Journalism students head to Jakarta

Two UNSW journalism students will spend their summer working in Jakarta’s dynamic media scene after being awarded New Colombo Plan grants.

Bachelor of Media in Journalism and Communication students Annalise Bolt and Hannah Dixon have secured spots in a competitive six-week internship run by the Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), of which UNSW is a member university. Only 25 students are accepted to undertake the professional practicum from across Australia each year.

The students have also been awarded New Colombo Plan short-term mobility grants, worth $3000 each, to assist with their travel expenses.

Annalise said she was “literally screaming” when she found out she was a successful applicant.

“I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to learning more about Indonesia because it’s such an important part of our region,” said the 20 year-old, who will spend her internship working at Indonesia’s largest English newspaper, The Jakarta Post. “This experience will be invaluable both culturally and professionally and will provide an incredible networking opportunity.”

Hannah will spend her internship working at Garuda Indonesia airlines' in-flight magazine. The 20 year-old believes the internship will be a good introduction to working overseas.

“I’d like to work as a foreign correspondent when I graduate, so this will be a great way to understand how journalism works in other countries.”

Annalise and Hannah will take part in a two-week academic program hosted by Jakarta’s Atma Jaya Catholic University, followed by their four-week industry placement. Host organisations for the industry placement include international wire services ThomsonReuters and AFP, national news bureaux ABC and The Straits Times, national dailies such as The Jakarta Post and The Jakarta Globe, and major domestic broadcasters and radio stations.

Arts & Social Sciences Dean Professor James Donald said UNSW has been a long-standing participant of ACICIS programs and the Faculty strongly encourages student engagement with Indonesia.

“I am delighted that two of our Journalism students are being given this opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge through their trip to Jakarta,” Professor Donald said.

Earlier this year UNSW business students travelled to Indonesia for a Global Business Practicum with support from the New Colombo Plan.

 Media contact: Fran Strachan, UNSW media Office, 9385 8372, 0429 416 070

Heading to Jakarta - journalism student Annalise Bolt