The Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) is very pleased to welcome 7 students from Australian National University, Flinders University, The University of Western Australia and The University of Melbourne as our 2023 ACICIS Campus Ambassadors.

As ACICIS Campus Ambassadors, not only do they act as ACICIS representatives in their universities and promote ACICIS programs, they will also share their experiences during their in-country programs.

These students are the alumni of our 2022 – 2023 programs such as our Semester programs, Professional Practicum, Public Health Study Tour, and Indonesian Language Short Course. These programs are the first in-country iterations since the pandemic.

The role of an ACICIS Campus Ambassador is to not only promote ACICIS programs, but to also promote our mission, vision, and our values.
ACICIS aims to increase the number of Australian university students undertaking study at an Indonesian institution of higher learning and to be Australia’s leading trusted facilitator of International Student mobility programs to Indonesia.

 

ACICIS Campus Ambassadors dedicate approximately 20-30 hours per semester to assist ACICIS staff in our program promotions. These promotional efforts can include activities such as:

 

In-Class Presentations
Exchange Fairs
Engaging with International Mobility Office Staff
Presenting at Information Sessions
Contacting Student Societies
Video or Written Program Testimonials
And more!

 

ACICIS proudly presents short profiles of all the ACICIS Campus Ambassadors below:

The University of Melbourne

Julia Duncan

ACICIS Program: Indonesian Language Short Course in Jan – Feb 2023

Julia is studying Juris Doctor in Law at The University of Melbourne. Earlier this year, Julia undertook the ACICIS  Indonesian Language Short Course (ILSC) in Salatiga, Indonesia.

Julia chose to become an ACICIS ambassador because she is passionate about Indonesia, and the excellent work that ACICIS does. Studying Indonesian has been a highlight of her tertiary studies. The opportunity to further her studies in Indonesia, and to practice Indonesian in a real-world setting, was invaluable. 

Her undergraduate degree focused on languages, and she knows from experience that the opportunity to study in-country makes a huge difference to the language-learning process. The programs provided by ACICIS are unique and relevant to numerous fields of study. There is truly a program for everyone. By becoming an ACICIS ambassador, she hopes to raise awareness of ACICIS programs and help other students to find the right study program. Through the ACICIS Ambassador program, she also hopes to cultivate stronger communication and organisational skills. 

 

Samuel Elliott

ACICIS Program: Indonesian Language Short Course in Jan – Feb 2023

Sam is studying Bachelor of Science, with a Concurrent Diploma of Language: Indonesian Studies at The University of Melbourne. Earlier this year, Sam  undertook the ACICIS  Indonesian Language Short Course (ILSC) in Salatiga, Indonesia with the assistance of a New Colombo Plan mobility grant. 

Sam chose to become an ACICICS campus ambassador because he had such a wonderful time on my ACICIS program in Salatiga. He really wanted to maintain a connection with Indonesia and he saw this as a really good opportunity to do so! He mentioned that it’s also been really good to engage with other ACICIS ambassadors because while it is a very diverse group, they all have a like-minded interest in forming connections between Australia and Indonesia.

Sam has been learning Indonesian language and culture in Australia for many years and wants to ensure his knowledge remains strong. He also studies geography as part of his science degree and he would love to work for an organisation that is internationally minded, especially in SE Asia & Indonesia. Therefore he believes that forming these connections with Indonesia is a really important way to stay connected.

 

The University of Western Australia

Rama Elliot

ACICIS Program: Business Professional Practicum in Jan – Feb 2023

Rama is studying Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Western Australia. Rama undertook the ACICIS Business Professional Practicum in Jakarta, Indonesia with the assistance of a New Colombo Plan mobility grant. He also undertook an internship at Okusi where he helped his team to do the planning part for auditing.

Rama wanted to help as an ACICIS Campus Ambassador because of how good the professional practicum program was. He wanted to try and be helpful to encourage people to consider why they should do an overseas internship in Indonesia by telling people about his experience. Not only from his experience but as a person who originated from Indonesia, he wanted to show future students that Indonesia is not only about Bali but also other lovely places to visit and to consider studying abroad. He wanted to tell future students how good the internship was and the friendly treatment they will get if they study and do an internship in Indonesia.

Rama also wants to improve his confidence to speak to future students and help their decision on taking study abroad in Indonesia by using the NCP grants.

Please see Rama’s student profile here: Rama Elliot BPP student profile.

 

The Australian National University

Alannah Perry

ACICIS Program: Development Studies Professional Practicum in Jan – Feb 2023

Alannah is studying Bachelor of International Relations and Bachelor of Arts at The Australian National University. Her majors are in Development Studies, and her minor is in Economic Studies. Alannah undertook the ACICIS Development Studies Professional Practicum in Jakarta, Indonesia with the assistance of a New Colombo Plan mobility grant. She also undertook an internship at Samudera Indonesia where she helped with delivering a strategic design for future education (courses) marketing and business development of Samudera Academy.

She was inspired to take on the role of an ACICIS Campus Ambassador after participating in the Development Studies Professional Practicum program, which allowed her to travel to Indonesia and gain unique professional and academic connections. She was introduced to a different perspective on the development that has influenced her future research for the better. She wanted to share this amazing experience with others, and She is thrilled to be able to encourage more students to take advantage of these opportunities. As an ACICIS Campus Ambassador, She is passionate about promoting opportunities for students and helping them to realize their full potential. This program has already provided her with valuable skills and connections that will assist her in her future career progression. She is excited about what the future holds for future ACICIS students.”

 

Theresia Klarissa

ACICIS Program: Public Health Study Tour in January 2023

Theresia is studying Bachelor of Health Science at The Australian National University. Theresia undertook the ACICIS Public Health Study Tour in Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Indonesia with the assistance of a New Colombo Plan mobility grant. Theresia is an executive member of ANU Health Student Society and she is interested in promoting and showcasing ACICIS through the society as well to reach a larger audience.

She is passionate about strengthening the Australia-Indonesia relationship. She hopes to be able to share that through writing a blog. She will mention the valuable lessons and experiences she gained from partaking in the ACICIS course.

Please see Theresia’s student profile here: Theresia Klarissa PHST student profile.

Emma Kirkland

ACICIS Program: Public Health Study Tour in January 2023

Emma is studying Bachelor of Health Science at  The Australian National University. Emma undertook the ACICIS Public Health Study Tour in Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Indonesia with the assistance of a New Colombo Plan mobility grant. 

As the vice-president of the Health Students’ Society at ANU, Emma intends to incorporate ACICIS into their events and conduct some small but regular presentations about the opportunities that the organisation offers. Emma has the goal of setting up a society/club specifically dedicated to ACICIS alumni.

Emma decided to become an ACICIS Campus Ambassador to increase student awareness surrounding the incredible opportunities that the organisation offers to study overseas in the Asia-Pacific region. She also wanted to share how much fun her own personal experience was, particularly because she had never traveled to Indonesia before her Public Health Study Tour and was quite nervous and reluctant to participate. She really wants to reassure any students doubting whether or not they would enjoy a trip with ACICIS to get involved, particularly because of the extremely positive experience she had on her two-week intensive trip and the long-term friends she was able to make through this experience.

Emma’s experience studying in Indonesia with ACICIS has really encouraged her to pursue other opportunities to study overseas. Currently, she is applying for exchange opportunities in Canada, the UK, and the US, but it was her initial experience on the Public Health Study Tour in Indonesia that gave her the confidence to pursue these opportunities. Furthermore, her experience with the organisation has also encouraged her to create future travel plans through South-East Asia, as well as broaden her intentions to study or work in this environment at some point in the future.

Flinders University

Hannah Brown

ACICIS Program: Flexible Language Immersion Program in August-December 2022

Hannah is studying Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Languages, and Bachelor of Letters in TESOL at Flinders University. She undertook the ACICIS Flexible Language Immersion Program in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 

Hannah decided to become an ACICIS Campus Ambassador because she is very passionate about the relationship between Indonesia and Australia, as well as promoting the learning of the Indonesian language/second-language learning in Australia, something which is declining. She also thoroughly enjoyed her exchange experience through ACICIS, and believes that it is something that should be promoted/shared with other people.

Hannah mentioned that the Campus Ambassador experience will help her in the future by increasing her understanding of the Australia-Indonesia relationship and allowing her an opportunity to create relationships with like-minded people.