Visas
There are a number of types of visa, and if your main purpose is to study in Indonesia, you would want to apply for a student visa. It is suggested that students apply for their visa at least 14 days before leaving for Indonesia. Many students apply for their visa immediately after receiving their acceptance letter from their university. The cost is around 45USD, but may change depending on the university or the country you are applying from. It is best to apply for a visa in your home country before travelling, so you don’t hit any unexpected issues. As each student will have different circumstances, it is important to make sure you are applying for the correct visa and have the correct information for your specific case. For more information about the required documents and embassy letter that are required, click this link: www.asiaexchange.org/information/visa-asia/indonesia-visa/.
Languages
Bahasa Indonesia is the national language, but there are over 700 other indigenous languages that are spoken in Indonesia. Many people speak both Bahasa Indonesia and the dialect they grew up around, making them bilingual. Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of Indonesia, perhaps even picking up the national language. When you are at university, there will be students and professors that can speak English, as well.
Cities
Bali
Bali is the most famous island in Indonesia, and relies heavily on tourism. It is home to Udayana University, which was founded in 1962. Many students choose to study at Udayana University from all over the world, including Japan, China, and the United States. It is also easy to apply and you will hear back quickly. They are home to two active volcanoes and the world’s most expensive coffee, two things that are a must see if you plan on studying in Bali.
Jakarta
Jakarta is the largest city in Indonesia, with a population of over 10 million people. This metropolitan city is also the capital of Indonesia, with many universities to choose from, such as BINUS International University and the School of Business and Management. It is also home to one of the campuses of Universitas Indonesia (UI), the oldest university in Indonesia. UI is also home to the largest library in Southeast Asia, which provides students with many resources to complete their studies diligently.
Surabaya
Surabaya has a population of about 6 million people, and students have many options to further their education. The mix of modern skyscrapers and cultural traditions found in the city makes for a very diverse place, perfect for a student to live and learn in. It is an important trading post, as well as a huge city for business. Business students can learn a lot just by being immersed in the culture. It is home to Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), which is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in all of Indonesia.
Bandung
Another large city in Indonesia, it is home to the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), which ranks highly worldwide for their mechanical engineering program. About 20,000 students are enrolled every year, and its campus sprawls over 770,000 square meters. It’s huge! This city is surrounded by volcanic mountains and lies on a river basin. There are many attractions around the city, like golf courses, the zoo, and outlet malls. Many people from the city of Jakarta go to Bandung for the weekend to have a fun getaway.
Yogyakarta
Although a smaller city, Yogyakarta has earned its name as one of the major centers of education because it is home to another prestigious university, Gadjah Mada (UGM). This is by far the largest university in the entire country of Indonesia, having about 50,000 students enrol every year.
