Jack Crago is a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant recipient from University of Western Australia. Jack undertook the Public Health Study Tour (PHST) in August 2025.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake the Acicis Public Health Study Tour?
I decided to apply for the Study Tour as a fun and interesting way to make up some of my elective unit credit points for my second semester. I’d heard really good things from past participants and figured it could be a good way to have some fun travelling while expanding some of my understanding around healthcare delivery, which is very relevant for my overall degree.
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? If so, how did this contribute to your experience in Indonesia?
The process for application to the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant was quite straightforward and I was fortunate enough to receive a grant and undertake the preparation units before I flew out, which I think helped me get in the mindset to fully absorb and appreciate my travel experience straight from the get-go.
Q: What did you find to be the most challenging about your experience on the PHST?
I think the thing that caught me off guard a few times was trying to plan and navigate in the free time. There was a few times where we trusted in our maps a little too keenly and ended up at a place which was closed or open only on specific days or was misrepresented in photos which could sometimes turn into a bit of a goose chase to try and rectify. My recommendation would be to lean on the advice of the tour leaders to ensure smooth planning for those expeditions.
Q: What public health issues in Indonesia have you become more interested in/aware of as a result of this tour?
We learned about a variety of public health issues but the topic which really stuck with me was my presentation topic on stunting. I felt this issue really illustrated the multi-layered nature of public health, especially in countries with such a large population, rich culture and tradition and diverse geography as well. Understanding how these factors played into stunting and the strategies employed against it was really informative and has shaped my mindset for both future study and future travels.
Q: What was your favourite field trip? Explain why.
I really enjoyed visiting the Puskesmas and Posyandu to see how healthcare is delivered in a community setting. We were split into groups and each visited a different community, first looking through the Puskesmas and seeing how general practice, dentistry and maternal care are delivered, followed by a visit to the Posyandu to see the monthly check-in for mothers of young children. I found this visit very informative and engaging, especially as it allowed me to see firsthand the healthcare delivery dynamic which I had read and heard so much about during the seminars and readings for our presentation.
Q: How do you think the Public Health Study Tour will influence your future career or studies?
I’m currently studying Podiatry and so healthcare is already a big part of my studies yet this study tour has definitely reinforced my enthusiasm for community based healthcare. It opened my eyes to the complexity of healthcare delivery beyond the physical disease itself which will allow me to give care which is properly tailored to their unique circumstances of the patient.
Q: What did you most enjoy about the seminar series?
I really enjoyed the variety of seminar topics that we were presented. We learned about maternal health and stunting, climate change, disaster management and a whole range of diseases that are a public health focus for the Indonesian healthcare system. The variety kept things fresh and the question time afterwards gave us time to interact with some very knowledgeable professors who were very enthusiastic to give insight into their areas of expertise.
Q: What was your favourite aspect about visiting Indonesia?
It might make me a bit of a simple guy but the food in Indonesia was extremely good and quickly became a highlight of the day for a lot of us on the tour. The variety of choice made finding a meal a bit of an adventure each night and was a big driver of the friendships that were made over the course of the trip.
