FAQ

Here you can find answers for frequently asked questions (FAQ) that new Darmasiswa scholarship students asks before applying for the program or after it. If you don‘t find the answers here – fill the question form (in the end of the page) and I will try to answer or give information where you can get the answer.


Application form:

Do I need to translate my diploma in English language?
Nowadays most of universities already gives diploma written in 2 languages (native and English). If you have such diploma – it‘s enough.

If your diploma written only in native language – then you will need to add to application the original diploma written in native language and the translation of it. Sometimes Indonesian embassy’s in different countries have their own rules, so it‘s better to ask embassy in your country if you really need to add translated diploma.

What kind of medical report I should add to application?
Each country has international form for medical report written in English. You should ask your doctor for this form and he will fill needed lines about your general health condition. This filled document should be add to application. Here is my example from Lithuania.

Medical report for Darmasiswa

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to select in line ‟Where do you prefer to stay“?
Before coming, it‘s hard to decide where you would like to live, as well different universities has different situation with their students host. Some universities have their own dormitories, others – don‘t. My suggestion, in application select the most suitable place.

Don‘t worry, after you will arrive you can change your mind and live in another type of house than you selected in application. Here is my recommendations how to find a place to live in Indonesia.


Communication with Indonesian embassy:

Indonesian embassy don‘t reply to my e-mails, what should I do?
Most probably you will have many questions, would like to clarify something before applying or after you will be selected. But you won‘t be the only one with many questions :). As well some Indonesian embassies administrate couple of countries requests.

My suggestion, just be patient, they will answer you, just maybe not so quick like you used to. In urgent case – you can always call to embassy. If you didn‘t get the answer after ~ 1,5 week you can remind them that you still waiting for answer (of course in polite way :)).


Study and scholarship amount:

How many and what kind of classes I will have during studying time?
Everything depends on study that you choose and university. Each university and department has their own timetables. Unfortunately you can‘t get this information before applying, like all new year study programs and information is preparing during that year June-August. But you will get all information from your coordinator when you will come to your city.

Just for example, I was studying in ISI Yogyakarta, ‟Seni Tari“ (traditional dance). In first semester I needed to choose 3 classes that I want to attend. In some days I had lessons from 7.30 am till ~2 pm (with breaks). Other days I had 1 lesson in the morning, 2 lessons in the evening or even only 1 lesson per day. In second semester the time table was different.

Those who didn‘t select study object “Bahasa Indonesian“ (Indonesian language) will get first 2 months of language course (approved only exact hours amount for language courses, so can be that different universities can manage to organize those hours quicker or slower).

Will I have exams like regular university students?
You should have (in some study objects instead of exams – final projects). Just some teachers are more flexible to evaluate you, others the same strict like for local students. Everything depends on university and teachers policy concerning foreigner students.

Most of the time, those who choose “Bahasa Indonesian“ – will have not only exams but as well to write essay and other final works.

Will be enough scholarship amount for living in Indonesia?
In my blog you can find more information about Indonesian scholarship amount and my recommendations how to save money in Indonesia.
When the studies will finish?
In each university it can bit a bit different studies year ending time. Even some of the same university departments finish in different time. So you need to ask your scholarship coordinator in university.
But preliminary studies year finishing between the end of May and end of June.
Even scholarship program closing ceremony can be organized when you won‘t finish officially studies in your university ;).
When I can travel during study year?
There are many opportunities to enjoy long weekends and holidays as there are 13 national holidays in Indonesia. So you can travel during them (but you should know that during such weekends Indonesian people will travel as well, so many places will be quite crowded). As well you will have some long vocations in the end of Christmas till ~the end of January or even middle of February. Again the period depends on each university. Just ask your university scholarship coordinator the timetable of study year, there will be marked all free days from studies :).
Can I quite scholarship program and not stay all 6 months or 1 year?
You should discuss about such case with your university program coordinator, like it can be many important reasons (because of your health condition, some case related with your family issues and etc.).
But if you want to quite because you see that you don‘t manage to live in Indonesia, too many differences between your previous surrounding and etc. I suggest just wait a little bit more ;). Usually at least adapt in new surrounding need not less than 3 months. Some students who quit the program earlier – later regret that they gave up so early and were missing life in Indonesia. So, try to adapt and see positive things, if nothing will change and you will “suffer” in Indonesia then talk with your university program coordinator about quitting the scholarship.

Selection procedure:

Who selects the students for scholarship?
First of all, your application form will read the responsible person in Indonesian embassy in your country.

Then you will have conversation with this person (by “Skype‟ or live). This person will put some notes after meeting and will send your application, notes to Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia (in Jakarta).

Later, the responsible person (or group of them) in Ministry of Education and Culture will read your application and embassies notes. They will make first selection and decide to which university to send your application (for university that you choose like first option or second).

After it, the selected students application forms will be given for university that you applied (first or second option). They will read your application and will decide to choose you or not.

Each university has fixed amount of students that they can accept for scholarship, unfortunately they can‘t accept all applicants that Ministry of Education and Culture send to university.

I don‘t find information about selected students on the day when they should be announced, what to do?
Like many people and institutions are involved in the selection process, sometimes announcement of selected students can delay ~ 1 month from the date that written in the timetable. So you need to be patient and check official Darmasiswa scholarship website for the further information. Usually as well about date changing they inform in Darmasiswa scholarship „Facebook“ page.
What will be after selection?
You can read about it here.

Preparation before coming to Indonesia:

What should I do and what should I take before coming?
Find more my recommendations what to do before coming to Indonesia and what to take to Indonesia. Can be useful to read about vaccines for Indonesia too. 

Living in Indonesia:

What should I know about life in Indonesia?
You should know some things before coming, but many things you will explore, discover by yourself :).

You can find some information here:
Indonesian people lifestyle
Good manners in Indonesia
How to do things in Indonesian style
Interesting facts about Indonesia
Indonesian holidays
Ramadhan and Lebaran in Indonesia

 



After selection

First of all CONGRATULATIONS :)! You are one of lucky ones from all over the world who was selected to discover Indonesian culture. So what will be after selection?

  • After selection, when you will see your name in selected people list, soon you will get e-mail from your country Indonesian embassy (be patient, you will receive this letter:)). There will be written administrative details that need to be done before your arrival, information about visa and etc. Probably you will have additional questions concerning the letter but please be patient to get the answers from embassy.
    When everything will be done concerning administrative things you can start to prepare to your journey to Indonesia. If you want you can use my recommendations what to do and what to take before coming to Indonesia.
  • First, all new year Darmasiswa program students will meet in Jakarta for the new year scholarship opening ceremony (“Orientation program”). There you will meet with your university Darmasiswa scholarship coordinator and your university selected students.
  • After opening ceremony you with other students and university coordinator will travel to your city. Travel tickets will be covered as well you should get some pocket money for first days of staying in Indonesia.
  • When you will arrive to your city, the accommodation for couple of days for sure will be provided (some of the universities can ask to pay for it from pocket money that you will get in opening ceremony, other can cover this short staying expenses). How to provide accommodation in each city and each university depends on university. One university can suggest staying in their dormitory during all Darmasiswa scholarship period, other just to stay couple of days there; third can order home-stay for couple nights till you will find your own place to stay and etc. You can read my recommendations how to find a place to live in Indonesia.
  • University coordinator will explain when the studies will start, how everything will be organized later and etc.
  • Most of the Darmasiswa program students will have tourist visa when they will arrive in Indonesia. University coordinator will take care of the application process for the KITAS (“Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas” – temporary stay permit card) for your scholarship period. You will need to visit immigration office to submit your personal information, take some pictures – university coordinator will assist you.

Useful? Great! :) You might also like this:

Frequently asked questions
Scholarship amount
“Power” of 1 EUR in Indonesia