Indonesia: Work experience

Work placements and internships

Due to the high levels of unemployment in Indonesia, opportunities for paid work experience are very rare. For links to organisations that provide work experience opportunities abroad, see Intern Abroad .

Teaching schemes

Teaching English as a foreign language represents one of the few possibilities for employment in Indonesia for UK students and graduates. For teaching positions, a qualification such as TEFL or TESOL is required by the Indonesian government. You may find positions advertised for native speakers of English that require little or no training but, as these schools will be unable to get you a work permit/visa, you would be working illegally. Useful advice, courses and international vacancy databases are offered by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL) , TEFL.com and i-to-i TEFL.

Volunteering

Volunteering can be a good way of gaining work experience in Indonesia. Among the organisations that offer volunteer placements in Indonesia are AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales)  and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)  and an internet search will reveal many more. 

Short-term opportunities

Due to the high risk of natural disasters and the threat of infectious diseases in Indonesia, there may be opportunities to carry out periods of humanitarian relief work. Work of this nature often requires specific language skills and substantial or specialist work experience in fields such as healthcare or engineering.

Gap year opportunities

Gap year opportunities include teaching English, community work and conservation/wildlife projects. To find a gap year opportunity that interests you, see gap year.