Bahasa Sesh Challenge 2025

WHAT IS IT?

As part of Acicis’ 30th anniversary celebration, we’re excited to launch the third edition of the Bahasa Sesh Challenge! This is your chance to showcase your favourite word(s) or phrase(s) in Bahasa Indonesia and be part of a growing community passionate about language, culture, and connection.

This fun and engaging challenge celebrates the richness of Bahasa Indonesia, a language that has helped unite over 270 million people across the archipelago. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned speaker, this is a great way to share what you love most about the language and inspire others to learn it too!

WHY JOIN?

Participating in this challenge gives you the chance to win a free Acicis Indonesian Language Short Course session in Central Java, plus additional vouchers — prizes valued at over AUD 3,000! All submissions will also contribute to a collective, fun way of celebrating the Indonesian language — led by students and language lovers like you.

KEY DATES

Submissions open

11 September – 20 October 2025

Judging period

21 – 26 October 2025

Winner announcement

27 October 2025

CATEGORIES & PRIZES

Grand Prize

Indonesian Language Short Course

Creative Entry

$200

Most Popular Entry

$200

Weekly Winners

$25 voucher each week

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Prepare your video

• Videos should feature participants’ favourite Bahasa Indonesia word/phrase and the explanation.
• Participants are encouraged to be creative and authentic.
• Videos should be original: not taken from any other sources or produced by AI.
• Entries must not contain hate speech, offensive, defamatory, or discriminatory content.
• There are no restrictions on the duration or the format, aspect ratio, editing software, etc. of the video.

Submit your video

• Entries must be submitted between 11 September – 20 October 2025, participants may submit multiple entries.
• Post your video submission(s) to one or all of these social channels (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn). 

• Mention and/or tag Acicis. Acicis’ social media: Instagram: @acicis.studyabroad, Facebook: Acicis, Twitter: @acicis, TikTok: @acicis.studyabroad, and LinkedIn: Acicis).
• Use the #bahasasesh hashtag.
• Follow any or all of the Acicis social channels.
• Important note: make sure your profile is public so your submission is visible.

Need some inspiration? Check out some of last challenge’s entries below!

or, click the link down below:

TERMS & CONDITIONS

General Terms & Conditions (apply to all categories)

• Open to everyone aged 18 years and above, from all nationalities.
• Participants may submit multiple entries (no limit on submissions).
• Entries must not contain hate speech, offensive, defamatory, or discriminatory content.
• By entering this competition, participants agree to all terms and conditions, including those outlined in the ‘Submit your video’ section above.
• Should you have any questions about the Acicis Bahasa Sesh Challenge, please email us at enquiries@acicis.edu.au

Judging, Winners & Prizes

• Judging period: 21 – 26 October 2025.
• Winner announcement: 27 October 2025 on Acicis social media.
• A participant may win in more than one category, including both a weekly prize and a big prize (e.g., Grand Prize + Weekly Prize).
• Weekly winners will be announced progressively throughout the challenge.
• Judges’ decision is final and binding.
• Acicis reserves the right to reselect winners if the original winners do not accept the prize.
• Prizes are not transferable nor redeemable for cash (except for cash prizes already specified).

• Winners agree to participate in reasonable promotional activities (photos, interviews, social media/website features).

To Win Grand Prize (Indonesian Language Short Course)

• Open to everyone 18 years and above, all nationalities.
• The winner must comply with Indonesian immigration rules and regulations for visa issuance.
• Prize covers administration and tuition fees only; all associated costs (travel, accommodation, living expenses, etc.) are the responsibility of the winner.
• The prize must be used in November 2026, subject to sufficient student numbers.
• The prize is not transferable and not redeemable for cash.

To Win Best Creative Entry ($200 Prize)

• Entries are judged on creativity: fun, originality, memorability, humor, inspiration, content angle, creative direction, or visual appeal.
• Creative captions earn extra points.

To Win Most Popular Entry ($200 Prize)

• Winners will be determined based on a combination of social media organic engagement metrics (likes, comments, shares), judging criteria, and overall impact of the entry.
• In addition to engagement, judges will assess:

   >> Relevance to Bahasa Indonesia

   >> Community resonance (sparking conversation)

   >> Authenticity of the story or message

• Participants are encouraged to promote and share their videos widely, but popularity alone will not decide the winner.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Choice of words

Is the selected Bahasa Indonesia word or phrase meaningful, interesting, or unique?

Enthusiasm and clarity

Does the participant express their submission with energy, confidence, and clear pronunciation?

Explanation

Is the meaning, reason, and cultural or personal significance of the word/phrase well explained?

Creativity

Does the participant present their video in a fun, original, or visually creative way? (especially important for the best creative entry)

Engagement

How well does the submission perform on social media in terms of likes, comments, shares, or reach?

JUDGES

Liam Prince

Consortium Director at Acicis

Dian Widi Sasanti

Sub-Head Department, Language Training Center, Satya Wacana Christian University