RUILI LOMBOK - Mataram 2018
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RUILI
LOMBOK - Mataram
In-Country Program
2018
RUILI: Lombok 2018
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT .................................................................................................. 2
ABOUT THE PROGRAM..................................................................................................................................... 1
WHAT IS RUILI? .............................................................................................................................................................1
OUR LOCAL PROVIDERS ..................................................................................................................................................1
DETAILS OF THE IN-COUNTRY PROGRAM ........................................................................................................ 2
STAFF AND CONTACTS..................................................................................................................................... 3
IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS .........................................................................................................................................3
DR UNTUNG W ALUYO ....................................................................................................................................................4
DR ZIFIRDAUS ADNAN ....................................................................................................................................................4
I NDRAWATI ZIFIRDAUS (I NDRA), M.ED .............................................................................................................................5
DR RICHARD CURTIS ......................................................................................................................................................6
LOMBOK/MATARAM MAPS ............................................................................................................................. 7
PREPARING TO LEAVE AUSTRALIA ................................................................................................................... 9
VISA AND PASSPORT ......................................................................................................................................................9
IMPORTANT PREPARATION ............................................................................................................................................10
WHAT TO PACK ............................................................................................................................................................10
ARRIVING IN INDONESIA............................................................................................................................... 12
SETTLING IN .................................................................................................................................................... 12
FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE ..............................................................................................................................................13
Kos.......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Losmens & hotels ................................................................................................................................... 14
Villas ....................................................................................................................................................... 15
STUDYING AT AN INDONESIAN INSTITUTION ................................................................................................. 16
WHAT TO EXPECT .........................................................................................................................................................16
WHAT TO WEAR ...........................................................................................................................................................19
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR STUDY.........................................................................................................................19
GETTING AROUND TOWN .............................................................................................................................. 20
MAKING FRIENDS .........................................................................................................................................................23
A note on friendships with the opposite sex ........................................................................................ 24
FOOD AND DRINK ......................................................................................................................................... 25
HOW TO ORDER FOOD IN A RESTAURANT .......................................................................................................................25
EATING & DRINKING TO STAY HEALTHY ...........................................................................................................................26
RUILI: Lombok 2018 ALCOHOL....................................................................................................................................................................27 STAYING HEALTHY ......................................................................................................................................... 27 MOSQUITO-BORNE AND OTHER I LLNESSES ......................................................................................................................27 I NFECTIONS AND HYGIENE .............................................................................................................................................29 SHOPPING ..................................................................................................................................................... 30 WHERE TO BUY THE ESSENTIALS .......................................................................................................................................30 BUYING PHONE CREDIT .................................................................................................................................................30 DOING LAUNDRY .........................................................................................................................................................31 ETIQUETTE AND BEHAVIOUR .......................................................................................................................... 32 PUSHING YOUR VALUES AND EXPRESSING POLITICAL VIEWS ..............................................................................................32 BREAKING THE LAW ......................................................................................................................................................33 CONVERSATIONAL INDONESIAN .................................................................................................................. 35 USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES FOR YOUR KOS HUNT ......................................................................................................37 STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................................... 38 WEB PAGES IN THIS BOOKLET ........................................................................................................................ 39 Important notes about this document It is important that you read the information contained in this pre-departure guide carefully before you leave to study in Lombok. It will help you avoid mistakes and confusion about what to do and what to expect during your study in-country. Most of you will not have been to Lombok before, and will need some information about your destination, as well as the program you will be taking part in. All images used in this document have been reused under CC0 Creative Commons (free for commercial use, no attribution required) unless otherwise attributed. Title Page Image: Volcan Rinjani en 2010 by Don-vip (CC BY-SA 3.0)
RUILI: Lombok 2018
About the Program
What is RUILI?
The Regional Universities Indonesian Language Initiative (RUILI) was established to promote
collaboration in Indonesian teaching between four regional universities: Charles Darwin
University (CDU), the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), the University of New England (UNE)
and the University of Tasmania (UTAS). A central part of its work has been developing this
intensive Indonesian program in partnership with local institutions in Lombok (Mataram Lingua
Franca Institute (MLFI)) and Kupang (Universitas Nusa Cendana (Undana)). RUILI also works
with a number of other institutions to help students from all over Australia experience intensive
in-country study. The RUILI program is now the largest of its sort, and in our humble opinion, the
best. This booklet is developed for our Lombok Program.
Our local providers
The 2018 program is to be carried out by Mataram Lingua Franca Institute. MLFI specialises in
the teaching of Indonesian to international students of all ages from beginners to advanced
language speakers. The institute is staffed by highly qualified and enthusiastic teachers to
ensure that the learning process is meaningful as well as fun. Currently it has 17 permanent
teaching staff, two with a PhD degree and ten with a Masters degree, some of whom
graduated from Australian universities. MLFI is located in the centre of the Mataram city at
Jalan Amir Hamzah 106, Karang Sukun, Mataram.
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RUILI: Lombok 2018
Details of the In-country Program
Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers - Bahasa Indonesia untuk
Program Penutur Asing (BIPA).
Mataram Lingua Franca Institute (MLFI) Compound at Jl. Amir
Where Hamzah no. 106, Mataram, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB).
Term 1 dates Wednesday 3 January to Tuesday 23 January 2018
Term 2 dates Thursday 25 January to Wednesday 14 February 2018
Monday to Thursday - 8:30 am to 12:10 pm and Friday – 8:00 am to
Class times 11:40 am
Times and days vary from level to level. Activities that form part of
Out of class
an assessment are compulsory, others are optional. Please check
activities with your teachers.
All classes are compulsory. Students who fail to attend all classes
Participation without a valid reason might not be permitted to sit the exam.
Tuesday, 2 January 2018, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm at the MLFI
Opening Compound at Jl. Amir Hamzah no. 106.
ceremony All participants must attend this ceremony as essential information
and will be given by the Resident Director and MLFI Staff.
orientation You will be requested to sign the Statement of Responsibilities (see
page 38).
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Staff and Contacts
Important contact details
Position Name Contact
08214421
Program Director Pak Untung
uwaluyo@gmail.com
Deputy Program Director Ibu Henny 08190740
08123754
Program Secretary Pak Made
mdenasujana@gmail.com
08123754
Program Coordinator Ibu Eka
mataramlfi@gmail.com
Contact in Indonesia:
Resident Director Term 1 Pak Zi +62 812 9714 0801
zadnan@une.edu.au
Contact in Indonesia:
Ass. Resident Director Term 1 Bu Indra +62 812 1056 0265
izifirda@une.edu.au
Resident Director Term 2 Pak Richard rcurtis@usc.edu.au
02 6773 2494
Australian Emergency Contact Joy Kirby
02 6773 2023
(UNE, as administration Hub) Gill Willis
artsadmin@une.edu.au
General Practitioner in Lombok Dr Dewi Suryani 082139223981
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RUILI: Lombok 2018
Dr Untung Waluyo
Director Mataram Lingua Franca Institute
Untung obtained a masters degree from Ohio State University (the
United States of America) and a PhD from University of Sunshine
Coast (Australia). In 1996, he established the Indonesian in-country
program at the University of Mataram together with Doris Jedamski
and Beth Foster of Northern Territory University. This collaboration
continued for several years before Dr Richard Curtis and other colleagues from USC, UNE and
UTAS established the RUILI consortium in 2007. In addition to MLFI, Untung also teaches in the
Department of Languages and Arts at the Faculty of Education, University of Mataram, NTB,
Indonesia. He is actively involved in the community literacy development program in West
Lombok Region. Untung has taught/worked at the Department of Southeast Asian Studies,
Ohio University (the USA), Charles Darwin University, and University of the Sunshine Coast.
‘Halo, para mahasiswa program Bahasa Indonesia In-country. Nama saya Untung Waluyo.
Saya bekerja sebagai direktur lembaga bahasa Mataram Lingua Franca Institute. Saya
senang bisa bertemu dengan anda semua di program ini. Selamat bergabung di lembaga
kami. Saya berharap para instruktur di lembaga kami dapat melayani kebutuhan belajar
anda dengan sebaik-baiknya. Kepuasan anda adalah komitmen kami’.
Dr Zifirdaus Adnan
Resident Director (Term 1)
University of New England
Dr Zifirdaus Adnan is a qualified person to talk about issues in
Applied Linguistics or language teaching generally. He completed
his undergraduate S1 degree in EFL at IKIP Padang in 1984. He
gained his Master of Arts in the same field from Melbourne
University, and then his PhD from Curtin University in Perth, in both Applied Linguistics and
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RUILI: Lombok 2018
Language Education. He also holds a BA Honours degree from Griffith University (Brisbane
Australia) in Asian Studies (Socio-political studies of Asia focusing on Indonesia). He is also a
highly experienced teacher of language, English and Indonesian, both face-to-face and
online (distance education) at two top distant learning institutions in Australia (Murdoch
University and University of New England) in the last 21 years. Previously, he had taught at the
prestigious Adabiah High School in Padang, the Galang Refugee Camp employed by the
Save the Children and Experiment in International Living, the Australian RAAF School of
Languages (now Australian Defence School of Languages), and Melbourne University. He is
also an academic supervisor (currently supervising 3 PhD students, 2 from Indonesia), a
researcher and an author of two books and many articles and book chapters. He has also
presented papers at conferences in various countries around the world including in Australia,
New Zealand, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the USA, and of course Indonesia. Currently
he is the Head (Convener) of Indonesian Language and Culture Studies at the oldest regional
university in Australia, the University of New England. He has won an ‘Excellence in teaching’
award from this university.
Indrawati Zifirdaus (Indra), M.Ed
Assistant Resident Director (Term 1)
University of New England
Indra is an experienced teacher of Indonesian and English language
and culture with over 33 years of teaching experience since she
graduated from Satya Wacana University, Salatiga Indonesia in 1982.
She held an appointment at Galang Island Indochinese Refugees
Camp in 1982 and has participated in the production of Teaching Indonesian as a Foreign
Language Project, Commonwealth of Australia (1994). She has been active in many
translation/interpreting works, including the play “Bali: adat” (Graham Sheil, 1991, Currency
Press).
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RUILI: Lombok 2018
Dr Richard Curtis
Resident Director (Term 2)
University of the Sunshine Coast
I am Richard Curtis, Indonesian Lecturer at the University of the
Sunshine Coast (USC) where I teach Indonesian from beginners
through to advanced. I helped establish our two intensive in-
country programs in Lombok and Kupang, and the UniBRIDGE
Project. UniBRIDGE facilitates friendly online language and cultural learning exchanges
between native speaker peers in Indonesia and Australia. Great for authentic listening and
speaking practice, and making Indonesian friends in preparation for your in-country sojourn.
Like many of you will also experience, my interest in Indonesia(n) has snowballed: I switched
from taking Indonesian as a first year elective to an eight course major in an Asian Studies
degree at Curtin University, after attending an inspiring six-week in-country study program in
Salatiga, Central Java between my first and second undergraduate years. After graduating,
I undertook the 12-month Indonesian Government Dharmasiswa scholarship program, still
available, studying Indonesian language and literature at Universitas Sebelas Maret in Solo,
Central Java. There, I also studied the wayang kulit shadow play, and met my future wife, Bu
Endah. My interest in the performing arts informed my honours (Macquarie University) and PhD
(Curtin University) research topics. My PhD research was on the punakwan clown scene in
wayang mbeling, modern theatre in Tegal, and the dissident street poetry and social activism
of Wiji Thukul in Solo. The award winning 2016 film on Wiji Thukul is called Istirahatlah Kata-kata.
My thesis is available online if you are interested.
See you all in Lombok!
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RUILI: Lombok 2018
Lombok/Mataram Maps
Source: balisightseeings.com
7Mataram Lingua
Franca Institute
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RUILI: Lombok 2018
Map of Mataram/MaLFI. Imagery: Map data ©2017 GoogleRUILI: Lombok 2018
Preparing to Leave Australia
Visa and Passport
All travellers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six (6)
months from the date of arrival, and have proof (tickets) of onward or return passage
(www.indonesiatravel.com).
Visa options:
Free 30-Day Visa for all students doing
just one RUILI term and staying in
Indonesia for up to 30 days only. If you
have any intention to stay longer than 30
days, DO NOT take this visa because you
CANNOT extend it in the country. Take
Option 2 below.
Visa On Arrival* for all students studying for two terms and staying in Indonesia for up to
60 days. This can be extended at the local Lombok immigration office. MLFI Staff can
support your application for an extension. The extension needs to be applied for 7 days
before the expiry date of the original visa. An extension will cost a further US$35.
Social Cultural Visas (Sosbud Visas) must be applied for well before your departure to
Indonesia. They are valid for 60 days and can be extended for a another 30 days twice,
allowing for a total of 120 days.
*Note: Visa on arrival will cost US$35. Visa on arrival is granted for a period of 30 days with the
following conditions:
Can be extended for another 30 days. Please be advised that intention for extension
shall be made at least 7 days before the first 30 days expires.
Cannot be converted into other immigration permits. See Konsulat Jenderal Republik
Indonesia for further details.
9RUILI: Lombok 2018
A fine of Rp. 200,000 (AUD$20) will be imposed for every day you overstay your visa, which
you will be forced to pay by immigration at the airport upon departure.
Important Preparation
You should be tying up loose ends at home. Many of us get so wrapped up in the idea of
heading abroad that we forget we have responsibilities at home so remember, before you
head off on a big trip overseas there are a few things you need to do.
Ensure your passport is valid with an expiry date beyond 6 months from your arrival date in
Indonesia.
Finalise your enrolment at your home university.
Send your travel itinerary to your home university.
Confirm your insurance cover.
Inform your bank about your travel plans.
Inform Centrelink about your travel plans if relevant.
Be aware of the proposed itinerary for your first few days.
Register with DFAT Smart Traveller (essential).
When you make your way to the airport in Australia be sure to carry a few things with you.
Passport (with at least six months left before expiry).
Printed flight itineraries for all your flights.
Details of your insurance policy in both
your wallet and passport.
What to pack
Most material items can be purchased in
Indonesia, but passports/bankcards/licences
can only be obtained at home.
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Essential
Passport.
Bank cards, driver’s licence or other ID card, insurance details.
Clothes.
Stationery: writing pad/book, pens, 2 or 3 USBs (in case they get viruses).
Swimming gear.
Camera with SD cards and recharger/batteries.
Electrical adaptors (round with two small round holes; though these are relatively cheap
and easy to find in Indonesia from department stores).
Any prescription drugs you need with the prescription from your doctor (this includes
the contraception pill).
Sunscreen (this is just about the only thing that is more expensive in Indonesia!).
Sunglasses (the cheap ones you pick up in Indonesia do more harm than good!).
Tampons – can be difficult to find in Indonesia.
Shoes and thongs/sandals
Alternative emails other than Yahoo and Hotmail
as the IP address from Indonesia can be blocked
because the email companies think your
account is being hacked overseas.
Recommended
Laptop, iPad or other tablet – can help with written assessments.
Mobile phone (unlocked) – buying an Indonesian SIM card is cheap and easy.
Simpati usually has the best coverage, but most service providers are fine. Try to memorise your
new number or record it somewhere convenient.
Optional
English language books: hard to find in Lombok!
Snorkelling gear: rentals are available, but if you are serious about your diving bring your
own mask.
11RUILI: Lombok 2018
Surf wax: supplies are unreliable.
Travel diary. Photos of family back home: locals love to see this!
Oleh-oleh (souvenirs): if you end up staying in a kos, or homestay, or meeting a study
buddy, or visiting a cultural/education centre, these can be great icebreakers and the
beginning of great friendships or as a gesture of appreciation when you leave.
Leave at home!
Too many clothes! Laundry there is cheap and quick,or do it yourself with some washing
powder, water, a bucket, and a scrubbing brush.
Large amounts of cash – carrying cash with you just increases your risk of losing it.
ATMs are reliable, just look for the same symbols on your card, e.g. Maestro, Cirrus, or
VISA.
This is by no means an exhaustive list – those of you who have travelled before know what to
take and leave. For first timers, if you ever think ‘maybe I will need this?’, then leave it at home.
If you truly do need it, you can buy it over there or make do without it.
Arriving in Indonesia
For some of you, this will be your first trip overseas. Please read the signs carefully as you
approach the immigration desk as the procedure for you to follow will depend on your type of
visa. If you need to obtain a Visa on Arrival or a Free 30 Day Visa for Short Visit and you cannot
see signs directing you to the appropriate counters then ask for assistance. If you have a Social
Cultural Visa (Sosbud Visa) you should be able to proceed to the Immigration desk but again
check the signs.
Settling In
Your first few days in a new place are always a bit confusing. For that reason, we strongly
recommend that you book into a place to stay - a losmen, homestay (kos) or a hotel - for the
first few days. This will give you a chance to drop your bags, adjust to the new climate and
wander about the town and start to get inspired to learn some Indonesian.
12RUILI: Lombok 2018
Living conditions between Indonesia and Australia often seem to be worlds apart. Say
goodbye to quarter acre blocks, nature strips and hot water and say hello to busy streets,
footpaths that double as markets or motorbike lanes and common mati lampu (blackouts).
These are some of the reasons that inspire many of us to travel – to experience different ways
of making a life on this earth. Keep that in mind, because at times your expectations may not
be met. For all the differences however, life in Indonesia is centred on the same pillars as it is in
Australia; family, friendship and fun. Keep an open mind, wear a smile, and take it easy - you’re
here to have a good time too!
Sometimes it can be problematic accessing Hotmail and Yahoo email accounts in Indonesia
as the IP address or location of access sends a signal to the email server that the account is
being hacked. Generally student email accounts or gmail accounts do not encounter these
issues.
Finding a place to live
First things first – don’t stress! Finding a place to call
home during the program need not be difficult or
cause you worry and in fact it can be quite a fun few
days, and great for your language development.
Many of you have an idea about where you would
like to live and may have already organised this
yourself. If you have not, read through the information below and talk to us, your teachers and
your friends to better understand the options. From there, we can point you in the right direction
(often literally) to finding a place to stay. Options for places to stay will be included in the
orientation session, and afterwards there will be people on hand to accompany you to find a
homestay (kos) or hotel. Many students in the past have stayed at places within 5 -10 minutes
walking distance of MLFI. We recommend you find a suitable place for living and studying as
soon as possible to minimise disruption to your learning in Lombok.
Wherever you stay please emphasise that you are there to study and practice your Indonesian
language. Just tell everyone you meet who wants to practise their English with you that: ‘Saya
13RUILI: Lombok 2018
seorang mahasiswa yang datang ke pulau Lombok untuk belajar bahasa Indonesia. Tolong
pakai bahasa Indonesia dengan saya, terima kasih’.
Further information can be found in the Accommodation section on the RUILI website.
Below are the types you should consider.
Kos
Almost all Indonesian students and young people who do not live at home will be living in what
is called a kos. We don’t really have an equivalent in Australia. It is somewhere between a
boarding house, an apartment complex and a homestay. It is arguably the most authentic
way to experience student life in Indonesia and is often one of the most lasting memories of
your time in Indonesia.
Kos come in all shapes and sizes; boys only, girls only, mixed, kos for people of a particular faith,
with curfews (jam malam), without curfews, some do not allow friends of the opposite sex in
your room but others may be more flexible as long as you do not engage in illegal activities or
disturb the peace. You need to keep all this in mind when you are looking for a kos. We have
details of a number of kos on record which have a history of our students staying there and are
all brilliant places to stay. If you want to go out and look for your own, ask one of the staff,
teachers or your friends for some tips before you hit the streets in search of a home. People will
be available to help after the orientation session.
Losmens & hotels
Due to the short nature of the program (some of you are here for three weeks), staying in a
hotel is an option that many people choose. There are a number of hotels close to the
Mataram Lingua Franca Institute and most, if not all, will offer significant discounts to people
staying for longer periods – bargain hard! Staying in a hotel can be a comfortable option, and
you will undoubtedly form some good relationships with the staff there too. The drawback with
hotels can be that they limit your interaction with Indonesians and hotel staff will want to
practise their English with you. Again, there are many hotels in the area so have a look online,
and be sure to contact them directly to ask about a discount.
14RUILI: Lombok 2018
Villas
Some of you will be toying with the idea of living in a beachside or mountain top villa. There
are many reasonably priced villas in Sengiggi and the surrounding areas which have housed
students in the past. Details of these places change constantly, so you will need to search this
out independently.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember if you are living in a villa or hotel away from
Mataram is that you need to make sure you make it to school each and every day. Getting
caught in traffic on the way from Senggigi is not an excuse for missing class - you will need to
be ready to leave at least 30 minutes earlier than the class start time. Going back home can
often take 15 minutes longer. If you are riding a bike, make sure you have a motorcycle licence,
an Australian certified helmet, a good protective jacket and the skills and experience to ride in
the wet – these are peak rain times, and when it rains in Lombok, it pours.
It is worth noting also that living in a villa with fellow bule (Westerner) can also drastically eat
into the time you spend with Indonesians, so you may need to make a concerted effort to
engage with the community to make up for it. However, many villas will have attentive staff
who are usually more than happy to become your make-shift tutors while you are at home.
Locations students stayed at last year are below. Their details are usually available on the
internet.
Andi Homestay Lombok Guesthouse
Aston Inn Mataram Lombok Raya
Gading Guesthouse Luminas Hotel
Host Family Nalaya Homestay
Hotel Hart Puji Homestay
Hotel Kubuku Sumeton, Batu Layar
Jl. Reong no. 10 Villa Loco Senggigi
Kos Martapura Villa Marley Shay
Lombok Garden Hotel Werdhi House
15RUILI: Lombok 2018
The most popular places were the Gading Guesthouse, Lombok Raya, Hotel Kubuku, Griya
Asri, and Aston Hotel. The Lombok Garden, Idoop, and Luminas hotels were more popular at
the beginning of the program, but many students left because they were too noisy, not good
for study, or not comfortable for long periods of stay.
Studying at an Indonesian Institution
What to expect
The experience of studying in a different cultural environment is an experience that far too few
get to enjoy. It is a fun, exciting and often frustrating experience that will be a time of great
personal growth for you all. It is also something that will serve you in the future – cross-cultural
experiences like these look great on your resume!
Refer to the timetable on page 2 for class times. You will have a chance to have a break and
get something to eat during the day, and yes – the classrooms are air-conditioned.
Study Routine and Habits:
It is important to develop an effective study plan and good study habits during your time in
Lombok. Everyone has different lifestyles, but while in Lombok you only need to focus on one
subject, so make it priority number one! Make the most of the opportunity while you are not
distracted by work, multiple university subjects, and family commitments (well hopefully less
so). Your study is already going to be intense, and often crammed, so we recommend that
you try to spread your study load thorough the day and thorough the week. Feedback from
exit surveys in the past has indicated that on average students spent between 2 to 4 hours
each day on study outside the classroom. For this reason we suggest that you do 30 minutes
to an hour before class in the morning; one to two hours after lunch, and one to two hours in
the evening. Of course, if you are not a morning person, you may prefer to study later in the
evening and at night. You are all adults and will inevitability develop your own system, but two
guides are offered here to help you prepare for study in Lombok.
16RUILI: Lombok 2018
1. Jadwal orang yang suka bangun pagi-pagi (morning person):
Jam 6:30 pagi – Bangun, mandi, berpakian, makan pagi
Jam 7:00 pagi – Belajar bahasa Indonesia, mengerjakan PR dan tugas kuliah
Jam 8:00 pagi – Berjalan kaki ke MLFI
Jam 8:30 pagi-12:10 siang – Menghadiri kelas di MLFI
Jam 12:10 siang – Makan siang, pulang, dan lain-lain (dll)
Jam 1:30 siang – belajar bahasa Indonesia, mengerjakan PR dan tugas kuliah
Jam 3:00 sore - Istirahat, jalan-jalan, dll
Jam 6:30 petang – makan malam
Jam 8:00 malam – Belajar bahasa Indonesia, mengerjakan PR dan tugas kuliah
Jam 10:00 (lewat) malam – Tidur
2. Jadwal orang yang suka bangun kesiangan (person who likes to sleep in):
Jam 7:45 pagi – Bangun, mandi, berpakian, makan pagi
Jam 8:15 pagi – Naik taksi ke MLFI
Jam 8:30 pagi – 12:10 siang – Menghadiri kelas di MLFI
Jam 12:10 siang – Makan siang, pulang, dan lain-lain (dll)
Jam 1:30 siang – belajar bahasa Indonesia, mengerjakan PR dan tugas kuliah
Jam 3:00 sore - Istirahat, jalan-jalan, dll
Jam 5:30 sore – belajar bahasa Indonesia, mengerjakan PR dan tugas kuliah
Jam 6:30 petang – makan malam
Jam 8:00 malam – Belajar bahasa Indonesia, mengerjakan PR dan tugas kuliah
Jam 11:00 (lewat) malam – Tidur
You are literally cramming one semester of study into three weeks, so one school day in-
country is the equivalent to one week at your home university. That said, the in-country
program is a cultural immersion experience and supposed to be fun and for you to enjoy the
place and the people, so we do not want you to be cooped up in your hotel or kos all the
time. That is why you have the entire afternoon and evening, as well as the weekends, to
yourselves. Be creative with your learning; an hour of talking to locals is an hour of study. And,
a two-hour excursion is probably worth two hours of study. So don’t be too harsh on yourself.
17RUILI: Lombok 2018
Be practical about when you study, if it is raining or really hot then it is a great time to study. If
you are feeling sick or tired, then have a rest or nap. Leave the late nights or long tiring travel
for the weekend.
All students have had different language learning experiences, so don’t always compare
yourself to others. Some people are good at speaking and although it might seem that their
Indonesian is fluent, they might have terrible formal Indonesian, can’t spell well, use incorrect
grammar, or haven’t even memorised the MeN- prefix table. Rather than comparing yourself
to other students, a better barometer is whether you can keep up with the study material and
how well you perform in assessment items. Be realistic about your grades, a ‘credit’, 7 out of
10 or 70%, is a good mark.
Finally, the program is not about the content, but rather the language, where topics and
content are part of the methodology of learning the language. Put simply, the course is about
developing language competency, and not about knowing everything about Indonesia.
Be mindful of the following:
Punctuality. Being late and missing classes unnecessarily stresses your teacher more than
anything else as they have to try get you up to speed with what you have missed. Remember
your failure is their failure, and teachers will have to explain this to the Resident Director and
their superiors at MLFI.
Try to avoid interrupting the class frequently or excessively at length to express opinions, ask
irrelevant questions, or debate something unnecessarily. Basically, if your question or discussion
does not add value and is not really related to the topic, then outside class is a more
appropriate time for such questions and discussion.
Do not swear in class, around the MLFI complex, or around your teachers and buddies either
on-campus or off-campus, on excursions and during other outings. While not necessarily
directed at anyone, swearing is highly offensive in Indonesian culture, and could be
misunderstood by teachers and Indonesians generally as directed at them. You will rarely, if
ever, hear an Indonesian swear in Indonesian or English.
18RUILI: Lombok 2018
What to wear
Indonesians consider attending a higher
education institution a great privilege and
rightly so. There are more than 250 million
people in Indonesia and as many as 50% live on
a few dollars a day; higher education for such
people is not even a dream. Accordingly,
students acknowledge their privilege by
Photo Credit: Melwinsy CC
dressing respectfully on campus – you will never
see an Indonesian student enter a classroom in shorts, sandals and a singlet. (Likewise, the
teaching and admin staff also expect students to be neatly dressed). As students studying at
university level, you should follow their lead and dress in such a way that pays respect to the
people who are not in a position to attend university.
For males – long pants, some sort of collared shirt and shoes will see you fit in well with
those around you.
For females – pants or long skirts/dresses to the knee, and whatever combination of
fabrics it takes to cover your shoulders and chest is appropriate.
Men and women should preferably wear closed shoes, neat sandals are acceptable, but no
thongs.
It’s worth noting that this is not a form of modesty as dictated by any interpretation of any
religion, but rather a simple expression of culture and modesty– students in Jakarta, Bali, Flores
and all over the country dress the same. Take note of what the students around you are
wearing and follow suit.
Getting the most out of your study
Your classroom work, while important, makes up only part of your learning experience in
Mataram. What you do outside of the classroom is just as important, and in some ways more
so, to getting the most out of your time on Lombok.
19RUILI: Lombok 2018
Whatever your ability you should be trying to make conversation with people every day – with
students on campus, taxi drivers, people at the warung,
the guy that sells those delicious juicy rambutan, the
cool kids on street corners after dark, your ibu or bapak
kos and just about anyone else. Put yourself in a variety
of situations and really test your skills– you may make a
fool of yourself at times, but you will go back to Australia
with a fluency you never thought possible.
One great tip for taking your language to the next level is to ‘find your thing’ in Lombok; a
hobby, a passion, a club or group or anything else that might define your time while you are
here. In the past we have had people get obsessed with working out at Hercules Gym, people
who have volunteered at local NGOs, avid surfers, FIFA aficionados, textile lovers, local
dancing and music and just about everything else; all of them going home with a unique
(often colourful) vocabulary and a deep understanding of a certain topic. Not only is this a
great way to improve your language, but it also give some structure to your life outside class
and is a great way to make lasting friendships.
Getting around town
Mataram is a small, quiet city by Indonesian standards and if you are staying near the MLFI
campus, you can easily get around by foot. Indonesians, however, are not known for their love
of walking. It is much more common to get around on two or four wheels, and in Lombok many
get around by horse and carriage, locally named ‘Cidomo’!
Getting around by taxi is popular with students and they are especially good if you are in a
group. Taxis are cheap by Australian standards and are also comfortably air-conditioned and
safe. The most reputable brand across the country is Bluebird. Some taxi drivers may try to
bargain a price, but if you are uncomfortable with this you can simply ask them to use the
meter (often called an ‘argo’) or you can use use another taxi. Some taxis may charge a
minimum price of Rp25 000, especially if you have telephoned for one. If you have flagged
one down in the street, you should be charged whatever the meter (argo) reads, but this may
depend on the taxi company. You can also download the Bluebird Taxi mobile app, which is
20RUILI: Lombok 2018
convenient and indicates the location of your taxi, how many minutes they are from you, and
the estimated cost if you know your destination.
Bemo mini vans travel across the city and further afield on set routes. They are one of the most
popular forms of travel in Indonesia, and for good reason; they are cheap, consistent and
social. Most trips cost about Rp5000, though remember they go along major thoroughfares
and routes and will not drop you off at your door. Prices of course vary with the length of a trip
and the further afield you travel, the more likely your fellow passengers will include chickens,
goats and other animals and goods. They are also great places to strike up a conversation
and practise your Indonesian.
Ojek are the motorcycle taxis that get around town. These are good options if you want to be
dropped at your door. These can be found at pos ojek, ‘Ojek posts’, which are a bit like taxi
ranks. If you find an ojek driver you trust, get their phone number and you can call on them
directly. Prices generally start at Rp10 000 for a quick trip, but you need to negotiate the price
yourself. We should warn you, however, that you cannot trust everyone. Registered ojek drivers
wear a vest with a number on it and will always have a helmet for you, and will drive carefully.
In March 2017, Lombok introduced Gojek, which is an ojek ordering service using the Gojek
app. Like the Bluebird taxi app, it is convenient and indicates the location of your Gojek, how
many minutes they are from you, and the estimated cost. Please note, your insurance may not
cover you if you have an accident on an ojek of Gojek.
Sepeda or bicycle is perhaps the best way to get around Mataram; it is fun, social and good
for your health and the environment. Second-hand bikes can be bought at many pasar or
markets in Mataram, the big markets in Cakranegara being your best chance. They should set
you back somewhere between Rp500 thousand – Rp1.5 million. Helmets are advised, as are
closed in-shoes – losing a toenail is sadly a common occurrence for cyclists in Indonesia! So
too are skin burns from motorbike exhaust pipes; just look at the mark on the right calf muscle
of many Indonesia men – long pants are advised! Remember to get on and off using the left
side to avoid the exhaust pipe, which gets very hot very quickly.
21RUILI: Lombok 2018
Finally, some of you may like to get around by renting and riding your own motor or
motorcycle. There are a few different types; automatics (bebek), step-through scooters
(motor) and standard motorcycles. If you’re involved in an accident, your Australian insurance
company might look into whether or not you have
followed the driving regulations. According to the
Australian Automobile Association, you are required to
hold an International Driver’s Permit to operate a vehicle
in Indonesia. These cost approximately AUD $39 and you
can apply via the NRMA or RACQ. Goinsurance provide
a comprehensive guide on the risks, regulations and
licensing requirements for riding a motorcycle in Indonesia
which you should read – the basics are below.
“To legally ride a motorcycle in Bali, you will need an
International Drivers Permit (IDP). This will entitle you to use
What not to do! Photo Credit: Michel Alexandre the road in the same manner that you can at home. If you
Salim CC BY 2.0
only have a car licence in Australia, an IDP will entitle you
to drive a car and also a motorcycle of 50cc or less (provided your car licence was issued in
Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia or Western Australia). Once you have an IDP,
you also need to carry your Australian licence with you to ensure it is valid.If you do not obtain
an IDP prior to leaving Australia and want to ride a motorcycle, you will need to visit a local
police station, sit the test and pay the fee (usually US$30) to obtain a licence .Once you are
licensed, you need to carry your IDP and Australian car licence (or local bike licence) on you
and also wear a helmet (which fastens under the chin).Unless you have an Australian
motorcycle licence, do not ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity of more than 50cc. To
legally ride a scooter or motorcycle with an engine capacity of more than 50cc (at home or
overseas), you need a motorcycle licence.”
Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous and this is even more so in Indonesia. If someone tries
to tell you that the hectic traffic conditions in Asia ‘just work’ they are wrong, wrong, wrong
and wrong; a tragically high number of people die in horrific accidents on Indonesian roads
each and every year. If you do not already know how to ride a motorbike, then do not try to
learn here. In the past some students have taken this approach and ended up in hospital with
22RUILI: Lombok 2018
broken bones – you do not need to be going fast (or even moving at all) to hurt yourself on a
motorbike.
It is up to you to know whether your insurance will cover you if you crash a bike in Indonesia.
Even with an international motorcycle licence many will not. And if you cause injury to another
person be prepared to spend time in an Indonesian prison. If such an event occurs we will do
our best to support you, but please be aware that we are not able to help resolve insurance
problems if you are not licensed, not wearing a helmet, or otherwise breaking the law.
You will need a helmet. Most rental places will provide you with a helmet, but be critical of it.
If you feel that it won’t protect you in a fall, source your own helmet. Full face helmets can
mean the difference between having a chin and not having a chin should you fall off. You will
also need to wear protective clothing – closed-toe shoes and long pants at an absolute
minimum; you can easily lose skin or toenails simply by using the kickstand in thongs, and
burning your legs on the exhaust pipe is one of the most common injuries – wearing pants will
prevent that to a degree. Gloves should be considered – your hands will be the first thing to
hit the ground should you fall off. If you have plans to go diving, surfing or just laying around
on the beach those plans may go out the window if you fall off, even at low speed, while
wearing shorts, thongs and a T-shirt; infection takes hold quickly and it can mean weeks of
discomfort, to say the least.
Should you decide to ride a motorbike, it will do you a world of good to ask some local
Indonesians for tips on navigating the roads – even with bike-handling skills, it takes a level-
head and experience to make your way around town safely. The Study Buddies may be able
to help you with this.
Making friends
Making friends in your mother tongue can be difficult enough, but in a second language it
can seem like a daunting prospect. This doesn’t need to be the case, however, as the locals
are usually friendly and keen to talk.
Smile and say hello – nobody starts a friendship with the person frowning at the ground.
23RUILI: Lombok 2018
Learn some phrases that will help you introduce yourself and explain your Indonesian
abilities.
Ask questions; just like us, Indonesians love to talk about themselves and their family.
Don’t just answer their questions, but initiate your own. Knowing personal information
about each other is how Indonesians develop a genuine friendship.
If you feel comfortable with your new friends, accept their invitation to dinner, attend a
wedding or visit their hometown.
You are always able to say no when someone says ‘main ke rumah, yuk!’ (‘Come over to my
house!). But please, whatever you do, don’t listen to those people at home who try to warn
you that everyone is out to rob you, kidnap you or worse. For every less than genuine friend
you will make in Lombok, there are a million more who could be your new best friend. You are
advised, though, to go with a friend or a local from the MLFI (Study Buddies).
A note on friendships with the opposite sex
One of the key cultural differences you will experience is the relationship between friends of
the opposite sex.
Though friendships between men and women are entirely normal, expressing that friendship is
often very different from how we do it in Australia. Spending one-on-one time together may
be construed differently by your friend or by observers and you need to be aware of this when
navigating friendship.
If you become romantically, or indeed physically, involved you need to be aware that sex
before marriage is still an overwhelmingly frowned upon thing. Though it does happen, it
certainly is not discussed openly like it is in Australia. If you become intimate with someone,
there may be the expectation that you will be around for some time. Caution should be
observed in regard to walking alone with your companion of the opposite sex. For males, if
your Indonesian partner becomes pregnant there will be an expectation that you will marry
her and raise that child together - especially since Indonesia has no child maintenance or
state welfare to help single parents. Remember that you are in a different cultural context than
you might otherwise be used to, so keep that in mind during your time in Lombok.
24RUILI: Lombok 2018
Food and drink
How to order food in a restaurant
Eating and drinking have likely featured
heavily in your studies at home. You likely know
the difference between mie goreng and nasi
goreng, and that the mango season is just
winding up as you read this (sorry - but
thankfully rambutan will be plentiful!). What
you probably do not know is what to do when
you walk into a warung (convenient/corner
eatery), resto (restaurant) or any other tempat
makan in Indonesia.
Unless you are eating in a ‘fancy’ restaurant or cafe, you start off your dining experience in a
warung by stating whether you would like to eat in (Saya mau makan di sini) or take-away
(minta dibungkus; literally ‘please wrap it’), or just go in and take a seat at a table. You will
then make your order – either from a set menu or by making selections from the food on
display. Try to resist the urge to say ‘boleh saya minta nasi goreng?’ (Translation: May I have
some fried rice) and instead just say what you would like to eat, followed by the amount you
would like; ‘nasi goreng, satu... sama es teh (one nasi goreng with iced tea).’ It may sound
rude to you at first, but done with a smile it is perfectly polite. As always, tune your ear into
what the locals are saying and you can mimic that. Adding ‘terima kasih’ can help too.
Indonesians, unless using their fingers, tend to use a spoon and a fork to eat their meals – knives
are very seldom required. It’s not at all uncommon for students to return home from their studies
in Lombok having forgotten how to use a knife!
25RUILI: Lombok 2018
Eating & drinking to stay healthy
Sometimes it feels like everything you eat in Indonesia is goreng. But Indonesian food is diverse
and there are many healthy and delicious options which will ensure you maintain a balanced
diet. You can make smart choices by opting for lots of vegetables over lots of chicken/meats
at Masakan Padang restaurants, or go for delicious staples like gado-gado and nasi pecel.
Lombok is also famous for its local delicacy ayam taliwang (spicy grilled chicken) and ikan
taliwang (spicy grilled fish), which are relatively healthy. Fruits are available quite readily –
either at markets or on the roadside and there is a beautiful traditional market not far from
MLFI. One of the most common regrets of
students is that they did not eat enough
tropical fruits or coconuts during their stay –
so make the most of the amazing, and
cheap, food on offer while you can.
Remember to wash fruit and raw vegetables
which you have bought at the markets
before eating.
In terms of cleanliness, making choices around food is relatively simple. If you see other people
eating there, it is likely to be safe. Try not to eat at a warung or at rumah makan Padang while
the stocks of food are low – this means they have been there for a while. Rather, return after
the new food has been brought to the front. Sometime this doesn’t happen. To be safe, try to
eat hot food such as soup, or order mi goreng or nasi
goreng as they are made on request.
Most cases of the dreaded ‘Bali Belly’ you hear about
are contributed to by poor personal hygiene, excessive
drinking and lack of rest. One other cause of Bali Belly is
from handling money. Avoid touching your face and
eating with your hands after handling money. Most
eating places have hand-washing facilities. If you are
drinking alcohol, remember you need to stay hydrated
and also get plenty of rest. For water, restrict yourself to
26RUILI: Lombok 2018
drinking only bottled mineral water. Avoid ice unless you are certain that it has been made
from bottled water.
Alcohol
As adults, you are able to legally consume alcohol in Indonesia. You should make your choices
around alcohol carefully – ensure that you are in an appropriate place if you are drinking, that
you are not disturbing others, and that the alcohol you are drinking is safe for human
consumption. By confining your drinking to respected brands in official establishments, you
can safely enjoy a casual drink in Indonesia.
We would encourage you to keep the intensive nature of the course in mind – mid-week
drinking will have an impact on how well you perform in class and on your health. It is also
worth noting that supplying alcohol to young Indonesians, even of legal age, will not be
welcomed by the community at large, so keep this in mind if you are hosting a gathering with
Indonesians at your house.
Staying healthy
Your health should be a concern at any time, but being in an unusual environment presents
new challenges. These challenges are easily surmounted with common sense and basic
hygiene (for example, keep a bottle of hand wash with you, keep hydrated, and have plenty
of rest). The RUILI Program has its own doctor, and we recommend that you talk to the Resident
Director or Assistant Resident Director about any
health concerns you might have, and to follow
their advice.
Mosquito-borne and other Illnesses
Mosquitoes are more prevalent in Indonesia than
they are in most of Australia. They can also carry
some serious diseases. In Mataram, Malaria is not
prevalent though you should still take precautions. Dengue Fever is more common in the rainy
season which occurs between October and April so includes the time that you will be in
27RUILI: Lombok 2018
Indonesia. It is spread by a species of mosquito that is active during the daytime. It is therefore
important to endeavour to reduce the number of mosquito bites you get at any time of day
to a minimum. You are strongly encouraged to apply insect repellent on any exposed skin
especially when you go out in the afternoon and evening. Insect repellent can be purchased
at supermarkets or grocery stores. A variety Warung might sell such items as well. Just ask for
‘obat nymuk’ (mosquito medicine). It is a good idea to purchase an electric mosquito
repellent for your room – they are inexpensive and odourless
Treatment of both diseases is generally straightforward, although to experience either is
unpleasant to say the least. It is important that you let us know as soon as you feel suspicious
symptoms (especially headaches, fevers, lethargy).
We encourage you to consider taking prophylaxis against malaria where necessary, ensure
your accommodation is mosquito proof and take measures to avoid insect bites, including
using an insect repellent at all times and wearing long, loose fitting, light-coloured clothing.
Other mosquito-borne and other insect-borne illnesses are common throughout the year.
Please be aware of the following risks as per smartraveller.gov.au (24 October 2017):
Malaria (including chloroquine-resistant strains) is prevalent throughout rural areas, but
is uncommon in Jakarta.
Zika virus: Indonesia is experiencing sporadic transmission of the mosquito-borne Zika
virus. Protect yourself from mosquito bites. The Australian Department of Health advises
pregnant women to discuss any travel plans with their doctor and consider deferring
non-essential travel to affected areas.
Dengue fever occurs throughout Indonesia, including in Bali and the major cities, and is
particularly common during the rainy season. In recent years Australian Health
authorities have observed an increase in the number of dengue virus infections in
travellers returning from Bali. There is no vaccination or specific treatment available for
dengue.
Japanese encephalitis and filariasis are present, especially in rural agricultural areas.
Japanese encephalitis has been detected in Australian travellers returning from
Indonesia, including Bali.
28RUILI: Lombok 2018
Rabies: Rabies is a risk throughout Indonesia,
especially in Bali and nearby islands and Nias (off
the coast of Sumatra). Avoid direct contact with
dogs and other animals, including monkeys. If bitten
or scratched, immediately use soap and water and
wash the wound thoroughly. Seek urgent medical
attention.
Infections and hygiene
Even small abrasions can get infected in the tropics—so
don't scratch! If you get a cut or abrasion, it is important that
you disinfect and dry out (and keep dry) the area around it.
Fungal infections are also common—so wash regularly, and
dry yourself thoroughly (including between all toes).
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