Douglas Robertson was a participant in the 2020 Business Professional Practicum from Curtin University. Douglas is studying a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake ACICIS’ Business Professional Practicum?
ACICIS offered a unique international experience which I was yet to undertake in my degree. Australia’s and Indonesia’s relationship has always been important to me and with the new IA-CEPA being passed it could a huge new economic tie.
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? If so, how did this contribute to your experience in Indonesia?
Yes, it meant I was able to stay near my workplace and experience other areas of Java.
Q: How will the Business Professional Practicum benefit or influence your future career?
The biggest benefit from the BPP is the experience in foreign cultures and environments. If a future employer asks about my trip here I will be detailing the culture shock I experienced, the new workplaces behaviours I learnt to overcome and the constant traffic everywhere – it shows adaptability.
Q: Which organisation did you intern with? What were your responsibilities?
Kiroyan Partners – my role here involves research, stakeholder analysis and competitor mapping. As a public affairs firm there are multiple facets to completing a proposal when a new client asks for something. As a consulting firm I was able to contribute to meetings regarding direction of work.
Q: How did you find the work culture of your host organisation? How was it different to work experience in Australia?
Definitely a different experience! In Australia I have never worked in office cubicles so it was intriguing experiencing this for my first time in Indonesia. For myself, the office environment was very focused and deadline oriented however when lunch time came around everyone was the best of friends and we would often dine with about 10 people all chatting away about work and life.
Q: Would you like to return to work in Indonesia again in future?
Yes, I’d love to come back and experience the culture and use what I know of Bahasa Indonesia again. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time in Indonesia?
In our spare time we would go to the local malls or out to some bars if we had free time the next day. There were also some travel destinations not too far from Jakarta to visit!
Q: Favourite Indonesian food ?
Soto Daging Betawi – Beef Stew with rice
Q: Favourite Indonesian word/phrase?
Jam Karet – rubber time
Q: What places in Indonesia have you visited during your practicum so far?
I mostly stayed in Jakarta with a trip to Bogor one weekend – if you look hard there is a lot to do in the city and after a week’s work sometimes you just want to relax and go to the cinema.