Hannah Goldschlager is a student from the The University of Western Australia. Hannah undertook the Indonesian Language Short Course at Satya Wacana University in Salatiga with the assistance of a $3,000 New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant in 2024. Hannah is studying Bachelor of Arts.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake ILSC?
To improve my language skills and see more of Indonesia and its culture.
Q: Did you receive a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant? If yes, why do you think the NCP is an important initiative?
Yes, the NCP grant made the experience much more attainable. It is important as it gives an opportunity to those who would not ordinarily have the time or money to do a program similar to the ILSC to see another part of the world, meet new people and experience new cultures.
Q: What did you find to be the most rewarding part of this in-country experience?
Staying with a family in a homestay was invaluable, being able to use the language in a less formal setting and trying to figure out what you want to say really tested my language skills for the better. The homestay allowed us to really live in Indonesian culture, try the food and experience it firsthand where you may not normally be able to if you were staying alone.
Q: What do you find to be the most challenging about the ILSC?
Adjusting to the new schedules with both the family and uni while adjusting to the climate.
Q: Have you had previous experience learning Indonesian in Australia? If yes, how different was the in-country ILSC to your previous experiences?
Yes, I have studied Indonesian in primary school, high school and in University. Those experiences were all once or twice a week for an hour or two with homework afterwards. This experience has been constant learning and improvement. Being able to see the culture that we have learnt about in class solidifies it both in my vocabulary and in my memory.
Q: Were you able to learn about the Indonesian culture from this in-country program? If yes, how was this achieved?
Yes, staying in the homestay allowed insight into the culture, as we could see how the family operated from day-to-day and as they included us in conversations and at their mealtimes. Also living in Salatiga and being able to walk around the city, talking to locals and gocar drivers has helped to solidify our learning about the culture too.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about the course?
The style of teaching which gives us a lot of freedom to learn what we want on top of the course content that is important and useful. I also very much enjoyed the cultural experiences provided by the program such as the field trips and syukuran.
Q: How will your proficiency in Indonesian Language gained through the ILSC influence your future career or study?
Ideally I would like to go into translation work or work alongside the Australian government with Indonesia. This aids me in obtaining my Indonesian language major quicker and with more proficiency.
Q: Would you recommend this program to your friends?
Yes, absolutely if they wanted to improve their Indonesian language skills or learn about the culture.
Q: Describe your experience of the in-country ILSC in three words!
Busy, insightful, enjoyable.
Q: What is your favourite Indonesian phrase?
Jam karet or simsalabim.