Student stories
Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University
Students write about their experiences studying Asian Studies at the ANU ...
A great opportunity to 'get your foot in the door’ for a career in the field...
Angie Bexley
Current student in Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Asian Studies (Indonesian) combined degree
I enrolled in the Practical Assignment in South East Asia course as the last component of my undergraduate Bachelor of Asian Studies (Indonesia) degree for Second Semester, 2001. This work experience can serve as a strategic "diving board" for launching you into the work world as well as equipping you with positive work experience and more in depth knowledge on the Indonesian situation and relevant issues.
I undertook six weeks work experience with the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), Jakarta from August - September, 2001. As a result I ended up signing a contract for another four months upon receiving an AUSAID grant.
Komnas Perempuan is an independent institution founded on the principle that women’s rights are human rights and built on the interests of promoting a gender-sensitive approach in the Indonesian context. The Commission was set up in response to Indonesian women’s outcry against the sexual assault and violence during the May 1998 riots. In the face of significant gaps and inability of other government human rights institutions, Komnas Perempuan endeavors to increase public understanding through publications and strategic dialogues, create a conducive environment for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by advocating legal and policy reform and to strengthen capacities for the prevention of violence against women and for dealing with its consequences.
My official job title is 'cultural consultant’ and my main area of work is within the public campaign area. Early in 2003 I worked on the preparations for their 3rd anniversary and later in November I will be working on the National Anti-Violence Campaign where I will be traveling with Komnas to the provinces of Kalimantan, Lombok and Sulawesi and Sumatera. My work includes translating key documents, interpreting, gender training, organizing campaign kits, attending meeting on strategic planning and producing a short film clip on Komnas Perempuan and acting as a contact person for the relevant art communities to be involved. I have gained much deeper and invaluable knowledge on the issue of gender and feminism in the Indonesian context and have also gained important insights into the Indonesian working conditions and learning to deal with the 'jam karet’ (rubber time) factor!
Without undertaking three years of language training and a year of specialist study in Indonesia, I perhaps would not have the language ability nor cultural knowledge to be able to work on such an interactive level providing a real positive cultural exchange.
The 'Practical Assignment in SEA’ is a great opportunity to 'get your foot in the door’ if you are wanting to begin a career in the field. It provides important relevant work experience and a chance to expand your knowledge learnt during the years you spent in Asian Studies on socially significant issues. The best thing is, you never know where it can lead to!
And now as a graduate...
After my time in Jakarta, I received a contract with the United Nations to work on the historic presidential elections in East Timor. This contact gave me a valuable insight into East Timor's independence process.
I am now in East Timor working as the Indonesian interpreter for the East Timorese Ministers in Government where I am constantly drawing on the language as well as socio-cultural background I gained through my time at the ANU.
I am an Assistant Program Officer for the Asia Foundation's Islam and Civil society program in Jakarta
Jacqui Baker
Bachelor of Asian Studies (Specialist) / Bachelor of Arts
I am an Assistant Program Officer for the Asia Foundation's Islam and Civil society program in Jakarta. This means I facilitate our local partners to design and implement programs to promote greater understanding about democracy, human rights, gender and pluralism among the Islamic community and Indonesia more generally. In my position with the Foundation, I fund those programs, monitor and evaluate them. As part of my job, we also try help to generate greater understanding of Islamic-sensitive programming and policy-making to governments, NGOs and other development professionals.
On the photo I am interviewing residents of Quelicai, East Timor about human rights violations that occured in the region from 1974-1999 in my capacity as a researcher on massacres for the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation. Residents showed me a mass grave very close to this home.
India: the Emerging Giant
Dorothy Mayhew
Current student in the Diploma of Asian Studies Hindi program
Recently, I completed India: the Emerging Giant, a course in my Asian Studies degree. I learnt so much and thoroughly enjoyed the subject.
My interest in India began about ten years ago when I backpacked there for two months. I have returned several times, developing friendships and some understanding of the culture. With this background I can honestly say that the course content and delivery is excellent. Our lecturer was not only enthusiastic and well read but presented his material with an in-depth understanding of India’s multi-cultural background.
The course began with ancient and medieval Indian history and the religions of India, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Islam. We also explored the present situation in India, including security issues, nationalism, sectarian and religious conflicts, the role of the middle class, and trade.
I am now preparing for the Applied Hindi course to be held in Rishikesh India during our summer vacation. I know that speaking the Hindi language will help me learn more about this fascinating country.
Engaging Asia: Working with Government
Jennifer Donohoe
Current student in the Bachelor of Asian Studies (Specialist) degree.
Engaging Asia: Working with Government is an innovative course offered to later-year students at the Australian National University. The course is delivered in intensive mode, which involves two weekends of workshops and seminars.
This year, expert witnesses came from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, AUSAID, AusTrade, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Department of Education Training and Youth Affairs, and Defence. As well as special seminars given by the Singapore High Commissioner and the ex-director of Radio Australia. The combination of fascinating lectures and top experts in each of these fields, and intensive group work made for an invaluable university experience. The course was highly successful in promoting development of analysis skills and specialised skills required in a public service environment. Working in small groups also allowed students to develop friendships and gain contacts. The nature of the course means that participants come from both university and working environments, both Australian and international.
And now as a graduate...
I have been working for the past 10 months for an international Non Government Organisaiton (NGO) called Peace Brigades International (PBI) on the Indonesia Project (IP). PBI is an international, independent, volunteer-based organisation that provides unarmed protective accompaniment to local civil society organisations in conflict zones as well as a peace education program. These local organisations are working for humanitarian and human rights issues in their area and are taken on as PBI as 'clients' if they are threatened as a result of their work. PBI (IP) has been running for the past four years, initially in West Timor and later in Aceh, Flores and Jakarta. During my time with PBI, I have spent 8 months on the Jakarta team where I am responsible for maintaining a high-level network of contacts, with embassies, Indonesian government agencies, other international NGOs, the UN and local NGOs. These contacts form part of our international political support network that we rely on to respond when one of our client members is threatened as a result of their humanitarian or human rights work.
Apart from my work in Jakarta, I have also spent one month in Banda Aceh working directly with PBI IP's clients and meeting a broad range of local actors in this conflict zone. At the time of my deployment to Aceh, the Indonesian government and GAM (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka - Free Aceh Movement) were in the midst of a cessation of hostilities agreement aimed at bringing an end to the armed conflict there. Since then the agreement broke down and Aceh is once again in a state of armed conflict. During September I was able to participate as a facilitator for PBI IP's peace education training workshops in Flores, East Indonesia. The program focussed on finding local solutions for various conflicts experienced in the area and included local as well as PBI facilitators. Currently I am being interviewed for a position with an international donor organisation to work on their elections program in 2004.
I gained an in depth understanding of Thai and many contemporary issues in Asia
John Crocker
Graduate of the Bachelor of Asian Studies (Honours) degree majoring in Thai and Asian History.
What I loved about Asian Studies was getting to know another language, society and culture in depth and marrying that with an understanding of the history, religions, politics and economies of the region. I could study courses on the ancient cultures of Southeast Asia, the future of East Timor, Thailand’s relations with its neighbours, reading modern literature, China now, tensions and separatist movements in India, Buddhist thought and practice, post-World War 2 economic development in Japan and so much more. While I decided to study the Thai language in detail, my parallel courses in Asian history and Asian literature have given me an in depth understanding of many contemporary issues in Asia.
A course highlight were the two phone link-ups the class had with lecturers who were posted as international observers for the East Timorese election
Matt Flint
Current student in the Bachelor of Asian Studies (Indonesian) degree
I have been an Asian Studies student for the past four years. One of the most exciting aspects of the program is that the courses often deal with very up to date issues and current affairs, rather than just textbook history. A good example of this is a course I took called the Future of East Timor. Rather than the lectures being given by the same lecturer for the entire semester, there were a large number of lecturers from a variety of disciplines, each presenting their analysis of what may lie ahead for East Timor’s future. This gave me a much broader overview than just being taught the sociological or political situation. A course highlight were the two phone link-ups the class had with lecturers who were posted as international observers for the East Timorese election. We got up to the minute information just as polls were closing and had the opportunity to put our own questions to those on the scene. This is definitely a different and exciting way to study Asian History!
A great way to get my teeth into something REAL vs. learning in the traditional classroom setting
Kirrilee Hughes
Current student in the Bachelor of Asian Studies (Specialist) degree.
‘Practical Assignment in Southeast Asia’ - I was interested in this course due to its practical nature – whilst there were a few classes held at ANU, the majority of the course is completed in-country, in my case Indonesia, with a non-government organisation. I thought it would be a great way to get my teeth into something "real", as opposed to something confined to the classroom.
I decided to do my work placement with the Indonesian media. I had no experience in this field whatsoever, but journalism is a career I have always considered, and I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to get some work experience. I applied to several national television stations as well as a large national newspaper. I was accepted into all these organisations, but instead decided to apply to a local newspaper, as I felt a smaller organisation could offer a more active experience. I thus applied to the Malang Post, a local daily newspaper published in the town of Malang, East Java. This paper is owned by the Java Post Group, one of the largest media conglomerates in Indonesia. My choice to work with a smaller organisation paid off immediately – from Day One I was expected to produce articles (in Indonesian!) before the 8pm deadline, just like the other reporters!
I spent the first four weeks of the six-week placement in the reporting/editorial division – accompanying reporters in covering events, interviewing members of the community and then writing articles. I was able to work with over ten reporters in a variety of posts, from education to business as well as crime and law. During this period, I contributed to approximately 10 articles with other reporters and wrote over 15 on my own. Not only did I obtain in-country language experience, but also gained practical work experience in terms of interviewing, information collecting and writing skills. I made friends with the journalists whom I accompanied, and experienced their lives not just as journalists, but also as journalists working in an Indonesian context.
I was also able to spend a week each in the marketing/circulation and advertising divisions. This enabled me to obtain a complete picture of how this local newspaper operates within the community, in terms of the stories carried, as well as the commercial side of the industry.
After 10 hours a day at work, I would come home completely exhausted, particularly from using Indonesian all day; speaking and listening, reading and writing. My language skills have never received a more intense workout – being the only foreigner at the office, it was Indonesian or silence!
I can honestly say that this is the best course I have ever done at ANU, in terms of both usefulness and enjoyment. The onus is completely on the student - to choose and apply to an organisation they would like to work with, to complete the six-week placement and to collect relevant information for the assessment tasks. One’s experience can only be equal to the effort made, but if you do make the effort, you are rewarded with a priceless experience. Not only have I experienced living and working in an Indonesian environment, but living and working with the Indonesian media, and consequently have a network of international contacts and friends.