Lacey Lowe is a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant recipient from Western Sydney University. Lacey undertook the Public Health Study Tour (PHST) in July 2025.
Q:Why did you decide to undertake the Acicis Public Health Study Tour?
I decided on undertaking the Acicis Public Health study tour program as I have seen many of the various tours and had got accepted for the Indonesian summer tour of 2025. I did not have any practicals to attend during the mid semester break, therefore was able to apply.
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? If so, how did this contribute to your experience in Indonesia?
Yes! I was fortunate enough to be a recipient of a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant, this helped in my decision to accept my position on the tour. If I had not received the support from this Government initiative, I would not have been able to attend due to a lack of funds. The New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant was the main reason I could experience Indonesia.
Q: What did you find to be the most challenging about your experience on the PHST?
My most challenging experience during the PHST was losing a family member while I was away. The support that I received from the Acicis buddies and staff, tour guides, and my peers was incredible. While it was hard being away from my family during this time, I felt supported by my tour family and that helped me cope with such bad news.
Q: What public health issues in Indonesia have you become more interested in/aware of as a result of this tour?
I was unaware of most of Indonesia’s public health issues before visiting, and was surprised to learn about stunting and malnutrition being major public health issues for the Indonesian population. I was also shocked to see cigarette smoking and vaping culture has increased in Indonesia, whereas most other countries smoking policies regarding cigarette and vaping smoking has decreased the rate of active smokers.
Q: What was your favourite field trip? Explain why.
Yogyakarta was my favourite location during the Indonesian public health study tour. Our field trips to the 3R plant, where they recycle, reuse and re-purpose plastic waste into furniture was an amazing initiative to see. Providing employment and a waste facility for the community was something I could see working and get involved with back at home.
Q: How do you think the Public Health Study Tour will influence your future career or studies?
The Public Health Study Tour has increased my knowledge and awareness regarding global public health issues that I can relate to my work at an environmental health officer. I am very keen to travel back to Indonesia for another public health study tour, so in the next year I’m going to be applying for another Acicis public health study tour again.
Q:What did you most enjoy about the seminar series?
Hearing from Indonesian academics talk about there focal topics was extremely enlightening and the passion all the speakers had for public health will resonate with me for time to come.
Meeting a diverse group of like minded individuals was really refreshing as well, I have high hopes for the future generation of public health professionals.
Q: What was your favourite aspect about visiting Indonesia?
Being able to experience Indonesian culture from an insider perspective. We were tourists in a sense, however got an inside look on the workings of the health care systems and community programs through this public health study tour. Learning language, eating traditional foods and watching traditional dance was my favourite aspect of visiting Indonesia.
