At a time when Australia is once again debating how to strengthen its engagement with Asia, the launch of a new book celebrating three decades of the Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) provides a timely reminder that some of the country’s most effective diplomacy happens not in government buildings, but in classrooms, communities and everyday human connections.
Experiencing Indonesia: 30 Years of ACICIS, to be published by ANU Press and launched in Sydney on 12 August, chronicles the evolution of one of Australia’s most influential international education initiatives. More than simply an institutional history, the volume explores how experiential learning has transformed the lives of thousands of Australians while contributing to stronger Australia–Indonesia relations over the past three decades.
Edited by Kirrilee Hughes, Kate Naidu and David Reeve, the book brings together contributions from ACICIS alumni, staff members and Indonesian partners, offering a rich collection of personal stories alongside analysis of the organisation’s development and impact.
Founded in 1994, ACICIS has become synonymous with immersive, in-country learning. Rather than limiting students to traditional exchange experiences, its programs have enabled Australians to undertake internships, language study, professional placements and community engagement across Indonesia. The emphasis has always been on learning through experience, building cultural understanding by living, working and studying alongside Indonesian communities.
The book traces how that model has evolved over 30 years, highlighting the innovative partnerships that have underpinned ACICIS’ success and the collaborative relationships that continue to benefit institutions in both countries.
Australia has spent much of the past decade acknowledging a decline in Indonesian language study and broader Asia capability, with recent parliamentary inquiries and education leaders warning that rebuilding these skills is critical to Australia’s future prosperity and security.
Against that backdrop, ACICIS represents a rare success story. Thousands of alumni have gone on to careers spanning diplomacy, business, journalism, education, law, development and government, taking with them not just academic knowledge but first-hand experience of Indonesia’s society, economy and culture.
For Australia’s international education sector, the organisation also demonstrates the enduring value of outbound mobility. While much attention is understandably focused on attracting international students to Australia, programs that send Australians abroad create equally important educational and diplomatic dividends. They produce graduates with genuine intercultural competence, international networks and the confidence to engage with one of Australia’s most important regional neighbours.
The contributors argue that these experiences have had lasting impacts not only on individual participants but also on Indonesian host communities, partner universities and the broader bilateral relationship. It is these human connections, formed through shared experiences rather than formal diplomacy, that emerge as one of the defining themes of the volume.
The book also serves as a reminder that international education is fundamentally about relationships. In an era where geopolitical tensions increasingly shape regional discourse, people-to-people engagement remains one of Australia’s most valuable assets.
The Sydney launch will feature a conversation between editors Kirrilee Hughes, Kate Naidu and David Reeve, moderated by Natali Pearson, providing an opportunity to reflect on ACICIS’ legacy and its future role in supporting Australia’s engagement with Indonesia.
As Australia seeks to rebuild its Asia capability, the stories captured in Experiencing Indonesia suggest that sustained investment in immersive international education remains one of the country’s most effective long-term strategies. Thirty years after ACICIS was established, its central lesson appears as relevant as ever: meaningful international relationships are built through lived experience, mutual understanding and enduring partnerships.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Time: 5:30pm networking and refreshments for 6:00pm start
Venue: Level 24, 123 Pitt Street, Sydney
Places are limited and registration is essential: https://events.humanitix.com/book-launch-or-experiencing-indonesia-30-years-of-acicis
