Lachlan Colgrave is a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant recipient from RMIT University. Lachlan undertook the Virtual Indonesian Language Short Course in July 2021.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake ACICIS’ Indonesian Language Short Course?
I wanted to build off the foundational Bahasa Indonesia I had learnt whilst on exchange in Indonesia on the ACICIS Development Studies Immersion Program (DSIP), based in Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta.
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant?
The NCP mobility grant was a powerful tool enabling me to undertake and afford this program. I would have not undertaken ACICIS ILSC without the NCP and I’m very grateful for the opportunity it has given me, the friends I’ve made and the remarkable experiences that followed. The way NCP allows you to grow professionally and personally is insurmountable.
Q: What did you find to be the most rewarding part of this virtual experience?
I have really enjoyed building off my foundation language studies I undertook with ACICIS Development Studies Immersion Program (DSIP) in 2019. Surprisingly, I had not forgotten as much Bahasa Indonesia as I thought!
Q: What did you find to be the most challenging about your experience on the Virtual ILSC?
The continuous online classes can cause a little bit of Zoom fatigue, but the classes are so immersive, engaging, and different everyday that this is only a minor challenge!
Q: Have you had previous experience learning Indonesian in Australia? If yes, how different was the Virtual ILSC to your previous experiences?
I have only ever learnt Bahasa Indonesia at an Indonesian institute and can say ACICIS is one of the best!
Q: Were you able to learn about the Indonesian culture from this virtual program? If yes, how was this achieved?
I was able to expand on my general understanding of Indonesian culture into the lifeworld of Salatiga, its history, industries and daily life that I would normally be able to participate in if I were in-country.
Q: How will your proficiency in Indonesian Language gained through the ILSC influence your future career or study?
I would love my career to include the use of Bahasa Indonesia, be it at home or abroad in Indonesia. Regardless, this is another skill I can add to my resume in the hopes of one day having a job!
Q: Would you recommend this virtual program to your friends?
I would recommend ACICIS ILSC virtual program to friends as it is a fantastic way to engage with Indonesian, particularly for beginners, online in an engaging way. I was originally concerned about the amount of time on Zoom but it is honestly a blur of laughter and learning and I’m really quite surprised that these three short weeks are already at an end!
Q: Favourite Indonesian word/phrase:
Polisi tidur – literally “sleeping police” or speed hump!
Q: Describe your experience of the Virtual ILSC in three words:
Enriching. Engaging. Fun!