Lourdes Bernadette is a student from the The Australian National University. Lourdes undertook the Indonesian Language Short Course at Satya Wacana University in Salatiga with the assistance of a $3,000 New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant in 2023. Lourdes is studying Bachelor of International Security Studies and Bachelor of Arts.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake ACICIS’ Indonesian Language Short Course?
To consolidate my formal Indonesian skills as well as gain in-country experience in Indonesia!
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? If yes, why do you think the NCP is an important initiative?
Yes, I think it is really important to make opportunities like ILSC accessible to everyone! The NCP Mobility Grant really enabled me to connect with like-minded people that I otherwise would have not encountered in my studies.
Q: What did you find to be the most rewarding part of this in-country experience?
The experiences I have immersed myself in that I can’t find elsewhere – the friendships I’ve made along the way, the memories I’ve made while travelling and my amazing Indonesian skills!
Q: What do you find to be the most challenging about the ILSC?
Adjusting to the lifestyle so quickly and getting comfortable with it, but before you know it, the 3 weeks are over and the course has ended :(.
Q: Have you had previous experience learning Indonesian in Australia? If yes, how different was the in-country ILSC to your previous experiences?
Yes, being in-country means you get to apply it in daily life, unlike in Australia where learning is mostly limited to the classroom.
Q: Were you able to learn about the Indonesian culture from this in-country program? If yes, how was this achieved?
Yes! Our cultural exposure seminars and Javanese Martial Arts extracurricular class were so fun and educational!
Q: What have you enjoyed most about the course?
Experiencing new things all the time – meeting new people from all around Indonesia, learning about the different cultures of Indonesia through them, and of course, trying so many types of food!
Q: How will your proficiency in Indonesian Language gained through the ILSC influence your future career or study?
I am looking forward to applying my advanced proficiency in Indonesian in my future career – whatever it may be! I believe that this skill would be important, with the increasing relevance of the Indonesia-Australia relationship.
Q: Would you recommend this program to your friends?
Definitely!
Q: Describe your experience of the in-country ILSC in three words!
Exciting, Adventurous, Refreshing.
Q: What is your favourite Indonesian phrase?
Mungkin, aku terlalu cinta….