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Aims
An in-country language program gives you immersion-in-culture and daily interaction with people. Combining rigorous in-country coursework, taught by supportive university teachers, with excursions and life in the community, is a great way to take your language to a new level.
The Charles Darwin University has been offering courses in Lombok for several years. Now in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast, these courses are again being hosted by the Language Centre at the University of Mataram (UNRAM). The staff led by Pak Priyono are highly qualified and experienced.
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Program
The sequence of eight units offered over six weeks is:
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Period 1
Wednesday 2 January - Friday 19 January 2008
Indonesian language units corresponding to semesters 1,3,5,7 |
Period 2
Monday 22 January - Friday 9 February 2008
Indonesian language units corresponding to semesters 2,4,6,8 |
Total beginners can learn from zero base in unit 1. Other students may choose to practise, refresh or extend language skills in intermediate and advanced courses.
If required, UNRAM staff will offer on-arrival placement tests so that the most appropriate level is taken. The most advanced is unit 8.
These are equivalent to eight, consecutive semester-long classroom units in Australia.
Students would normally enrol in two consecutive units (e.g. 3 and 4) but may opt for one only.
At CDU, the units to choose from are
INI101 and INI102 - Indonesian 1 and 2
INI201 and INI202 Indonesian 3 and 4
INI 301 and INI302 Indonesian 3 and 4
CAH301 Independent Studies A (for Indonesian 7)
CAH302 Independent Studies A (for Indonesian 8)
[CAH = Creative Arts and Humanities]
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At USC students enrol in
a one-semester 12 credit point course coded INT282
INT282 (brief) INT282 (full outline)
or a two-semester equivalent worth 24 points coded INT283
INT283 (brief) INT283 (full outline)
These are used to give credit for any of the course combinations studied in Lombok.
(If you return for more in another year, there are also 48 cp courses (INT280 and INT281) through which USC normally awards credit for ACICIS semesters.) |
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Enrolment procedures and restrictions
USC is the central administrative university for the Lombok in-country programs for the next few years. All students please send an expression of interest email to lombok@usc.edu.au at USC's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Administration Assistant Teagan Gray will compile a list of all students from all over Australia who are interested and keep you up-to-date with developments and requirements. CDU, UNE and UTas have their own course codes in place for the Lombok program so students from those universities can enrol directly at their home campus. USC students will need to enrol in the appropriate Indonesian units set up the University of the Sunshine Coast (INT282 for 3 weeks, or INT283 for 6 weeks). Students from all other universities are welcome to apply via USC but, if you want to count this program credit for your degree, you should speak with your home university Indonesian lecturer first and seek official approval. We need final confirmation of your intention to take part by the end of November 2007. Be aware that some universities may withdraw official endorsement and permission to study in Indonesia quite late because of unforeseen security risks. You may be able to switch to cross-institutional enrolment BUT make sure therefore that you take out travel insurance against such events (loss of airfare).
USC students: Student Admin has to process your application manually. FASS Program Advisers Robyn Kleinhans or Bruce Williams can sign Change of Enrolment Form as required but students need to fill in and sign the form before dropping it in to the FASS office. Students can get the form from the office or download.
Enrol only in INT283 if you will undertake a six week double offering.
Enrol in INT282 if you intend to do any one three-week offering.
To enrol as a Cross Institutional Student at USC, the process is simple.
Go to http://www.usc.edu.au/Students/Future/HowtoApply/CrossInstitutionalStudents/,
follow Step 3 which includes getting your own university to sign their approval on our forms.
If you are enrolling as a cross-institutional student then your university should have a corresponding application form so that your enrolment here is then listed on your academic record. The HECS officer at your university should also complete the HECS detail on the USC form - the Student ID is your current university ID. Please ask your own university for the HECS forms (sam eall over Australia) which must be filled in by hand in quintuplicate.
USC Insurance will NOT cover you while in Indonesia so please take out your own comprehensive Travel Insurance.
For 2006, USC students and Cross Institutional Students will enrol in one course (three weeks, INT282 In-Country Indonesian Studies C, 12 cp)
or two courses (over six weeks, accredited as INT283 In-Country Indonesian Studies D, 24 cp) for the Lombok program.
The content of these courses at all levels will
focus on Indonesian language and cultures. Your Universitas Mataram transcript will show this and reflect level.
USC will accredit these as generic in-country Indonesian language study courses.
If you can not enrol cross-institutionally, for whatever reason, contact Phil Mahnken (07 5430 1254) to discuss.
Important
We require ALL participants to complete and sign an Application Form for Award Study In-Country Indonesian Language Program supplying all the personal details and stating that they have read the Commonwealth Government's Travel Warning for Indonesia and USC Code of Conduct and Conduct and Discipline Policy, that they are going voluntarily to Indonesia, not as a requirement of the university. (BTW There is much useful information on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade "Country Information" for Indonesia).
All students, please lodge the Application for Award Study In-Country Indonesian Language Program Form with Teagan Gray in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Office. Postral address is on the form.
Restrictions The partner universities reserve the right to decline the enrolment of any student on grounds of poor academic record,
health risk, or if a quota is deemed advisable for any unit, or to limit the number of students in Lombok as a whole.
Students will also sign an agreement that they respect the authority of the Australian and Indonesian lecturers who have the right to expel them from the program if behaviour is unacceptable or putting the welfare or learning of other students at risk.
Insurance
All enrolees should take out their own travel and health insurance - as far as we are aware, no insurance covers against acts of terrorism.
Your insurance may be void if you break the law (as at home). For example, if you ride a motorbike without a local or international licence and hurt yourself, your insurance could decline to assist or pay for your medical expenses. See more about local transport in the Pre-Departure Booklet. You really need to think about your own welfare in terms of sickness, theft, accident or violence, even your morale, especially when you are in an unfamiliar environment. We have had no serious harm befall any of our students so far but we have had dengue fever cases, pickpocketing and a fall from a motorbike. Your host family, the Resident Director, the host university and your class mates will all be looking out for you but your own responsible behaviour and caution are your best defence.
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Travel
Students arrange their own travel to Indonesia. Our program is offered at the peak travel season so cheap airfares may be difficult to find. You are advised to book well in advance and shop around for best airfares. Book a reservation now if possible! Because of changing security conditions, flight bookings should be flexible (in case the program is suspended before commencement date or during the period of study.) Students who commence in the second three-week period may find airfares lower. For your security, you should let your lecturers know your travel plans so they know when to expect you and when you will depart from Lombok. The same applies to special health and diet matters. We draw your attention to a June 2007 article about safety concerns with Indonesian airlines.
We give no endorsement to any travel agencies listed here. Our USC students have dealt with all of these. Have a look at
| QANTAS Country Info - Indonesia. |
Vivien Horton
Travel Adviser
STA Travel Chermside
Shop 190 Westfield Shoppingtown
Cnr Gympie & Hamilton Roads
Chermside QLD 4032
Tel: 07 3861 4266
fax: 07 3861 4277
email: chermside@branch.statravel.com.au
web: STA Travel |
Mary Walker
Flight Centre will often match or better any deal.They are using a new airline called Air Paradise to achieve lower airfares.
Flight Centre Mooloolaba
Tel: 54525644
Email: mary.walker@flightcentre.com.au
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Sometimes agencies will organise extras if you want two nights in Bali or Singapore or throw in accommodation. Pressure for the best deal. Ask about special deals. Sometimes Internet bookings are cheaper than an agency. Departing before 17 December (?) and after 16 January will save money. Ask.
According to Flight Centre, there is a Brisbane-Denpasar fare for $899 starting 17 January (limit 35 days). If you travel 18 December to 9 January $1349. Departure 10 Jan - 16 Jan is $939
Buying a twelve month ticket can be a good trick if you have extra time to spend in Indonesia. Departures 18 Dec - 9 Jan $1449. Departures 10 - 16 Jan $1039. Departures
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Health
There is very detailed Health and Insurance advise on the DFAT Travel Well page. All participants should visit their regular doctor for a thorough medical consultation and ask specific advice for Indonesia, especially for avoiding and treating
fever. Dengue fever is a mosquito borne disease and is not to be taken lightly. Infection will knock you out of the course for a week or more at a time when you are meant to be studying intensively. Symptoms will make you miserable and incapacitated. Therefore, it is worth taking all possible anti-mosquito precautions - religiously - especially early and late in the day.
Come to Indonesia prepared with ample supplies of any medicines you regularly take and prescriptions. It is also your responsibility to inform the Australian and Indonesian program directors of any allergies or medical conditions that may affect your participation in the study program or well-being in a tropical environment.
The on-campus doctors are very helpful with rashes or problems that can be easily treated. There is a clean, cheap Catholic hospital in Ampenan, Rumah Sakit Karang Ujung, attentive staff and excellent English speaking doctor. There is also a first rate blood testing clinic in case you need confirmation or ruling out of dengue or malaria.
Please read this September 2006 information from ACICIS on Avian Influenze (Bird flu) in Indonesia. Here is a World Health Organisation update on avian influenza virus. The whole WHO site on Indonesia is always worth a look. An April 2006 newspaper article on bird flu in Indonesia.
Other reliable websites include:
The Travel Doctor (TMVC) http://www.tmvc.com.au
USA Center for Disease Control and Prevention Health Information for Travelers to Southeast Asia http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm
Travel Health Advisory Group Indonesia page (Australian)
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Visa
The correct visa to obtain is the Social-Culture Visa, valid if presented within 3 (three) months from the date of issuance. It will be granted to conduct socio-culture activities (family gathering, education, sport, etc.) A single entry Social Culture Visa will be issued for up to 60 (sixty) days and can be extended in Indonesia and could be converted into a Temporary Stay Visa. Visa fee A$ 60.00
See the full requirements for this visa on Indonesian Embassy website on
http://www.kbri-canberra.org.au/consular/visa/visa_social.htm.
You need to download the Application Form from
http://www.kbri-canberra.org.au/consular/form/fvisa.pdf
Canberra Visa Office Telephone: 02 6250 8606
You should send your visa application to the Embassy in Canberra or the Consulate in Darwin with a letter from your own university or USC explaining your enrolment in the in-country language program at Universitas Mataram, Lombok. The Indonesian Embassy in Canberra and the Darwin Consulate already have on file the letter of support from the University of Mataram. It is illegal to study on an Indonesian campus without the Social-Cultural Visa (i.e. no Tourist visas). You will be asked to show yours to your lecturer before final acceptance.
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Fees, Grants, Loans and Personal Finances
Students enrolled at a participating Australian university will be required to pay
- HECS fees at the university where you enrol. For non-award students, the CDU and USC fees for 2008 will be advised). See http://www.usc.edu.au/Students/Future/HowtoApply/ApplicationForms/. International students will pay the same (full fees) as they would for any two units/courses at CDU or USC.
- All Lombok course students will be asked to pay an extra fee of Aus$100 for one three-week in-country course or Aus$200 for a six week in-country course. This fee helps to defray such costs as field excursions, cultural activities, special receptions, morning tea, emergencies, as well as extra security arrangements that may be deemed necessary. This fee is to be collected by the Resident Director on the first day of each three week course in Lombok.
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Students often ask "How much will it cost overall? How much should I take?" The fees for this course include your HECS which can be deferred for later payment, the $100 or $200 excursions, morning tea and reception fee, your visa, airfare, your accommodation (hotel Airlangga is about Rp 115 000 ($20) per night but homestay will probably cost 1.5 million ($200) rupiah for five weeks - depends on host family and your negotiations, services you request, etc) and spending money. The Australian dollar has risen in 2007 (13 July 2007 Aus$1.00 = U.S.86 cents = Rp 7,851). [See Universal Currency Converter]. Most students find it hard to spend more than $10 a day in Indonesia unless you are buying lots of presents for people at home. Food is very cheap at normal eating places and so is transport. Your money goes a long way in Indonesia although some things (like photo development) now cost about the same as in Australia. Of course you can bargain over most things except in supermarkets and department stores. Prices are much higher around the tourist area at Senggigi or elite hotels. (You can bargain anywhere but do not take this to extremes when bargaining with people whose livelihood depends on their small profit each day. The ten or fifty cents you save could be quite meaningful to that small scale street vendor.) Have $1000 in your account to call on and you will certainly have no worries. You can use Master and Visa Card to withdraw from accounts (savings accounts less charges than credit usually) via bank ATM machines not far from campus and at the Mataram Mall. ALWAYS put all cards, cash and wallet away before leaving the booth. One girl had her wallet snatched by a motorbike-riding pickpocket one year.
Dr Richard Curtis and his student Nick have suggested travellers may consider the "Cash Passport service", safer than taking over your bankcard or visa card as you only transfer from your bank account the money you want to withdraw (via the internet). Apparently, the charge for withdrawals is cheaper too, as it is just the Australian fee. Nick found it very useful when in Malaysia 2 years ago. http://www.cashpassport.com.au/travelex/cash_passport/phase_4/index.html. We have not checked this system and make no guarantees. May be worth a look.
Grant Scheme
For USC students, in 2007 the PVC International has introduced a grant scheme and you may also apply for OS Help Assistance
"DEST has clarified that OS HELP will also be available for students studying a short term program (ie. Incountry language program to Indonesia for six weeks) if the study period is fulltime and if it is confirmed that the courses completed will be credited towards the current degree of enrolment.
However you will still need to fulfill the eligibility requirements that applies to all OS HELP applicants. Please check if you fulfill the eligibility requirements by reading the information and guidelines for OS HELP that you can find via the link of the Global Opportunities Program on the student intranet. You can also download the application form from the site if you want to apply for the OS HELP assistance..
Please note that with the application for OS HELP assistance you will also need to provide a written confirmation from your Faculty that the courses that you are studying as part of the incountry language program in Indonesia are considered a fulltime study program and that the courses will be credited towards your USC degree.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Kind regards Liani Eckard" (USC International Office)
For other students see
http://www.backingaustraliasfuture.gov.au/fact_sheets/6.htm#b and
http://www.dest.gov.au/highered/css/os_help_fs.htm.
Fee Paying HELP (FEE-HELP) and Overseas Study HELP (OS-HELP)
Enquiry line: (Free-call) 1800 020 108
Be aware of 20% fee on this loan. Borrow as little as possible.
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Accommodation
A list of hotels, losmen and homestays is provided in the Lombok Program Pre-Departure Booklet. It is hoped that the majority of students will opt for homestay with an Indonesian family. Dr Priyono is gathering names of willing hosts now. Cost to be advised.
For non homestay students, we can make a bulk reservation of rooms at Hotel Airlangga near the University for early January, as many days as you wish. Tariff is about A$17 (Rp 100 000) per night. It is up to students to orient themselves in the town of Mataram and then seek out longer term accommodation. For convenience, some may choose to stay in Hotel Airlangga or another for longer. At all times, we request that you keep the course coordinators informed of where you are staying and any weekend excursions. BTW Phil Mahnken had notification from Fitri at Hotel Airlangga that it will be closed 5 days for an important family reunion event (from 28 December 2007 to 1 January 2008). Fitri is willing to book us into Hotel Kurnia Jaya (her uncle's hotel a few blocks closer to the university) or the Hotel Widya Wisata next door to Airlangga 1. Either of these are fine. You can write in English or Indonesian to Fitria Ulfah <trya_m3@yahoo.com> and c.c. to USC via lombok@usc.edu.au That way, we will know no-one is getting off a plane without a place to go to.
Question from Utas: about the
student accommodation for the first few days in Lombok. Will it be
booked for them? And should they go straight to the hotel upon arrival
in Lombok?
You can see list provided by Fitri of rooms available at Hotel Rooms You can email in English or Indonesian to fitri [ trya_m3@yahoo.com ] but if you make a booking be sure to keep it or write and alter with plenty of notice, please. On arrival at Lombok airport, you can catch an airport taxi direct to your hotel - they have fixed rate taxis (probably about Rp 30000 now = $4.00).
[The first Resident Director, Phil Mahnken will arrive by noon on 1 January and lodge at Hotel Widya Wisata for one night and then move to Airlangga. He would like all students to come see him on that day to register your presence, help you get a mobile phone card, perhaps do some tripping around the city and university to get oriented, remind you of health and safety matters.
We require all students to bring or buy a mobile phone and inform the Resident Director and Head of Language Centre of the number for emergency contact.
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Lombok
During the program you will gain an intimate understanding of the people, their culture and the history of Lombok.The indigenous Sasak people of Lombok have their own local language and religious traditions. There is also a large Balinese Hindu community, a small Christian community as well as Chinese and Arab communities. Lombok is a fascinating place to study cultural diversity at work.
The mountainous island landscape of Lombok is a delight to photographers and tourists. Visitors will meet village people whose way of life is still rural and little changed from their ancestors' ways and others with postgraduate education and overseas experience who can handle themselves in any company. Be diplomatic. Be curious. Remember also that Lombok is still suffering the effects of the economic crisis of 1997-8 and many people are struggling to survive. There is much more background in the Pre-Departure Booklet. [MS Word]
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Intercultural experience can be challenging.
It is utterly thrilling to roam the markets, shops and streets and all that hard work learning language pays off because you can communicate with all these people! BUT this is not just a language learning course. It is an intercultural experience. You will see, hear, smell and experience some things that delight you, some things that disturb you and many interactions that may change you. Why leave home if you want Indonesia and conditions there to be the same as at home? Or if you do not want to encounter and reflect on different ways of living and thinking? It can be confronting. This should be a peak, transformative experience for you. It will leave you better equipped to live and work in the global community. USC students will find on our intranet many in-country stories, experiences and tips gathered over many years by Phil Mahnken. I have put two here for everybody. Aniek's 50-50 from Padang in 1995 and Maree on culture shock from 1998. Everybody can also access Phil's photo collections..
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Security
Details and advice about security and safety in Lombok and Indonesia in general are in the Pre-Departure Booklet.
Both USC and CDU reserve the right to cancel or suspend the program at any time if the risk to Australian students is judged to be too high so your flight bookings should be flexible or well covered by insurance..
The senior administration of USC and CDU will decide whether to endorse the program for January - February 2007 while monitoring the political situation and any natural disaster threat. If there is risk of serious danger or any threat of Avian Flu Virus epidemic, the Vice Chancellors of both universities will cancel the program. (So, insure your airfare.)
A MUST Register your presence in Indonesia and elsewhere with the online form at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
In Lombok, use common sense self-defensive measures as at home, e.g. do not go out alone at night. Students need to avoid political rallies and demonstrations (read this if you doubt the seriousness of this advice.)
Keep up-to-date on any security risks through the Embassy Bulletins and website and by asking the Program Directors.
In the event of an emergency to do with accident, illness or civil unrest, an emergency plan is in place
and the Resident Director will SMS all students immediately to come to the safe house or other meeting point if evacuation is advised.
So, all students must carry a working mobile phone (local SIM Card and pulsa) and notify the Resident Director and PUBAH (Language Centre) of the number
as well as any movements outside the Mataram region. Students should carry on them at all times the emergency contact number of your travel agent
or insurance company.
The University of the Sunshine Coast contact people in an emergency are:
Business Hours: Sheila Peake, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, ph 07 5430 1247
After Hours: USC Security 0412 113705
Remember that Lombok is two hours behind Sunshine Coast time.
Office of the Vice Chancellor at CDU contact person is Catherine Halkon, 61 8 8946 6040 and the after hours security phone number is 61 8 8946 7777 . 24 hour Insurance assistance is handled by ACE Assistance at 61 2 99292210 (local operator can reverse charges).
Keep out of political argument and involvement in Indonesia. There are people with strong convictions who may be angered even by seemingly innocent or democratic-in-spirit opinions. See Indonesian volunteers join Iraqi resistance in SMH, November 30, 2004. Learn diplomacy. Listen to the opinions of those around. It will be good for your Indonesian.
REMINDERS
Read carefully the Pre-Departure Booklet.
Register your presence in Indonesia and elsewhere with the online form at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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Voice recording [Priyono and Phil discuss Lombok issues online with 2007 students mp3]
discussing transport to Lombok, climbing Mount Rinjani, health issues, and more.
Contact for further details and application forms
USC is the administration centre for 2008-9. Email: lombok@usc.edu.au
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at CDU (Darwin) |
at UTas (Tasmania) |
at USC (Sunshine Coast) |
at UNE (New England) |
at Pusat Bahasa, Universitas Mataram |
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Richard Curtis |
Barbara Hatley |
Phillip Mahnken |
Dr Zi Adnan |
Pak Priyono |
Dr Richard Curtis
Lecturer in Indonesian Studies
School of Creative Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Law, Business and Arts
Charles Darwin University
DARWIN NT 0909
Australia
Telephone: 08-8946 7171
Facsimile: 08-8946 6977
Email: richard.curtis@cdu.edu.au |
Prof. Barbara Hatley
School of Asian Languages and Studies
University of Tasmania
Launceston
Tasmania 7250
Telephone: 03 6331 7843
Email: barbara.hatley@utas.edu.au |
Dr Phillip Mahnken
Coordinator of Languages
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
University of the Sunshine Coast
Locked Bag 4
Maroochydore Queensland 4558
Telephone: 07 5430 1254
Fax: 07 5430 2880
Email: lombok@usc.edu.au |
Dr Zi Adnan
Indonesian lecturer
University of New England
Mataram
Area Code 83125
Tel 0370 622503
0370 646 037
Email: pubah@mataram.wasantara.net.id
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Dr Priyono
Head of Language Centre
University of Mataram
Jalan Pendidikan No 37
Mataram
Area Code 83125
Tel 0370 622503
0370 646 037
Email: pubah@mataram.wasantara.net.id
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| Ass. Prof. Pam Allen
Head of School
School of Asian Languages and Studies
University of Tasmania
Private Bag 91
HOBART 7001
Phone (61) (0)3 6226 2357
Fax (61) (0)3 6226 7813
Email: pallen@utas.edu.au
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Ms Teagan Gray
Admin. Assistant
School of Communications
University of Sunshine Coast
Locked Bag 1
Maroochydore dc
Queensland 4558
Phone (61) (0)7 5459 4690
Fax (61) (0)7 5430 2859
Email:
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Mr Steve Miller
Lecturer in Indonesian Language and Culture
Project Coordinator, Regional Universities' Indonesian Language Initiative
School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351
Australia
Phone: 61 + 2 + 6773 3932
Fax: 61 + 2 + 6773 3735
University of New England
Email: smiller6@une.edu.au
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Mr Untung Waluyo
Lecturer in Indonesian
currently teaching
and studying PhD
and working on RUILI Project
in Darwin and Sunshine Coast
Email: untungwe@yahoo.com |
The front page of our in-country program website is at http://intranet.usc.edu.au/wacana/lombok/
Updated 6 December 2004. Partial update 5 March 2005. Much updated November - December 2005.
Last update 7 March 2006. Partial update 13 July 2007. Update by Phil and Teagan at USC 21 September 2007
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