Study Options in Indonesia

While ACICIS options are constantly developing and expanding, most ACICIS students must usually spend their first semester of study at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, and typically (though not compulsory) spend their second semester at Universitas Muhammadiyah in Malang, East Java. The program at UGM allows students to choose a mix of Indonesian language and other regular UGM curriculum subjects according to the language ability and interest of the student. Because all courses are taught in Indonesian, students must already have enough basic skills in the Indonesian language to attend a university class.

The above does not apply to Islamic Studies or Journalism Professional Practicum students. These two study options are open to everyone - no background in Indonesian language is required. Students will either undergo a two-week intensive in-country language and culture course (as per the Journalism Professional Practicum study option) or assigned an Indonesian tutor/translator (as per the Islamic Studies study option).

For the present, due to social and political upheaval in Indonesia, the program is restricted to Java unless prior approval of the ACICIS Reference Group is given.

Gadjah Mada University

Universitas Gadjah Mada Founded in 1949, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is a comprehensive research university. It is one of the top four Indonesian universities. The Times Higher-QS World Rankings 2008 rated UGM as 3rd in Indonesia and equal 316th in the world.  (No Indonesian universities are included in the Shanghai Jiao Tong University ranking of the top 500 globally). UGM has 18 Faculties: Agricultural Technology, Agriculture, Animal Science, Biology, Cultural Sciences, Dentistry, Economics, Engineering, Forestry, Geography, Law, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Philosophy, Psychology, Social and Political Sciences, and Veterinary Science. It also has a Graduate School and 28 research Centres. UGM has 54,000 students, including over 13,000 postgraduate students and over 700 international students (including 36 Australians). UGM is located in Jogjakarta in central Java, 443km east of Jakarta. Jogjakarta, with a population of a little over 500,000, is regarded as a centre of Javanese culture as well as a centre of learning.

Muhammadiyah University

Universitas Muhammadiyah (UnMuh or UMM) is a dynamic private university established in 1965 which has developed into one of the most prominent universities in Malang, East Java. It has 10 faculties and 29 departments spread over three campuses within the city, its student population is around 20,000 and there are over 400 lecturers on staff. UnMuh offers a unique semester long field research program which allows placement in an urban or rural situation in East Java for social and cultural studies.

Indonesian Islamic University

Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) was founded in 1945, at a general assembly meeting of Masjoemi, attended by leading political figures such as Muhammad Hatta, Mohammad Natsir, Wachid Hasyim and Mohammad Roem. They decided to establish an Islamic higher school, which in 1947 developed into Universitas Islam Indonesia. UII was soon forced to close due to the Dutch invasion of Java, with many staff and students joining the military to repel the Dutch. Today UII is a modern, progressive university located on several campuses in the north of Yogyakarta. They have many research institutes, including Islamic Teaching, Information Management, Community Service and Human Rights. They also have a pesantren (Islamic boarding school), an outward bound centre, a publishing company, and various charities. ACICIS students take classes here in Islamic Business, Islamic Law and/or Islamic Society (in English) as part of the International Program.

Atma Jaya University

Universitas Atma Jaya is Indonesia's premier private Catholic University. This dynamic institution was founded in 1960 and is located in the heart of the bustling capital, Jakarta. It has many faculties, including Economics, Law, Education and Psychology. ACICIS students study here as part of the Journalism Professional Practicum, undertaking two weeks of classes which are designed to enhance their journalistic skills and give them a background into Indonesian history, politics and media, before starting their industry internships.

Indonesian Institute of the Arts

Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) was opened in 1984, when the Academies of Fine Arts (established 1950), Music (1952) and Dance (1961) were merged. It is now one of the finest and most respected schools for the Arts in Indonesia. There are 250 lecturers for 2,500 students, with an average of 25 foreign students per year. It is located in Bantul, six kilometres south of central Yogyakarta. ACICIS students regularly study at ISI for a semester. They have studied music, graphic arts, theatre, batik, ceramics, dancing and mask/puppet making.