Alan Douglas Campbell is a student from University of Western Australia. Alan undertook the Indonesian Language Short Course (ILSC) at Satya Wacana University in Salatiga with the assistance of the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant in 2025.

 

Why did you decide to undertake Indonesian Language Short Course?

I have a deep interest in Indonesia, including family connections. I joined ILSC to improve my Bahasa Indonesia and knowledge of this country.

 

Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? If yes, why do you think the NCP is an important initiative?

Yes, The NCP gives students a better opportunity to travel to and learn in-country.

 

What did you find to be the most rewarding part of this in-country experience?

Meeting the people, learning in an intensive and deep way, visiting villages and different places in Salatiga, making new friends, the ILSC staff (they’re amazing!)

 

What did you find to be the most challenging about the program and how did you overcome it?

The rather long days. they could be exhausting. Just getting a good sleep each night helped.

 

Have you had previous experience learning Indonesian in Australia? How different was the in-country ILSC to your previous experiences?

Yes, I’m studying the language at UWA. I think the main difference was being immersed in the culture and language. To speak Bahasa Indonesian every day, and sometimes speaking very little English can be daunting and even exhausting. But really good.

 

Were you able to learn about the Indonesian culture from this in-country program?

Yes…different foods, visit to various places and villages, interviewing people during visits, cultural seminars and classes, just being in the culture itself.

 

What have you enjoyed most about the course?

This course is well-planned, delivered in a very positive way, and with opportunities for social activities as well as structured learning. I’ve enjoyed it all!

 

How will your proficiency in Indonesian Language gained through the ILSC influence your future career or study?

Not sure. I’m at the end of my working life, so I haven’t yet figured out what I will do with this language…maybe know that I can speak it? I’m a person who lets life unfold before me, so I won’t be surprised if something comes up later that means I can use my bahasa more often.

 

Would you recommend this program to your friends?

Yes, yes, yes, because I’ve learned heaps and had more fun than I thought would ever happen.

 

Favourite memory during the course?

Meeting all the people. I met a group of children with their parents and grandmother on a weekend…they were ramah, bahagia dan cantik. The children wore kaos with a design for kemerdekaan on them. Saya punya foto dengan mereka.

 

 

Describe your experience of the in-country ILSC in three words!

Challenging. exciting. rewarding.

 

What is your favourite Indonesian phrase?

Salam hangat.