USINDO SUMMER STUDIES
An intensive 10-week language & culture studies fellowship held in Yogyakarta and Jakarta, Indonesia for U.S. university students and recent graduates.
260
alumni since
1996
Program Overview
Orientation Days
Beginning with a three-day orientation in Yogyakarta, participants will be introduced to the local committee, their language tutors, and their host families. Participants will attend various sessions designed to enable them to create a richer and more meaningful experience during the program, including Cross-Cultural Understanding sessions and an 'Amazing Race' to familiarize students with key places in Yogyakarta in a fun and interactive way.
Language Classes
The language component of USINDO’s Summer Studies Program is conducted in partnership with the Indonesian Language and Culture Intensive Course (ILCIC), Sanata Dharma University. ILCIC has had extensive experience in conducting Bahasa Indonesia teaching programs for foreign university students and its location in the heart of Yogyakarta allows Summer Studies students to interact directly with Indonesian students and locals in its lively campus atmosphere.
The program typically offers two class levels: beginner and intermediate. However, USINDO also accommodates participants wishing to learn at the advanced level as well.
The classes cover the essentials of Indonesian vocabulary, grammar, and cultural contexts through interactive speaking, reading, writing, and listening exercises. Students attend language classes and tutorials for 20 hours per week for nine weeks.
Students also practice twice a week after regular classes with Indonesian tutors who are students in Yogyakarta. Such tutoring provides the opportunity for both Indonesian and American students to engage at an informal level, ask questions, and develop friendships; many Summer Studies alumni have maintained these bonds long after participating in the program.
Host Family
Among the program's most enriching aspects, the host family element of the Summer Studies Program provides students with a deep and authentic dive into Indonesian culture. This immersive experience reinforces students’ language skills and deepens their understanding of life in Yogyakarta.
Our gracious host families extend a warm welcome to American students, inviting them into their homes and offering a firsthand glimpse into their daily lives including opportunities to participate in family outings, attend special events such as weddings and trips, and savoring the delights of local cuisine, among other engaging activities.
Cultural Workshops
Aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation and insight into Indonesian culture, the program gives a chance for students to explore a wide spectrum of experiences that lie at the heart of Indonesian culture. These workshops include batik making, traditional dance, gamelan music, Indonesian culinary classes, and pencak silat (Indonesian martial arts).
Experiential Classroom
Experiential classrooms allow students to delve into the heart of Indonesia. They are thoughtfully crafted to offer students an authentic encounter with Indonesia that transcends the confines of a traditional classroom. They allow direct interactions with Indonesians, delving into a spectrum of subjects, encompassing religion, social issues, politics, the environment, and culture, through immersive visits to local organizations. These sessions provide on-site volunteer opportunities and a profound avenue to gain insight into contemporary issues facing Indonesia from environmental sustainability, disability rights, healthcare, religion, politics, and more.current issues in the community.
Cross-Cultural Reflection
USINDO includes Cross-Cultural Reflection sessions throughout the program, led by an experienced Cross-Cultural Understanding trainer, to assist students in navigating the intricacies of cultural diversity while fostering a profound appreciation for different cultures. These sessions provide students with essential insights necessary to adapt to a new foreign environment and make the most of their time in the program. Furthermore, they allow students to reflect upon their own experiences and equip them with the skills to effectively engage with cultural differences encountered in various aspects of Indonesian academic, business, and daily life settings.
Field Trips
USINDO organizes a variety of field trips to renowned cultural and historical monuments/sites in Yogyakarta. These trips are designed to allow the students to learn about and experience firsthand Yogyakarta’s unique culture, history, tradition, belief system, and natural wonders. Past excursions have encompassed memorable experiences such as the famous Merapi Lava Tour, as well as visits to Indmira organic farming, the historic quarter of Kotagede, Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, Tugu Yogyakarta, Keraton Palace, and a variety of other famous sites in and around Yogyakarta.
Discover Jakarta
After completing their language classes in Yogyakarta, students will participate in a three-day post-program event in Jakarta, held from June 3 - August 8, 2025. This event serves to complement the local learnings in Yogyakarta and provides a unique chance for students to enhance their understanding of Indonesian national issues and establish connections with government officials, experts, scholars, members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector representatives.
Past participants have met with prominent figures, including Indonesia's former Minister of Trade, the U.S. Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission to Indonesia, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, among others.
USINDO will also organize trips to renowned historical sites within the capital, such as the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, the Museum of National History, Jakarta Old Town (Kota Tua) and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Indonesia Miniature Park), and many more. Last year, the fellows took part in conservation efforts of Jakarta’s coastline by planting mangrove trees at Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK).