Some General Information
The Vitas Visa
In order for a foreigner to study in Indonesia for more than a few weeks, a
special study visa known as a VITAS is required. These visas are not automatically
issued on request, but involve a time-consuming application process. Without
ACICIS, it can take 12 months to obtain a VITAS visa. Once a foreign student
arrives in Indonesia, their visa must be converted to a
temporary residents permit (KITAS), another laborious process. The
ACICIS Secretariat handles the processing of VITAS for students enrolled in
the Study Indonesia Program prior to their departure, and the ACICIS Resident
Director aids students at orientation in the visa conversion process once in
Indonesia.
All SIP students enter Indonesia on a Vitas (Visa Izin Tinggal Sementara
Temporary Stay Visa), which is applied for on their behalf by ACICIS. ACICIS
has established arrangements to make the process of application much easier
and faster than has been the case in the past. At no time can a tourist visa
be converted to a study visa in Indonesia (Vitas or SosBud). Students entering
Indonesia on a regular tourist visa will be required to leave the country and
re-enter on the correct visa.
In
order to obtain a Vitas, it is important that applicants supply
EVERY item required on the application checklist. Failure to do
so, considering time constraints, is likely to mean ACICIS will
not be able to finalise visas. If you foresee any difficulties in
ACICIS obtaining a Vitas on your behalf, please contact the Secretariat
acicis@murdoch.edu.au, as soon as possible. Vitas for the majority of Australian
participants are processed through the Perth Indonesian Consulate,
therefore participants will be required to courier their passports
to the Secretariat by a specified date (NOT with their application).
We also regularly arrange for visas to
be issued at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore. International
participants should contact the Secretariat for information on visa
procedures. Host universities and the ACICIS Resident Director assist
in reporting to authorities, but can only do so by dealing with
all SIP students as a group.
Accompanying family members: ACICIS is able to assist in obtaining Vitas
visas only for family members who intend to accompany applicants to Indonesia.
Applications for accompanying family members must be made at the same time as
the study application. Please contact the ACICIS Secretariat Secretariat
acicis@murdoch.edu.au,
for further details about this.
Orientation
Each semester kicks off with Orientation, which is an integral part
of the Study Indonesia Program. The orientation covers
academic programs and
enrolment; assessment and
evaluation; liaison with the Resident
Director; guidelines for field work; accommodation; visa renewals; conduct
and legal requirements during the program; Indonesian customs,
manners and food;
and
practicalities of living in Indonesia.
It is difficult to estimate how much money is needed to cover
living costs,
as student preferences vary considerably. While
living
costs in Indonesia are
cheap by Australian standards, it is wise not to underestimate cash needs. Although
students will
be responsible to find and arrange their ownaccommodation (with
support from ACICIS), it is recommended that students live with Indonesian families
or
other students rather than sharing houses. Options include room with board;
dormitory; room alone; or renting a house.
As Yogyakarta and Malang are university
towns, there are many rooms and homes available to rent. Adequate routine medical
care is available in all major cities in Indonesia.
Students are provided with a comprehensive pre-
departure information package
upon acceptance into the program, which includes among other information advice
from past students on their experiences with accommodation, finances and cultural
adjustment.
Children in Yogyakarta
ACICIS students often take their children with them when they go to Indonesia to study. Although there can be a difficult initial
period of settling in to the new environment and culture, the children without
exception end up having a great time. Many mothers hire a maid to assist them
with the daily tasks of looking after the children, since it gives them the
free time necessary to study. This is an inexpensive option in Yogyakarta. Children
also are able to attend a local Indonesian school.
Semester Dates
All programs roughly follow the Indonesian Academic Calendar, in which semesters
run from early February to the end of June and early September to late January.
All students, regardless of their destination are required to arrive
in Yogyakarta prior to the commencement of academic course options for an ACICIS
Orientation weekend but not earlier than three days before the commencement
of Orientation. A student evaluation and 'debriefing' exercise will be conducted
at the conclusion of each semester. The following is a guide to expected semester
dates.
| Programs |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
| Orientation |
Late January |
Late August |
| Commencement |
|
|
| All Academic Programs |
Early February |
Early September |
| Conclusion |
|
|
| Intensive Language |
Late May |
Week before Xmas |
| Curriculum Immersion |
Up to late June |
Up to late January |
| Malang Programs |
Mid June to End July * |
Mid December to End January * |
*These dates are the final closing dates for the submission of field reports.
Many students however choose to submit their reports on the day
of their seminar presentation (the earlier date).
Application Closing Dates
You will need to ensure that either you or your home university forwards a
completed ACICIS Application Package and your non-refundable Visa/Orientation
fee to the ACICIS by 1 October for the following 1st Semester of the year,
and by 1 May for the following 2nd Semester. This is to allow preparation
of supporting documentation for visa applications and completion of Indonesian
enrolment requirements. ACICIS reserves the right to refuse or accept late applications.
A late fee may apply on applications received after 1st Oct/May. Late submissions
have less chance of obtaining the necessary visa. Please contact the Secretariat
for further information.
|