Talia Liney was a participant in the pilot iteration of the Agriculture Professional Practicum, in 2019. Talia is a Bachelor of Environment and Society student from RMIT University. Talia received a $3,000 New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant to support her participation in this program.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake ACICIS’ Agriculture Professional Practicum?
To have the opportunity to undertake an international internship with an organisation directly related to my interests and career goals.
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? If so, how did this contribute to your experience in Indonesia?
I did. The grant contributed greatly to my experience, allowing for me to have more flexibility in my time in Indonesia.
Q: How will the Agriculture Professional Practicum benefit or influence your future career?
I found the program as a whole, and specifically the internship, to be incredibly influential to my career aspirations. The time in Indonesia assisted me to gain a greater understanding of the environment sector as well as what it means to be a foreigner working in an international context.
Q: Which organisation did you intern with? What were your roles and responsibilities?
I interned with World Resources Institute (WRI). I worked as part of a team that focused on forestry and was given a research project on forest governance, specifically understanding how KPH’s (Forest Management Units) operate and engage with other stakeholders. My goal was to write a short article on credible participation of stakeholders in forest governance in Indonesia. You can read it here: https://wri-indonesia.org/en/life-at-wri/forest-management-complex-environment-implications-effective-kph-governance
Q: How have you found the work culture of your host organisation? How is it different to work experience in Australia?
The work culture was very diligent. It was inspiring to see so many young people engaged in and passionate about environmental issues.
Q: Would you like to return to work in Indonesia again in future?
Yes, definitely. I have a better understanding now of what that would require. I feel I would need a much better grasp on the language and culture before doing so. Given the closeness of Indonesia and Australia, I do strongly believe that more relationships between the two countries should be facilitated.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time in Indonesia?
Some weekends I spent exploring Jakarta, trying to get a sense of what it would be like to live there. The city is full of amazing food, coffee shops and little creative spaces. It was very inspiring to get a glimpse into the culture of the city. Other weekends I spent out of the city visiting nearby places like Bandung where I spent time around the mountains.
Q: Favourite place to eat and favourite Indonesian food?
My favourite café was 7 Speed in South Jakarta. My favourite Indonesian foods would be nasi goreng and an amazing sticky rice, peanut and coconut dish I had in Bandung but don’t remember the name of!
Q: Favourite Indonesian word/phrase?
Sangat keren!
Q. What places in Indonesia have you visited during your practicum so far?
During my time in Indonesia, in addition to Bogor and Jakarta, I visited Bandung, Garut, Pagar Alam in South Sumatra and Bali.