About Living in Indonesia

ABOUT INDONESIA

Indonesia is a huge archipelago country in Southeast Asia located between the Asian and Australian continents, consisting of five major islands: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua. Indonesia is rich in culture and legacy, with more than 300 ethnic groups living a life of distinct civilizational customs. Indonesia’s warm tropical climate and fertile terrain make it a green haven for a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Indonesia has been contributing to the dynamic growth of Southeast Asia’s economies in terms of economic development. The country is now one of the region’s most important tourism, socio-cultural, and commercial investment destinations. Indonesia is a unique country with many appealing characteristics to offer due to its society’s blend of traditional and modern culture.

TIME ZONE

Indonesia has three time zones: WIB/Western Indonesia Time (Sumatra, Java, West and Central Kalimantan) is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). WITA/Central Indonesia Time Bali, South and East Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Nusa Tenggara are eight hours ahead of GMT. WIT/Eastern Indonesia Time (Maluku, Irian Jaya) is nine hours ahead of GMT.

CLIMATE

Indonesia has a generally consistent climate all year, with Jakarta being particularly hot and humid. The average temperature ranges from 25 degrees Celsius at night and early morning to 34 degrees Celsius at noon. On average, the rainy season lasts from November to April, with some regional variances. From January to February, Jakarta receives the heaviest rainfall.

RELIGION

Indonesia is a democratic nation. Although the population is mostly Muslim, the Indonesian government recognizes six religions and beliefs: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. Mosques, churches, and temples can be found all around the country. Religious festivals associated with these six beliefs are observed as national holidays.

PEOPLE

The people of Indonesia come from a wide variety of ethnic groups, and as a whole, they are kind and welcoming people who are easy to get along with. You will discover that the majority of them are pleasant and somewhat tolerant of people of different ethnicities.

CLOTHING

Students typically wear smart-casual attire to school. They usually wear jeans or pants with casual shirts, T-shirts, or blouses and sneakers. However, shorts and sandals are typically not permitted for class attendance. New students are required to wear black bottoms (pants or long skirts) and a white shirt for one semester. A jumper, sweater, pullover, or sweatshirt will suffice throughout the wet season. A men’s suit and an appropriate dress or suit for women are typically worn to formal events such as graduation ceremonies.

FOOD

Many claims that Indonesian cuisine is rich and spicy. The majority of foods contain spices and fiery chili peppers. Rice is served alongside veggies, tofu or tempeh, meat, egg, or fish. The popular sauce sambal, a fiery mixture of chilies, spices, and sometimes terasi (belacan), lemon juice, and tomato for added flavor, is available in infinite varieties.

As the majority of Indonesians are Muslim, pork is typically not offered outside of Chinese, non-Muslim, and international restaurants. Some non-Muslim regions of Bali, Papua, the North Sumatra highlands, and North Sulawesi serve pork meals.

DRINK

Tap water is not safe to drink. It must be sterilized or boiled before it is consumed. Nearly all grocery and convenience stores sell bottled water with a brand name.

Indonesian coffee is among the world’s finest. You can savor the distinctive flavor of our coffee in the coffee shops usually found in entertainment centers and commercial districts.

In big supermarkets and hypermarkets, alcoholic beverages and regional breweries can be found. Only major restaurants and hotels sell wine.

LIVING COST

Central Jakarta provides a competitive quality of life at a relatively reasonable cost. Compared to other study destinations, Central Jakarta offers exceptional value. The annual cost of living depends on the student’s way of life and housing. YARSI University currently does not have any on-campus housing or dormitories available. Renting a studio room should cost at least IDR 1,000,000 (US$ 700) per month. Students should also be provided additional funds to cover initial setup fees, textbooks, equipment, incidentals, local transportation, temporary housing, and entertainment. If you reside off-campus, you must also budget roughly IDR 100,000 (US$70) weekly for transportation. Please include additional expenses in your budget if you expect to travel to Bandung, Bali, or Sumatra during your time in Indonesia.

BUSINESS HOURS

  • Embassies: Monday to Friday (08.00 to 16.00 WIB)
  • Banks: Monday to Friday (08.00 to 15.00 WIB) and Saturday (08.00 to 13.00 WIB)
  • Shopping centers: Monday to Sunday (10.00 to 22.00 WIB)
  • Post offices: Monday to Thursday (08.00 to 15.00 WIB), Friday (08.00 to 11.00 WIB), and Saturday (08.00 to 12.30)
  • Airline offices: Monday to Friday (08.00 to 16.00 WIB) and Saturday (08.00 to 12.00)
  • Other occasions and public holidays affecting the business hours: On Fridays, most offices close between 11.30 and 13.00 for Moslem Jumuah prayer. The ninth Islamic month, Ramadan is a month of fasting for Muslims. Food counters and restaurants are generally closed during the day, whereas discotheques are completely closed. The business day begins a half-hour later and ends an hour earlier.

BANKING

In Jakarta, numerous foreign and domestic banks offer various banking services. Many banks offer savings, term deposits, safe deposit boxes, credit card, and debit card accounts, and foreign exchange services in Rupiah and foreign currencies (often US dollars). Due to the variety of services and procedures in each bank, it is preferable to make inquiries by phone prior to making a personal visit.

SHOPPING CENTERS AND RESTAURANTS

There are numerous shopping malls and restaurants around Indonesia, particularly in Central Jakarta. The shopping complexes range from modest shops to high-end malls such as Grand Indonesia. The restaurants range from street food to high-end restaurants.

TRANSPORTATION

  • BUS
    The most frequent mode of public transportation in Jakarta is the bus. Numerous bus companies serve various routes across Jakarta. People commonly use TransJakarta, a bus rapid transit system in Jakarta, Indonesia, to travel around the city. Several inter-city bus terminals are located in five different municipalities: Pulo Gebang, Rawamangun, Lebak Bulus, Tanjung Priok, Kampung Rambutan, and Kalideres.
  • TRAIN
    There is a train station near YARSI University that connects you to places in Jakarta and the neighboring districts. The Commuter Line is a train service that runs from Jakarta to Bogor through Depok on a regular basis. Passengers can purchase a single-trip or multi-trip ticket at any station’s ticket counter. Trains to other important Java cities depart from Gambir, Senen, and Jatinegara stations. Tickets can be reserved ahead of time. Trains have long
  • TAXIS
    Taxis may be found practically anywhere on Jakarta’s streets. Taking a taxi may be as dependable as driving your car. When the flag falls, the meter (argo) starts at Rp 5,000 (for a regular taxi). There are also online taxis that you can order via an app.

IMEI REGISTRATION

Networks on mobile phones, portable computers, and tablets purchased overseas by foreigners can be used in Indonesia if the device’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) has been registered with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance through this link.

Office for International Affairs will assist students in registering their IMEI.