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Development Studies Professional Practicum.

Immerse yourself in Indonesia’s evolving development landscape and culture with Acicis’ Development Studies Professional Practicum.

Year
Semester #
Semester dates
Duration
Application deadline
Program fee
Funding
2025
1
January – February
Six weeks
11 August 2024
AUD $5,440 For member university participants
AUD $4,000

About the course.

Explore and discover new experiences in and amongst Indonesia’s dynamic and evolving development landscape with Acicis’ Development Studies Professional Practicum (DSPP)!

Experience student life at Atma Jaya University in Jakarta with the DSPP, covering a wide range of disciplines including sustainable development, public policy, social justice, community empowerment, and more! This program offers an immersive educational experience tailored for students passionate about development issues and progress.

The DSPP includes a supervised professional placement with several leading organisations, including renowned research institutes like SMERU, major non-governmental organisations like Amnesty International, and influential advocacy groups like The Asia Foundation. These placements provide invaluable practical experience and networking opportunities in both local and international development sectors.

At Acicis, we’re committed to creating transformative experiences to foster your personal and professional growth. Contact us to begin your journey today.

Professional placement organisations.

The DSPP professional placement is a cornerstone of your experience, aimed at integrating classroom learning with practical work in Indonesia’s dynamic development sector.

This opportunity offers a variety of placements with grass-roots non-governmental organisations, renowned research institutes, influential government bodies, and prominent advocacy groups, enhancing your skills in the field.

When you apply, you can select your placement preferences. While you can nominate specific organisations, they are not guaranteed, so flexibility is key! Our staff will match you with organisations based on your interests, your experience and availability of placements. Your placement will provide you with the building blocks to lead and innovate, testing your ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments. Explore our professional placement organisations below to discover more.

International Relations & Development
Yayasan EcoNusa
NIRAS Indonesia
Samudera Indonesia
Travelxism
Yayasan Plan International
PPMK
Mitra Wacana
Rifka Annisa
Migrant Care
Yayasan Kalyanamitra
ASPPUK
KOMNAS Perempuan
Women in Tourism
PRIK-KT
Amnesty International
Indonesia for Humanity
Institute DIAN
PKBI
Perludem
INFEST
KRKP
Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP)
World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia
Indonesia for Humanity
Divers Clean Action
Yayasan EcoNusa
Habitat for Humanity
Project Child Indonesia
Yayasan Plan International
UCPRUK
Harapan Fian
Institute DIAN
RedR
Sekretariat Anak Merdeka Indonesia (SAMIN)
Indonesia Australian Partnership for Infrastructure
Humanitarian Forum Indonesia (HFI)
SATUNAMA
Indonesia for Humanity
YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU)
ASB
Yayasan GOT BAG Indonesia
Yayasan Kanopi Indonesia
INFEST
Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP)
SMERU Research institute
Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies
KONEKSI
Indonesia for Global Justice
Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (WALHI)
Kemitraan
Center for World Trade Studies
CIRCLE Indonesia
Centre for Reform on Economics (CORE)
Indonesia for Global Justice
ASPPUK
Center for World Trade Studies
Indonesia Resilience (IRES)
Indonesia Australian Partnership for Infrastructure
YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU)
ASB
RedR
PKBI
Yayasan Vesta
Information

Course information.

Overview

Duration

Six weeks

Intakes

January-February each year

City

Jakarta, Java

Indonesian university

Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya (we sayAtma Jaya University”) 

Contact hours

Seminars, language study and the placement are scheduled between 9am-5pm Mon-Fri.

Credit points equivalency

50% of a full semester load (0.25 EFTSL). Actual weighting and academic credit awarded will be determined by the participant’s home university.

Level of study

Undergraduate, postgraduate, early career professionals

Fee information.

Fees

2025 Fees
Participants from an ACICIS member university Other participants TOTAL $5,440 $6,996 Admin fee AUD $569 AUD $569 Visa Fee ~AUD $205 ~AUD $205 Tuition Fee AUD $4,666 AUD $6,222
2026 Fees
TOTAL TBC TBC Admin Fee TBC TBC Visa Fee TBC TBC Tuition Fee TBC TBC

Advisory panel.

At Acicis, we are committed to ensuring the DSPP meets the needs of member universities and upholds the highest academic standards. The DSPP was established in 2010 with input from a range of academics and experts in their field. Acicis would like to thank our Advisory Panel members for their support and contribution to the program.

  • Professor Andrew Rosser
    Professor Andrew Rosser
    Professor Andrew Rosser is an expert in development studies in Southeast Asia with a particular focus on Indonesia. Professor Rosser has held significant appointments at The University of Sydney, The University of Adelaide and The University of Melbourne.
  • Professor Susanne Schech
    Professor Susanne Schech
    Professor Susanne Schech is an expert in sustainable development, gender and development and culture and development, as well as international work integrated learning. Professor Schech has held a significant appointment at Flinders University.
  • Professor Alberto Gomes
    Professor Alberto Gomes
    Professor Alberto Gomes is an expert in the impact of state-sponsored development, capitalism and modernity on Indigenous communities, particularly the Orang Asli (Malaysian Aborigines). Professor Gomes has held a significant appointment at La Trobe University.
  • Dr Craig Thorburn
    Dr Craig Thorburn
    Dr Craig Thorburn is an expert in development practices in Indonesia, with a focus on disaster response, economic development and pest management in agriculture. Dr Thorburn has held a significant appointment at Monash University.
  • Professor Duncan McDuie-Ra
    Professor Duncan McDuie-Ra
    Professor Duncan McDuie-Ra is an expert in urban sociology. His research focuses on urban culture; cities, towns, neighbourhoods and the infrastructure that connects them. Professor McDuie-Ra has held significant appointments at UNSW Sydney and University of Newcastle.
  • Professor Jane Hutchison
    Professor Jane Hutchison
    Professor Jane Hutchison is an expert in politics and international studies with research interests in social and political change and urban environments in the Philippines. Professor Hutchison has held a significant appointment at Murdoch University.
  • Professor Matthew Clarke
    Professor Matthew Clarke
    Professor Matthew Clarke is an expert in economic development, international aid flows, and religion and development. Professor Clarke has held significant appointments at RMIT University and Deakin University.

Need funding?

If you’re looking for a way to fund your study abroad, there are a range of funding options available to students.

One of these initiatives is the New Colombo Plan Mobility Program which is funded by the Australian Government. This initiative aims to increase knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by empowering undergraduate students like yourself to study, learn, and complete placements in stunning places like Indonesia. There are grants ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.

If you find yourself eligible for the New Colombo Plan funding, you can use it for our science and agriculture programs. Depending on your state and university, you may be eligible for other types of funding that can be used when you study abroad with us.

See if you’re eligible for the New Colombo Plan today, or explore other funding options.

Hear from
Acicis alumni.

  • I thoroughly enjoyed the program and would recommend it to anyone. I felt fully supported throughout the practicum and it was well planned… It is programs like these that help you form lasting bonds and help build the relationship between Australia and Indonesia.

    Read the full article
    Leona (2020) Murdoch University
  • I love learning about and immersing myself into new cultures. There were so many things I loved about visiting Indonesia but most prominently was just how friendly people were. Everyone was so willing to help out wherever we went, whether it be a restaurant, a temple, in a taxi, or even walking about on the streets.

    Read the full article
    Ananya (2024) The Australian National University
  • If you’re interested in working in an international context at all – there’s no reason you shouldn’t do this program if you can. Indonesia is so strategically and geographically important, that you can’t help but generate professional capital while here, you also don’t know what kind of connections and work you might generate.

    Matthew (2024) Monash University
  • The most rewarding part about this experience has been seeing how fast and far I have progressed with my language skills. With such an intensive and immersive course you see results so fast as you are learning so much every day. This is super rewarding and serves as a great motivation to keep learning as you reap the rewards that knowing language brings.

    Audrey (2024) The University of Newcastle
  • Through the ACICIS program, I was able to learn about Indonesian culture and appreciate the issues in the Indo-Pacific region – while also being financially supported. Without such support from the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Grant, it is likely I would be unable to participate in this program.

    Michael (2023) The Australian National University

Useful resources.

Accommodation

Visas

Funding options

How to apply