VOINews, Jakarta; Two Australian students, Rooa Ahmed from the University of Sydney and Alexandra Mulcaster from RMIT University Melbourne, are set to participate in the Journalism Professional Practicum (JPP) program organized by the Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS). The internship will take place from January 20 to February 14, 2025, at Voice of Indonesia (VOI), offering them the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the media industry in Indonesia.
Rooa Ahmed, a student of Psychology, Media, and Communications, shared her reasons for choosing Indonesia as the destination for her internship. “I’ve worked in journalism, reporting, and video editing. I wanted to explore a different style of broadcasting, which is why I came to Indonesia,” Rooa told VOI during an interview in Jakarta on Monday, January 13, 2025.
On the other hand, Alexandra Mulcaster, a Journalism student at RMIT University Melbourne, sees this internship as an opportunity to gain insight into Indonesian media. “I think this is a great chance to learn what the media is like in Indonesia, especially since Indonesia is one of our closest neighbors. It’s also an excellent opportunity to gain experience in journalism,” she said.
This internship program is not only aimed at enhancing the participants’ journalistic skills but also at providing them with an immersive cultural experience. By actively engaging in broadcasting activities at VOI, Rooa and Alexandra are expected to understand the role of media in reflecting Indonesia’s rich social and cultural realities.
ACICIS has been organizing the Journalism Professional Practicum (JPP) since 2008. Over the past decade, the program has attracted students from various Australian universities to gain professional experience in Indonesia. It has also served as an essential platform for international students to explore Indonesian culture through hands-on work experiences.
The presence of these two students at Voice of Indonesia is not only beneficial for their personal and professional growth but also offers VOI an opportunity to showcase its unique broadcasting style to an international audience.
With a strong eagerness to learn, Rooa and Alexandra are ready to embark on their journalistic journey in Indonesia. This experience is expected to provide them with valuable professional skills while enriching their understanding of cultural differences.
The collaboration between ACICIS and Voice of Indonesia highlights the importance of cross-cultural exchange in fostering mutual understanding and professional development in the field of journalism. (VOI/AHM)