ii

Introduction 1

ACICIS In-Country Staff 2

Atma Jaya Catholic University Staff 5

Security Issues 6

Procedural and Personal Security 6

Risk Minimisation and Coping

with Emergencies 7

Guidelines for Travel Beyond Jakarta 8

Earthquakes, Strong Winds & Tornadoes 10

Safe Houses 12

Political Threats 12

Personal Security: Theft 13

Harassment 15

Personal Security: Scams and

Drink Spiking 16

Health Issues 17

Coping with Illness 18

Going to the Doctor or Hospital 20

Health Insurance 21

Recommended Hospitals 22

Embassy Doctor 23

Immigration Matters 24

Keeping Your Documents 24

No Paid Work in Indonesia 25

The Social-Cultural Visa 25

Frequently Asked Questions 26

Cultural Issues 27

Personal Appearances 27

Bureaucracy 28

Trying to Fit In 30

Communications, Transport and

Practicalities 34

Postal Services 34

Phones 35

Useful Phone Numbers 38

Transport 39

Books and Computers 43

Eating 44

Laundry 47

Sport and Leisure 47

Local Banking 48

Weekends Away 49

Contacts 52

Primary Contacts 52

Embassy Contacts 54

Contents

1

This student handbook is designed to offer you some practical tips and basic information

on a range of in-country issues. It is a follow-up document to the pre-departure guidebook.

Now that you are in Indonesia, a new set of concerns arise, from details on course content,

immigration requirements, to practical issues regarding health, security, and transportation.

These issues and others are covered in a series of chapters. Please use this handbook as a

reference. ACICIS staff are always contactable for matters not covered here, as are the staff at

Atma Jaya University, your Student Liaison Officers, and your friends and peers.

Introduction

2

ACICIS’ Jakarta and Bogor

Program Coordinator

Nurfitra Yutha Asa (Asa) is the

coordinator for Jakarta and

Bandung programs. He also

manages the expansion of

programs to Bogor.

ACICIS’ Jakarta Program

Assistant

ACICIS’ Jakarta Program

Assistant is Ms Gabriela Alinda

(Linda). Linda assists with the

logistics of the programs and

social and cultural adjustment

in Jakarta.

The Deputy Resident

Director (DRD)

Dr Adrian Budiman, the DRD,

assists the Resident Director

in managing daily operations,

in-country staff, and liaises

with Indonesian universities

and partner organisations.

The Resident Director (RD)

The RD is an integral part of the ACICIS in-country support

structure. The RD provides academic and pastoral advice to

students, liaises with Indonesian authorities and universities,

develops new ACICIS programs, and generally makes sure

everything runs smoothly. Ms Elena Williams, MA is the

current RD. She lives in Yogyakarta in the ACICIS house at

UGM and visits Jakarta on a regular basis.

ACICIS In-Country StaffACICIS employs several permanent staff in Indonesia. Key figures in the

management of the Professional Practicum Programs include:

ACICIS’ Creative Arts and

Design Development Officer

ACICIS’ Development Officer

for the Creative Arts and

Design (CADPP) Program is

Ms Citra Syukma Bayu Sakti.

Citra has been responsible in

developing all aspects of the

CADPP components.

3

The Development Studies

Professional Practicum

(DSPP) Program Officer

Mr Tim Mann

The Journalism Professional

Practicum (JPP) Program

Officer

Ms Helen Brown

The Creative Arts and

Design Professional

Practicum (CADPP) Program

Officer

Ms Elly Kent

The Business Professional

Practicum (BPP) Program

Officer

Mr Fendi Liem

ACICIS Program Officers The Program Officers

are responsible for

managing the design

and implementation of

their respective programs

and liaising with Host

Organisations, university staff

and students. Throughout

the ACICIS Professional

Practicum programs, the

Program Officers advise

students on academic and

industry-specific matters,

offer pastoral care and

emergency assistance,

and represent ACICIS

at participating Host

Organisations and related

events.

4

The CADPP Program Assistant

Ms Citra Syukma Bayu SaktiThe BPP Program Assistant

Ms Ika Budiarti Dastin

The JPP Program Assistant

Mr Dwiky Chandra Wibowo

The BPP Program Assistant

Mr Evants Adam

The DSPP Program Assistant

Ms Dian Marin Purnama

ACICIS Program-specific Assistants The Program-specific Assistants assist the Program Officers with the academics and placement

components of each program.

5

Dr Yohanes Eko Widodo, S.Sos., SH.,MM, PhD, serves as the

International Cooperation Coordinator for Atma Jaya Catholic

University. Based in the Faculty of Administration, Business and

Communication Sciences (FIABIKOM), Dr Eko works on the general

administration of the BPP and manages various academic and

logistical aspects of the program throughout.

Ms Agnes Angela Harnadi, as Atma Jaya’s Person-In-Charge for

ACICIS Programs, works closely with Dr Eko and ACICIS Jakarta

team from preparation to post-program matters.

Ms Fifi Effendi serves as Atma Jaya Language Center Coordinator.

Ms Fifi alongside her colleagues are the one who manages and

conduct the Bahasa Indonesia Course during the program.

Contact details

FIABIKOM Secretariat

Level 1, Building C

Atma Jaya University

Semanggi Campus

Jl. Jend, Sudirman No. 51

Jakarta

Tel/Fax: 021 570 3306

Contact details for all ACICIS

and Atma Jaya staff can be

found on the final page of this

guide.

Atma Jaya University Staff

For all pre-departure inquiries/sending travel itineraries, pick-up arrangements or hotel bookings,

please contact the Jakarta Program Coordinator, Nurfitra Yutha Asa at the following email address:

n.asa@acicis.edu.au

6

Security Issues

Procedural and Personal SecurityIndonesia is a very safe place to live and study. There are, however,

a number of security issues related to living in Indonesia that

you need to be aware of. Some of them are procedural; that is,

they are security issues that ACICIS incorporates into routine risk

management practices. Others relate to your personal security,

most of which are common-sense practices in daily life. This

chapter will review both aspects.

Core procedural requirements for ACICIS participants are:

Mobile phones (‘hand phones’ or HPs) are compulsory. For

security reasons all students are required to have a mobile

phone on them at all times, with an active Indonesian SIM

card.

ACICIS staff must be notified of your address in Indonesia and

any subsequent changes of address.

Students are required to inform an ACICIS staff member

(preferrably a PO) of all travel plans within Indonesia.

Students are strongly encouraged to register their presence

in Indonesia with their respective embassies to facilitate

consular emergency support as necessary (e.g. Through DFAT

‘Smart Traveller’ for Australians).

The RD and local staff will use mobile phones and email to

communicate with ACICIS participants on a regular basis. Mobile

phone messaging (SMS) will be used for individual or immediate/

urgent messages. Please note that Facebook and other social

networking sites—even those administered by ACICIS—are never

used for the official communication of program affairs, or medical/

security updates.

7

Risk Minimisation and Coping with EmergenciesACICIS Risk Management Strategies address both

risk minimisation and management strategies.

ACICIS maintains a general template for risk

management that divides potential risks into a

number of categories and assesses them in terms

of likelihood and impact. This general template is

then modified to provide an individual document

for each individual location where ACICIS

manages programs. All staff are familiar with risk

management procedures and incoming students

are provided with additional information during

each orientation intake. Decisions regarding risk

management issues are reviewed from the level

of the RD (minor) up until the National Reference

Group (major).

All ACICIS staff closely monitor the security

situation in Indonesia. Risk minimisation

is an ongoing job that changes with the

circumstances, yet the core of ACICIS’ risk

minimisation strategy is for ACICIS staff and

students to engage positively with their

local communities in order to build effective,

supportive networks of friends, neighbours

and colleagues. Orientation activities such as

the provision of student liaison officers, the

provision of local accommodation options, and

other networking activities are designed to

embed students into local networks from the

outset of their arrival. In addition to our own

monitoring activities, ACICIS also abides by

the recommendations issued by the Australian

Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

which can be found at:

www.smartraveller.gov.au.

It is strongly recommended that all students

familiarise themselves with the content of DFAT

travel advisories.

ACICIS maintains a detailed emergency

contingency plan for a variety of scenarios.

This involves a range of measures to cope

with everything ranging from minor political

disturbances to serious natural disasters. It

is always our hope that in the event of an

emergency, ACICIS staff will coordinate any

required response. The parties who will assist you

in an emergency are the following (in descending

order):

1. ACICIS staff in Indonesia. We will always do

our utmost to assist you and should be the

first port of call.

2. If for some reason ACICIS staff cannot be

contacted, you should contact your sponsor

(host university).

3. Your embassy. Contact numbers are

provided on laminated ‘emergency’ cards

given to you at orientation and more

complete details in chapter eight.

8

Guidelines for Travel beyond Jakarta

While ACICIS appreciates the value of your internship taking you to places outside of Jakar-

ta, security, permits, and duty of care issues are foremost in our minds when considering

such proposals. While ACICIS will accept proposals for work-related trips outside of Jakarta

during the BPP, DSPP and JPP, participants should be aware that any such proposals will be

scrutinised. Any proposal must receive support from a number of parties to be accepted. The

following points outline a number of issues that you should be aware of:

1. ACICIS reserves the right to refuse any proposals for field trips outside Jakarta. This is

particularly the case where the assignment may place the students in situations that they

are not yet trained to deal with (disaster zones).

2. Any proposals for work outside of Jakarta must be cleared by your Program Officer and/

or the Resident Director. It is crucial that you discuss your proposal with the Program

Officer first. We are aware that breaking news calls for the immediate despatch of

reporters but the foremost priority for ACICIS is that security procedures are satisfied first.

3. You must be accompanied by a mentor or colleague from your host organisation who

agrees to assume full responsibility for your welfare.

4. All proposals must include a thorough and clear risk management strategy. This includes:

A list of contact numbers for your accompanying staff member and any local

contacts. Accompanying staff members must be clear that they are taking on a role

with particular obligations. Friends do not constitute contact persons. Your primary

contact person must hold an institutional position of responsibility. ACICIS can assist

in identifying contacts in various parts of Indonesia.

An itinerary and an outline of transportation options to the locale. This should

include timetables and estimations of times and routes if you are in remote locations.

An emergency evacuation contingency plan. You need to address critical questions

regarding how you would be able to make your way to an airport should an

evacuation be called or a hospital if you had a serious accident or illness? Your host

organisation must be given your travel insurance details, including reliable phone

numbers for contacting your insurer in the event of an emergency.

9

Ensuring the area is within mobile phone range.

5. All ACICIS students requesting travel outside Jakarta will be required to complete a

‘Professional Placement External Travel’ request form, to be completed by student, Host

Organisation mentor, and ACICIS. No travel will be approved without the completion of

this form by all three parties.

10

Earthquakes, Strong Winds and Tornadoes

Indonesia is located in one of the world’s most active tectonic zones. Earthquakes are a common

occurrence, but most of them are so slight that you will never feel them. Jakarta does not sit along

major fault lines, but nor is it far from them. Unlike other types of natural disasters and political

disturbances, earthquakes cannot be predicted. However, there is some basic advice that you should

follow in the event of a quake:

In the event of an earth tremor, your first move should be to move outside into an open space, away

from walls or power lines that could possibly collapse. Once outside, be aware of the risk from falling

roof tiles and fallen power lines.

If you are unable to get outside during an earthquake, take cover under solid furnishings such as tables

or beds. Cover your head and face, particularly if the tremor is violent enough to be knocking things

off shelves. Walls are particularly dangerous. In Indonesia many tembok or masonry walls do not have

much cement in the mortar and are prone to crack and collapse easily.

If the earthquake is of a significant magnitude, it is very possibly that phone connections will go

down and mobile networks will be jammed. In the event of such a scenario, ACICIS or Atma Jaya staff

will be despatched to your workplace or accommodation to ascertain your well-being. This is one of

the main reasons why we like students to inform us of travel plans. We do not wish to be looking for

people who are not there. Of course these events are unpredictable. It may be the case that ACICIS

staff are themselves unable to call on every student. If you are uninjured, please stay calm and wait out

the initial period of unrest and confusion with friends and neighbours. If you cannot be contacted by

ACICIS, the next point of contact for you is your mentor at your host organisation.

In the event of an earthquake, do not waste time collecting valuables or re-enter an earthquake-

damaged dwelling to do this. Many of the kos in Indonesia look very impressive from the outside, but

Indonesian building standards can often be very poor. Earthquakes will be followed by aftershocks so

do not enter buildings immediately after the initial quake.

In the event of a serious earthquake the RD will be in contact with various embassies regarding

assistance for their citizens. The Secretariat in Perth will handle enquiries in Australia.

11

If you are near the coast when a large earthquake strikes

or if the sea suddenly recedes, evacuate coastal areas for

a distance of three kilometres and seek higher ground (30

meters above sea level is the recommended minimum). Be

aware that Indonesia has been psychologically scarred by

the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Aceh. As a consequence,

earthquakes in coastal regions are liable to trigger

panics. Roads leading away from beaches can become

very dangerous so exercise caution. Again, in the event

of a tsunami warning or large quake, do not waste time

collecting valuables. Evacuation to higher ground should

be your first priority.

All volcanoes near population centres in Indonesia are

closely monitored, including the mountains mentioned

above. In the event that the status of mountains in

Indonesia is raised, ACICIS will be in touch with students.

Family and friends at home are often alarmed at dramatic

pictures of some volcanoes in Indonesia on their TVs,

but so long as warnings issued by Indonesian authorities

are heeded, eruptions do not present an immediate risk.

When visiting volcanoes in Indonesia, adhere to safety

signs and set paths. In addition to natural disasters, there

are plenty of human-made disasters in Indonesia, too.

Floods, landslides, fires, even a mud-volcano in East Java.

Read the papers and stay informed, especially if you

are travelling during the wet season. For volcano status

updates, see:

http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id

It is useful to know the status of any mountains that you

may be planning to visit, as they may be off-limits due to

heightened activity.

Emergency Drill: Earthquake

In the event of an earthquake

follow basic safety measures

(see above). If uninjured, stay

where you are in a safe open

place. This is particularly the

case if it is night time.

Unless you are near the

coast, do not respond to

panics regarding tsunami

or impending ‘big ones’. Be

prepared for aftershocks over

the course of the day.

ACICIS staff will SMS you with a

message asking to confirm by

SMS that you are OK and your

location. At some point you

should also SMS your family

to let them know that you are

alright.

In the event that phones do

not work, the RD and local

staff will coordinate to check

at your workplace or kos

(accommodation). In such a

case where communications

are down and you wish to

vacate your current residence,

you may proceed to the

nominated safe house. You will

be advised from there of the

most appropriate course of

action.

12

Safe Houses

In the event of an emergency and if you cannot be contacted, the

designated ACICIS assembly point is ACICIS Jakarta Office at Arya

Duta Semanggi, Sudirman Tower Condominium (STC), Tower A,

lobby. Or, the Language Centre at Atma Jaya University or the

Atma Jaya basketball court. We will have the office staffed around

the clock.

At orientation, you will be pointed out your allocated safe house

nearest to your workplace or accommodation.

In the event of a city-wide disturbance or disaster, ACICIS may

choose to temporarily relocate all students to Bandung or

Yogyakarta (ACICIS Indonesia headquarters).

Political Threats

Student visas do not permit you to be involved in political

activities in Indonesia, particularly rallies or demonstrations.

Indonesian police make a sharp distinction between a small

political rally, and a small political rally with a foreigner involved.

Demonstrations—which may range from industrial action to

local disputes over evictions—can move quickly, unpredictably,

and end violently. You are advised to read carefully the DFAT

advice regarding precautionary steps against the threat of terrorism in Indonesia. This advice consists

of practical steps that you may take to insulate yourself from possible future attacks without having

to compromise your lifestyle. The high profile nature of political terrorism in the international media

means that events occurring far from Jakarta may yet have an impact upon ACICIS programs in the

city. Events such as bombings will always see ACICIS staff contacting students directly. The general

advice passed on to students in such situations is to stay at your kos and await developments. It will

take a number of hours before the situation is clearer. When details are clearer, a more thorough

briefing will be sent out or a meeting will be scheduled. The RD will act upon their own interpretation

of the situation, advice from the ACICIS Consortium Director and Reference Group, and Embassy

directives. The response may range from the issuance of an advisory to an evacuation depending

on the gravity of the situation. Students are also advised to avoid activities that expose them to

the vagaries of localised vigilante actions. These are often associated with crackdowns on bars and

clubs (particularly in the lead up or during religious holiday periods), or arise in the wake of high

profile foreign policy disputes. ‘Sweeping’, a generalised term referring to vigilante actions whereby

local mass organisations move through targeted neighbourhoods or entertainment precincts in a

show of force (generally to intimidate only), can be common at certain times of the year. Once again,

immersion within a local community and a strong network of local friends is the best defence.

13

Personal Security: TheftTheft comes in many forms. Pick-pocketing

(copet) is common on buses and in crowds.

Reduce the risk by holding your bag close, in

front of you rather than behind you. Better still,

don’t carry around things you cannot afford

to lose. Do not take out bulging wallets or big

denominations of money to pay small amounts.

Never carry your wallet or passport where it

is visible to others or leave them unattended.

Pickpockets are very skilled. On buses they

work in twos and threes and employ a range of

techniques designed to distract victims. Do not

respond to taps on shoulders or people tugging

at your jeans. Remain alert when people are

jostling to get past on a bus that isn’t crowded

and pay attention to valuables when entering

and exiting. Simply be alert to where your

valuables are and there will be no problem.

If you have to carry large amounts of cash for

things such as kos rent or shopping, don’t

ride the bus or angkot. Catch a taxi- they are

reasonably affordable throughout Indonesia.

On long trips, don’t leave your bag or valuables

on the bus, even during meal stops. The best

advice: keep your eyes open and, as far as

possible, conform to local behaviour and dress.

On trains keep all valuables on your person in a

secure place under your clothing. Do not place

them in the overhead luggage rack. The same

goes for plane travel. Lock your bags and do not

place valuables in check-in luggage.

Theft also occurs in the kos. The rules are simple:

lock your door, even if you are just popping out

to the toilet for two minutes. If the lock on the

door or window is of a dubious quality, ask to

have a latch put on that you can padlock. Do

not assume that ‘everyone in my kos is great and

would never steal from me’. You may be right, but

can you vouch for their friends? Always lock up

and keep valuables (passports, cash, cards) in a

safe place.

If you are renting a house, make sure it is secure.

Do not call taxis to the front door if all occupants

are clearly heading off for a weekend away.

Thieves will often keep an eye on the homes of

foreigners. The best security is to be on great

terms with your neighbours.

If you have a bike or motorbike, always lock the

steering and use a parkir service where it exists

(they are pretty much everywhere!).

14

What do I do if something is stolen?

Report the loss to the police immediately. This report must be made at the police precinct

(Polsek or Polres) that holds jurisdiction over the place where the incident occurred. If you are

unsure where this is, just ask ACICIS or Atma Jaya staff. Reporting a loss is very straightforward

and the police handle dozens of such cases every day. Simply walk up to the front desk and

they will pull out a book to report the incident. The police will then type up a letter for you that

details the nature of the theft and the value of goods lost. This letter is essential if you intend to

make an insurance claim. Sometimes they will ask you if you would like the case ditindaklanjuti

(followed up). In other words, if your computer is stolen from your kos, would you like them to

send some officers around to question people. Whether you wish to pursue the matter or cut

your losses is up to you. Police reports must be obtained within 24 hours in order to be used

for an insurance claim.

If you are intimidated by the thought of going to the police station, ask ACICIS staff or a liaison

officer to come along. There is really nothing to worry about, however; reporting thefts is

a very routine procedure and with a little patience and some laughs, even non-Indonesian

speakers will have no problem in making a report.

The important thing to remember is to report a theft to the right police station. Indonesia is

often jokingly referred to as a Republik Kavling (a republic of ‘many little plots of land’). The

phrase is used to point out the absence of uniform procedures from place to place. If you lose

a wallet in Bali, it must be reported to the police station that has authority over the area where

the theft took place. If you go back to Jakarta to request a letter for an insurance claim, you will

be calmly told that you have to go back to Bali.

This is advice that Indonesians give to one

another. Being a foreigner does not make you

more susceptible to petty crime. Thieves are

looking for signs of wealth and are not too fussy

where you may come from or what you look like.

Please take care when crossing the pedestrian footbridge above the

Bendungan Hilir (BenHil) busway stop as students have been pickpocketed

here in the past, even when in groups. Always hold your bag close by and

keep your wallet stored deep down in the bag as opposed to resting on the

top.

15

HarassmentPetty harassment is an issue that can frustrate

students. Firstly, however, don’t mistake

friendliness for harassment—Indonesians

are often very interested in getting to know

foreigners! Learning how to adapt to a much

more social environment is part of the immersion

experience. At the same time, you may wish

to be prudent when handing out your mobile

phone number—everyone will ask for it and for

the most part they will be other students and

potential new friends. It is not rude, however,

not to give it out to random people. Often times,

female students who do this find themselves

being pestered by admirers to the point where

they have to get a new number.

Female students, particular from Anglo-Saxon

backgrounds, are susceptible to various forms

of harassment. Expect lots of catcalls from

schoolboys and ojek drivers. The answer is to

ignore them and keep on walking. The sharp

retort that might silence a pest at home will

just bring howls of laughter. The generally

modest dress of Indonesian women is not driven

exclusively by cultural or religious norms. For

many women, conservative dress is a tactic to

evade unwanted attention.

Such harassment may even extend to the

university where jokes loaded with sexual

innuendo are common—even from your

lecturers. You are well within your rights to draw

a line with anyone who steps over the line, but

do be aware that such banter is not unusual in

Indonesia. For the record, in the neighbourhood

and the Indonesian countryside it is usually the

women who have the richest stock of dirty jokes

and who will ask the most intimate questions!

Female participants are advised to NEVER

attend massage centres with male staff. The

popularity of female-only massage centres is

not without good reason. Molestation occurs in

even the most legitimate mixed gender massage

centres and male staff are often caught trying

to record people on hand phones in changing

rooms. The issue of peeping toms using phones

and other devices to record women in public

toilets in restaurants, malls, or change rooms

in department stores surfaces regularly in

Indonesia. Please be vigilant and avoid places

that do not offer adequate protection of your

privacy. Note that police (and indeed proprietors)

will rarely take complaints of sexual harassment

or molestation seriously.

16

Personal Security: Scams and Drink SpikingYou have not won a prize in the state lottery and phone companies do not hand out cash prizes.

Discard any SMS that suggest as much and ignore callers who promise you riches. There are no last day

special sale and if a random stranger mosies up to you and has an encyclopedic knowledge of your

home city and he (and it usually is a he) has a brother living there, warning lights should start flashing.

Also be aware that the Indonesian loan for ‘borrow’ (pinjam) is loose term. Should new-found friends or

your kos-mate request to ‘pinjam’ money, do not expect it to be repaid.

Do not accept drinks from strangers in clubs—a message for both men and women. Date rape drugs

such as Rohypnol are not uncommon and ACICIS students have been targeted in the past.

In recent years, hundreds of people died across Indonesia on account of methanol spiked homebrew.

Cheap liquor bought on the street is deadly as it is often cut with methanol. This moonshine can find

its way into all manner of cheap cocktails in Indonesia. The solution is an easy one: ‘bottled is best’, and

do not leave your drinks unattended.

17

Health Issues

You have to work a little harder to stay healthy in

Indonesia, but if you maintain a healthy diet and

exercise you will have no problems. EXERCISE IS

CRUCIAL! Do some walking, hiking, cycling or

swimming. Java has more mountain hikes than

you can poke a stick at that cater to all levels.

As general rule of thumb, students who follow

the basics of good diet and adequate exercise

do not get sick. Of course everyone gets a cold

or feels tired now and then, but this happens at

home as well. At home we do not think too much

about illness. Getting sick is unfortunate but

unavoidable. When we are sick overseas things

tend to get amplified. We panic at the thought

of tropical diseases that are ‘rare’ at home but as

common as the flu in countries such as Indonesia.

Staying healthy in Indonesia is not as difficult as

it may sometimes appear. It is a lifestyle choice

in many cases. There is nothing wrong with a

drink and hitting a nightclub, but if it becomes

a nightly habit you will suffer constant ill health

through a lack of sleep, poor diet, and the smoky

environment. Likewise, if you win the prize for

the cheapest kos but have to suffer rising damp

and poor ventilation, you can lose in the health

stakes. Don’t go to such extremes. Many students

like to complain about the poor quality of health

care services in Indonesia as soon as they get sick,

but rarely do they question the lifestyle choices

that have contributed to their own condition.

Basic rules for good health in the tropics:

1. Wash hands frequently.

2. Drink plenty of water: a litre or more each

day – boiled or bottled. You need to be

drinking regularly. Save money and the

environment by getting a water dispenser

(galon) for your room. Do not drink straight

from the tap in Indonesia! Avoid ice in areas

where hygiene is questionable.

3. Clean food thoroughly, especially those

eaten raw such as salads.

4. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.

5. Get enough sleep. Most people need 7 to 8

hours each day.

6. Exercise! Swim, dance, gym, get off the

motorbike and walk!

7. Use mosquito repellent when outdoors.

18

Coping with Illness

Every year a number of ACICIS students fall ill. The

most immediate problem is lethargy. Upon arrival

people feel drained and fatigued. The culprit is

the heat coupled with insufficient fluid intake

(or too much of the wrong fluids). Moving in and

out from AC rooms can also leave people feeling

tired as soon as they hit the heat of the day.

There are no quick solutions as you need time to

adjust to a new climate. But you can watch your

fluid intake. Drink water constantly when you

first arrive. You might feel like you’re overdoing

it, but thirst is your body’s way of telling you that

you need to replenish your liquids. Dehydration

can leave you feeling dizzy, nauseous, and with

acute headaches. Isotonic drinks are a quick and

easy way to replenish sugar and salt loss due to

dehydration.

After lethargy come problems with the food.

This is largely an issue of adjustment to a new

diet, not one of food quality. When you are

still adjusting to a new diet regime or if you

are unfortunate enough to receive some bad

bacteria with your meal, the infamous Bali Belly

or diarrhoea (diare in Indonesian) can strike.

Depending on how bad your reaction is, it may

be accompanied by vomiting. Salah makan or

food poisoning can be a problem as hygiene

in many an Indonesian kitchen or warung is

not of a high standard. When diare strikes, the

big problem is dehydration. You need to keep

drinking. Gastrolyte sachets are important for

rehydration. Home remedies of flat lemonade

are also useful. Restrict your food to bland things

such as plain rice with a little salt, dry cracker

biscuits, bubur (rice porridge), or solids such as

ripe bananas or potatoes. Usually after a day or

two of discomfort, things will get back to normal.

Most diarrhoea cases do not require medication.

Of course, if the problem persists it is time to see

a doctor. If salah makan results in bad stomach

cramps, a trip to the doctor will be necessary

from the outset. Drugs such as Loperamide and

Immodium can slow things down and may be

useful in instances where you need to travel.

19

Another major health issue is respiratory

problems. People smoke everywhere with

impunity: on buses, in government offices,

warung, clubs. Asthmatics may find the going

tough, while throat irritations and a tight chest

will strike even the fittest students at times.

There are no immediate solutions. Try wearing

a mask when you are riding around town and

avoid places where lots of people are smoking.

A weekend down to the coast or up to the

mountains is also highly recommended if only for

the fresh air!

The more serious health issues are typhoid,

hepatitis, and dengue fever. You may require

hospitalisation, but they are otherwise not a

threat to your life. Typhoid is a water-borne

bacterial infection, usually linked to poor

sanitation. Hepatitis is spreading by making

contact with hepatitis virus infected objects, and

it is also linked to poor sanitation. Dengue is a

mosquito-borne virus that you can easily avoid

by taking the usual precautions: cover-up at dusk

and dawn when dengue mosquitos are active

and use repellent on exposed parts of your body.

Malaria is endemic to Java but is not a serious

problem in Jakarta and most of Java. You may

require malaria tablets if you plan to travel to

other parts of the archipelago where the malaria

risk is high. Consult with a doctor on this matter.

All these conditions commence with flu-like

symptoms accompanied by fevers. This helps

to explain why every ACICIS student who gets

the flu (itself very common in Indonesia) usually

jumps straight to a self-diagnosis of dengue or

typhoid. This could be the case, but do not get

yourself into a panic as treatment is good and

close at hand.

20

Going to the Doctor or HospitalDoctors in Indonesia generally do not have

individual practices. They are rostered on at a

hospital throughout the day and may manage

private consultations at home in the early

morning or late afternoon. So when Indonesians

need to see a doctor, they tend to go straight

to the hospital. Each hospital has a poliklinik or

consultation service with various specialists on

the roster.

The first step is registration. This is the big desk at

the entrance to every hospital. You simply need

to fill out a form to get your Kartu Pasien (Patient

Card) and inform the staff of whom you wish to

see. You may see a Doctor Umum for general

complaints, or be referred straight to a specialist

for respiratory issues, for example. Then just

take a seat at the poliklinik and wait to be called.

The hospitals have a staff roster that includes

the full range of specialists from neurology to

gynaecology.

After an examination a doctor may recommend

that you be admitted (opname) or they may

simply write a prescription. If the latter, the

prescription can be collected from the pharmacy

section of the hospital. Some students like to

consult with pharmacists at home or check the

internet in regard to the drugs they have been

prescribed before purchasing them. If you are

concerned, ask parents or a friend at home to do

this. It is unfortunate that Indonesia does have

a major problem with obat palsu (‘fake drugs’

that look like the real thing but do not contain

the vital active ingredients). Only purchase drugs

from reputable pharmacies or hospitals. It is

always worth asking whether your prescription

drugs are impor or generik. The former are far

more expensive, but more reliable. Note also that

the over-prescription of antibiotics is a problem

in Indonesia. To be effective, antibiotics need to

specifically address the condition of the patient.

If you are admitted to a hospital for observation

and treatment, a long bureaucratic process

swings into action. You will need ACICIS staff or a

local to help you as patients require a guarantor

to sign forms. You will be asked to choose your

room. You have insurance so just tell them you

want the best one, first class. They will often say

that they do not have an agreement with your

insurer but they do not need one. This can be

sorted out later. It takes a while to actually get

to your room. Getting out can take even longer

as forms need to be signed, bills paid etc. Once

again, ACICIS staff or student liaison officers will

be on hand to help you.

Do not panic at the thought of going to hospital

in Indonesia. Every year we have students in

hospital for all manner of illnesses. The biggest

complaint from every student is that they are

21

bored, not frightened. If there is a chance

that you will be having a stay in hospital,

remember to take a few important things

A change of clothes, pyjamas

Your phone charger

Books, laptop and DVDs if you have them

If you require hospitalisation in Jakarta, there

a number of choices. RS SOS Medika and

RS Siloam Semanggi offer a good premium

service (RS or ‘Rumah Sakit’ is Indonesian for

‘hospital’). SOS Medika has a klinik nearby

Atma Jaya, so in non-emergency cases, you

can just go to this klinik. English is not always

spoken in large hospitals so ACICIS staff

or student liaison officers will accompany

you for admission. If you require hospital

admission elsewhere in the country, contact

ACICIS staff as a list of hospitals accredited by

international insurers is kept in the office.

Health InsuranceACICIS requires you to have medical insurance

with specific coverage for medical repatriation.

It is your responsibility to ensure that this is

the case. Keep your medical insurance contact

number and your policy number with you at all

times (these are on the laminated emergency

card given to you at Orientation).

Insurance coverage basically falls into two

categories. For out-of-pocket expenses for

medical treatment you pay first and then claim

later. Download the appropriate claim forms from

your insurer’s website. These must be filled out

and the appropriate receipts attached in order

to receive a refund. Expenses lodged online are

generally reimbursed within ten to fourteen days.

In other cases—particularly hospitalisation

where costs may be high— hospitals can bill

your insurer directly. What you must do (or an

ACICIS staff member if you are unable to) is call

your insurer to inform them of your situation.

The insurance company will then request your

policy reference number and a fax number for

the hospital or clinic where you are receiving

treatment. They will then fax a guarantee

of payment to the hospital so that you may

commence treatment immediately. In Indonesia

it is often the case of ‘no money, no treatment’.

This is why it is crucial that you know your

insurance policy details and carry them with you

at all times. We supply you with a card containing

these details. Do not rely on ACICIS staff to do this

as if they are not in the office they do not have

access to your details. ACICIS staff should operate

as a fall-back mechanism in these instances.

22

Recommended Hospitals

SOS Medika Klinik Mega Kuningan

Menara Prima, 2nd Floor

Jl. Lingkar Mega Kuningan Blok 6.2

Jakarta 12950

Appointments: 021 5794 8600

Consultations:

Monday-Friday: 8am-6pm

Saturday: 8am-2pm

Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

RS SOS Medika Hospital

Jl. Puri Sakti No. 10, Cipete Antasari

Jakarta Selatan 12410

Appointments: 021 750 5980

Emergency: 021 750 6001

R.S. Siloam Semanggi

(Behind Atma Jaya University), Jl. Garnisun Dalam

No. 2 – 3, Semanggi, Jakarta

Appointments: 021 2996 2888

Emergency: 021 500 911

Website: hwww.siloamhospitals.com

R.S. Jakarta

(Next to Atma Jaya University) Jl. Jend.

Sudirman Kav. 49, Jakarta Pusat

Appointment: 021 573 2241

Emergency: 021 571 9872

Website: http://www.rsjakarta.co.id

Abdi Waluyo Hospital

Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto No. 31, Jakarta

Tel. 021 314 4989, 021 314 0524

Website: www.abdiwaluyo.com

Medistra Hospital

Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav. 59, Jakarta Selatan

Tel. 021 521 0200

Website: www.medistra.com

Metropolitan Medical Center (RS MMC) Jl.

Rasuna Said, Kav C-21, Kuningan

Tel: 021 520 34 35

Website: http://rsmmc.co.id

23

Embassy Doctor

Embassy DoctorIn the event of unique cases, ACICIS students

may request access to the Australian Embassy

doctor in Jakarta. However, note that such access

needs to be arranged in advance via the Resident

Director. The address of the clinic is as follows

Jl. Erlangga 5, No. 26

Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

Appointments: 021 7220 444.

Emergency: 0811 993 0685

Consultations must be paid in cash and cost Rp.

650,000.

24

Immigration Matters

Jakarta Immigration Office

Kantor Imigrasi Kelas I Khusus

Jakarta Selatan

Jl. Warung Buncit Raya No. 207,

Duren Tiga, Pancoran

Jakarta 12760

Tel: 021 79170912, 79170910

As a student on a sponsored visa in Indonesia you are not a

tourist. Your visa requires you to give legally binding commitments

that you will keep certain standards of conduct. These include:

No paid work in Indonesia;

Abiding by all Indonesian laws and university regulations;

Evidence of adequate financial support;

No participation in protests, public demonstrations, political

activities;

Notification of any change of address.

Possible consequences of breaching these requirements include:

deportation, legal prosecution, fines and jail terms. There have been

increasing cases of foreigners being fined and/or deported for visa

violations.

Drugs and narcotics: Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in

illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect lengthy

prison sentences. Raids in Jakarta bars and clubs are common.

For the most part your immigration affairs are managed for you

by Atma Jaya University and ACICIS. But there are a number of key

issues that you need to be aware of.

Keeping your DocumentsYour Program Officer will keep a photocopy of your passport. We

will not keep your passport for you. Place it along with your tickets

in a safe place in your kos.

25

No Paid Work in IndonesiaYour visa covers you for the work you do with

your host organisation as an intern. You are not

paid for this work and it falls under the auspices

of a sponsored university program. You may not

conduct any other type of work in Indonesia

while on the program or use the internship as

a vehicle to work on independent material for

commercial purposes.

Publication upon return is permissible, but

should this be paid work it still technically

breaches your visa. Students need to be aware

that pieces on topics that are regarded as

‘sensitive’ may draw the attention of Indonesian

authorities even after you have returned home.

There is a long list of academics and journalists

who have been banned from visiting Indonesia

for conducting research in Indonesia on the

wrong visa and then publishing upon return to

their respective countries.

For our Professional Practicum students, the

program is obviously a great way to build a

portfolio, ideally with work completed as part

of your internship. Independent work that may

be filed for student newspapers, academic (ie.

non-profit) publications such as Inside Indonesia,

or blogs is fine.

The VKSB or Social-Cultural VisaThe VSKB visa is valid for 60 days from the date

of your arrival in Indonesia ie. your entry stamp

(not the date of validity stamped on the actual

visa itself ). All Jakarta Professional Practicum

programs will conclude prior to the 60-day limit.

When you leave this visa will be cancelled.

The VKSB can be extended for up to six months

but participants may not do this unless they have

prior approval for an extended internship period.

This is a visa sponsored by Atma Jaya University.

Once you have completed the six-week program

you are no longer part of an Atma Jaya sponsored

program so the university will refuse any requests

for extensions. You require letters from Atma Jaya

to extend and these will not be issued. If you

would like to stay in Indonesia beyond the limits

of your VKSB for any purposes after the program

has concluded (travel or work), you will have to

leave the country (hence cancel your VKSB) and

re-enter on the appropriate visa.

Many of the rules that govern participation in

ACICIS programs stem from visa arrangements.

Any illegal or disreputable behaviour will bring

your sponsor into disrepute and entangle them

in legal complications. This in turn places the

future of all ACICIS programs with that sponsor in

jeopardy.

26

FAQsQ: Can I travel around after the end of the

program?

A: From the Professional Practicum’s finish date,

you will have a maximum of around 14 days

before your visa expires (remember, we will not

extend it). You are free to travel in this time. You

are advised to ensure your travel insurance covers

you for your additional stay post-program.

Q: Can I work on my visa?

A: No: not only do you have a ‘study’ visa, but in

your original applications you signed an explicit

statement that you wouldn’t work. Some firms

and English schools may tell you that you can

work and it’ll be fine. They get all the benefits and

you take all the risks. Foreigners are deported for

these offences and not allowed to return.

Q: What’s the simplest way to stay on then?

A: If it is for work purposes, the simplest way

is arrange a work contract and then leave

the country and re-enter on a work visa. Your

employer is responsible for arranging these visa

matters. While technically possible to convert

your Social-Cultural visa into a KITAS (temporary

residence visa), it is practically impossible,

expensive, and will involve constant trips to

immigration. Easier to go out to Singapore and

come back in on a work visa sponsored by your

organisation.

Q: What happens if I accidentally overstay my

visa?

A. You will be fined the equivalent of US$30 for

each day.

27

Cultural Issues

Personal Appearance: Dress and Body LanguageThe way that you dress has a major effect on the way that others see you and interpret your behaviour.

Clothing is a language that has different meanings in different cultures. You have a right to be

comfortable, but also need to think about the effect your appearance has on Indonesians. Take your

cues from them, not from Western travellers. Observe your Indonesian friends (especially of the same

gender): talk to them about dress, customs and religious observances. Follow what your colleagues are

wearing to work. They will be your best guides.

A few ‘standard standards’ are as follows:

Men wear long pants or jeans. Indonesian men step out of their shorts when they finish primary

school and don’t put them on again except for when going around the house/neighbourhood or

for sport;

For men, with a nice batik shirt (long-sleeved) you can meet with the president. It is the one-stop

formal attire of the archipelago;

The female equivalent of the batik shirt is the kebaya. You will be a talking point at all weddings.

Generally speaking, however, women’s fashion in Jakarta is not that different from abroad. Simply

avoid revealing clothing;

Shoes for work and school; flip-flops and sandals for everything in between.

Indonesians often speak among themselves, and to Western visitors with a higher degree of language

skill, of the importance of menyesuaikan diri, or ‘bringing oneself into adjustment with local norms’.

This is often read by non-Indonesians as a conformist attitude, but within Indonesian cultures of many

varieties is much more than that While at times we may get a feeling of being much more conformist

than is usual within our own home cultures, there are valuable and interesting cultural lessons that can

be learned by beginning to attune oneself to Indonesian culture. Western women (especially blondes)

may already get more attention than they want—even without body-revealing dress. Women are

advised to cover legs past the knees, shoulders, armpits, and midriffs. Leave the plunging necklines

28

at home. At the pool or beach, a 2-piece suit or bikini is not appropriate (except in tourist areas or

Western hotels) and may be seen as an invitation to harassment.

Jakarta is a cosmopolitan city where conservative dress may appear to be a thing of the past. There

are plenty of mini-skirts and figure hugging dresses on parade, but the wearers have grown up

knowing ‘the rules of engagement’ so to speak. They know the contexts where certain modes of

dress are appropriateand they know what to expect. After 5pm it’s ok for females to run around the

neighbourhood in your pyjamas! While you are still learning about Indonesian culture, it is best to aim

a little higher.

The way you use your body in social interaction also has significant effects on how Indonesians see

you and interpret your behaviour. Talking to someone with your hands on your hips is impolite and is

considered a sign of contempt, anger or aggression. Aggressive gestures and postures are disdained,

including pointing directly at someone, crossing arms over chest, and standing with hands on hips.

The left hand is considered unclean. For touching people, or receiving or giving things, use the right

hand. All money is given with the right, and the change is taken with the right. This is so ingrained

that many Indonesians will simply pause and stare if you hold something out with your left hand. The

feet are the lowest part of the body. As a rule, it is rude to put them up in the air or to point them at

people when sitting. Smiles are important for communication in Indonesia. A smile conveys good will,

smooths over conflicts, and helps to bridge language and culture gaps.

BureaucracyThe PP students will invariably find that part of their workplace duties will bring them into contact with

the Indonesian bureaucracy. The Indonesian civil service has its own unique culture that differs greatly

from that of the private sector. The pace is slow and appointments can be difficult to secure and even

harder to execute. It is a paper bureaucracy, but ironically delivering a letter, sending an email, or

faxing a request for an appointment often does not improve your chances of setting up a meeting.

SMS and WhatsApp are your best appointment mechanisms in Jakarta. Do not be surprised if you have

an appointment and the person has gone out and staff will only give you the vague answer of ‘they

have gone out and I cannot say when they will be back’. Smile and reschedule if waiting around (for

what could be a very long time) is not an option.

Schedule appointments for the morning. Government office work hours are 8am-4pm Monday to

Friday, but your best chance for meetings is before lunch. 11am on Fridays signals time out for Friday

prayers and it is usually pointless trying to get appointments after that. (However, journalism students

should note that it is common for important announcements to be made on Friday afternoon after

prayers.)

29

Hati-hati (Take Care...)

An ACICIS student recently interviewed a

government official in the forestry sector. In

the course of an otherwise friendly discussion

the word korupsi (corruption) was used in

relation to department activities. The official

proceeded to sternly dress down the student,

called in superiors, and calls were sent out

to host organisations demanding apologies.

One local contact that was mentioned was

put under great pressure and almost lost

their job. This entire scenario unfolded from

a lack of training. The student in question

just didn’t know how sensitive the issue of

corruption was within the department and

did not have the skills to address the subject

without mentioning it directly.

Interviewing or meeting with bureaucrats is usually more a case of listening to statements. Senior

bureaucrats equate an interview to the granting of an audience. Attempts to ask probing questions

will meet with little success and may actually cause offence. The trick is to ask the hard questions

without ever asking them. Research your material so that you know what you are talking about to

gauge differences of opinion. Blunt rebuttals of statements with evidence of your own will rarely

produce the desired result.

30

Trying to Fit InIndonesia is such an ethnically diverse country that it would be impossible to list the range of

customs that people employ on a daily basis. Each ethnic group is linked to a number of stereotypical

characteristics, from the overwhelming politeness of central Javanese to the straight-talking Bataks

from Sumatra. In Jakarta we find them all. But there are a few tips that can help you navigate typical

situations that you will find yourself in. They are not universally applied, but quite common enough to

draw the attention of students every year. Don’t overly concern yourself with these types of issues, you

are expected to get things wrong, it is part of the learning process!

Meeting people (a.k.a. ‘The glass of tea’)The

tea comes out almost every time you call on

someone, whether you were asked for a drink

or not. You sit down, make some small talk and

then it appears and your host invites you to

drink. You are actually quite thirsty, but reaching

out for the tea immediately is poor form. The

tea is meant to just sit there for a while. After

some more chatting you will be invited to drink,

and by now it’s ok to have a sip (or if your host

drinks first all rules are off). If you finish the tea,

another will materialise, so best just to leave

some. The same goes with the snacks that often

come along with the tea, they need to wait a

while. Usually the reach for the tea and a snack

is the sign that the meeting is over. You gobble

something up, wash it down and thank your

host for their time.

The Name Card

Hello, I’m Bob, here’s my card’. Pass it with your

right hand, receive any cards likewise. Handing

out cards is a national past time. To be very

polite, receive cards with both hands.

You will be meeting a lot of people as interns so

you need name cards. Just put your name, email

and Indonesian mobile phone number on it (it

would be inappropriate to put the name of your

host organisation on the card, although you may

wish to write ‘Student Intern’ if you wish). Every

time you meet someone, just whip out a card.

You can easily design the cards yourself using a

template on program such as Office Publisher,

Adobe Illustrator, or Corel Draw. Then all you

have to do is take them down to a print shop on

a flash disk and they will print them out (they

won’t charge for fiddling around with them a

little bit). Alternatively you can just write down

the details you want on your cards and ask them

to design one for you from a template.

Any printing shop (and there are hundreds of

them in Jakarta) will do cards. There is a cluster

in BenHil near the Circle K convenience store.

Opposite Circle K at Bintang Sempurna they

charge around Rp.60,000 for 200 business cards

(basic model). It costs an additional Rp.50,000

per hour if you want them to actually make the

cards from scratch.

31

Stand to Attention

If you are waiting on someone for an

appointment, it is polite to stand-up when they

enter the room and great them. Likewise when

they leave. Don’t crush their hand in a vice-

like grip – handshakes in Indonesia are gentle

affairs. For males, shaking hands with ostensibly

Muslim females (wearing a veil) can sometimes

be a tricky business, as they may avoid it. A

smile and a nod can work just as well.

Me and You: Saya/Aku/Gue, Anda/Kamu/Lu

One of the hardest things in a new country is

learning what to call people if you would like

their attention or to address them in general.

The Indonesian language has a vast array of

personal pronouns and each has its proper

place in conversation. Jakarta youth use slang

terms such as gue and lu for ‘me’ and ‘you’

respectively. Use these with your mentor or

pretty much anyone you are not good friends

with and you will get a cold reception. For

yourself, stick with Saya in all situations. For

people older than yourself the friendly Bapak/

Pak (lit. father) Ibu/Bu (lit. mother) works

perfectly. The Javanese Mas and Mbak (male

and female respectively) are common for

people younger or of a similar age to yourself,

while the democratic abang or bung (brother)

are also heard. People will also often refer to

themselves in the third person when speaking.

Clap Your Hands

Australians might whistle or yell to get

someone’s attention from a distance.

Indonesians clap. Three loud claps are all that it

takes to stop the ice cream man as he peddles

away from you. It can get the attention of a taxi

parked across the road or a local friend as they

pass by at a distance. It is not used, however, to

attract service staff (waiters) or your mentor as

they wander down the corridor. To call people

over you wave your fingers with the palm facing

down and it is polite to point with your thumb

rather than index finger.

Jam Karet (a.k.a ‘Rubber’ time)

Indonesia is infamous for not running on

schedule. You should always endeavour to

be on time for work appointments (the boss

or a late aeroplane are exempt from this

rule). However, a 24-hour delay for a social

engagement is acceptable. You need to relax

and learn to live with delays and no-shows: they

are part of everyday Indonesian life.

The un-Press Conference

The minister is actually giving an audience, not

a press conference. That is why no one seems

to be asking questions. Stranger still, as soon as

the minister leaves the exclusive space of the

podium, Indonesian reporters mob them and

jostle all the way to the official car. Learning

about the way that different types of space

define appropriate behaviour is an important

realisation for anyone working and living in

Indonesia.

32

Come and Play at My House

Main di rumah saya! Complete strangers will

ask you to ‘Main di rumah’, which actually

translates more accurately as ‘come around’.

You can say ‘yes’ then walk off—this is more a

social convention than anything. Of course if

you want to take up the offer, feel free.

The Kassa, Kasir

So you have picked out a new shirt or book at

the shop, but are now disappointed that all

you are given in return is little piece of paper in

return by the sales assistant. This piece of paper

must now go to the kasir/kassa (cashier), where

you pay and have your slip stamped. Now you

are free to wander back to where you were and

collect goods from the sale assistant (who will

take your slip). This is a common practice in

larger stores.

Cigarettes and Alcohol

Indonesia is one of the last frontiers of the

tobacco giants. Despite a city by-law that bans

smoking in public places and indoors, people

smoke everywhere-airports, malls, restaurants.

This is one habit you do not need to conform

to. If you smoke, please take the consideration

of others into account (particularly your peers).

Indonesians do not drink alcohol as a rule

but they have a remarkable ability to smell

someone who has been.

Bathing Rituals

The bath or mandi is an institution in

Indonesia—three or four a day is not unusual.

Given the heat, a few mandi a day keeps you

fresh and clean. After sudah makan? (have you

eaten yet?), one of the next most common

greetings from friends is sudah mandi? (have

you had a bath yet?)

Hotels and upmarket kos may have

conventional showers, but for the most part

the washing regime involves the bak mandi

(tub of water) and the gayung (the water

scoop). Every year a new ACICIS student tries

to climb into the bak mandi while cursing the

size of this tiny Indonesian bath tub. DO NOT

CLIMB INTO THE BAK! Indonesian bathrooms

are ‘wet bathrooms’. The idea is to stand next to

it and scoop water out with the gayung to soak

yourself. Then have a scrub and rinse off in the

same fashion. Your mandi is complete.

Invariably you will also encounter the squat

toilet while in Indonesia. They are pretty self-

explanatory. What confuses newcomers is the

absence of toilet paper in many. In its place is

the bak mandi full of water and the gayung to

wash up with. It is the environmentally friendly

loo where the left hand is finally authorised to

do something useful.

Friday Prayers

Friday prayers or jumatan are conducted from

11am-1pm and most Muslim men will head

off to the mosque at these hours. Women

do not attend Friday prayers. There are five

daily prayers that Muslims are encouraged

to conduct. They take place at roughly 04.30,

11.45, 15.45, 18.00, and 20.00. You will often

here the saying ‘sholat’ or ‘sembahyang’ if you

are looking for someone around these times. If

you call someone and they do not answer the

phone, check the time as they may be praying.

Give it half an hour and call back.

33

Oleh-Oleh

‘Jangan lupa oleh-oleh ya’. Possibly the biggest

snub you can ever give a close friend or

colleagues is to go somewhere for a holiday

(Yogya or Bali for example) and not come back

with something for them—usually in the form

of a sugary treat. Oleh-oleh means a gift from

your trip away. It might be a keyring or dried

apple chips—nothing big, but preferably

something edible, as every region in Indonesia

has its own special ‘oleh-oleh’ food. Next time

you are at the airport look at the number of

people carrying boxes of treats. Ironically,

Jakarta’s main oleh-oleh export to the regions

are Krispy Kreme/ Dunkin Donuts!

34

Postal Services The post is slow but reliable. Letters from abroad

may take up to three weeks to arrive. Do not send

cash through the mail. Students can establish

their own address within two weeks of arrival.

Ask your kos owner for the postal address of your

house if you are unsure. Alternatively, all personal

mail may be addressed to:

Your name, c/o Dr Eko Widodo,

Sekretariat FIABIKOM

Lantai 1 Gedung C

Universitas Katolik Atma Jaya

Kampus Semanggi

Jl. Jenderal Sudirman 51, Jakarta 12930

Please note it is the responsibility of ALL students

to change their mailing address once they return

to Australia: ACICIS will NOT forward mail on and

marking mail with ‘return to sender’ can take

months internationally.

There is a post office inside Atma Jaya Campus.

They offer all services except sea freight mail. The

fastest registered mail option is EMS (Electronic

Mail Service). It is reliable but expensive (though

cheaper than courier companies). Alternatively,

you may just have your package/envelope

weighed and send it ‘biasa’ or ordinary post.

If you are having valuables sent to you from

home (replacement credit cards, for example), it

is recommended that you use a reliable courier

company rather than the post. Fedex and DHL

have services in Indonesia.

Communications, Transport and Practicalities

A note on customs regulations“Mailed packages are technically imports. As such they may attract the attention of Indonesian

customs. It is important that if you plan to have an item sent to Indonesia in the post that

the sender is crystal clear as to whether the package will attract import duty. Personal goods

should not, but if they are not properly marked or if the value is stated to be above a certain

amount they will attract duty. One semester a student was charged Rp. 4.5 million for the

release of a camera that was being returned to Indonesia by the courier company DHL after

being repaired under warranty. It is the sender’s responsibility to be aware of the conditions

that apply to any particular parcel.

35

PhonesThe area code for Jakarta is 021. When calling local numbers from mobile phones you include the first

0 in the area code. The same goes for people calling you in Indonesia. For example, the ACICIS office

number in Yogya is (0274) 561 477. To call this number by mobile phone it is 0274 515 519. To call it

from abroad the number is +62 274 561 477.

For information on local phone numbers (also area codes and information numbers for other

provinces) dial Telkom’s 108 number use the white/yellow pages. For international calls from a landline,

the prefix is 007, followed by the country code.

Your boarding house may have a landline, but it is generally not accessible for guests except for

receiving calls. Public phones and international calling cards are generally not available in Indonesia.

International calling codes from mobile provider (see below) are the preferred option.

Mobile PhonesPrepaid SIM cards are cheap and varied. Everyone has a different opinion on which network is the best.

Indosat, XL, and Telkomsel (branded as Simpati or Kartu As) are three of the largest and most popular.

They differ slightly on cost and service coverage but not significantly. SIMs can be bought at any one of

hundreds of roadside stalls or phone shops. When you purchase a SIM it is important that you register

it. Ask the people where you buy your SIM to do this for you or ask ACICIS staff. If you do not register

your SIM you will be disconnected from the network after a certain period of time.

Putting more credit on your phone in Indonesia is known as mengisi pulsa. You may either buy

pre-paid cards of various denominations, or have it done electronically by phone stall operators or

minimarkets such as Indomaret or Alfamart. You simply fill out a piece of paper stating your number

and how much credit you wish to buy and they will fill it for you. You will receive an SMS confirming

that the stated amount has been credited to your phone.

Mobile phones are increasingly becoming the cheapest option for calling home. Many offer special

‘codes’ that you dial before the international number, which lower the calling rate significantly.

36

Phone Etiquettes

The question of HP etiquette is an easy one—

there isn’t any. Phone rings in a meeting or

interview? Answer it and speak loudly. Phone

rings in the cinema? Narrate the story you are

watching loudly for the person on the other end.

Phone rings while riding a motorbike in peak-

hour traffic on a freeway? Answer it and swerve

all over the shop. You don’t need to conform to

these habits: pop the HP on silent when you are

at work or are at the movies.

Given that most students only have a basic

understanding of Indonesian, calling people is

a difficult task. The phone is one of the hardest

mediums to communicate with as there are no

visual clues. The same goes for Indonesians who

may speak reasonable English—they may have

trouble with your English on the phone. If you

have to call someone for an appointment, dial the

number for a colleague and have them set it up. If

you are battling through a conversation/have just

called someone and they suddenly hang up, do

not despair. This is a common panic response.

Talking is secondary, however. The HP in

Indonesia is primarily a tool for SMS. If you

want to call a new number (ie. to set up an

appointment), always SMS first to introduce

yourself and your request. It is often the case that

Indonesians will not answer a call if it is coming

from an unknown number. But then the real

challenge begins. If you SMS someone a basic

request in Indonesian such as:

‘Bisakah kita ketemu besok pagi?’ (‘Can we meet

tomorrow morning?’)

You may get a response such as:

‘Ga bisa rabu mlm gimana?’

If you look in your dictionary you won’t find many

of these words as what the person is saying is:

‘Aku tidak bisa (ketemu) besok, bagaimana kalau

(kita ketemu) pada hari Rabu malam’ (‘I can’t meet

tomorrow, how about Wednesday evening?’)

Just as is the case everywhere, SMSing has

developed its own spelling conventions. Our

advice? If you get stuck, have a read through your

Ngerti Dong! Dictionary of Indonesian slang and

abbreviations, or ask a friend to help you out.

The last thing concerning phones is the request

from random people for your phone number

(‘Boleh minta nomor HP?’). If this is colleague

or work contact, by all means give it to them. If

it is an ojek rider, shop assistant, or even police

officer—politely decline. This is particularly the

case for females. These people will often become

serial pests, texting you constantly to ask what

you are doing and wanting to meet. If you

manage to attract a pest, the easiest solution is

to ‘Block Caller’ (on iPhones) or throw out the old

SIM and get a new one (remember to inform your

Program Officer of the change in number).

37

Hot Spots (Wi-Fi)

On Campus: The entire Atma Jaya campus has

WiFi, some areas are better than others.

Off-Campus: Most coffee shops, various malls.

Some of your kos will have WiFi as well

Mobile Wi-Fi devices are becoming more popular

as they are cheap and reliable. Smartfren

Andromax and Bolt are the two most popular

options.

Discounted rates: international codesHalo, Simpati and As Cards - 01019 Approximately Rp 1,000 per minute

Indosat - 01016 Various rates

depending on the package you choose

(eg. daily, weekly or monthly packages

with or without international text

services)

XL - 01000 Rp 7,000 per minute. XL has special

programs for cheap international calls.

Contact the provider centre.

Three (3) - 01088 Rp 1,000 per minute. Three has a special

program for weekly and monthly

international calls, with Rp. 55.000 you

have 250 minutes weekly calling quota

and with Rp. 99.000 you have 500

minutes’ monthly calling quota.

Cheap codes lower the call rate to approx

Rp. 1,000/ minute. Place this code before

your international number when you

dial. For example, to call an Australian

(Sydney) landline with Simpati’s discount

code you would press: 01017 61 2 9434

7777. Remember to place the relevant

area code before dialling emergency

numbers from a mobile phone.

38

Useful Phone Numbers

Emergency Numbers

Police Station 110 or 021 110

Ambulance 118 or 021 118

Fire Brigade 113 or 021 113

Operator 108 or 021 108

Credit Cards

Westpac (Au. no.) +61 2 9293 9270

St. George Bank (Au. no.) +61 2 9553 5333

ANZ Bank (Au. no.) +61 3 9683 7043

Commonwealth Bank 001 803 0612 128

You can contact Centrelink in Australia for all the usual student needs. Call 105 to get an International

operator who can place collect calls (you need to use a private phone). Ask the operator to place a

collect call in your name to 3-6222-3455. If this doesn’t work, we recommend using the cheap overseas

calling codes with your mobile phone outlined above.

NoteKompas and local newspapers publish lists of important numbers (hospitals, police etc) as

well as train and airline timetables on a daily basis. Cut them out and stick them on your wall.

Remember to place the relevant area code before dialling emergency numbers from a mobile

phone.

39

Transport

TaxisWe recommend that you use Blue Bird taxis

(sometimes also labelled as ‘Pusaka’, but both are

blue). You can order Bluebird taxis on 021 7917

1234, or better yet, download their app and track

your order as it’s on its way to you (minimum

payment for the app service is Rp.40,000 so

this is better if sharing with friends or travelling

a long way). Catching taxis in Jakarta can be

very frustrating. Drivers will say they know your

destination only to stop ten times along the way

to ask for directions. Jakarta is a big place and

out of the way street names are hard to pin down

(especially when street signs are often a rarity).

There are two ways to help you through this:

Notification of any change of address.

Always research your destination before you

leave and bring a good map. Virtual Google

Maps with GPS on your smart phone always

help to deal with apretend ‘Saya tidak tahu’

(I don’t know) taxi drivers.

Always carry the phone number for

someone at your destination. If you are

trying to get to work for the first time and

the cabbie is lost, give the phone to the

driver and have them call someone at work

or your destination. Be patient. Yes, some

drivers are ripping you off, but for the most

part they are genuinely lost!

Always carry a variety of notes in your wallet

for taxis. Drivers will not have change (at

least that is what they will invariably say) for

large notes like 100s and 50s. It is customary

to at least round the fare up to the nearest

Rp. 5,000. For short trips there is a minimum

fare of Rp. 20,000.

Taxi Booking Numbers

Bluebird 021 7917 1234

Express 1500122

40

The TransJakarta Busway The busway runs on specially

designated lanes down the

centre of various main roads. The

stops for the busway are located

in the middle of divided roads

and are accessed by pedestrian

bridges. The busway can be

horrendously crowded in peak

hours, but it gets you there

fast. The fare is Rp. 4,000 for an

unbroken trip of any distance.

You just pay this at the counter

at each busway station and head

through the turnstile. You can

shift to different busway routes

at various interchange stations.

You do not have to pay again to

get onto the new line. Be wary of

your belongings on the busway.

Although pickpocketing is not

as common as on the city buses,

it still occurs, especially when

busy. Put you bag in front of you

where you can see it and do not

leave wallets or phones in back

pockets.

You can also download the Trans

Jakarta app to check several

available routes that is integrated

with Google Maps. Just type:

“Trans Jakarta” in App Store and

Google Play.

Intercity Trains Sudirman Station (along Jalan Sudirman; closest one to Atma

Jaya) provides services to Bogor and nearby stations. Tickets can

be bought at the station counters or ticket machines by entering

your destination when purchasing. Alternatively, buy a multiple

trip card if you have frequent trips to Jakarta and nearby stations.

For destinations to other cities, only several train stations in

Jakarta provide the services such as Pasar Senen and Gambir

stations. Bookings can be done either online at https://kereta-api.

co.id, http://tiket.com or at Indomaret and Alfamart convenience

stores. Soon after making your booking, make sure to pay for

the ticket at Indomaret and Alfamart. Make sure to exchange

the receipt of your ticket payment with your train ticket at the

train station where your train will depart from. This can be done

immediately after you pay your ticket until one hour before your

train departs. If you are travelling on overnight executive trains,

remember to take some warm clothing as it can get very cold

with the AC blasting all night long.

Ojek (motorcycle taxis)Love them or hate them, the ojek or motorcycle taxi is here

to stay. Ojek hang around at bus stops or at the junctions of

secondary roads to peddle their services. The advantage of the

ojek is that they are fast as they can weave through the traffic

jams. The downside is that they can be dangerous. The shabby

helmet they will give you will do little in the event of an accident

and accidents are common.

Ojek drivers are often quite ruthless in what they will try and

charge you for a lift. You need to bargain, and to do this you

need to have some idea of where you are going and how far it is.

Over time you will work out what is an acceptable sum. ALWAYS

establish the price before getting on, e.g. ‘Ke Atma Jaya berapa?’

(‘How much to go to Atma Jaya from here?’) Don’t fall for the

‘nanti-nanti’ ploy (‘We’ll work that out later’). Then the driver will

just announce a fantastic figure when you arrive and put on the

antics if you refuse to pay. When you respond in kind, suddenly 5

other members of the shadowy ojek guild will appear to suggest

41

that you pay up promptly. Carry small money to

pay for your fare because if you produce a large

bill (100,000) they will ‘not have change’.

Langganan means ‘subscription’. Many people

choose to have a langganan with a particular ojek

driver, that is, they negotiate for them to pick

them up to go/come home from campus for a set

fare at a set time each day. You can even pay on a

weekly basis.

Alternatively, you can do online booking for ojek

by downloading Go-Jek or GrabBike applications.

They charge you a flat rate for distances up to

25 km, so you know the exact fare when you do

your booking. Soon after you have lodged your

booking, an ojek driver near to you will ring you

and confirm that he will pick you up. You can

trace your driver’s location and time needed by

the driver to be at the pick-up point by using the

application. Ojek drivers of Go-Jek and GrabBike

are easily recognised by their green jackets and

helmets with the name of the companies written

on them.

City BusesKopaja, Metro Mini and all the other beat up

buses running around the city are the cheaper

(by Rp. 4,000) alternative to the busway. They

cover far more extensive routes into the suburbs.

They represent another cheap means of getting

around the city. If you are catching a city bus,

make sure you have some loose change in your

pocket for the buskers who will do laps through

the aisle as you chug along. The conductor will

come to get your fare and when you want to get

off you just yell out ‘Kiri!’ (‘Pull over!’) or tap the

rail with a coin. Check for motorbikes whizzing up

the inside before you jump off.

Accidents are common. In Indonesia some

30,000 people die every year in traffic accidents,

70% of them motorcyclists. These are terrifying

statistics. Basic protective wear is essential,

including a good full-face helmet, shoes, gloves,

and protective clothing. If you are regularly using

an ojek to get to work and back, it is a good idea

to spend Rp. 300,000 on a good full face helmet

rather than rely on the nit-infested ice cream

bucket the ojek driver will give you. You only have

one head, it pays to protect it. Take the helmet

home or give it to someone as a gift when you

leave.

Many people think that you only have to learn to

ride a bike, but in fact you need to learn how to

be a good passenger also. Your natural tendency

is to try and stay as far away as possible from the

driver at the back of the seat and hang onto the

grab rail at the back. In doing so you make their

job much harder as the bike is unbalanced and

any sudden spurt will send you off the back. This

is particularly so when a 55kg Indonesian rider

is trying to control a bike with an 80kg ACICIS

student on the back. If you are not used to being

a passenger, hang on to the rider’s hips or sides.

Move forward to create a central mass for the

bike. Grip the rider/ side of the bike with your

knees and do not move around. Even turning

your head to look at things on the side of the

road unbalances a bike for the rider, as your

42

shoulders and upper torso swing to the side as

well. Tell the rider pelan pelan (go slowly) if they

start doing crazy weaves through traffic and

mounting footpaths.

Planes

The nearest airports are Soekarno-Hatta (Soetta)

Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport.

Transport options from Jakarta to the airports

include using taxis or Damri buses. These airports

manage an expanding number of services to

both international and domestic destinations.

Soekarno-Hatta Airport

(021) 1500138

Halim Perdanakusuma Airport

(021) 80899235

Lion Air

(021) 63798000

Garuda Call Centre

(021) 2351 9999

Garuda in Singapore

+65 6250 5666 or +65 6250 2888

Qantas

(021) 2555 6300 or 00180361786 (toll free)

Malaysia Airlines

(021) 522 9705

Air Asia

(021) 2927 0999 or 0 804 1333 333

TravelDon’t get confused. This verb is a noun in

Indonesia. Travels are minivans that ply specific

routes for a fixed fare. They are a popular option

for the trip to Bandung, for example. Large

companies have various routes between different

‘pools’ or terminals. MGO, for example, depart

from Grand Lucky Supermarket in the SCBD for

Bandung every two hours, and from the Bandung

pool in the opposite direction every other hour.

XTrans and MGO are two of the other large travel

companies serving this route.

Some options for travel (minivan) services, are:

MGo

Tel: (022) 8600 8800

Citi Trans

Tel: 0804 1111 000

http://www.cititrans.co.id/

XTrans

Tel: (021) 29039592

http://www.xtrans.co.id

43

Bookstores Gramedia

Basement of Plaza Semanggi

and at major shopping malls

Kinokuniya

Grand Indonesia and

Plaza Senayan

Kinokuniya

Grand Indonesia and

Plaza Senayan

Periplus

Plaza Indonesia and at major

shopping malls

Komunitas Utan Kayu

Bookstore

Jalan Utan Kayu 68 Jakarta

Books and Computers

Computer Retail and RepairWhile there are many computer and internet warnet (cafés)

throughout Indonesia, particularly around universities, a laptop

is nowadays standard university student equipment in Indonesia.

Public access computers are rented by the hour and are readily

accessible; however, working in these warnet can be inconvenient

as they are often noisy and viruses abound.

It is very easy to find whatever you need in-country computer-wise.

Topbrand PC’s and laptops are cheap and readily available. Mac

users are advised to take out a Mac Protection Plan before heading

to Indonesia, as repairs often have to be sent away to Singapore

(and can be incredibly expensive without a Protection Plan).

For people using laptops in Indonesia, be aware that the electricity

current is quite unstable. Surges and drops in the cycle are not

unusual and can have a devastating effect on computer hard

drives. It is highly recommended that you purchase a UPS Current

Stabiliser or you risk crashing your drive. Also backing up onto an

external hard drive, clouds or CDs is essential, particularly for your

photos! Upgrade virus definitions weekly. If you have any tech

needs in Jakarta, pay a visit to Ambassador Mall on Jalan Professor

Doktor Satrio has plenty of computer stores as well as mobile

phone shops.

44

If you do not like eating, you may be a social outcast in Indonesia! Almost all forms of social interaction

involve food at some point. Being thin is unfortunate while being plump is a sign of good health and

wealth. As the melting pot of cultures across Indonesia, Jakarta offers a variety of foods from around

the archipelago.

For new students with no Indonesian background, knowing where and what to eat is of critical

importance. The good news is that Jakarta has a lot of good places to eat. On the scale from low to

high, we have:

The Kaki LimaIt means ‘five feet’, and it is the generic term for

any cart that is pushed along the street selling

everything from bakso (meat ball soup) to es

doger (sweet shaved ice). The term ‘five feet’

actually stems from the width of the footpath

where these traders used to peddle their wares

(the 5ft foot path of colonial times). Kaki Lima

are cheap, they roll along the street with their

distinctive cries or sit still at busy points such as

markets, train stations, or bus terminals. The food

is simple and ready to go, but admittedly it is not

always the most hygienically prepared. As with

everything, the rule of thumb is ‘the busier the

better’. Bubur ayam or rice porridge (the number

1 breakfast food in Jakarta) is often served off

these carts for the morning crowds.

Warung and WartegWarung is the generic term for a simple street

side eatery in Indonesia. Ayam goreng (fried

chicken), sate, and fried rice and noodles are their

staple fare. Warung tend to pop up in the late

afternoon for the evening trade. They are limited

in what they can prepare so they tend to offer a

few key dishes. Rumah Makan/Depot Makan/

Warteg are the permanent warung found all over

Jakarta that serve up a myriad of pre-prepared

meat and vegetable dishes. They are permanent

dwellings that have kitchens for preparation. You

just point, have your plate of rice loaded up, and

sit back in the simple surrounds and enjoy.

Eating

45

Rumah Makan PadangSimilar to the rumah makan/warteg but with

a different flavour is the Rumah Makan (RM)

Padang. Padang food is from West Sumatra and

you will see the RM Padang on every corner. The

food is piled up in the front window on plates

and ranges from the famous beef rendang to

potato cakes (pergedel) and mild curries (gulai/

gule). If you go with a group, have the full Padang

experience and just pull up a table and watch as

the waiters pile small plates of food up in front

of you. When you are finished they will count up

what you have had and give you the bill. If you go

on your own, you can just ask for some nasi (rice)

and then load up your own plate with things

from the front window.

You are supposed to remember what you have

eaten so you can tell them when it comes time to

pay. Padang food is traditionally eaten with the

hand (your right hand). Your left hand is allowed

to get involved in the handling of chicken and

fish, but it just doesn’t end up in your mouth. The

little bowl of water they put on the table is for

washing your hands. You will get odd looks if you

drink from it.

After the kaki lima and the warung/warteg, the

prices start rising. Resto/Cafe/Restaurant is pretty

self-explanatory. Restaurant food in Jakarta is

still comparatively inexpensive compared to

Australia.

HygienePeople often steer clear of warung and RM Padang as they think they are unhygienic. The

general rule of thumb is that if it is busy and the food is being turned over, it will be fine. Dishes

in warteg, for example, are not sitting there ‘all day’. They might be replenished twice every

hour as they sell out.

With a little work, you can map out some healthier eateries around your area. Most permanent

warteg will offer a number of nutritious vegetable dishes. Nasi pecel, nasi rames, and gado-

gado are a few of the delicious local dishes that escape the deep fryer. Salads and sandwiches

are offered at more upmarket places (though still cheap by Australian standards). Unless you

are vegetarian, throw in some beef rendang from a Rumah Makan Padang or a steak to keep

the iron levels up. There is no excuse for not eating plenty of fruit, it is available everywhere!

46

Ordering and paying for foodFor a warteg, just wander in and declare that you are here to makan sini and then just point out the

dishes you would like put on your rice. The Padang approach has been described above, while in busy

warung a waiter will often just give you a menu and a notepad to write down your choices on. Waiters

take orders in the usual way in restaurants with the twist that you often get something you didn’t ask

for. It is customary to pay after you have eaten. In busy warung or warteg, they will ask you what you

ate then tally up the bill in their head.

If you are just going out to lunch or dinner with a bunch of friends it is customary to pay ‘sendiri-

sendiri’ (pay separately). But if you invite a friend or group of friends out for a dinner or lunch as an

occasion of some sort, you should pick up the bill for everyone. If you invite twenty Indonesians out for

your birthday dinner, for example, you pay for the lot.

Bahasa Makan (food language)You will soon get used to answering questions

from warung owners such as:

Q Makan di sini? (Are you eating here? (as

opposed to getting bungkus or take away).

A Ya, makan sini (Yes, I’m eating here). You

will soon notice that a very common way

of answering a question in Indonesian is to

repeat the question as a statement.

Q Minum apa? (What would you like to drink?).

A Es Teh (Iced tea)

Q Pedas/pedes? (Can you eat spicy food? It is

generally believed that foreigners cannot

eat spicy food so they often try to warn us

with this question or its longer form ‘Suka/

bisa makan pedas?’ (Do you like spicy food?)

A Suka/Tidak suka (Yes I like it/No, I don’t like

it). Get ready for the next question from the

person sitting next to you that will probably

be ‘Do you have rice where you are from?’

You may hear these sentences as well:Habis or kosong (we are out of that one) - a

common answer when ordering from menus, as

in ‘Maaf, ayam goreng lagi kosong’ (Sorry, we are

out of fried chicken).

Tambah lagi/nambah lagi? (Do you want another

serving?)

Ada tambahan? (Did you have any extras?). There

is often a bunch of bananas, or some rice crackers

lying out on the tables to which you just help

yourself. Just let them know how many you had

when it is time to pay the bill.

Pake es? (Do you want it with ice?) If you ask for

a soft drink, you will often be asked this one. You

may wonder ‘Who would drink a warm Coke?’ but

many Indonesians won’t have ice with drinks at

particular times of the day or if they are feeling

unwell.

47

LaundrySome of the more expensive kos will give

residents a two or three piece washing quota.

Nearly all will have a service for cuci gosok (hand

washed laundry). You usually pay a monthly

rate for an agreed amount of washing each

day. Alternatively you can take your washing to

the laundry. There are two types of laundry:an

overnight service that will charge like a raging

bull at piece-rates, or laundry kiloan (by the kg).

The latter will take three days but it is cheap

(Rp. 10,000-15,000 per kg). You just take in your

laundry in a plastic bag, they will weigh it, you

pay, they will give you a receipt, and you pick it

up three days later. Around any neighbourhood

(except for wealthy ones such as Menteng) there

will be plenty of laundry which is based on kg

measurement.

Sport and LeisureExtensive information about available sporting

clubs in Jakarta can be found here:

http://www.expat.or.id/orgs/sports.html

Gyms

FitnessFirst, Celebrity Fitness and Golds Gym are

the main fitness center chains in Jakarta. They are

found in major shopping centers. Membership

fees are around Rp 280,000 per month.

Gelora Bung Karno Sport Complex

Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) is the main sporting

complex in Jakarta, with entrances found along

Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Asia Afrika.

Car-free Sundays

Car-free Day in Jakarta takes place every Sunday

morning, between 6am and 11am. During that

time, motorised vehicles (apart from TransJakarta

buses) are barred from entering the capital’s

busiest street: Jalan Sudirman, from the National

Monument (Monas) to the Senayan roundabout.

48

Bank hours vary but are roughly 8.30am-3.00pm

Monday-Friday. Some banks open for a half day

Saturday. Branches of the Commonwealth Bank

and ANZ can be found in Jakarta but these are

not linked to home institutions. You will, however,

get cheaper withdrawal fees from their ATMs

if you have an account with them in Australia.

Most large ATMs (BCA, Mandiri, BNI) are Visa,

Mastercard, and Cirrus linked. The general rule for

withdrawal amounts is:

Rp 100,000 machine: Rp. 2,500,000 per

withdrawal (CIMB NIAGA and Maybank BII allows

Rp 3,000,000.)

Rp. 50,000 machine: Rp. 1,250,000 per

withdrawal.

You can make multiple withdrawals per day until

you reach your card’s withdrawal limit, but you

will be charged fees on each. It is up to you to

know how much your home bank charges for

overseas withdrawals. If you are withdrawing

large sums of money at once, it is good advice

to do it in working hours at a bank branch ATM

(rather than in a mall for example). That way if

there are any problems (machine swallows your

card for example), you can walk in and report the

problem directly to the bank. There will also be

security guards on duty at these times.

ATM card fraud is rampant. Skimming and scams

abound. Anyone who offers assistance or asks

for assistance at an ATM is suspect. Freestanding

machines in malls are susceptile to tampering so

stick to ATMs that are inside banks where there is

24 hour security.

Do not get so excited by the large wad of bills

coming out that you forget to take your card. For

some older style ATMs money comes out first

followed by the card.

If you are paying by card, it should never leave

your sight.

ACICIS takes no responsibility for your finances

in Indonesia. It is at the discretion of the RD

to provide temporary financial assistance to

students in an emergency.

$

Local Banking

Lost VISA Global Services

001 803 1933 6294

Lost Mastercard Global Services

+1 636 722 7111

Westpac (Visa cards)

001 612 374 7082

49

The comparative lack of leisure activities in

Jakarta is reflected in the mass exodus that

takes place every weekend. Getting away is

compulsory, but the trick is to plan a managable

trip. Many ACICIS students imagine that they will

have time to attack Trip Advisor’s ‘Indonesia’s

Top 100 Places’ list during the progrm, but this is

not the case. Jakarta is connected to everywhere

by air and, yes you can go to Medan (Sumatra),

Manado (Sulawesi), Banjarmasin (Kalimantan)

for the weekend. This will allow ample time to

check out the city, but do not assume that this

gives you time to explore further afield. Danau

Toba (Medan), Bunaken Marine Park (Manado),

or Tanjung Puting Orangutans (Banjarmasin)

are not part of a managable weekend away.

Flights might get you there quickly, but overland

travel is painfully slow. Lengthy delays in plane

departures are also the norm, particularly by

late afternoon in the Wet Season. If you are

left stranded in Lombok on Sunday afternoon

after thinking you could go to the Gili islands

for the weekend, it will not reflect well in your

assessment report. Make any longer trips

something to do after the conclusion of the

program, not during it.

A managable weekend away is something that

ensures you will be back in Jakarta for work

first thing Monday morning. A weekend in Bali

with pre-booked return flights coming back on

Sunday afternoon is manageable. A weekend in

Bali with a night over in Nusa Lembongan is not

managable as every extra transportation section

you add-in multiplies the number of things that

can go wrong. A trip out to look at Anak Krakatau

from Carita is managable. A tour of Ujung Kulon

National Park is not as it takes the better part of a

full day just to get to the entrance. The idea of the

weekend is to relax a bit. If you spend the whole

time trying to race an unreasonable sight seeing

schedule, you will come back tired. Then you will

get sick. It is a proven formula we know only too

well at ACICIS!

Browse through travel guides and trawl the net

and you will turn up plenty of options. Below are

just some ideas to get you started.

The Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) that

sit in the Java sea to Jakarta’s north are close at

hand. Boats depart from Marina Ancol in the

north of Jakarta. Just show up at the jetty and

there are plenty of travel agencies to choose

from that sell package trips out there. Prices don’t

differ a great deal between them. Get there early

Weekends Away

50

as boats leave at 8.00am. Some are day trips, or

you can arrange to have a package that inculdes

a stay at a resort. Or you can check out resorts on

the web and arrange things in advance.To do it

on the cheap you can leave on a public boat via

Muara Angke harbor near the fish market. Here

boats leave for Pramuka Island at around 7am.

Bandung: The Parahyangan Express train takes

about three hours to go down to Bandung

(departs Gambir station around six times a day)

or you can catch a minivan service from various

points in the city (Cikini, Semanggi Plaza, Jl. Blora

for example). Cipanganti and Xtrans are two

of the most popular options and have various

departure points throughout Jakarta. Bandung

is not the ‘Paris of Java’ of yesteryear, despite

the new Paris Van Java mall’s name. In fact, the

thousands of Jakartans who descend on Bandung

each weekend do a fair job of recreating Jakarta

traffic hell in the city for 48 hours. Nonetheless,

shoppers seem to enjoy it. Jl. Cihampelas in

Bandung is factory outlet heaven while around Jl.

Jakarta one can find plenty of nice boutiques. The

late colonial architecture around Jl. Asia Afrika

is amazing, if not sorely neglected, while the main

market is a maze you may never find your way

out of. The Tangkuban Prahu volcano is also an

interesting spot just to the north of Bandung, but

again, frantically busy on weekends.

Anyer, Carita, Rakata: The west coast beaches

are a popular weekend getaway with plenty

of beachside villas for rent. Boat trips to Anak

Krakatau can be organised from here. Note that

the weather is not the best on the west coast at

this time of year as it is the northeast monsoon,

but any fresh air is better than Jakarta air. You can

arrange trips oto the beach through travel agents

in Jakarta or just head off on your own and wing

it. Pelabuhan Ratu on the south coast is another

option but expect lots of time sitting in a car

(hiring a car is the only real option to get there).

Leaving Jakarta on a Friday afternoon is very

slow, and coming back in on a Sunday afternoon

is worse. The scenery is interesting though. The

Ocean Queen Resort (www.oceanqueenresort.

com) has nice bungalows that can sleep up to

8 right on the beach. Batu Karas beach is also

popular. Java Cove Beach Hotel at Batu Karas

offers smart budget accommodation (http://

www.javacovebeachhotel.com/).

51

The Citarik River runs from Sukabumi down

to the south coast. A couple of white water

companies have a good package for a day or

weekend of rafting on the Citarik. Just keep

your mouth shut, as the Citarik is not a pristine

mountain stream! See www.calderaindonesia.

com

Bogor: Hardly a beautiful hillside retreat

anymore, Bogor is more like a hillside Jakartan

suburb. But the botanical gardens are good

and it is easily accessible as a day trip. Just

catch the express train or for a more interesting

experience the economy train costs less than a

dollar. Outside of peak hours it is easy to get a

seat. Note that Bogor trains do not leave from

the main Gambir station. Rather, Gondangdia

next to Gambir, or Cikini are the closest

options.

Puncak Pass up past Bogor is a popular

weekend away—great mountain scenery, tea

plantations, cool weather. It also gets heavily

congested on weekends so factor in some

good traffic jam time—say 4-5 hours.

Yogyakarta: Borobodur and Prambanan make

Yogya a popular weekend, but it can be a tiring

one from Jakarta if you don’t plan it right. Book

RETURN tickets. You won’t get flights or train

tickets at the counter on a Sunday afternoon as

everyone is thinking the same thing. The last

plane leaves around 19.35 on a Friday night.

Come back Sunday afternoon.

Alternatively, catch an overnight executive

train from Gambir station. A few trains (Argo

Dwipangga, Gajayana, Bima) leave between

17.00-20.00 and get in in the wee hours. You can

catch an overnight train back on Sunday to arrive

back in Jakarta very early on Monday morning.

All the budget accommodation in Yogya is a short

stroll from the station in Jl. Sosrowijayan. Trips to

the temples etc can be arranged from here.

52

ContactsPrimary ContactsACICIS In-Country Office

ACICIS Resident Director

Ms Elena Willams, MA

Tel.: +62-274-561-477

M: +62-818-267-712

e.williams@acicis.edu.au

Jakarta and Bogor Program Coordinator

Mr Nurfitra Yutha Asa

M: +62-821-132-99795

n.asa@acicis.edu.au

BPP Program Officer

Mr Fendi Liem

M: +62-811-999-166

f.liem@acicis.edu.au

CADPP Program Officer

Ms Elly Kent

M: TBA

e.kent@acicis.edu.au

DSPP Program Officer

Mr Tim Mann

M: TBA

t.mann@acicis.edu.au

JPP Program Officer

Ms Helen Brown

M: TBA

h.brown@acicis.edu.au

ACICIS Deputy Resident Director

Dr Adrian Budiman

Tel.: +62-274-561-477

M: +62-812-155-7773

a.budiman@acicis.edu.au

Jakarta Program Assistant

Ms Gabriela Alinda

M: +62-821-261-16251

g.alinda@acicis.edu.au

BPP Program Assistant

Mr Evants Adam

M: +62-899-980-5966

e.adam@acicis.edu.au

BPP Program Assistant

Ms Ika Budiarti Dastin

M: +62-812-892-41922

i.dastin@acicis.edu.au

CADPP Development Officer and

Program Assistant

Ms Citra Syukma Bayu Sakti

M: +62-818-788-297

c.sakti@acicis.edu.au

DSPP Program Assistant

Ms Dian Marin Purnama

M: +62-811-333-9942

d.purnama@acicis.edu.au

JPP Program Assistant

Mr Dwiky Chandra Wibowo

M: +62-856-591-91808

d.wibowo@acicis.edu.au

53

ACICIS in Australia

ACICIS Consortium Director

Prof David T. Hill AM

Tel: +61-8- 6488-6689

dthill@acicis.edu.au

ACICIS Secretariat Manager

Mr Liam Prince

Tel: +61-8-6488-6676

l.prince@acicis.edu.au

Atma Jaya Staff

Atma Jaya Coordinator,

Dean of FIABIKOM

Dr Eko Widodo

Tel: +62-815- 886-4056

ekowidodo6737@yahoo.com

Atma Jaya’s Person-In-Charge

for ACICIS Programs

Ms Agnes Angela Harnadi

Tel: +62-899-912-2203

agnes.angela@gmail.com

Atma Jaya Language Center

Coordinator

Ms Fifi Effendi

Tel: +62-816-112-5637

fifi.effendi@atmajaya.ac.id

54

Embassy ContactsAustralian Embassy

Jl. Patra Kuningan Raya Kav. 1 – 4

Jakarta Selatan 12950, Indonesia

Tel: +62 (21) 2550 5555, Fax: +62 (21) 2922 6775

Consular section: +62 (21) 2550 5500

Office hours: Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:00

http://indonesia.embassy.gov.au

DFAT website: www.dfat.gov.au

British Embassy

Jl. Patra Kuningan Raya Blok L5-6

Jakarta Selatan 12950

Tel: +62 (21) 2356 5200, Fax. +62 (21) 2356 5351

Office hours:

Mon-Thu: 07:30-16:00, Fri: 07:30-13:00

https://www.gov.uk/government/world/

organisations/british-embassy-jakarta

New Zealand Embassy

Sentral Senayan 2, 10th Floor

Jl Asia Afrika No 8, Jakarta 10270

Tel: +62 (21) 2995 5800

Office hours:

Mon-Thu 07:30-16:00 hrs, Fri 07:30-13:00 hrs

https://www.nzembassy.com/home

Embassy of Japan

Jl. MH Thamrin No.24, Menteng, Jakarta 10350

Tel: +62 (21) 31924308

Office hours: Mon-Fri: 08:30-15.00

Singaporean Embassy

Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Block X/4, KAV No 2, Kuningan,

Jakarta Selatan 12950

Tel: +62 (21) 2995 0400 (Mainline)

Office hours: Mon-Fri 8.30-12.30

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

Jl. Mega Kuningan No.2

Jakarta Selatan 12950

Tel: +62 (21) 576 1039

http://id.china-embassy.org

Office hours: Mon-Fri 08.30-17.00

Embassy of Saudi Arabia

JL HR Rasuna Said Kav B3 Setiabudi, Jakarta

Selatan 12920

Tel: +62 (21) 29023444; +622128094000

Office hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-16.00

The Royal Norwegian Embassy

Jl. Dr Ide Anak Agung Gede Agung, Menara

Rajawali 20th fl., Kawasan Mega Kuningan,

Jakarta Selatan 12950

Tel: +62 (21) 2965 0000

Office hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-16.00

Embassy of Myanmar

Jl. H. Agus Salim No.109, Gondangdia, Menteng,

Jakarta Pusat 10350

Tel: +62 (21) 314 0440; +62 (21) 327 684