Indonesia Summer Immersion Program

VIA's Indonesia summer program in central Java's Yogyakarta allows participants to immerse themselves in Javanese and Indonesian arts, religion, and culture through living on a university campus, participating in weekend excursions, and attending traditional music and dance performances. Yogyakarta is known as one of Indonesia's top university cities and for a center for Javanese music, culture, and arts. Yogya, as it's frequently called, has also been VIA's hub for our long-term volunteer program.

View a video of Yogyakarta produced by one of VIA's one-year volunteers.

The program consists of thematic seminars by local experts, as well as visits to NGOs and Indonesian community-based organizations, introducing students to contemporary social, environmental, and political issues, and the work of local organizations to address them. Seminars and site visits address areas including public health, sustainable development, environmental conservation, gender equality, and social documentation.

Students will complete a self-designed, independent study project in their particular area of interest. They will conduct guided study throughout the program and be paired with NGO partners or other experts in their area of interest to advise them in their independent study projects. At the end of the program, students will present their findings on themes addressed in the seminars.

The summer 2013 program will begin in late June and run through the end of July. During the week, participants will take 2-3 hours of Bahasa Indonesia classes each day. VIA staff and guest lecturers will also teach a core course on contemporary Indonesia, focusing on history, economic development, and the environment. The core course will include lectures, NGO site visits, and presentations from local experts.

Weekend excursions to UNESCO sites, volcanoes, villages, and coastal areas will show participants a wide variety of central Java's landscapes.

The program fee for 2013 is approximately $2,225 (finalized in November) and includes the following:
- Medical and evacuation insurance
- Local ground transportation
- All accommodation in Yogyakarta and some meals
- Language classes and class materials
- Summer program coordinator and local staff
- Field trip expenses
- Home office support


The program fee does not include the following costs:
- Roundtrip airfare from U.S. to Yogyakarta and home
- Indonesian visa fees
- Most meals (plan on $100 per week)
- Independent travel expenses

VIA's Indonesia Director, Izzy Rhoads, will lead the program along with an experienced local coordinator and one of VIA's long-term program volunteers. Izzy speaks Bahasa Indonesia and was a Fulbright Fellow in Indonesia. She also has several years of experience working with local and international NGOs in Myanmar, Indonesia, the United Kingdom. She recently completed her M.A. at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

Eligibility:
You should apply to the Indonesia summer program if you:
- Are a current undergraduate or graduate student (graduating seniors and non-students are also eligible)
- Want to gain a deeper understanding of local non-governmental organizations and their roles in development, health, media, and environmental protection
- Intend to do further study on themes or issues addressed through the program
- Plan on seeking employment in a related field

Application:
Thank you for your interest in the Indonesia Summer Program. Please follow the steps below to apply. The application deadline is February 15, 2013. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and acceptance offers made until the deadline. The program will remain open until we meet our enrollment capacity.

Step 1: Download the application

Please download the application and requirements for supplementary documents.

2013 Indonesia Summer Program Application and Instructions

2013 Indonesia Summer Program Financial Aid Application

Step 2: Complete the application and gather supplementary documents. Make sure you have all documents including resume, passport information page, letter of recommendation, and optional financial aid form.

Step 3: Submission

2013 Indonesia Summer Program Online Application