United States-Indonesia Society 10-week Language & Culture Studies Summer Program 2019, Indonesia

The program will begin with a three-day orientation in Yogyakarta, where participants will be introduced to the local committee, their language tutors from ILCIC Sanata Dharma University, as well as their host families. The participants will attend various sessions designed to enable them to create a richer and meaningful experience during their stay in Yogyakarta. These include Cross-Cultural Understanding session which will help students gain a comprehensive understanding of the cultural differences between Indonesian and American Culture, as well as an ‘Amazing Race’ challenge which will help familiarize students with key places in Yogyakarta in a fun and interactive way. The program ends with the students moving in to each host family.

The language component of USINDO’s Summer Studies Program is conducted in partnership with the Indonesian Language and Culture Intensive Course (ILCIC) housed at Sanata Dharma University. ILCIC has had extensive experience in conducting Bahasa Indonesia teaching programs for foreign university students and its location in the heart of Yogyakarta allows Summer Studies students to interact directly with Indonesian students and locals in its lively campus atmosphere.

The program typically offers two class levels: beginner and intermediate. However, USINDO also accommodates participants wishing to learn at the advanced level as well. To make sure the learning is customized, students will have the opportunity to adjust their class levels based on their progress.

Typical class schedule is held Tuesday – Friday and covers the essentials of Indonesian vocabulary, grammar, and cultural contexts through interactive speaking, reading, writing, and listening exercises. Students also practice twice a week after regular classes with Indonesian tutors who are students in Yogyakarta. Such tutoring provides the opportunity to both the Indonesian and American students to engage at an informal level, to ask questions, and to develop friendships; many Summer Studies alumni have maintained these bonds long after participating in the program.

During the first week of June (June 3- 7, 2019), a one week mid-term break will be given to accommodate the Eid holiday. During this time, students will have a week break from classes and workshops. Students are allowed to travel within Indonesia during this time to conduct research or for leisure. However, students are required to inform the local program coordinator as well as their host families of their travel plans. Students are also responsible for their own travel arrangements and costs during the practicum period.

Students will live with host families throughout their stay in Indonesia. The host family experience is intended to reinforce language studies during the day, and to give students the real experience of living with an Indonesian family. Indonesians are hospitable, welcoming people. Strong emphasis is placed on the importance of the family unit. By welcoming American students into their homes, host families welcome them to their daily routine and often invite them to participate as family members in significant events such as weddings. Significantly, the experience allows acquaintances and extended family of the host family to have exposure to young, educated Americans interested in Indonesia and willing to engage.

Students are able to get firsthand experience of Indonesian culture through various cultural workshops, including: gamelan(traditional musical ensemble), batik (textile dyeing technique), traditional dancing, and cooking classes focusing on Indonesian cuisine.

Special Lectures will be held on a bi-weekly basis to introduce students to discussions of topics in various fields, including politics, history, culture, religion, and economics with an emphasis on current issues, such as good governance, interfaith relations, economy outlook, and Indonesia contemporary politics. The selection of topics will also consider the participating students’ fields of study and general interests. Speakers may come from prominent leaders in the Indonesian private sector, government officials, scholars, non-government sector, and media.

Eligibility

Application Documents

All of the following application documents must be submitted via email to usindojkt@usindo.org.

• Application form: Please submit a completed and signed application form, available HERE.
• Personal statement: Please submit a 500-800 word personal statement describing your academic interests, career goals, interest in Indonesia & how your participation in this program will enhance those interests and goals, how your career might further the mission of the Society to promote more awareness of Indonesia in the United States, and why you chose to apply for the 2019 USINDO Summer Studies Program.
  *In addition to the personal statement, you may also submit a short introductory video of yourself. This video should be no more than one minute long and should serve the purpose of helping us get to know you and your motivation better beyond your personal statement. Please note that this video is optional.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume: Please submit a curriculum vitae or resume (not to exceed 10 pages).
• Academic transcript(s): Please submit the latest academic transcript from the educational institution where you are currently enrolled or recently graduated from.
• Letter of recommendation: One (1) recommendation letter is required. The letter of recommendation may include the recommender's assessment of your character, potentials, and accomplishments, with examples if possible; the recommender's understanding of your academic/professional interests; and why the recommender would recommend you to be chosen as a 2019 USINDO Summer Studies participant. Recommenders must submit the letter of recommendation directly to usindojkt@usindo.org.
• Tax Return Transcript (for scholarship applicants only): The electronic copy of the transcript should be from the most recent year filed, and can be either the student’s or their parents’ (if the student is still a dependent).

Applicants are responsible for ensuring their applications are submitted on time. Only complete applications will be considered.

Fee

The program fee covers the following expenses of the program including return international and domestic air ticket, tuition, cultural program, field trip, special lecture, accommodation, two meals per day, visa, and travel insurance. Each student pays a fee of $2,000 toward these program costs, and the USINDO Summer Studies Program provides the substantial remainder of these program costs. All other incidentals are the responsibility of the student.

Deadline

We are accepting applications all year long. Applications and required documents must be received by USINDO no later than February 8, 2019 to be considered for the Summer 2019 program.

Applicants will be notified of the decisions on February 22, 2019.