Study International Relations in Bandung

ACICIS’ International Relations Program (IRP) enables students to study in one of Indonesia’s foremost IR departments at Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR) in Bandung, West Java. Taught in English, the IRP provides students with a comprehensive understanding of international relations at the regional and global levels, as seen from an Indonesian perspective, while developing necessary critical skills to enter the field of international relations. The program also provides a unique opportunity for non-Indonesian speakers to experience in-country study at an Indonesian university.

In the International Relations field, UNPAR is one of Indonesia’s highest ranking universities. Staff include PhD graduates of Flinders, Curtin, Queensland, Cambridge, Leeds, Helsinki, Groningen and Leuven universities. It has collaborative agreements with Leeds (UK), Giessen (Germany) and Flinders (Australia) universities, leading to staff and student exchanges and joint research and teaching projects. Staff members’ research and teaching interests include strategic and security studies, conflict resolution, diplomacy, foreign policy, ASEAN, international NGOs, international media and communications, European studies and comparative international studies.

The Department of International Relations has strong research and consultancy links with the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs and Indonesian Institute of Sciences, as well as with international organisations such  as the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. In addition to research, the department has a strong commitment to high quality teaching and learning, combining academic knowledge and skills with practical experience of international issues of significance to Indonesia. Students are encouraged to learn in an atmosphere of openness, constructive discussion and mutual support in each of the university’s faculties. Students from the department regularly participate in the Harvard National Model United Nations, in 2009 winning the Outstanding Delegation Award, one of only three Asian universities to win an award that year. The department also boasts an active Student Society for the Study of International Affairs, which conducts a variety of academic and social activities during the year.

IRP Details

• Why study International Relations in Indonesia?
• Subjects and Staff
• Program dates (Please note that students must register with the police in Bandung within 24 hours of arrival)
• Semester costs
• Application forms
• West Java Field Study option at UNPAR
• More about Bandung
• See an ACICIS Powerpoint

Students:

• Enjoy a 3-day orientation on arrival covering health, security, academic and cultural aspects of living ‘in-country’;
• Can stay in a kos (rented room) or rent a house close to campus (For accommodation options see here);
• Receive an official UNPAR academic transcript and Certificate of Achievement in International Relations on successful completion of the semester.

ACICIS:

• Fully assists with visa processing, which is usually through the Indonesian consulate in Perth, Australia, or via any other nominated Indonesian embassy or consulate;
• Has an Australian Project Officer for the IRP based in Bandung to assist with academic supervision, offer advice and pastoral care for students;
• Employs a full time Resident Director in Yogyakarta, normally an Australian academic, plus five other full-time staff members to assist ACICIS students in Indonesia;
• Provides 24 hour emergency assistance for all ACICIS students;
• Provides help and information about how to arrange accommodation;
• Provides students with a pendamping or ‘buddy’ upon arrival to help students navigate the UNPAR campus and settle in.