A Travel Guide to Indonesia

Indonesia is a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia. Its natural beauty, tropical climate and extraordinary landmarks have attracted millions of people from across the globe.

If you are planning to start an internship in Indonesia, the following information has been prepared for you to help facilitate your journey into the country, to keep you informed and ensure that you have the safest and the best experience during your time here.

Before embarking on your journey to Indonesia, you will need the following documents:

• A valid passport
• The appropriate type of visa
• Supporting documents from your company/organization in Indonesia
• A medical certificate that was taken 72 hrs before departure showing a negative COVID-19 test
• A completed health declaration form

Once the borders to Indonesia open to foreign travellers, you can apply for either a Tourist Visa or a Social/Cultural Visa to complete your internship. Please check the official websites of the Indonesian government for any updates and changes to the visa requirements.

Interesting facts about Indonesia:

• Country: Formerly known as the Dutch East Indies, Indonesia declared their independence from the Netherlands in 1945. It is the largest country in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of 3,200 miles from east to west and an extent of 1,100 miles from north to south. It shares a border with Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.
• Population: Indonesia’s population in 2020 was estimated at 273,523,615 people at mid-year according to UN data. Indonesia’s population is equivalent to 3.51% of the total world population.
• Religion: Almost 9/10th of the population in Indonesia is Muslim. The rest of the population practices a plethora of other religions including Christianity particularly in Flores, Timor, northern Celebes, Moluccas and the interior of Kalimantan. Hinduism is mainly practised in Bali but it accounts for only 2% of all Indonesians.
• Number of Islands: Indonesia is composed of 17,500 islands and 7,000 of them are uninhabited. Almost 3/4th of Indonesia’s area is occupied by the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan and western New Guinea.

Once you arrive in Indonesia, there will be a myriad of destinations you can explore. You will have the chance to immerse yourself in the number of diverse cultures and traditions that this archipelago has to offer. Its immaculate beauty will capture your every interest and curiosity; from the untouched beaches of Serang to the intricacies of the metropolitan city of Jakarta.

If you are interested in architecture, one of the places to explore is Banda Aceh. It is situated in the westernmost point of Sumatra and it holds the remnants of a magnificent old Aceh Darussalam gold era that is still spiritually valuable to the nation.

Although around 60% of the town’s infrastructure has been destroyed, and a lot of it has been modernized over time, this specific era still holds value and importance to the people.

Figure 1. Nusa Penida (Source: Pexels)

Sorake Bay and Lagundri Beach is another place on Nias Island for you to explore the beaches and their waters. It is internationally known as the ultimate destination for surfing. Anyone who was searching for an exotic surfing destination would travel to Sorake Bay and Lagundri Beach.

Jakarta

If you want to learn more about the cultural life of the people and complete an internship in Indonesia, Jakarta is the place for you. AIP will provide you with an experience that will ensure your professional and personal desires are met.

Jakarta is the largest city and capital of Indonesia. The planning of the city was first attempted by the Dutch, but the style of the city is more British in character. The Oriental style, or “indische” as the Dutch call it, is apparent not only in the city’s way of life but also in the design and structure of the houses, the wide, tree-lined streets, the spacious gardens and house lots.

The city has gone through a lot of changes and development, but traditional neighbourhoods like the Kota area can still be identified. It is a historical city centre with a significant amount of Chinese population. To the south of Kota is the city’s business and financial hub and the area of Kemayoran and Senen has increasingly become the city’s major retail district.

Some of the buildings in Jakarta, like the Portuguese Church that was built in 1695 in Kota, are of historical and architectural interest to whoever visits Jakarta. Other buildings dating back to colonial times are also located in Jakarta like the old City Hall, the National Archives building, the Ministry of Finance building, the Presidential Palace, Monas National Monument and the National Museum.

Figure 2. Jakarta, Indonesia (Source: Pexels)

Transportation

You can use public transportation like the bus or minibus to get around the city. If you want to get around in the local neighbourhoods, you can use the becak or the tricycle taxi. Regular taxis operate all over the metropolitan area as well.

If you plan to travel to other islands of Java from the city, you can do so by railroad. And if you want to explore the agricultural areas in East and Central Java, you can use the highway.

Bali

Bali is another destination in Indonesia that is very popular and is most famous for its tranquil beaches like Kuta and Legian, its safari and marine life and magnificent cultural monuments like the Bajra Sandhi Monument. Most of Bali is mountainous with its highest point being Mount Agung or Bali Peak. It is locally known as the “navel of the world”. Its main towns are Singaraja and Denpasar.

While the rest of Indonesia practice Islam, Bali became a refuge for Hinduism. With a blend of Hinduism, Buddhism and animistic and magical beliefs, Balinese culture has become centred around religion.

All Balinese villages also have temples and an assembly hall, usually located on a square serving as an area for festivals and markets.

Figure 3. Balinese Religious Ceremony (Source: Pexels)

When you are on the island, you can explore the lively markets of Gianyar, the tourist trading centres in Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua, and the centre for European and American artists with a fine art museum in Ubud.

An internship here will provide you with bountiful knowledge of religion and culture, with an array of tools and resources at your disposal.

Transportation

There are different ways to get around Bali. Buses are available and can be used to explore the island. But this form of transportation does not offer that much flexibility and it can take a long time to get to your desired destination. Boats are also available if you want to travel to neighbouring islands, but they are not frequently used to get around Bali.

The best way to get around is by car or by bike. This offers convenience and flexibility if you want to explore the island. You can either hire a driver and car, rent a car or travel by taxi. Travelling this way may be expensive, but it is worth it as it offers a very convenient way of getting around the island.

If you are looking for a cheaper way of travelling around, you can rent out a bike. This provides a faster and cheaper way of transportation. It also serves as a convenience when traffic in the city gets too congested.

Indonesia is a country rich in culture, tradition and religion. Whether your interests lie in environment, art, history or architecture, you can find something to explore and delve yourself into here. And an internship is a great way to start your journey in Indonesia.

With AIP, you will be able to improve your professional life as well as expand your personal life. Indonesia has a lot to offer and you can learn many things from its history and culture. Start your internship with AIP, and begin your journey in Indonesia.

Apply to AIP!

If you want to explore the different facets of Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries, visit our website and apply to one of our programs now. It is never too late to start your internship journey!

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