More Than a Placement: Learning Journalism in Indonesia

When I stepped into the Jakarta heat for the first time, I was jet-lagged, wide-eyed, and feeling a mix of anticipation and excitement. I had never been to Asia, let alone a megacity of more than 10 million people. Coming from New Zealand, where life feels familiar and manageable, Jakarta was immediate, loud, vibrant, and overwhelming, in the best possible way. From the moment I arrived, I knew this experience would push me beyond anything I had known before.

That sense of stepping into the unknown was exactly why I applied for an Asia New Zealand Foundation media internship to complete the ACICIS Journalism Professional Practicum. What I did not expect was just how supported I would feel while navigating such an unfamiliar environment.

From day one, ACICIS provided constant guidance, pastoral care, and reassurance. Whether it was helping us adjust to life in Jakarta, supporting us through placements, or even taking me to the clinic when I came down with the infamous “Jakarta belly,” the programme made an experience that could have felt intimidating feel far more approachable.

AMC's media interns, Isla Melton and Amy Riach, joined other ACICIS interns for the orientation in Jakarta. Photo: Author

The course was thoughtfully structured to help us settle in. The first week brought together around 16 journalism students, alongside peers from other disciplines, including law, business, agriculture, fine arts, and development studies. This interdisciplinary mix immediately broadened conversations and perspectives.

We attended seminars that functioned like lectures, went on field trips to major media organisations such as CNN Indonesia and Radio Republik Indonesia, and began our Bahasa Indonesia language classes. That first week was foundational, it helped us build friendships, gain confidence navigating Jakarta, and ease into both the academic and professional expectations of the programme.

Field trip to the CNN Indonesia studio. Photo: Author

Language learning quickly became a cornerstone of the experience. Our Bahasa Indonesia classes continued throughout the program, running each evening from 6–8pm, once placements began. Learning the language not only helped with daily life, but deepened my understanding of Indonesian culture and media.

Even small interactions, ordering food, chatting with GoJek drivers, or navigating markets, became moments of connection. Language learning grounded the entire experience and reinforced that journalism, at its core, is about understanding people and context.

What truly made the practicum unforgettable were the friendships formed along the way. Our cohort became incredibly close, bonded by shared challenges and discoveries. Amy and I were the only New Zealanders in the group, surrounded by Australian students, which made the experience even more special. We quickly became known as “the Kiwis,” a label that came with plenty of curiosity and good-natured teasing, and strengthened our sense of identity within the group.

Living in Jakarta itself was amazing. The city is a stark contrast to New Zealand life, fast-paced, densely populated, and constantly moving. Yet amid the hustle, I was struck by how welcoming people were. Almost every day, locals would ask where we were from and what brought us to Indonesia. Being asked for photos became a regular occurrence, often followed by genuine excitement that we had chosen to visit their country.

Rather than feeling like outsiders, we felt warmly embraced, reshaping my understanding of cultural exchange and hospitality.

On weekends, the programme encouraged us to explore beyond the capital. Trips to places like Bandung and Yogyakarta offered a different pace of life and deeper insight into Indonesia’s history and cultural diversity. These weekends added balance to the intensity of placement weeks and helped us appreciate the country in a more and deepend friendships.

Day trip to Bandung, hiking at TWA Gunung Papandayan. Photo: Author

Professionally, the highlight of the practicum was my placement at Tempo, one of Indonesia’s most respected newsrooms. Being placed there felt surreal. We were not simply observing, we were contributing.

We worked on the groundwork of a major investigation that will continue for six months, gaining firsthand exposure to investigative journalism on a scale rarely accessible to students. During this time, I had multiple international articles published, including coverage of the Bondi Junction shooting and Antam gold prices. Being trusted with stories of that significance was both challenging and deeply affirming.

Getting a tour of Tempo's in house print room with fellow interns, Amy Riach and Max Muller. Photo: Author

Near the end of the program, Amy and I meet with the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta, an incredibly special and unexpected highlight.

Speaking with embassy staff about our experiences, the impact of ACICIS, and the value of the Asia New Zealand Foundation's media centre internship programme felt like a full-circle moment. It reinforced the importance of people-to-people connections and showed how experiences like this strengthen ties between New Zealand and Indonesia.

Looking back, this experience was truly transformative. The opportunity made possible for me to step into an unfamiliar part of the world and thrive there. I arrived excited for the unknown, but I left inspired, carrying new skills, lifelong friendships, and a deeper appreciation for Indonesia and the wider region.

At the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta, we met with New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Philip Taula, and members of the diplomatic staff. Photo: Author

-Asia Media Centre