Internship Abroad in Indonesia: The FAQs

The offered internships in Indonesia are not remunerated. The visa conditions forbid to accept paid work in Indonesia without a corresponding work permit.

Yes, for an internship you need a visa for Indonesia, which grants you a stay of up to 6 months. For the application, you need a letter of approval from the consulate (Surat Rekommendasi) and a letter of sponsorship from your host company. You will receive this letter from your coordinator. The visa is valid for 60 days and must be extended monthly thereafter. Attention, do not forget to extend the visa in due time, otherwise you will face a high fine or even deportation.

You often hear that during the dry season from May to September it is most worthwhile to plan an internship in Indonesia. However, we can say from experience that especially during the rainy season from November to April you will have many more advantages:

it is low season and the streets are empty. If you are not enrolled as a regular student at a German university and therefore still have compulsory insurance, you have to take care of your health insurance yourself. For a longer internship stay you should also inform yourself about special health insurance for foreign countries.

the accommodations more favorable

there is less wind

the rain makes the rice fields shine in a lush green

such a short rain shower often offers refreshment from the heat and the air becomes clearer

The cost of living in Portugal is around the EU average. As you will be provided with accommodation during the internship, this burden is not applicable. Of course, the expenses always depend on your own lifestyle (excursions, shopping, etc.).

You can withdraw money at all cash machines without problems with the German EC card. The fees depend on your bank. Normally they are between 5 and 7,50 €. Withdrawing money with a VISA credit card is often free, depending on the card issuer.

In Indonesia, you can easily withdraw money from cash machines (ATM) in larger cities if you carry a visa card that is connected to the international network (Visa, Cirrus, Master). The average withdrawal fee from your German account is between 0 and 5 Euro per transaction. Please contact your bank in Germany for exact fees. In restaurants, banks, travel agencies, supermarkets, etc. you can also pay by credit card almost everywhere. However, it is advisable to carry cash, especially if you plan to travel to rural areas. The currency unit in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).

Bali is a top tourist attraction and a safe destination. Thousands of tourists travel to the island every month without any concerns, problems, or incidents. But where there are many tourists, there are of course pickpockets on the way. If you follow the rules of our local partner organization, you are on the safe side! These are for example: Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach or in the scooter, always go out at night in groups and use the taxi.

It is recommended to check vaccinations such as tetanus, measles, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis A and diphtheria before traveling to Indonesia. Our partner on Bali also recommends getting vaccinated against rabies, because there are many street dogs here. On some islands of Indonesia there is also the danger of malaria, but not in Bali or Java. Only those who want to travel to neighboring islands such as Lombok can take malaria prophylaxis with them.

Of course, but it must be SIM lock-free. Our partner will provide you with an Indonesian SIM card at your introduction, with which you can also send SMS to Germany and are always available for your coordinator on site.

Area code to Germany: 0049

Area code to Indonesia: 0062

Meanwhile, almost every accommodation on Bali has Wifi (but please inform our partner before!). You can also use the internet for free in many cafés and restaurants. The prepaid SIM card in your mobile phone also allows you to access the internet. Of course, you have to top up your money accordingly.

Of course, the cost of living depends heavily on your lifestyle. But you can say that Bali is much cheaper than European cities are. Basic food, services, and restaurants are particularly cheap. On average, the cost of living is around 500 euros per month.

Bali is a popular surfing destination, so it is a good idea to get on the board and into the waves after an internship day. It's best to get a local surf instructor who will teach you the basics for the first few hours and explain more about the sea, currents, and waves. Furthermore, there are countless possibilities to relax during yoga! If you get together in groups, a rafting tour or a trip to the volcanoes Gunung Agung and Gunung Batur is also worthwhile.