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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:
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
Jakarta and Bogor Program Coordinator
Mr Nurfitra Yutha Asa
M: +62-821-132-99795
BPP Program Officer
Mr Fendi Liem
M: +62-811-999-166
CADPP Program Officer
Ms Elly Kent
M: TBA
DSPP Program Officer
Mr Tim Mann
M: TBA
JPP Program Officer
Ms Helen Brown
M: TBA
ACICIS Deputy Resident Director
Dr Adrian Budiman
Tel.: +62-274-561-477
M: +62-812-155-7773
Jakarta Program Assistant
Ms Gabriela Alinda
M: +62-821-261-16251
BPP Program Assistant
Mr Evants Adam
M: +62-899-980-5966
BPP Program Assistant
Ms Ika Budiarti Dastin
M: +62-812-892-41922
CADPP Development Officer and
Program Assistant
Ms Citra Syukma Bayu Sakti
M: +62-818-788-297
DSPP Program Assistant
Ms Dian Marin Purnama
M: +62-811-333-9942
JPP Program Assistant
Mr Dwiky Chandra Wibowo
M: +62-856-591-91808
53
ACICIS in Australia
ACICIS Consortium Director
Prof David T. Hill AM
Tel: +61-8- 6488-6689
ACICIS Secretariat Manager
Mr Liam Prince
Tel: +61-8-6488-6676
Atma Jaya Staff
Atma Jaya Coordinator,
Dean of FIABIKOM
Dr Eko Widodo
Tel: +62-815- 886-4056
Atma Jaya’s Person-In-Charge
for ACICIS Programs
Ms Agnes Angela Harnadi
Tel: +62-899-912-2203
Atma Jaya Language Center
Coordinator
Ms Fifi Effendi
Tel: +62-816-112-5637
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