The Acicis November–December Business Professional Practicum (BPP) program has provided Australian students with the enriching experience of cultural immersion and professional development in Indonesia. Aiming to provide students with the knowledge and practical experience of doing business in Indonesia, the BPP program allows students to explore the country’s business landscape. In learning Indonesian through language classes, engaging with business stakeholders in seminars, and visiting places of business through field trips, participants are in for an exciting and transformative journey.

Orientation to Indonesia

The first week of the program, coined as the academic week, provides students with valuable skills and information for their time in Indonesia. Taking place in Atma Jaya University, students attend a cultural orientation session, intensive Indonesian language classes, academic seminars, and field trips. These activities are set up to make sure students are ready for their upcoming four weeks of placement. The week was kicked off with a cultural workshop where students were introduced to the wayang with a painting session. 

BPP’s academic seminar invited 10 speakers from various sectors, all with vast knowledge of business in Indonesia, to share their expertise and experience with the students. Going through different aspects of doing business for each session ensures students are well informed and updated on the country’s general and latest business outlook. Seminar topics of highlight are introduction to Indonesia’s economic and investment landscape, business law and HR challenges, sustainable business practices, and Indonesian business culture. The speakers also put into consideration the trajectory of Australian-Indonesian relationship in their engaging discussions with students.

One of the highlights of the academic week was the BPP field trips to Indonesia Stock Exchange (Bursa Efek Indonesia) and PT Pelindo in Tanjung Priok Port. These trips provided students with the interactive and immersive experience of the Indonesian workplace and culture. The trip to Indonesian Stock Exchange delivered to the students a lesson on the stock exchange and the financial market. Meanwhile, the trip to PT Pelindo introduces the students to the logistics, transportation, and supply chain industry at Indonesia’s largest port. Students learn, explore, and exchange questions with the workers of these two places.

Professional Placement 

Students spend the final 4 weeks of the program at each of their placements. This term, BPP partners with 12 Professional Placement Organisations (PPO) that welcome Acicis students for a month-long internship with them. The PPOs vary from small businesses, thinktanks, NGOs, to large corporations. The PPOs for this term are Indecon (Indonesia Ecotourism Network), Fischer and Partners, Prevented Ocean Plastic South East Asia (POPSEA), Helios Capital, AVYA Law Firm, Okusi Associates, Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), Samudera Indonesia, HudHud Agency, Indonesian Business Council (IBC), Kiroyan Partners, and Econusa.

Being involved in diverse fields, such as tourism, finance, management, logistics, to the creative sector, students get hands-on experience learning and working in their respective fields and interests. As we wrap up this term’s program, students finish their placements with highly satisfactory evaluations from their organisations’ mentors. During their time with each PPO, some are also involved in work trips such as to the waste processing plant, refugee communities in Bogor, and to the shipyard in Tanjung Priok.

From Farewell to Future Impact

The program is concluded with a closing ceremony where students, mentors, and others involved exchange their farewells. After spending 5 weeks of intensive classes, trips, and work activities, participants not only get professional experience and academic knowledge, but also international connections, friends, and invaluable memories of living in Indonesia. Acicis thanks everyone involved that has contributed to the success of the program. We hope that the global perspective students get from the program will be useful for them in the future, especially in advancing Australian-Indonesian relations through collaboration.

 

Sampai jumpa lagi di Indonesia!

Learn more about Business Professional Practicum (BPP) here