Lauryn Breeden is a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant recipient from Monash University. Lauryn undertook the Flexible Language Immersion Program (FLIP) in 2025.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake the Acicis program?
I wanted to expand my cultural understanding and improve my language skills in a more day-to-day context.
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? If so, how did this contribute to your experience in Indonesia?
Yes, I was a lucky recipient of the NCP Grant which allowed me to gain in-country experience in a cultural and language context without the burden of financial stress. Being able to utilise these funds for my tuition and additional language training has broadened my opportunities in-country.
Q: What classes/units are you currently enrolled in?
During my semester, I undertook 5 subjects in INCULS and 1 immersion subject; all at UGM! My language units included Membaca (reading), Menulis (writing), Tata bahasa (grammar), Menyimak (speaking) and Terjemahan (translation). Each week we focused on a specific topic and how these certain themes connected to Indonesian life, all whilst encouraging different aspects of language learning.
My immersion subject through the Fakultas FISIPOL was Australian and Indonesian Relations. It was extremely interesting learning about the history of our bilateral relationship from an Indonesian perspective!
Q: How will your proficiency in Indonesian Language gained through the Flexible Language Immersion Program influence your future career or study?
With aspirations to become a primary school teacher, ensuring my Indonesian language skills are at a high proficiency has allowed my options to expand including the potential to teach Indonesian in Australia, or English in Indonesia!
Q: How different is in-country Indonesian language learning to your previous experiences in an Australian classroom environment?
Nothing beats being forced to use your language skills on the daily. As nerve-wracking as it can be at the start, having to use Bahasa Indonesia everyday in a range of different scenarios has strengthened my language in areas I wasn’t even aware were weak. Daily conversations with Gojek drivers or local Ibu’s has built my bahasa gaul vocabulary, which is something that simply can’t be matched in a classroom setting.
Q: Did you undertake an internship or volunteering while in Indonesia?
Yes! I volunteered for Pondok Pesantren Putri BinBaz Islamic Boarding School in which I presented about Australian culture; as well as marked student presentations about different countries and their respective cultures’!
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time in Yogyakarta?
I like to spend my time hanging out with my friends at COSAN (coolest cafe out there), going shopping or just berjalan-jalan!
Q: What challenges did you face during your program and how did you overcome it?
For me, there wasn’t a specific major challenge, yet a collection of small ones. There were challenges I expected, such as homesickness and culture shock, but others like the heat and change in lifestyle pace were unexpected. Reminding myself to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone and just trying new things helped me overcome them.
Q: Favourite Indonesian word/phrase? Why?
Enak’! Before coming to Indonesia I thought ‘enak’ was only used in relation to food, but in Jogja you have free reign! How’s the weather today? Enak! How has your time in Jogja been? Enak!
Q: What’s the most interesting new discovery or story during your stay in Indonesia?
I have learnt so much about Islamic culture since living in Jogja, and it is so beautiful. Being here during Ramadan and Idul Fitri felt so special and the sense of community was so strong.
Q: Will you recommend Acicis to other students?
Yes! Learning in-country provides you with opportunities you simply can’t get in a classroom at home. It is such an exciting, challenging, rewarding and overall incredible experience getting to live here and the help of Acicis makes the process so easy and accessible!
Q: Favorite Indonesian food / favorite place to eat?
Warung SS! SS stands for Spesial Sambal and it is enak banget!
