Understandably, Jakarta has the largest number of universities in the archipelago. There are no聽less than 46 universities in Indonesia's capital city, offering a staggering 532 programs of study聽and attended by approximately 1,200,000 students. As you might expect, most of the 300,000聽international students in Indonesia study in Jakarta.
University fees in Jakarta
Jakarta is home to both public and private universities. Public universities, which are subsidized聽by the government, usually offer lower tuition fees, depending on the course of study. For聽private universities, fees can range from IDR 5 million to IDR 15 million (USD 350 to 1,000) per聽semester. Over a year of study, a student should expect to pay between $3,000 and $6,100 in聽Jakarta, regardless of whether they choose a public or private university.
Student accommodation in Jakarta
International students have several options when it comes to accommodation in Jakarta. Some聽universities, such as Universitas Indonesia, UPH and Binus, offer on-campus or nearby lodging聽or dormitories. However, unlike in many other countries, these dormitories can be expensive.聽Alternatively, you can choose to share or rent independently.
When faced with these options, many students choose to rent a kost, Indonesia's version of聽low-cost accommodation. Like a dormitory, this option allows you to stay in a shared or single聽room in a building or house with 10 to 50 other people. This usually implies that the kitchen聽and bathroom are shared.
A kost can consist of a fully furnished room, a private bathroom, air conditioning, free聽electricity, free Wi-Fi, etc. The more equipped the unit is, the higher the rent will be. This is also聽true when the accommodation is close to the university. Either way, it is the perfect choice to聽limit the expenses related to rent and housing in Jakarta.
Rest assured! You will never go hungry in Jakarta. Most universities have their own canteens聽that offer affordable meals, and when you are off campus, you can always buy your meals from聽street vendors for a small fee. Moreover, to fully experience life in Jakarta, be sure to try聽Wartegs and Padang, two budget buffet restaurants.聽
If you are lucky enough to have a shared kitchen in your dorm or kost, be sure to take聽advantage of it by buying and preparing fresh food.
Leisure in Jakarta
There is no such thing as being bored as leisure activities are plenty in Jakarta. As a student, you聽can take advantage of the many clubs and academic sports, arts and entertainment聽associations while meeting new people. Most of them hold regular events and parties.
In Jakarta, just like the Jakartans, visit the malls, which are real entertainment places with聽restaurants, cafes, multiplex cinemas, arcades and gyms. Some malls have parks, bowling alleys,聽swimming pools and attractions such as Ferris wheels!
The nightlife in Jakarta is also worth a trip. However, please be aware that alcohol and smoking聽are not allowed on campus, in the dorms or in the residence halls. Don't let that stop you from聽having fun elsewhere if you are at least 21 years old!
Discounts and offers for students in Jakarta
The student card allows students to benefit from many discounts and offers in Jakarta.聽Restaurants, cafes, bookstores and gyms are especially supportive of students in that sense.聽Entertainment centers such as karaoke bars, bowling alleys, water parks and movie theaters聽often feature special offers for students during the week. Finally, the city's museums have聽special prices for students.
Part-time and freelance jobs in Jakarta
To make ends meet, it is always a good idea to find a part-time job or work as a freelancer in聽Jakarta. As a matter of fact, there are no regulations in Indonesia that prevent international聽students from working. Ask your university about this, and they may offer you a part-time job.
You can also find work as a lab assistant or personal assistant to a professor, a barista or a聽waiter in restaurants and cafes.
Freelancing is also gaining popularity among students thanks to companies and organizations聽that outsource content writers and graphic designers. And why not give private tuitions,聽especially if you speak English or Mandarin: junior and senior high school students are legion!
Last but not least, there is a steady flow of young expatriates who choose to work as digital聽nomads in Indonesia, so why not you?
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