years-experience access-alumni-network airfare airport-pick-up assistance-with-application-process community-service-placement continuous-support cultural-trips domestic-transport emergency-support field-trips global-competence-certificate grade-transcripts host-family-placement housing individual-contact-person internship-placement language-instruction meals medical-insurance orientations-during-your-time-abroad other pre-departure-orientation product-materials re-entry-orientation school-dipolma school-materials school-placement school-transport school-uniform stipend teaching-materials vaccinations visa-and-passport-fees visa-application-assistance world-wide-presence

Summer Language and Cultural Immersion in Indonesia

Immerse yourself in the cultural and linguistic heart of Java through an intensive experience in Yogyakarta, a historic city known to embody the true essence of Indonesia.

Study Abroad at a High School in Indonesia

Spend part of your summer studying language and culture in Java! Over nearly four transformative weeks, you’ll develop practical Bahasa Indonesia language skills while engaging deeply with local culture and everyday life in Yogyakarta, a city widely recognized as a center of Indonesian language, education, and living traditions. This program is designed to strengthen your speaking, listening, and comprehension skills through interactive classroom instruction, guided practice, and real-life application. Your language learning will be continuously reinforced through daily interactions with communities, host families, and peers, providing opportunities for you to use Bahasa Indonesia in authentic and meaningful contexts.

During your time in Indonesia, you’ll also take part in hands-on cultural activities that highlight Javanese traditions, arts, and values, while exploring significant cultural and historical landmarks such as royal palaces, temples, and heritage sites. Through this language-focused cultural immersion, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Indonesian society, build confidence in using Bahasa Indonesia, and develop lasting intercultural skills in one of Indonesia’s most dynamic academic and cultural centers.

Things to Know About Indonesia

Indonesia is made up of 17,000 islands and its culture is a rich mixture of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian influences. The vast majority of Indonesians are Muslim but there are also Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and other religions. You might have a hard time as a vegetarian in Indonesia but less so if you’re willing to eat fish, one of the cornerstones of Indonesian cuisine. Because it’s so important to Indonesians to not cause anyone embarrassment or shame, they often speak indirectly; in fact, there’s twelve different ways of saying “no” in the Bahasa Indonesian language! You’ll also find that the volume of their voice while in conversation tends to be lower than many other cultures – don’t expect a whole lot of rowdy, rambunctious conversation.

What's included in your experience

  • Airfare

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible? Yes, high school graduates are eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA 2.0
Age Range (at program start) 15 years and 0 months to 18 years and 0 months
Language Skills No language requirement

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to Indonesia

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience.

AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in Indonesia will begin when you land in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, where you’ll be met by AFS staff and volunteers! Shortly after arrival, you will attend orientation and get a crash course on Indonesian culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures. After orientation, you’ll fly to Yogyakarta with your fellow participants and meet your host family!

Summer Language and Cultural Immersion in Indonesia – Adventure & Student Activities

Program Highlights

*Program itinerary is subject to change based on local conditions and availability.*

Language Intensive Program, School Visit, & Community Service

During your program, you and your classmates will attend intensive Bahasa Indonesia classes each weekday, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and comprehension skills. The classes are interactive and communicative, combining structured lessons with role-playing, discussions, and real-life language practice. You’ll be able to practice your Bahasa Indonesia language skills every day with your host families, peers, and community members. You’ll also get to earn firsthand about Indonesia’s education system by visiting a local school, where you’ll participate in classroom observations, interact with local students, and engage in cultural exchange activities. Part of your program includes meaningful community service activities in Yogyakarta, where you’ll work alongside local communities on grassroots initiatives that promote education, environmental awareness, and community well-being.

Summer Language and Cultural Immersion in Indonesia – Community and Cultural Practices

Community and Cultural Practices

Learning about Javanese values, social norms, and daily customs is an important part of your program. You’ll learn about Indonesian culture through guided discussions, cultural observations, and interactions with local communities that emphasize harmony, respect, and togetherness. Part of this immersion includes spending time in a traditional Javanese village to experience everyday life, participate in local activities, and gain insight into community structures, livelihoods, and cultural practices. Through hands-on workshops and live performances – including batik-making, gamelan music, and classical Javanese dance – will allow you to engage with Javanese artistic traditions.

Summer Language and Cultural Immersion in Indonesia – Adventure & Student Activities (1)

Adventure & Student Activities

While in Indonesia, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for adventures with your fellow participants! Activities include:

  • Exploring Yogyakarta’s surrounding countryside by bicycle while learning about rural lifestyles, agriculture, and community-based living.
  • Discovering the dramatic landscape shaped by Mount Merapi, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, through a Jeep tour while learning about disaster awareness, resilience, and environmental adaptation.
  • Experiencing Yogyakarta’s natural beauty through activities such as river exploration and scenic walks. Time spent outside will also be an opportunity to build teamwork, leadership, and cross-cultural communication skills through fun, collaborative outdoor games and student-led activities.
Summer Language and Cultural Immersion in Indonesia – Host Family

Your Host Family in Indonesia

Every family is different but one thing AFS host families have in common is their desire to open their hearts and share their culture with others. Although you’ll be in class and participating in other activities during the weekdays, you’ll have plenty of time during evenings and weekends to get to know your host family! You should expect to be treated like a member of the family, and you’ll find that family in Indonesia is extremely important. Family members tend to be very close you might have some host siblings living with you even if they’re married.

Summer Language and Cultural Immersion in Indonesia – Food

Food You’ll Encounter

Indonesia’s cuisine is incredibly varied and reflects influences from India, the Middle East, China, and Europe. You’ll find curries, kabobs, and stir-fries, all served up with a little Indonesian twist. The food in some parts of Indonesia is very spicy, especially in the South. Rice is served with almost every meal and fish, coconuts, and chilies are considered key Indonesian ingredients. Lunch is the main meal of the day, and families usually try to eat it together. Prepare to taste fresh fruits that you may have never seen or heard of before!

What's Included

  • 75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 30,000 dedicated volunteers
  • Accommodations with a vetted host family
  • Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
  • School enrollment fees
  • Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
  • Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
  • Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
  • International secondary medical travel coverage
  • Visa support and guidance
  • Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

Scholarships and Aid

We believe in the power of intercultural experiences and the potential of our students! That’s why we’re dedicated to meeting the demonstrated financial need of accepted applicants. The deadline to be considered for scholarships for semester and year-long programs departing July through September is December 5th. Learn more and view all deadlines below!

Learn More View Deadlines

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Indonesia?  Yes 
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)  On arrival to host country 
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex)  Easy
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses
($ – $$$) 		 $
Frequently Asked Visa Questions  Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information. 
Head-Graphic2

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one.

When you return home, if you’re like most AFSers, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning.

It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in Indonesia.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.