From June 26 – July 5, 2024, ACICIS proudly hosted 11 passionate high school students from Braemar College, Victoria, Australia, for the first ACICIS Indonesia School Tour program after the pandemic. Accompanying the students were three Braemar College representatives, Daniel Horvat, Darcy Murphy, and Inalya Altmann.

The program was held in Yogyakarta and designed to offer an intensive cultural and educational experience. During the program, Braemar College students were hosted by Sanata Dharma University, where they attended 12 hours of Indonesian language classes at the Lembaga Bahasa (LB) alongside a 7 hour tutorial sessions.

In addition to their Indonesian classes, the students engaged in several cultural trips and activities. They had the opportunity to witness the spectacular Ramayana Ballet and explore the majestic Borobudur Temple. The students also tried crafting silver jewellery and participated in a walking tour of Kotagede, an old and historical district known for its silverwork and cultural heritage. Moreover, the trip continued with visits to the Imogiri Royal Cemetery, where they learned about the history of the Mataram Sultanate.

The trip also included a full day of activities to Kebon Agung village. Here, students immersed themselves in traditional rice planting and ploughing with buffalo. Then, the activity continued with Batik making and traditional Javanese dance class.

Braemar College Indonesia School Tour also visited a local NGO, ‘Yayasan Kampung Halaman’, whose mission is to promote sexual awareness among teenagers in the surrounding community. They also enjoyed a mini workshop on flower arrangement, where they walked through paddy fields to gather flowers and leaves before arranging them.

 

To close the trip, students partake in a final test from Lembaga Bahasa to asses their newly acquired Indonesian skills after days of immersion. They also had an exciting shopping day in Malioboro, where many tested their bargaining skills, with several successful stories.

ACICIS congratulates the Braemar College students on completing the Indonesia School Tour program. For most, it was their first time abroad, but they did an amazing job adapting and participating in the program. Their enthusiasm and hard work truly made the trip special.

ACICIS eagerly anticipate our next opportunity to work with Braemar College again and create more unforgettable experiences.