
  • Culture Sharing, where participants exchanged cultural insights with local university students about social gatherings in Australia.
  • Culture Exposure, where participants were introduced to community gatherings in various regions in Indonesia. 

 

Academic Rigor & Personal Growth

To monitor progress, participants completed mid-program and final assessments, alongside final presentations that reflected their language improvement and cultural understanding. Final week activities included consultations, presentation practice, and Post-OPI interviews to evaluate speaking proficiency development. Participants expressed immense satisfaction with their academic growth and confidence in using Bahasa Indonesia beyond the classroom.

Memorable Moments & Meaningful Connections

The MABAR (Main Bareng) session at the start of the program brought all levels together, a bonding game session, which is a perfect way to launch into the experience with energy and fun.

Whether it was through trying Indonesian street food, conducting interviews with local people, or simply chatting with their host families and buddies, participants consistently highlighted the warmth of Indonesian hospitality and the value of cultural immersion as the most unforgettable aspects of their ILSC journey.

 

Terima Kasih & Sampai Jumpa!

As the program concluded with a heartfelt closing ceremony on 18 July, students reflected on their transformations and the friendships formed during their stay. Acicis would like to thank Language Training Center UKSW for their continued support, the dedicated language teachers, and everyone who made this program a success.

We congratulate all participants on completing the Winter 2025 ILSC and look forward to seeing where their Indonesian language skills and intercultural experiences take them next!

Sampai jumpa lagi di Indonesia!

Learn more about the Indonesian Language Short Course (ILSC) here