Parmeeta Siddique was a participant of the Law Professional Practicum (LPP), in 2025. Jess is studying at Monash University.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake the Acicis internship program?
I wanted to take the Acicis program because I wanted to receive more cross-cultural and training experience, and navigate interacting with other cultures in the workplace to become a more conscientious and culture-aware person.
I also wanted the professional experience and to grow a level of independence, which this program has been immensely valuable for as it has been my first time living by myself outside of the home and sustaining myself.
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? Do you think the NCP is an important initiative? If yes, why?
Yes, I received the grant likely because I am a woman of colour in Australia who comes from Bangladeshi descent, making me a minority.
Q: Where did you live in Indonesia (Kos, homestay, hotel, rental etc.)? Any tips for prospective students on finding accommodation?
I stayed in mini hotel that was 15 – 20 minute walk away from my placement. I specifically wanted a place that was close to my work because it was one of my few chances of getting exercise and getting to immerse myself in the environment, as well as making friends with a few locals on the walk to my placement. I recommend a place in walkable distance from placement because traffic during peak hours gets VERY INTENSE, and in the time it would have taken for you to actually order your Grab / Gojek, getting stuck in traffic… you would be home in that time if you walked!
Make sure to pick a place that you’ve checked out in person and somewhere you’ll be comfortable being in with a grocer nearby! You’ll be there for a while so it should be somewhere ideal, especially after a long work day.
Q: How have you found the academic components of this program – i.e. the language classes/seminars?
I found the seminars very interesting – although some were more engaging than others, it was still helpful to have an overall understanding of the Indonesian Legal System –although I wished that the tutorials were conducted with a little more structure. I liked the debate style tutorials, but I found that it would devolve into chaos. If there was more structure, a clearer debate topic and the chance to properly prepare beforehand it would have been more fun.
I thought the language portion of the program was super intense but I think in the long-run for me personally, I really liked that my teacher was strict about teaching us, because it has helped me feel more confident in trying out Indonesian in my daily life while in Indonesia and other Indonesians really do appreciate the little bit of effort you put in to try and speak their language (even if I look silly sometimes!). At the time though, it feels a bit discouraging that all the different classes had such different teaching styles and distribution of homework, but I am very grateful for it right now!
Q: What organisation are you interning with? (Explain your role and responsibilities)
I am interning with Law Office YANG & CO which is a commercial law firm that specialises in the corporate field and commercial litigation. My roles and responsibilities primarily included any tasks given to us which were mostly contract editing and looking over documents that have an English translation. I would also be given research tasks and written reports to.
Q: How have you found the work culture of your host organisation? How is it different to work experience in Australia?
The work culture of my host organisation is particularly relaxed and laid back – which is unlike of what I’ve seen in Australia but I realise that all the co-workers are very friendly with another. In saying this, socialising with them is particularly difficult because they prefer speaking in Indonesian. Still, I recently have begun breaking this barrier bit-by-bit. I like trying new foods (a lot of the seniors were eager to introduce me to new foods and before I knew it I found food on my plate!) and whenever I speak to the associates on an individual basis, it is much easier to socialise and get to know them! It is scary, but being brave, trying new things, asking questions and establishing trust with at least a few people is the best way to help integrate yourself into the workplace.
Q: What are the main skills you have learnt during your internship?
The main skills I have learnt on this internship is intercultural communication – trying to participate in the food, language and culture is the best way to integrate yourself into a diverse office. You will get nothing out of the program by being anti-social, so even if it is scary or you feel as though you might embarrass yourself, everyone is kind and you just need to put yourself out there and immerse yourself in a new country where everything is unfamiliar.
Q: What did you find to be the most rewarding part of this experience?
I found the friends that I made on this trip, the independence I experienced, the new travel knowledge I gained and immersing myself in a completely new culture the most valuable experiences! For someone who does not particularly like travelling and lived with my parents, it was both liberating and a scary experience to be in another country by myself, but I feel like I experienced so much rapid personal growth and I am very proud of myself for doing this program even though I am later in my degree. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is scary and this program did just that, but I feel like I have levelled up as a person!
Q: Were you able to learn about the Indonesian culture from this program? If yes, how was this achieved?
Yes! I think the biggest thing that helped with participating in Indonesian culture was the language classes which were the gateway to experiencing culture here. It all comes from learning small phrases that you can use for daily conversation and essential transactions (most important is remembering numbers!! You gotta keep track of your expenses!) but it also demonstrates to the locals that you are someone trying to understand them and make communication a little easier which I think most appreciate or at least find endearing / funny (which is okay, nothing wrong with looking a little silly every now and again!). From there, you have access to so many things like food, events, styles of dress, and general conversation! Always try new things, and try not to compare things to Australia too much, embrace Indonesia and have fun!
Q: How will the internship benefit or influence your future career?
Cross-cultural communication has been essential to developing my professional career, and even understanding and getting a glimpse of contracts, securities, guarantees, commercial litigation will be helpful for my future path in family law.
Q: Would you recommend this program to your friends?
Yes! I particularly liked this as an intensive unit – it is difficult to manage time between academia, work and free-time but you get the most of Indonesia in a short time, you make new friends, learn about travelling, culture, food and language in such a short time, you get a lot out of it!
However – regarding placement, it is unfortunately a mixed bag, some placements take on a really active role in your development while others are more lax and you will not necessarily get everything that you might want. However, despite my placement not being particularly eager in my development, I am still grateful for my time here!
Q: Favourite Indonesian word/phrase:
Kerenzzzz
Q: What did you get up to in your free-time? i.e. in the evenings and on weekends.
I tried to visit different cities (I visited Old Jakarta, Bandung, Bogor and Thousand Islands) on the weekends, on the weekdays I was usually too tired after work, but I tried to get dinner with friends and attend weekly-catch ups where I could!
Q: What surprised you about Indonesia? Any new insights?
Indonesia’s court conduct is wild, it is almost like an auction to have your case be heard next!
