A Summary of JPP 2008

The JPP 2008 was an outstanding success.

25 high performing journalism students were chosen from over 30 applicants to take part in the JPP 2008 held in Jakarta in January / February 2008.
The applicants were:

• From every state and territory in Australia (except NT)
• From 13 universities
• 35% postgraduates
• 77% female
• 3 working journalists
• 3 with scholarships from the Asia New Zealand Foundation http://www.asianz.org.nz/ and the Pacific Media Centre (AUT University) www.pmc.aut.ac.nz
• 2 with scholarships from RMIT
• Language proficiency to at least intermediate level: Indonesian (5), Spanish (4), Japanese (3), French (3), Mandarin (2), Italian (2), Arabic (1), Portuguese (1), Cantonese (1), Kannada (1), Afrikaans (1), German (1).

Upon arrival in Jakarta participants studied Indonesian language and culture for 2 weeks at Atma Jaya Catholic University http://www.atmajaya.ac.id/

This was followed by a 4 week, English language internships at well known Indonesian and International media outlets including the Jakarta Post, Reuters, the ABC, Agence France Presse, TVRI, Tempo, RRI, Antara, Metro TV, Radio 68H, Kabar magazine, UN Information Centre, The Australian Embassy, and CIFOR.

JPP 2008 was officially opened by the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Mr Bill Farmer. He was quoted in the Jakarta Post as saying he expected the program to bring mutual benefits to both countries. “Through this extremely interesting and important program, you will gain a lot about the reality that more Australians need to know about”, Mr Farmer said to the students.

The Australian Embassy also actively supported JPP 2008 by hosting an orientation session at the embassy and then an end of program party at the home of the Ambassador. Also invited to this final session were foreign media workers, embassy staff, senior Indonesian media figures, and journalists from the media organisations which hosted JPP 2008 participants.

Comments from Ms Louise Williams (JPP 2008 Project Officer)

The JPP 2008 exceeded expectations both as an opportunity for journalism education in a new cultural setting and as a mechanism for promoting broader understanding across the often fraught Australian Indonesian divide. The program was actively supported by the Australian Embassy and Indonesian media organizations, and attracted positive media coverage and commentary in Indonesia.

The students were given considerable opportunity to work professionally within these (media) organizations and returned home with a swag of by-lines, tapes and show reels. Many Jakarta-based news organizations gave students the chance to produce "special features" on the bi-lateral relationship, the most substantial of which was a 26 minute current affairs special broadcast on TVRI.

Read some student stories from JPP 2009.

Comments from the students

Students were asked to fill in an end of course anonymous online survey, to which 84% replied.

Question 33
Would you recommend the JPP to other students at your university?

Student Comments

• Of course. Best 7 weeks of my life. Dream come true.
• Definitely. I feel so lucky to be a part of it.
• When I get back to uni. I’m meeting with my faculty head - she wants to know more about the program and the department wants to fund one student to do the program each year!
• It is one of a kind and specific to journalism students. It is not as expensive as some of the short courses overseas in Europe or the States. Perfect for Aussie/NZ students.
• Absolutely. Thank goodness we were the first batch because I can imagine you will be inundated with prospective students for now on in.
• And I plan to. There is an exchange fair coming up at Newcastle Uni in August. I thought it might be worth advertising the JPP there. I can make some enquiries if you think that would be good.

Question 34
Please sum up your semester in a single, quotable sentence.

Student Comments

• A once in a lifetime experience where you come out with new friends, job opportunities and so many stories you won't know which to tell first when you get home.
• The ACICIS JPP is a challenging, rewarding and insightful introduction to Indonesia and its media. It is a valuable experience for anybody considering a career abroad.
• The JPP was an invaluable experience that I'll carry with me throughout my career.
• One of the most life-changing things that you can ever do.
• JPP rewires your thinking, opens up your job opportunities and makes you capable of doing things that you never thought you could do!
• Exciting, exhausting, fun, interesting, and one of the best things I've ever done.
• This is an unforgettable, unique, and enriching program that gives students an international perspective on their professional journalism practice. If students are looking to go on a short exchange, 6 weeks is perfect time to experience it. 
• In such a short time, I grew so much as a journalist and as a person, I leaped buildings!
• The most rewarding, action packed, in your face experience you could squeeze into six weeks and one I would choose to do over again and again. I embraced every moment of it.
• From jumping into the deep end of a flood, rubbing shoulders with ambassadors, running away from smoking volcanoes and covering the death of Indonesia's tyrant former president - nothing has been more thrilling than our 6 weeks in Jakarta.
• Unbelievable, life changing experience, fantastic way to spend  my summer
• Anyone with an interest in working or being aware of the media in Asia, and wanting to get a broader understanding of the world than the limited view offered by most journalism courses in Australia should give this a go. You really have no idea how naive you are about Indonesia until you jump in (with ACICIS providing an excellent flotation device for the experience).