IndoAustay Student Immersion

What is the Northbound Student Immersion Program?

 

IndoAustay's three week Northbound Student Immersion is conducted in Bandung Java in December/January. 

 

IndoAustay's Northbound Student Immersion Program is a unique opportunity that will bolster your exploration of Indonesian language and culture. The Northbound Student Immersion Program promotes genuine and ongoing friendships which open the doors to deep cultural understanding and future opportunities. It is designed to empower and inspire students who have completed study of Bahasa Indonesia at the Year 10 or Year 11 level in any Australian state or territory.

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The focus of the Northbound Student Immersion Program is on immersing students in everyday life in Indonesia through placement at a regular high school, participation in intensive language instruction, and staying with a local host family. Through this 3-week program, students will have a unique cultural experience and an opportunity to improve their Indonesian language through both structured learning and everyday use. Students need at least rudimentary competence in Indonesian language in order to fully benefit from attending school, participating in language classes, and living with an Indonesian family. Therefore, applicants will generally be those currently studying Indonesian at school.

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The Northbound Student Immersion Program is expected to enhance Australian students' insight into Indonesian culture at an influential stage in their scholastic and civic development, as well serving as a huge incentive to advance their Indonesian language studies. Students are immersed in the family, school and cultural life of their host sibling, while also receiving dedicated intensive language instruction at the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia in the afternoons. Exposure to the language occurs naturally and continuously, both in structured educational settings and in everyday interactions.

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Administration

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Australian participants travel together as a group from Melbourne (or other point of departure) and are met on arrival in Jakarta by the Program Coordinator from the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Language Centre, our Bandung partner organisation, who ensure smooth transfer to the connecting transport to Bandung on the same day. On arrival in Bandung, participants are met by their homestay family. Each participant and each host family has ongoing contact with the UPI Language Center Program Coordinator who monitors their progress for the duration of the immersion program and who is in 24/7 contact with our IndoAustay Northbound Coordinator in Australia. Students also have 24/7 contact access to the IndoAustay Northbound Coordinator.

 

Immersion Program Life

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Participants live as a member of the family to which each is billeted. Each student will have their own bedroom, furnished with bed, table and fan. Their typical day includes morning attendance at a local secondary school, followed by afternoon intensive language instruction at the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Outside of these structured educational activities, they are expected to be involved in the daily activities of their host family.

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Participants are subject to the rules of the household and the school and are not free to move beyond the confines of the immediate neighbourhood without prior approval of either. They are not permitted to leave their host town or city other than on family or approved group excursions with adult supervision, such as visits to places of cultural or recreational interest.

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Australian participants and their parents are required to sign agreements which set behaviour guidelines and ensure all activity complies with that expected on any like school based program and meets the requirements of the Victorian Regulations Qualifications Authority who oversee standards in Victorian schools and educational organisations. IndoAustay is the only non school based organisation in Victoria authorised by the VRQA to run international student exchanges.

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Extensive guidelines concerning travel and homestay are updated regularly and are issued to participants at the time of acceptance of their applications. A cross-cultural information afternoon is scheduled in November before each Northbound Student Immersion Program and attendance is compulsory for all participants. These sessions include references to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade travel advice regarding Indonesia and to the minimum guidelines of the Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority including child safe standards which govern IndoAustay's exchange. Participation is also acknowledged at these sessions by the Melbourne Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia.

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Anticipated costs of the 2025 Three Week Northbound Student Immersion Program: AUD$5000*

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*Please note that this cost is indicative only and a final cost will be forwarded to those who have completed the expression of interest form and posted here as soon as possible.

*Please note that costs are budgeted on Melbourne Airport Departure. Interstate departures may incur additional flight or transfer costs.