Ashley Breckenridge completed the Acicis Development Studies Professional Practicum (DSPP) in 2013, as part of her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at UNSW. She is now an Assistant Director at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Ashley Breckenridge is now an Assistant Director at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and serves as Secretary of the Economic Society of Australia (ACT). Her career has included roles across public policy, economics and multilateral engagement, grounded in a strong interest in international development and evidence-based policymaking.
That interest came into focus during her time with Acicis. In the final stages of her undergraduate degree, she took part in the Development Studies Professional Practicum in Jakarta, hoping to explore development work beyond the classroom.
“I wanted to build my experience in international development,” she said. “The Acicis Development Studies Professional Practicum was one of the best ways to do it. It gave me practical experience working in an international development organisation and the opportunity to be based in-country.”
The program began at Atma Jaya Catholic University with intensive language training and cultural lectures. “The language course was accessible, provided a good foundation for our short time in Jakarta, and was a great way to mingle with other participants,” she said. “The lectures at the university were impressive and brought together experts from across Indonesia.”
Ashley was placed with UN Women Indonesia. “The opportunity was incredible, and unlike any I could get through an ordinary university program,” she said. “The team and my supervisors there provided great mentorship and expertise that allowed me to delve into my own projects while contributing to the work of the team.”
She found the program structure effective for students who wanted to make the most of their summer break. “It combined language training, Indonesian lectures and a placement experience into one cohesive package.”
Living in Jakarta came with its own daily adjustments. “The roads and weather don’t always allow for walking places, which can be challenging when trying to engage in everyday errands and tasks,” she said. “With some planning and adjustments, it’s not hard to work around these things.” It was also an opportunity to build independence and cross-cultural awareness in a short period of time.
The experience helped clarify what she wanted to pursue. “Participating in Acicis reaffirmed my interest in working in public policy and development,” she said. “It also highlighted gaps in my knowledge, which led me to pursue a more technical master’s degree with a specialisation in economics.”
After completing postgraduate study at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Ashley secured a graduate role at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She believes programs like Acicis helped strengthen her applications and gave her an advantage in understanding global issues and institutional systems.
“Studying with Acicis gives you more than a placement. You gain insight into how international organisations work, and you build experience that stays with you long after the program ends. It gave me the clarity and confidence to pursue a path that I may not have considered otherwise.”
