Emilie Monty is a participant in the 2018 Creative Arts and Design Professional Practicum from The University of Western Australia. Emilie is studying a Bachelor of Design. Emilie received a $3,000 New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant to support her participation in this program.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake the ACICIS program?
I wanted to do an exchange and broaden my experience within my field of interest. I could not afford to do it out of my own pocket, so I was attracted to the New Colombo Plan mobility grant.
Q: How will the Professional Practicum benefit or influence your future career?
It has helped me to see where my interests lie or don’t lie, and my hands on experience within a creatives arts business and with children is invaluable to me.
Q: What organisation are you interning with? (Explain your roles and responsibilities)
I am interning with SemAta Gallery, and my roles include: assisting with after school classes of children under 12, running weekend workshops for ages 12+, working on my own practice, and painting a mural and holding a exhibition.
Q: How have you found the work culture of your host organisation? How is it different to work experience in Australia?
I have found that there is much less structure here, which has both positives and negatives. For me, it allows us to work with the kids and their own creative expression and improvise based on the context, which is fantastic! But it also means irregular and long hours, and often slight disorganisation with lesson plans.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time in Indonesia?
Try all of the Indonesian food, visit tourist areas outside of the city, and see as many natural things as possible.
Q: Would you like to return to work in Indonesia again in future?
Yes, I would love to come back to study and potentially be involved in more arts education programs with children and youth.
Q: Favourite Indonesian food?
My favourite Indonesian food is a pancake thing called Kue Lumpur. It translates to mud cake, but it is kind of like saltines with custard or cheese on-top.
Q: Favourite Indonesian word/phrase?
Semangat and Gokil.
Q: What places in Indonesia have you visited during your practicum so far?
Bogor, Bandung and surrounds. There is a nice place called Lembang, where the tourists from Jakarta go, with lots of cafes and gardens to sit in. There are also nice hot springs to explore.