ACICIS Study Indonesia: Development Studies Immersion Program (DSIP)

ACICIS’ Development Studies Immersion Program (DSIP) is a semester-long community development option hosted by Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta. This program is supported by the Australian Government's New Colombo Plan Mobility Program.

This program allows participants to gain valuable ‘hands on’ experience in the field of international development through ‘frontline’ community development projects. The DSIP offers students the opportunity to undertake either eight-week professional Development Placement with a local community-based organisation  or an eight-week community development fieldwork module known as Student Community Service (SCS) as part of their semester in Yogyakarta. 

Student Community Service (SCS) is a two-month module designed and managed in partnership with UGM’s Institute for Research and Community Services (LPPM) which sees students living and working in rural locations around the Yogyakarta area while designing and working on grassroots, community development projects.

The DSIP Development Placement is a two-month professional placement conducted in partnership with local NGOs, community-based organisations and government agencies in Yogyakarta. The Development Placement offers students the chance to apply theoretical development knowledge in real life professional contexts while fostering important practical skills in advocacy, public relations, administration, research, and monitoring and evaluation.

The DSIP has been designed for students with no existing Indonesian language skills; however, students with existing language skills are welcome to participate.