Indonesia: An Internship That Turned Into a Life-Changing Journey

In 2018, I traveled to Indonesia for what I initially believed would be a short professional experience—a digital marketing internship at Skynosoft Portal Prime, arranged by AIESEC International. I had clear goals: gain international work exposure, understand global digital marketing practices, and explore a new country.

What I didn’t expect was that 45 days in Indonesia would reshape how I view people, culture, courage, and myself.

This was not just an internship.
It became a journey of friendships, fear, faith, family, and firsts.

First Steps in Indonesia: Arrival in Jakarta

My journey began in Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling capital. I landed there after a transit through KLIA, feeling both excited and nervous. Jakarta immediately felt intense—crowded streets, endless traffic, skyscrapers beside traditional neighborhoods, and a rhythm that never seemed to slow down.

I stayed in Jakarta for two days, using the time to recover from travel, explore local food, and mentally prepare for the weeks ahead. It was my first real exposure to Indonesia’s scale and diversity—and I knew I was in for something different.

From Jakarta, I boarded a flight to Yogyakarta, where my AIESEC journey truly began.

Yogyakarta: The Warm Welcome

In Yogyakarta, I was warmly received by AIESEC volunteers, who helped me with onboarding, orientation, and initial settling in. Their friendliness instantly removed my anxiety. Yogyakarta felt artistic, youthful, and culturally rich—a city where tradition and modern student life blended effortlessly.

During my first stay, I explored the city, its streets, and local eateries. But Yogyakarta became more than a stopover—I returned several times during my stay in Indonesia.

One unforgettable highlight was my first-ever zipline experience at Green Village Gedangsari. Standing at the edge, harnessed and terrified, I questioned my decision. But once I jumped, fear turned into exhilaration. That moment symbolized much of my Indonesia experience—learning to leap despite fear.

Another joy was roaming around the city on a motorcycle, feeling the wind, observing daily life, and discovering places without a fixed plan. Those rides made Yogyakarta feel alive.Solo (Surakarta): Where Life Slowed Down

Solo: The real journey begins

Most of my time in Indonesia was spent in Solo (Surakarta), a calm city near Yogyakarta. I rented a room in a private student dormitory, a simple but comfortable place that quickly became home.

That dormitory introduced me to one of the most important people of my journey—Mukhsin, my colleague at Skynosoft Portal Prime. He lived in the same dorm, helped me find accommodation, guided me through local customs, and eventually became my best friend in Indonesia.

Solo was where I truly lived, not just visited.

I spent the entire month of Ramadan there—observing fasting culture, sharing iftar meals, hearing the call to prayer echo across the city, and witnessing a deep sense of community. Life felt slower, more intentional, and more human.

The Internship Experience: Skynosoft Portal Prime

Professionally, my internship at Skynosoft Portal Prime was both demanding and rewarding. As a Digital Marketing Intern, I was exposed to:

Content planning and execution
Social media strategy and analytics
SEO fundamentals and digital visibility
Cross-cultural team collaboration

Working in an international environment taught me how marketing adapts to cultural contexts. Communication styles were different, decision-making was collaborative, and learning happened organically.

Completing the internship successfully gave me confidence—not just in my skills, but in my ability to adapt and grow anywhere in the world.

Eid Away From Home: Palembang to Martapura

When Eid-ul-Fitr approached, I knew I didn’t want to spend it alone. Mukhsin invited me to his hometown, Martapura, and I accepted without hesitation.

We first flew from Solo to Palembang, where we stayed overnight through a Couchsurfing host—another example of Indonesian hospitality. The next day, we explored parts of the city before boarding a train to Martapura.

That train ride remains one of my favorite memories—watching the countryside roll by, feeling anticipation, and knowing I was about to experience something deeply personal.

Martapura: Celebrating Eid as Family

Martapura welcomed me with open arms. Mukhsin’s family—his father, mother, two sisters, and relatives—treated me not as a guest, but as family.

I celebrated Eid with them, shared meals, joined conversations despite language barriers, and felt a warmth that words struggle to describe. This was not tourism. This was belonging.

Seeing family bonds, traditions, and everyday life up close gave me a deeper respect for Indonesian culture and values.Bandar Lampung: Fear, Sea, and Personal Victory.

On our way back to Solo, I asked Mukhsin for “one last adventure.” That request led us to Bandar Lampung, where we stayed two nights at his friend’s house.

Bandar Lampung gave me the greatest adventure of my entire Indonesia trip.

We went island hopping, explored crystal-clear waters, and snorkeled. It was my first snorkeling experience ever. I love the sea—but there’s something important to know: I don’t know how to swim.

Still, I pushed myself further.

I participated in an underwater activity where I descended 15 meters below the sea, terrified but determined. A photograph was taken underwater. When I saw it later, it looked like I was kissing the sea.

Fear. Courage. Laughter. Triumph.
That photo captured everything Indonesia taught me.

Returning to Solo and Completing the Journey

After Bandar Lampung, we traveled back through Jakarta and returned to Solo, where I completed the remainder of my internship. Life felt different then—I was more confident, calmer, and deeply grateful.

My professional responsibilities ended, but my journey wasn’t over yet.Bandung: A Quiet Ending

After completing my internship, I traveled to Bandung City to meet another student from AIUB who was also interning through AIESEC.

I stayed for two days, explored the city, and bought my first leather jacket—chocolate brown, still my favorite. Bandung marked the end of my daily life with Mukhsin and Skynosoft Portal Prime—a quiet, reflective ending to a powerful chapter.