Indonesia Expat - issue 294

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Dear Readers,

Finding the best suitable education for parents in Indonesia can be a lengthy and tough process. But at Indonesia Expat, we can help both newcomers and long-stayers to find the best school for their bundles of joy.

Allow this Education Issue as a parents’ guidebook to Indonesia’s outstanding education that features international curriculums. Inside, you’ll find stories about the schools, the people behind the schools, language, modern technology, and even music. Remember, education doesn’t stop in schools and universities – it’s a lifetime learning journey.

Don’t forget, we’re working on more digital content with our YouTube channel, Indonesia Expat. This includes our new series entitled “Welcome to Indonesia: The Series”, where we cover insights into food, leisure, community, travel, tips, guides, and plenty more. Stay tuned by subscribing to our channel!

Check out our daily news updates at indonesiaexpat.id , follow our Instagram @ indonesiaexpat and Facebook @indonesia.expat to stay up to date on regular COVID-19 case numbers and news, as well as to find attractive promotions from your favourite hotels, restaurants, and schools across the country. Now, you can even access Indonesia Expat on the Tripper app, available on iOS and Android for free.

Happy reading!

New Initiatives Drive Changes with Cory Carson, Head of School at Global Jaya School

“At Global Jaya School, we define learning as the lasting growth, change and development of knowledge, skills, understanding, and behaviour”. As an institution, we have thought long and hard about what it means to be a learner, and one of the critical elements of it is engagement with the students, faculty, and parents. When implementing a new initiative to drive change, it is crucial to recognise the collaborative effort, support, and partnerships involved.”, elucidated Cory Carson, the Head of Global Jaya School (GJS).

Who is Cory Carson? Tell us an exciting story few people know about you.

I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true: I’m a husband, a father, and finally, an educator.

Before moving overseas, a group of friends planned and completed a 500-kilometre canoe trip in northern Canada on the famed Nahanni River. It was the makings of a true adventure, a single-propeller airplane, remote drop-off location, portages, whirlpools, waterfalls, canyons and wildlife, including plenty of bears and moose. We carried in everything we needed to survive for the two weeks of paddling and carried out any waste. It was a fantastic trip - and we survived to talk about it.

While born in Canada, I consciously chose to work overseas in international schools for the past 26 years. If I had to pick one, I would say golf is my hobby.

My responsibility at GJS is as Head of School, collaborating with our faculty, students, parents and community and driving our school forward positively.

You’ve been around the world – Qatar, Turkey, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Canada – why did you decide to give Indonesia, especially Global Jaya School (GJS), a chance?

When I was looking to depart from my previous position, one of my key factors was remaining as head of school. I had interviews with schools worldwide, including with the leadership of GJS. I was drawn by the sense of community and warmth exuding when you come onto our campus. It starts with the students, continues to the teachers, and then extends to the parents. It has been extremely positive and refreshing.

Indonesia has 17,000 islands and stretches 5,000 kilometres; the cultural diversity and opportunity to grow and learn sat personally right. I have a wife and two sons; thus, we look at the impact it brings on us as a family. GJS is the best opportunity for us to move forward. Time has flown by since our arrival in August 2019!

Briefly tell us about GJS. GJS was founded in 1995. We are a 3 Programme IB World School offering the continuum of the Primary Years Programmes (PYP) for KindergartenYear Six, the Middle Years Programme

(MYP) for Years Seven-Ten, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for Years Eleven and Twelve. GJS has a solid international pedigree, and our teachers and administrators are active and engaged in global communities as workshop leaders, curriculum reviewers, examiners and accreditation officers.

An IB Continuum education holistically develops our learners, forming habits and values such as cooperation, collaboration, research, and more when children are four years old. All of these aspects contribute to the person they grow into becoming. We also value our strong grounding and reverence for the host country, Indonesia. Together, international mindedness, values, engagement, and activity leadership create a balance between the local and global contexts.

GJS is an IB World School, adopting and continuously supporting the IB Learner Profile as the school’s School-wide Learner Outcomes. Why embrace this, and does this approach set GJS aside from other IB World Schools?

The founders of GJS, through our mission and vision, established the guiding principles for education at GJS. We transitioned to being an authorised IB World School in 2004-2006 as we recognised that our vision and mission and that supported by the IB, through their curriculum framework and programme and practices, aligned in terms of values, qualities, and aspirations. The Schoolwide Learner Outcomes are these character attributes nurtured into our students and graduates.

We’ve adopted the 10 IB learner profile attributes: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective. It’s a way to leverage and encourage students to be positive, productive, contributing citizens who can fulfil their own needs and aspirations while supporting those that may not be as fortunate as they are.

It starts with students being inquiry-driven – asking questions and being encouraged to investigate and find information. We have

kindergarten kids performing fearlessly on stage in front of the whole school – that’s risk-taking! One of our 17-year-old students has been serving as a UN representative, working on a campaign supporting women's empowerment. She will be heading to Washington, D.C., for an upcoming congress related to her efforts. This is but one example of the power of inquiry, empowerment, and advocacy demonstrated by members of our student body.

GJS values the mother tongue. What significance can this bring to a child? Students at GJS come from Asia, North America, and Europe, with at least 95 per cent speaking English, Indonesian, and Korean and the other five per cent covering other languages. Our PYP is a dual language programme focused on Bahasa Indonesia and English; meanwhile, the MYP and DP support English, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish language development. We recognise that while English may be the predominant language of instruction, the home language is vital. Sometimes, it requires a partnership between parents and the school to develop it further. For example, if we had an Arabicspeaking student, we wouldn’t be offering Arabic as a class. However, we could support further independent study through the IB DP self-study programme.

What do you notice the most in students after they leave GJS into the “real world”?

I can’t say this enough: our kids are typically well-behaved, good kids. My sons, for example, first enrolled here in a foreign land where they didn’t speak the language and were not fully aware of local customs. I am thankful as they were quickly befriended and folded into the community through their participation in school activities and sports.

Every morning I greet the kids as they come in. The other day, a kindergarten girl skipped down the hallway near me, so I said, “Good morning! Happy Tuesday!” She said, “Happy Tuesday! I love School!” That kind of spontaneity fuels me every day.

Our graduates have developed their toolkit, supporting their becoming capable, independent, critical thinkers whilst engaging with others and finding the middle ground when collaborating or seeking solutions. That’s a recipe for success.

Please complete this sentence: Students at GJS are enriched with…. Skills, attitude, and knowledge are fostered in a caring and supportive environment that allows growth and development in academia, artesania, athletics, and service, developing students into the most complete versions of themselves they can be. Enrichment means values are added. GJS education isn’t merely about grades – though important – we recognise that a well-rounded education completes people if only they’re given the opportunity to explore passions, engage in something new, and take risks.

What’s next for you and Global Jaya School?

A new cycle of accreditation and authorisation are coming up in April. Our reflective and analytical work of the past year, and engagement with our faculty, students and parents, align with the visitation. The result of the process is the feedback that supports our continued efforts in advancing student achievement and school improvement, which will be detailed in a revitalised strategic plan that drives our change efforts for the coming fiveyear period. Our focus will directly impact educational programmes, community, infrastructure development on the campus, and sustainability efforts. I am quite proud of our Student Green School Committee, which is leading the push for GJS to become certified as a green school, both nationally and internationally.

The world is slowly healing – we can resume activities that students were very fond of in pre-pandemic days because it enhances their education beyond what goes on in a classroom. So Week Without Walls, international travel, and participation in local, regional, national and global conferences, congresses, and competitions will be welcome additions back onto the GJS academic calendar.

How can our readers get in touch with you and Global Jaya School?

Visit our website, www.globaljaya.com: it details programme-specific information, accreditation information, exam profiles and results, provides additional information on organisations like our Parents Association and Alumni Association, and admissions details. Visiting us on campus and getting a chance to see our students and facilities and learn about why this might be the right school for you and your children is always encouraged. Finally, I always welcome direct contact via my e-mail, headofschool@ globaljaya.com or via our admissions officer, Ibu Kania at admissions@globaljaya.com

One of our 17-yearold students has been serving as a UN representative, working on a campaign supporting women's empowerment.... This is but one example of the power of inquiry, empowerment and advocacy.

THE AMERICAN CLUB

Aid to a Wholesome Lifestyle

Lately, we see a more emotional approach to fitness, with more people being aware of how a good exercise helps us be more attuned to what our body needs and simply how good it makes us feel about ourselves. Many individuals opt to listen to what aids their mind and body in achieving emotional and spiritual well-being.

What differentiates The American Club from a gym is how there are other occasions to be celebrated besides visiting for a workout at the end of the day. Big holidays and special events turn the space into a befitting venue, for social events such as BBQs at the weekend or private functions geared towards company meetings. The club’s Pavilion and function rooms such as Jasmine Room, Sunset Lounge, The Lounge, Dining Room, and Theatre are all available to be tailor-made to fit your vision for the event.

When we talk about sports clubs, it is identical to swimming pools, a place where people with the same passion for sports gather, and tennis lessons. Indonesia is no stranger to this exemption. In Jakarta alone, there are numerous sports clubs.

The American Club is an exclusive sports club with a swimming pool, gym, squash court, and tennis courts as part of the facilitation offered. Trainers are available upon request, ensuring the members to be well taken care of and focus on one-on-one practice.

Located in Kebayoran Baru, it is a little piece of heaven to its beloved members. When your stomach starts to rumble, feast on the all-day breakfast, from fluffy pancakes to fresh bruschetta, with crispy cobb salad, or tasty pulled pork sliders. Rich cheesecake and festive cookies are served to complete the meal. All-day breakfast is served, always ready to offer egg benedict, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside french toast, and fresh homemade bagel, to name a few.

Delightful pastries are served at the restaurant area, paired with alcohols of choice, from beer to cocktails. Vegan options on the menu are available to accommodate the valued members. Crunchy grilled cheese sandwiches and buttery mac ‘n cheese, among other options of Indonesian cuisine. Food starts from Rp34,000+, while beverages start from Rp19,500+, and cakes start from Rp382,000+. Every Wednesday and Friday, happy hour for drinks commences at 5pm, along with food night.

After a day of tedious work or simply to kick back and enjoy the weekend, The American Club provides the best venue for its esteemed members, an easygoing and homey atmosphere. When seated in the al-fresco dining-style restaurant, the slice of tropical heaven overlooks the swimming pools on both sides; one for the baby pool and across is the six-lane 25-metre swimming pool.

Blue Marlin is the club’s non-competitive swimming club, providing the opportunity for young swimmers to improve their swimming.

Zumba, body combat, Thai boxing, Tabata, core workout, and other classes such as yoga are provided with trained coaches and full gym equipment to complement your lifestyle. A gym with extensive workout equipment is located on the second floor, complete with a studio room and personal trainers with ready-to-tailor programs to your body needs. Three open-air, well-kept tennis courts are the first-rate delight of the club.

There are several annual events hosted by The American Club, one of which is Halloween, recently with the theatre being conjured into a haunted house. Birthday parties and meetings are also accommodated. Indoor and outdoor seating is offered for any occasion. The multipurpose concept makes it accessible to be a part of the members’ special moments. Memberships run for a monthly cost, which includes all the services provided, and open for any expatriates across countries, contrary to the namesake. Once potential members pass the screening process, they become a part of The American Club experience. Personalised service and unwavering dedication to customer care are all a part of the stressor escape from everyday life.

Since 1960, The American Club has been at its members’ corner as the rejuvenation centre after a day’s work with its enchanting oasis in the bustling city. It’s almost easy to forget that just outside the canopy, lies a lively scene of the city. The club opens from 6am to 8pm on the weekdays and to 9pm on the weekends.

The American Club provides their members with an exclusive experience, with various spaces and activities designed for different age groups. Parents come by and will be able to have their kids watched by nannies while they exercise. The children’s area is separated into the kid’s room and youth room, while there is also a playground at the front by the court.

Come experience the exclusivity and warm hospitality of The American Club - here to aid your life healthier and provide the perfect environment for your children to delve into the wholesome lifestyle.

The American Club Jakarta

Jl Brawijaya IV/20 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan 12160

Phone: +62212702438

Email: membership@aecra-club.org

Open from 7 AM - 8 PM

The American Club provides their members with an exclusive experience, with various spaces and activities designed for di erent age groups.

MARCO'S CHOP SHOP

Creating More than Just a Haircut

Marco’s Chop Shop – a barbershop that offers more than just a haircut. With exceptional customer care and a wide range of services, Marco’s is the ultimate one-stop shop for men.

We would like to introduce you to Marco’s Chop Shop and the visionary behind it –Amrit Harjani. He’d like to tell us more about the barbershop. In an interview, he shared his journey from working in various industries to starting Marco’s Chop Shop.

Hi Amrit, we’d like to know more about you. Please introduce yourself.

My name is Amrit Harjani and I was born and raised in Indonesia. I am 34 years old, Indian by race and Indonesian by nationality with a passion for providing exceptional barber services in the country. I am currently focused on the expansion of Marco’s Chop Shop and Black Fox Barbers, my chain of barbershops in Jakarta.

Before running Marco’s Chop Shop, what did you do?

I graduated with a degree in Hotel Management from Kuala Lumpur after which I began my career in the hospitality industry. I was fortunate to land jobs in fivestar hotels such as the Ritz Carlton, Grand Hyatt and JW Marriott before managing a range of Burger King outlets in Jakarta. I dissolved my gig in the hospitality industry two years later. I then chose to be a part of the family business dealing in wholesale garments before finally discovering my passion.

Why a barbershop? How did you start running Marco’s?

I’m going to quickly revert this question back to you – why not a barbershop? The industry was booming in 2015 and that’s

when I decided to take the plunge and do something extraordinary. I did as much external research and travel trips as I could to make sure I was able to fill the gap I had found in Jakarta. My expectations and the reality of the services provided went beyond what I was able to comprehend. Countries like Turkey really helped bring my vision to reality and when I realised my potential, I became unstoppable. And hence, Marco’s Chop Shop was born.

Please share with us about Marco’s Chop Shop.

Marco’s Chop Shop is your one-stop shop for men of all ages. Through the services we provide, I can proudly affirm that I have been able to fill in the gap between my expectations and reality. With our diverse range of services, standards of procedure, and products used (and sold), with an exclusive ambience across all our outlets, Marco’s Chop Shop is the place you’d like to be to get pampered.

“It’s more than a haircut.” Please elaborate on the meaning of this tagline. The tagline means that at Marco’s, you don’t only get a haircut; it's more than that. It’s the relationship between the customer and the barber, the services we provide and the experience provided to our customers. Aside from that, we have what we call WOW factors in place to further elaborate on our tagline “It’s more than a haircut”.

As customers, people need something special. What are the special services you can offer to your customers?

We’ve got a range of services. First, we cover the basics such as haircuts, shaves, and hair colouring. We also cater to customers' specific needs like nose waxing, face scrubs, charcoal face masks, manicures, and pedicures.

We’ve recently launched our new line of services which is body waxing for men. Our customers can choose the types of waxing they’d like to get done depending on their preferences.

Are there any specific requirements to be one of your barbers? Do they need to attend a barber class before applying? Our barbers need to have a minimum work experience of seven to 10 years of being a barber. Besides, we still do test them for skills before we onboard them to our training programme. We’ve got high standards through our SOPs that our barbers train for before handling clients.

Today you’ve got 10 store locations. What is the biggest challenge to managing this barbershop and all the branches?

Consistency across all the stores. I think this is an ongoing process and something that will never end as we increase the number of outlets. However, this challenge keeps me motivated enough to keep going and ensuring we’re doing everything we can to provide the most incredible services for our customers.

What’s next for Marco’s Chop Shop?

Our aim is to expand exponentially across the big cities in Indonesia and aim to be a trendsetter for barbershops in the country.

Where can our readers get in touch with you and Marco’s Chop Shop, especially to book a haircut?

We are available through many channels; WhatsApp, Telephone, Instagram, Facebook, and even Google.

Here are all the social media handles to get in touch and learn more information about Marco’s Chop Shop:

Website: www.marcoschopshop.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/marcoschopshop

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Marcoschopshop

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/Marcoschopshop

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@marcoschopshop

Pricelist & Locations: https://mcsbfbarbers.crd.co

Get in touch and get your mind blown!

It's more than a haircut.

Honing Children’s True Passions through STEAM, at Sampoerna Academy

Fostering a child to hone in their passions and cultivate vital skills required for their future endeavours takes a supportive environment. Parents with children in Pre-K to High School need not look further for a great supportive “partner”. Especially when it comes to children pursuing their passions, because Sampoerna Academy incorporates the principles of STEAM into children’s education to support their interests and passions, thus preparing them to succeed in their chosen field.

“Passion is not something that can be discovered overnight, but rather, it is a journey that requires guidance and support,” enthused Dr Mustafa Guvercin, Academic Director of Sampoerna Academy.

Aside from equipping students with global exposure and an internationally recognised academic qualification, students are encouraged to inquire, explore, innovate, and communicate by drawing from the world’s best curricula and international education that emphasises on STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) methodology. With this, a student’s 5C (Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Character) competence and 21 st -century skills are developed, in order to make them work- and world-ready as they compete and succeed at every stage of life.

Sampoerna Academy believes that education should go beyond simply imparting knowledge and skills – it should also inspire students to become lifelong learners who are passionate about whatever occupations they are pursuing. That’s why Sampoerna Academy also instilled IGNITE values (Integrity, Growth Mindset, Nobility, Innovation, Teamwork, and Excellence) into the formula.

Dwelling deeper into the benefits of STEAM, Sampoerna Academy’s STEAM approach is integrated with Project Based Learning (PBL). Thus, children work on designing and creating projects that are based on their interests and passions. This encourages more engagement and enjoyment for children, as it allows them to work on topics that they are passionate

about and invest in their projects in a meaningful way. Numerous experiments, researches, and projects have been done by Sampoerna Academy students, starting from creating homemade hand sanitiser, researching music’s effect on plant growth, to modelling the Eiffel tower under different seasons using coding.

“Through STEAM education, we strive to help students identify and pursue their passions by providing them with exposure to a wide range of subjects and handson experiences. Our approach is further strengthened by stimulating the school environment, counselling sessions, and open communication with parents, allowing us to empower our students to be the best in whatever they choose to pursue,” explained Guvercin.

The real-world focus of Sampoerna Academy STEAM activities also focuses on the process of pursuing students’ passion, as it is connected to something real and

involves life skills, such as collaboration and reflection. They can work and learn from others who share similar interests and goals, and they can assess their own process and growth at the end of learning.

Sampoerna Academy also provides students with opportunities to showcase their work, whether it’s through competitions, exhibitions, or presentations. The nearest upcoming event is the STEAM Expo on 4 th March 2023, where students are challenged to innovate as well as apply knowledge from what they have learned at school. Their projects, whether in groups or individually, are then curated by the judges and displayed in a public exhibition for parents and participants during the STEAM Expo. In return, a sense of validation and recognition for their efforts are received, which can further motivate them to pursue their passions.

The Sampoerna Academy STEAM Expo 2023 will be held at every Sampoerna Academy campus: Jakarta, BSD, Sentul, Medan, and Surabaya. This grand event allows the public and parents to see student projects, take a school tour, and participate in working on creative projects with a STEAM approach through the STEAM Workshop agenda.

Parents, this is your sign to explore more on STEAM Education at no better place to guide you and your children other than Sampoerna Academy. Discover more via the website https://www.sampoernaacademy. sch.id/en/ and @sampoerna.academy on social media.

Sampoerna Academy believes that education should go beyond simply imparting knowledge and skills – it should also inspire students to become lifelong learners who are passionate about whatever occupations they are pursuing.

Building A Community of Sound and Music Makers with Ableton in Bali

For more than two decades, German-built music software Ableton has become the inevitable tool for music makers worldwide, whether they are popular DJs or old-fashioned instrumentalists, amateurs or pros. Already well known and widely used in Jakarta among the capital city’s musician community, this computerised music app doesn’t seem to have attracted much attention in Bali. This is where French sound engineer Guillaume Ravenel comes into play. The producer is on a mission with one goal: to develop the Ableton users’ community on the island.

Maybe we’ll need to go through a simple pedagogic presentation of this software for our readers with few skills or even knowledge of the modern music business. If not the only one on the market, alongside Logic Pro and Pro Tools, Ableton Live is now the most prominent digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer program. Why? Most likely because of its versatility; allowing music production, live performance, and DJing all at once. The trick is that Ableton allows both studio work and live performances in just one ready-to-use software, simply installed on your computer. Add a true intuitive and visual environment and you have the major key to its long-time success.

Head and founder of PMA Marche Noir Productions, 47 years old sound engineer and music producer Guillaume Ravenel, wants to build a community of Ableton users in Bali to propel the many musical talents found on the island to a new level of creativity and professionalism. In order to do so, since 2021, he has instigated a series of master classes on the topic. Starting at Genesis Creative Center in Canggu, the meetings have now moved to the Park 23 Creative Hub in Tuban, an old, disaffected mall turned into an amazing crossroad for anything artful and trendy. As manager of the newly setup Ableton Users Group of Bali, Guillaume Ravenel has no doubt about the huge potential of the island. Between local musicians and international talents residing there, there are all the necessary factors to build a powerful community of sound technicians and music makers, he asserts.

SESSIONS FOR BEGINNERS AND ADVANCED USERS AS WELL

“All these people need to meet and share ideas, it’s that simple,” he explains with enthusiasm. Indeed, the Bali musical network needs a push and that is exactly what the Frenchman has been working on. If the first-ever session during COVID-19 times was promising in terms of attendance, with about 15 people, it now can boast double that figure for each session, including beginners and advanced users. With the help of Westside MuzeeQ shop owner Andikha at Park23, the last master classes that were held there had two major guests to attract the crowd: Pablo Vicencio, the producer, multi-instrumentalist and Latin Grammy Award winner from Labyrinth Studio, plus electronic music

composer Latex. The attendants were all thirsty for knowledge, whatever their skill levels and the two hosts were shelled with interesting questions, recalls the Frenchman. Each of them explained how they use the software, showcasing practical demos and spreading new ideas and visions to a captivated audience. After each event, there is a meet-up at a nearby Double Sip liquor bar. Whoever wants to demo his or her musical production is welcome to do so in the readied DJ booth.

Each time, Guillaume Ravenel prepares the sessions with the help and supervision of Ableton headquarters in Berlin. Indeed, from the very beginning, the brand has expressed the will to build user communities worldwide and they make themselves readily available through their network. Believe it or not, in some countries, almost every major city has an Ableton users’ community. The topics are not only directly linked to the software use, either. Advising during master classes goes far beyond, with extra themes like artistic career handling or social media management, gig, and tour organisation or record label mailing and communication. Being responsible for the Bali users’ group means Guillaume Ravenel always reports back to Berlin and keeps the brand updated about the progress and community inputs.

“There are plenty of high-level music producers living in Bali. Professional recording studios are booming too. Sadly enough, all these talents are not necessarily connected together,” he explains further. Indonesia is a huge country where many different music styles are thriving. Guillaume Ravenel also looks at traditional music: “Customary bands and musicians here are set apart with peculiar instruments and sound. This participates in the overall musical assets of the country with an almost infinite profusion of creative possibilities.” Hence, the man’s dream of building international bridges through his Ableton meetings, and soon of introducing the idea of integrating workshops during these sessions.

ABLETON AND BEYOND WITH… NEW COMPANY MARCHE NOIR

All sessions are free to attend. Guillaume Ravenel reckons organising them is a demanding job that takes a lot of his time, including convincing sponsors to help by placing or presenting their products at each event. He dreams of being seconded by an intendant. Is anyone interested?

Just contact him… The sessions are held on a regular basis, although not too often. The French sound engineer’s endeavour to develop a local synergy in the audio business doesn’t stop at Ableton training and advising. That is why he has set up a company here in Bali to promote his vision and mission. Guillaume Ravenel’s skills and professional knowledge don’t stop at music and software usage; he’s also a film sound engineer and specialises in sound recording on documentaries, working locally for some noticeable film productions.

If the man is on to a game changer with his new life in Bali and feels reinvigorated with new goals after more than 20 years in the French music industry, will he achieve his new ideal of sharing and developing his passion here in Indonesia? Sure, for the moment the Ableton Community is a great free resource for anyone who uses the software and wants to enhance their capability, as well as collaborate and learn from others. But practically, it comes at the expense of those, like professional Guillaume Ravenel, who dare to sacrifice a lot of their free time for the trade they love. Between all these time-consuming activities, the Frenchman is therefore a very busy entrepreneur. Any strong collaboration in the various fields of sound engineering will be most appreciated. Anyone interested? Just contact him; you’ve got your man!

Get in touch via the website https:// marchenoirproductions.com or email contact@marchenoirproductions.com

The trick is that Ableton allows both studio work and live performances in just one ready-to-use software, simply installed on your computer. Add a true intuitive and visual environment and you have the major key to its long-time success.

Have you mastered the Indonesian language? Or did you give up? When I first came here as a teacher about fourteen years ago, people at the school told me often how easy the Indonesian language is, so much easier than English. Well, if that is true, and I am an English teacher, you can’t prove it by me. English is nuanced and has about 300 percent more words than any other language. Word of the Day and Merriam Webster Word of the Day land in my inbox and show me words every day. Many have never seen it before and would never use it in any case. So, that 300 percent more words don’t mean as much as one might think. And English grammar is not very complex either, not like German or Latin.

I studied Latin; I speak Spanish and French. And there is nothing easy about Indonesian. Indonesia is one of the earliest places on the planet to be continuously inhabited by us, homo sapiens. There is also evidence of earlier forms of us, perhaps going back 350,000 years. At last look in Wiki online, there are about 700 extant indigenous languages in Indonesia and 800 more just in Papua. The history of the Indonesian language is very dense.

The way I understand it begins with the Dutch East India Company in 1799. Once the Dutch took over, they needed a way to administer their colonial prize, and coordinate departments of the bureaucracy they were creating. They used Malay extensively and combined it with “loan words” from Dutch, English, Javanese, and many other sources. It was not until 1945 and Indonesian independence that Bahasa Indonesia became the lingua franca of Indonesia. At the same time, many people who had the benefit of good schools learned Dutch. Some of those “old timers” are still around and I have met a number of them.

It seems remarkable that 270 million people could learn and agree to speak a common language in only a few generations. But they did and, at the same time, continued to know their local indigenous languages: Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese and so many others. Even Lombok, off Bali, has its own language and yes, of course, Balinese. It is an astounding linguistic diversity.

Learning

And so, the idea that Indonesian is “easy” does not hold up once one gets beyond “Selamat pagi” and “Apa kabar?”

In Surabaya, where I am, to be good at “Suroboyoan” you need to know a lot of Javanese and Madurese too as most non-Chinese people are Javanese and there are thousands of Madurese people here. I sense that I can’t be really good at Indonesian without knowing Javanese. That is some background that might explain why mastering Indonesian is challenging. However, becoming fluent and competent is possible with a lot of work. I have been studying intensively for ten years with a good teacher in Bali. We met when my wife and I lived in Bali for two years before moving back to Surabaya, my wife’s hometown. And my teacher in Bali, Trias, and I have continued online since then. For many years we talked for two hours a week and now it is down to one. She has extensive experience teaching Indonesian, is fluent in English, and has a Master’s Degree in Anthropology.

After working together for over ten years, she has become one of my best friends and we share our lives and our thoughts freely, all in Indonesian. We use Google docs and because she is very fast on the keyboard, each lesson produces two or three pages of notes on vocabulary and grammar. I can talk fluently about anything in Indonesian.

Doesn’t that sound great? Well, it sounds great but what happens out in the world? When I walk in the morning with my neighbours and talk with someone one on one, I do quite well. But when they are talking among themselves, I am totally lost. Maybe I have an idea of their conversation but not much, to be honest. The reason is they don’t speak like I speak with my teacher or my wife or with our driver. They speak Suroboyoan, the vernacular, and it is all mixed up with numerous references that I just don’t know. This is frustrating and is why so many people achieve some competence in Indonesian basics and go no further.

What saves me is that I enjoy learning for its own sake and I am very persistent about trying to be good at the things that interest me. At the same time, I have doubts

that I will ever be able to understand the language the way I want to, the way it is spoken casually among friends. The positive part is I can express myself and they can understand me and I can understand their answers once they realise I actually can speak Indonesian, which comes mostly as a shock. They are often so taken aback by a bule speaking their language, that even if I say something very simple, they don’t understand it until they flip that switch in their brain that says, “Oh he knows Indonesian!”

This is not unique to Indonesia. I teach a lot of people in China and Japan. A Chinese adult student told me he was good at writing and could express himself well in the workplace but when his colleagues got together, he was lost, just like me. I could only commiserate.

A major factor we adults learning the language have to understand is that it is much easier to progress in language mastery when we are young. It is just a sad fact. I watched our little grandson, who is age four now, go from no speech to total speech in a couple of years. That is remarkable really when I think of the efforts I have put in. But, of course, I speak English mostly and he is in an all-Indonesian situation.

For those of you who want some other ways to improve your skill, I do have some suggestions. I listen to Indonesian radio when I have time: I read some simple books with English on the facing page. I constantly try to learn new words and how to use them. That is probably what I do most. And I ask a lot of questions to my wife and our driver, Pak Rom. He and I have helped each other tremendously. He is educated, Javanese, and very motivated to be good at English. This is symbiosis!

On a closing note, I recommend that you think of improvement in Indonesian as a process, a neverending one like many of the important skills and talents we try to develop. Most important to know is that with every increase in our knowledge of the language, our appreciation of our expat life here also increases. It is very much a win-win situation.

Engaging the Challenge of ChatGPT and Discovering the Exellence in Every Child

NJIS introduces its approach to learning and teaching by prioritising the needs of every child through the personalised approach. In an exclusive interview, NJIS Head of School, Gerald Donovan (GD), and Primary Years Program (PYP) Coordinator, Ezra Alexander (EA), discuss the school's discovery of excellence in every child, and how ChatGPT and emerging AI technologies are changing the landscape of education.

Hello, Gerald! It’s been a while. How have you been?

Very well indeed, thanks for asking. How have you been? It has been a while, hasn’t it? I’ve been great and it’s been wonderful welcoming students back to NJIS daily and strengthening those relationships and habits that are such an important part of the school. Allow me to introduce our PYP Coordinator, Mr Ezra Alexander. Mr Ezra teaches Grade 4 and also coordinates the primary program here at NJIS.

It can be said the COVID-19 pandemic is over. What was the biggest distress you faced as the head of school during the pandemic and how did you overcome it?

GD: As a school, the first month of the pandemic was spent simply trying to survive. But as it became apparent that the lockdowns and virtual learning were likely to be counted in years rather than months, we adapted quickly. Our motto throughout became “not just surviving, but thriving” and that is what we did! Early on, we decided to base our decisions on one simple question; “How will it impact students’ learning?” We found that this cut away a lot of the confusion and made sure that we were making decisions that prioritised our students' mastery every day and made sure that everything we did was purposeful.

EA: We were very fortunate to have an extremely supportive parent community and an extremely resilient and bright student community as well as the best teaching faculty in Jakarta.

GD: We were also lucky to have a great leadership team who really kept the focus on student welfare; Mr Ezra, of course, our MYP Coordinator, Hendri Yasir, our DP Coordinator, Warren Wessels, and our Support Coordinator, Kate Hamman. Together, they engaged and worked with faculty and students.

Please elaborate on how NJIS discovers excellence in every child.

GD: At NJIS, we help our students work in something called the Zone of Proximal Development – it’s an educational theory from a Soviet psychologist called Vygotsky. To put it simply, if you imagine three horizontal zones on a graph; at the top are skills that are currently beyond a student’s reach, and at the bottom are skills that a student can already do autonomously. It

is in the middle zone, between the things they can’t do and the things they can already do with autonomy, that we find the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and it contains things that a student can do with help.

If a student is given too many tasks that are in the uppermost zone – they might feel stressed and incapable. If they are set too many tasks in the bottommost zone, they will feel bored and unchallenged and they may even start to misbehave. So a teacher’s job is to identify which tasks fall into the middle zone – the ZPD – for each child and support them to tackle that task with as much guidance as they need.

EA: So, I think this is what is special about the NJIS approach – we recognise that there is not one level to each class. In fact, in one class of fifteen students, there might well be many different zones of proximal development. And that’s okay – in fact, it is the best way to structure teaching and learning.

This is not something that just any teacher can do! It requires training, conscious practice, and a lot of emotional intelligence to really get to know the individual levels and needs of every student in the class. It takes a lot more work and skill to connect personally with each student in the class, get to know their strengths and weaknesses, and provide them with tasks and challenges that keep them working in their zone and it really requires a special kind of teacher – this skill of connection is one of the most important skills we look for in any teacher who applies to join our team.

How do you view ChatGPT and the new technology of AI in schools?

EA: We started experimenting with ChatGPT very early and, sure enough, many of our students already knew all about it and had been experimenting with it in their learning routines. We have been having open and frank discussions with our students about the benefits, the risks, and the ethical implications. Everyone; students and teachers alike are still figuring out the do’s and don’ts when it comes to AI-generated work and we are having an ongoing conversation about where the line might be drawn between using AI to cheat and using it to help plan, evaluate, and improve their work and their purposeful learning.

GD: If we engage with it and use it correctly, ChatGPT and other emerging AI technologies can be used almost like a daily “guide on the side” for students. Just one example might be a Japanese student who is having her first year at an International School like NJIS having moved straight from her home country. She can use ChatGPT to translate an assignment into her own language to help her as she sits in class. She can ask it for further clarification on any points she doesn’t yet understand. The use of AI can help her gradually adjust to the English Language environment, especially when integrated into the ELL support system with a teacher.

How do you think ChatGPT will change schools?

GD: I think that old models of assessment are already dead in the water. We are already starting to reduce the essay as a

major source of assessment – those old one-size-fits-all approaches to assessment no longer serve students well – in reality, they were never all that great to start with. Successful learning will require that teachers know their students personally. Just as good schools gave up on the idea that memorisation of facts was the pinnacle of education when the internet came along, likewise, we will now have to realise that AI will reinvent assessment to make it more personal and individualised.

EA: If you asked me to compare the impact of Covid on education to the impact of AI, I would say that the impact of AI is likely to be larger and longer-lasting by an order of magnitude. Personalised learning, driven by engagement between teachers and students, is the only way forward. AI is going to be a profoundly helpful supplement to that process.

Gerald and Ezra, what’s next for you and NJIS?

EA: On Saturday 4 th March, we have a Filmmaking Masterclass for schools from all around Jakarta. We have local and international filmmakers coming in to coach student teams on making a short film, which they will then have one month to complete before they present it in April at the “Reel Deal” Film Festival.

GD: NJIS is going through a period of expansion and growth and we are in the process of preparing spaces and adding new classrooms for our additional classes for next school year. We are Jakarta’s fastest-growing international school and we believe that this is directly driven by our personalised approach to education. It really is an honour to be part of a community that is so focused on purposeful student learning and well-being; to achieve those goals, we need to work together as a team – students, teachers, parents, and administrators. We all have a role to play in creating a positive, supportive learning environment that fosters growth and development and this is part of our work that never ends!

How can our readers get in touch with you both and NJIS?

GD: We have an open house coming up on 1st April 2023, but there is no need to wait that long – you can give our wonderful and welcoming admissions team a call at any time to arrange a school tour or even a trial class. Their Whatsapp is +628119278887.

EA: I hope to see you here and, if your child is joining in the primary years, I’ll look forward to talking with you about our approach to personalised learning and how NJIS discovers excellence in every child!

Education in the Era of Globalisation: The Holistic Nurturing of a Child is Paramount

Educating a child means preparing them for life as an adult and ensuring they become honest and productive members of society. Children must be allowed - and encouraged to – grow up inquisitive in nature, independent in thought, and practical in habit.

Children must develop the following: honesty in everything they do; empathy for others they encounter and learn about; authenticity to develop their characteristics, opinions and ideas; resilience to keep going when times get tough, and trustworthiness to show they can be depended upon in times of need. These qualities can be highlighted and known by the first letters of each, forming the acronym HEART

In this era of globalisation and digitalisation, the spectre of education and its importance hangs over society and the youth of today with a fervour rarely if ever previously experienced. The necessity of children obtaining a “good education” to face not only the challenges of today but more importantly, also of tomorrow, has never been so raw as it is now, but what actually constitutes this supposed utopia of academia?

Living in Indonesia, we are aware that not only do many types and methodologies of education abound but also so do levels of educational quality. Unfortunately, it is a sad fact of life that the most financially challenged members of society usually end up being unable to afford education of the highest quality.

However, notwithstanding these variances, there are other issues to consider when discussing or debating the top of “quality education”.

Trends and modes of education shift within society as time passes, and tried and tested methodologies of days gone by are not always relevant or applicable in the present climate - or at least to the same extent as before. The onset of globalisation has seen a shift in learning away from traditional “chalk and talk” and “book and paper” styles of learning to more active styles of learning.

Different schools offer different syllabi and curricula, and these include innovative systems such as International Baccalaureate programmes - which involve a fair deal of critical thinking and project-based learning - and traditional “examinationbased learning” (with final grades and assessments being set by overseas external

boards) such as Cambridge. Also in existence are Montessori programmes, which - theoretically- help children to learn at their own pace and according to their own preferences and learning abilities.

These are all systems and methods which have their proponents and their good points, but what is true of educational systems in general, is that nurturing a child does not begin and end in the classroom. Schools and indeed society have so many more responsibilities to children than merely filling up their heads with knowledge - now more so than ever before.

A common complaint heard from potential employers nowadays is that large swathes of young people emerging into the workforce for the first time are not suited to the vacancies available. Some fresh graduates have qualified in disciplines that are no longer relevant to society, and on the other side of the coin, vacancies for which there are no suitably educated candidates exist in droves. In short, everyone is losing. Young people are emerging from universities after up to seventeen years or so in full-time education only to find difficulties in gaining employment, while scores of positions remain unfilled.

The onus is thus on educational institutions to keep abreast of the changing needs and requirements of the workforce and to adapt their courses and learning strategies accordingly. As well as the soft skills required, employers are constantly on the lookout for graduates that possess more intangible attributes such as clear-minded thinking, problem-solving skills, logical exposition, and, sometimes, plain oldfashioned common sense.

The development of all these qualities falls within the remit of schools and universities and teachers in general, and they are not such that can be spoon-fed to students. Instead, they need to be developed within the children from an early age. Notwithstanding the chosen curriculum, all schools and teachers need to be aware of the need to develop students in holistic and pastoral manners.

No two students are the same, and so a good teacher will soon learn to develop differentiation in their teaching methodologies. While some students may appear to be “smarter” than average, and others could give the impression of being “slower”, the truth of the matter is that all children have potential and a natural curiosity. It is the teachers’ role to tap into this, to discover the students’ interests and thus capabilities, and hence assist them in their learning journeys.

To dismiss a student who is unfocused in the classroom as “lazy” is laziness itself. No child wishes to sleep all day – every child wishes to be engaged in some manner or another, and so the teacher must learn what makes each and every one of their students click and thus be able to tap into their potential.

This requires the development of differentiation. How students with different learning styles, different interests, and different motivations can all be inspired and guided to reach the learning objectives of a course, syllabus or lesson is what is important.

Before we undertake any journey, we plan it well. We consider where we want to go, why we want to go there, and what our purpose for doing so is. Then we consider the mode of transportation we will take, before finally deciding upon the route we will travel.

In short, there are many different ways to arrive at our destination and education goes by the same principles. It does not matter how the students arrive at an answer, a solution, a result or a conclusion, but that they get there in the end. Some students may be better suited for presenting work in oral form than written, for example. Others may prefer a visual style. Some may not be eloquent speakers but have a flair for the written word instead. Each child is different.

As we wrote above, we are all unique and this uniqueness should be harnessed and embraced. It is up to us all as adults to be educators and teachers in this crazy modern world of ours.

Educating a child means preparing them for life as an adult and ensuring they become honest and productive members of society. Children must be allowed - and encouraged to –grow up inquisitive in nature, independent in thought, and practical in habit.

How Bad can Gadgets Harm Kids?

Sometimes, when I look at children glued to iPads or smartphones, I tend to sympathise with them. I understand they’re born into the Alpha generation (born after the 2010s), where technology is a way of life. Regardless, where’s the fun of playing tag, creating stories with dolls, or getting their hands dirty from colouring?

For example, I was recently in Bali for work. It was a Sunday afternoon, the sun was gleaming after a full morning of nonstop rain. Naturally, everyone at the resort swiftly secured their spots on the beach. I noticed younglings making sandcastles and chuckling as they paddled in the waves, yet there were still a couple who lay beneath the shade to watch their favourite cartoons.

Technology is undoubtedly influential in human life. Kids generally bore easily and gadgets keep them entertained. Aside from that, gadgets are profound for a student to learn many topics and hone their passions. It is, however, concerning for children who are in the stage of developing their talents and creativity are falling into a world of technology, which can hinder the development of their minds.

Like everything else, gadgets have their pros and cons. Kids may easily imitate unsuitable and inappropriate words and actions, which result in negative impacts on their behaviours, including addiction.

Given the negative connotation of gadget addiction, parents are highly encouraged to limit screen time. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a maximum of one hour every day to learn and

watch shows about various colours, shapes, animals, and objects for children aged two to five. Meanwhile, children aged six years and above have no specific limits on gadget usage, without allowing for continuous screen time. If unnecessary, it’s best if this age group doesn't use gadgets – rather, they should freely roam around, physically interacting and playing with their friends.

Parents are prone to revert to gadgets because of a variety of interesting features and applications that can accompany their kids while they carry out their activities in peace. Subsequently, a virtual playmate is formed. This isn’t entirely bad, but whatever happened to imaginary friends? Or those random, mind-throbbing questions kids ask adults?

Parents play a vital role in supervising kids while at home. They need to give directions on how gadgets should be used according to their needs, such as communicating with teachers or friends to discuss lessons. This reduces the possibility of gadget misuse. Always accompany kids when playing with gadgets and adopt screen time, to balance out play and study sessions.

Teachers are also influential in supervising children while at school in the form of introducing educational games and inviting children to do activities without using gadgets. Teachers must be aware of technological developments, especially.

Local news has proven kids use technology for the wrong reasons, backed up by their high levels of curiosity. A bullying case in Tasikmalaya, West Java, in 2022 involved a year five student who experienced physical,

sexual, and psychological violence, based on a 50-second video that was spread initially on the local villagers’ WhatsApp group, then broadcast on social media. Two underage perpetrators were seen holding a cat's paw while the victim was stripped naked and forced to have sex with the animal in the video.

That is one example of unsupervised gadget use causing harm. Others include:

• Radiation increases the risk of cancer

• Using a cell phone for more than 30 minutes can cause deafness, or acoustic neuroma

• Eye irritation and nearsightedness caused by regular use of maximum brightness on cell phones, computers, and tablets

• Unable to have self-control due to socialisation that occurs indirectly

• More conflicts occur and there is no attempt to solve the problem

• Uncontrollable selfishness

• People who associate a lot with gadgets live slightly shorter lifespans

• Decreasing student concentration when receiving materials delivered by educators

• Distractions

• Discourage the imagination developments from the interesting visual appearances

On the flip side, a balanced portion between gadget usage and interaction with the surrounding environment can complement the fast and uncontrollable developments of technology by promoting:

• More practical communication

• A rise of creativity

• Easy access to the world beyond their walls

• Humans become smarter in innovating with features and programs related to knowledge and education

Several schools in big cities have enacted rules prohibiting bringing gadgets to school, to anticipate undesirable situations. In exchange, students are provided with internet facilities from schools which are considered safer and supervised, and parents who want to call their kids can call the school instead. Actually, I encountered this during my secondary years. It was rather burdensome. At least it taught me patience and the definition of effective communication on my end and the recipients – my parents and teachers.

Though this may not be possible for all schools to enforce, teaching limits to kids should still start early – at home and at school. Tons of information online indicate further pros and cons but without any action from the adults, no kid should navigate the digital world on their own. How would you save your kid(s) from the harm of gadgets and instead prompt its effectiveness?

It is, however, concerning for children who are in the stage of developing their talents and creativity are falling into a world of technology, which can hinder the development of their minds.

Do you Need a Virtual Office?

businesses are required to have a physical office presence. These include:

• Financial Institutions: because they need to store and manage confidential client information and transactions.

• Healthcare Institutions: because they provide medical services to patients.

• Retail Businesses: because they have to sell goods to customers.

• Manufacturing Businesses: because they need to store raw materials, manufacture products, and store finished goods.

• Food and Beverage Businesses: because they have to serve customers.

• Construction and Engineering Businesses: because they need to store equipment and materials and provide a base for workers to operate from.

Virtual offices have become a popular solution for businesses, especially for startups and foreign companies looking to get a foothold in the Indonesian market as they provide established and recognised business addresses, flexibility for employees to work remotely as well as various business functions and administrative support services, including a dedicated receptionist.

ARE VIRTUAL OFFICES LEGAL?

Yes. Virtual offices are legal in Indonesia, regulated by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and governed by Indonesian Law No. 40 of 2007 on Limited Liability Companies and its implementing regulations, as well as other relevant laws and regulations.

Businesses are required to comply with local laws and regulations regarding business registration, taxes, and other relevant requirements, just like any other business operating in Indonesia.

According to these laws and regulations, virtual offices must be registered with the government and meet certain requirements, such as having a valid business license and a local tax identification number (NPWP). Additionally, virtual office providers must maintain accurate records of all business activities and transactions, and must comply with all relevant regulations related to data protection, privacy, and security.

It’s important to note certain types of businesses may be required to have a physical office presence to comply with regulations and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Check with your legal consultant before signing any agreements to ensure there is compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A VIRTUAL OFFICE

Firstly, it’s essential to determine the location that best suits your business operations, as some virtual office providers may offer specific services that are only available in certain areas.

Additionally, you should evaluate the provider’s reputation, experience, and customer service to ensure they can deliver the level of professionalism and quality you require. You should also consider the services included in your virtual office package, such as mail handling, call answering, and meeting room availability, as well as the flexibility and pricing of the package.

It’s also very important to review the virtual office provider’s contract terms and conditions, including cancellation policies, billing processes, and any hidden costs to ensure you fully understand what you are committing to.

VIRTUAL OFFICES VS PHYSICAL OFFICES

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Here are some of their key aspects, differences and benefits:

VIRTUAL OFFICES

• Cost-effective alternative to traditional physical offices

• Provide a professional mailing address and telephone answering service

• Offer flexibility and the ability to have a presence in multiple locations

• Reduce overhead costs and increase profitability

• Save time by reducing administrative tasks

PHYSICAL OFFICES

• Provide a physical space for employees to work in

• Offer opportunities for face-to-face interaction with clients and partners

• Offer more control over mail and packages

• Are less dependent on technology and less prone to communication problems

• May be viewed as more credible and professional by clients and partners

Ultimately, the choice between a virtual office and a physical office depends on your specific business needs and the industry you’re operating in.

WHAT ARE THE COST DIFFERENCES?

The cost of having a virtual office versus a

physical office in Indonesia can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the location, size, and type of office space, as well as the services and amenities provided. Here are some general cost considerations for each option:

VIRTUAL OFFICE

• The monthly cost for a basic virtual office in a prime location in Jakarta or other major cities in Indonesia can range from Rp500,000 to Rp2.5 million or more depending on the provider and services included

• Additional services, such as mail handling, call forwarding, and administrative support, may come at an extra cost

• There may be additional charges for using meeting rooms or conference facilities on an hourly or daily basis

PHYSICAL OFFICE

• The cost of renting a physical office space in a prime location in Jakarta or other major cities in Indonesia can vary widely depending on the size, location, and amenities included

• Generally, basic office space in a prime location can range from Rp3 million to Rp20 million per month or more

• Additional costs may include utility bills, internet, and phone services, as well as furniture and equipment

• Security deposits and other fees may also be required

The bottom line is virtual offices can be a cost-effective option for small businesses and startups that need a professional business address and access to essential office services without the high overhead costs of a physical office.

While a physical office may be necessary for larger businesses or those that require a more dedicated workspace. Ultimately, the cost of each option will depend on the specific needs of the business and the location and services required.

ARE THERE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE TO USE PHYSICAL OFFICES?

Yes. In Indonesia, certain types of

• Tourism Companies: If the tourism company operates as a tour operator, it may be required to have a physical office location in order to store equipment, manage operations, and provide customer support. However, if the tourism company operates primarily as an online travel agency, it may be able to operate using a virtual office setup.

• Transport Companies: depends on the nature and scale of the business. For example, if the transport company operates as a taxi or ride-hailing service, it may be required to have a physical office location in order to store and manage vehicles, provide customer support, and manage operations. On the other hand, if the transport company operates primarily as an online platform, it may be able to operate using a virtual office setup.

These are general guidelines, and the specific requirements for each type of business may vary based on the size and scale of the business, as well as the laws and regulations in their relevant jurisdictions. Check with your legal consultant to ensure there is compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH A VIRTUAL OFFICE IN INDONESIA?

To get started, determine your needs and budget and do your research to compare virtual office providers in a location that best suits you. Choose a provider you get on with and one that not only meets your needs and budget but also one that’s flexible enough to let you customise your package if you need to.

START YOUR BUSINESS IN INDONESIA WITH OUR VIRTUAL OFFICE SERVICES IN BALI AND JAKARTA!

Ready to establish a professional business presence in Indonesia without the high costs of a physical office? Consider our virtual office services in Bali and Jakarta! With a virtual office, you can enjoy the benefits of a professional business address and essential office services, all at an affordable monthly fee. Contact us today at hello@ sevenstonesindonesia.com to learn more and start enjoying the benefits of a virtual office for your business.

Preserving the Mother Tongue

When I joined a community service program (KKN) prior to COVID-19 in 2020, in an outlandish area in West Sumatra, I found some teachers at primary schools running their classes in the local language. They opened their morning classes by greeting their students in their native tongue. The teachers then began to display hand-drawn pictures of animals and everyday objects in front of the class, as their students eagerly shouted descriptive words of the picture back to them in both Indonesian and Minangnese.

In a country that has managed to keep its more than 700 unique regional languages alive, this cultural diversity has also posed its own set of problems in education. Some students, particularly those that prefer their native language in day-to-day life, find the transition to schooling in the Indonesian language to be difficult.

That is why many education experts have called on the Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry to promote the simultaneous use of local and Indonesian languages during the early stages of education to further boost the accessibility of education, especially that of young children in remote areas. They believe that the use of the Indonesian language in schools in remote regions instead of students' native tongue could discourage them from participating in class and lead them to eventually drop out, as most won’t understand the language of instruction.

When teachers in schools use the national language, it sounds foreign to students because it is not their native tongue that they use daily. As a result, the children don't understand the subject material that is being taught. They end up staying silent and become too embarrassed to answer questions. It is important for young children

to be fluent in their native tongue first and use their first language to introduce them to the Indonesian language.

A 2019 UNESCO report, asserted that children who are offered first-language education are more likely to enrol and succeed in school while their parents are more likely to communicate with teachers and actively participate in their children's learning. The same review said that children who abruptly receive formal education in a second language in early education do not master either the second language or their native tongue fully.

I had my own experience while teaching elementary school students during the KKN programme, suggesting that schools needed to prepare for mother-tongue education. Prior to and while teaching the students, all materials in the class had been translated into the students’ native tongue (Minangnese) and re-contextualised for the region. When I read there was a camel in a regular textbook, I changed it to a cow or goat for textbooks because camels are rarely seen there. However, they will eventually be introduced to camels or any other animals once the children’s foundation in their first language is strong.

I reckon that the use of students’ native tongue is also crucial to preserve local languages as the increasing use of the national language and globalisation have threatened their existence. Based on data released by the Education Ministry, 13 out of Indonesia’s 719 languages had become extinct as of 2015, while 75 languages are endangered, and the number of speakers of 266 languages has decreased. This is really bad news.

I had the chance to meet a colleague who lamented that most of his students no longer wanted to speak their native languages in

their hometowns and were moving to either Indonesian or English, which they perceived as higher in status than their own home languages. This is just a handful of instances of how language users valorise one language over another.

Another example can be seen from the influx of foreign language terminologies, like those in English, flooding social media. Indeed, using English-sounding words on such a site may bring intellectual satisfaction to the users, as people associated with this language will be perceived as more educated and modern.

A language is not merely a means of communication. It is a channel that connects people of different backgrounds and unites people from the same place. The root of a language lies in its place of origin. Knowing one’s mother tongue not only helps communication with kith and kin, but it also teaches us about our culture and traditions. Preserving the mother tongue, however, does not mean that we veto our children’s foray into a foreign language, particularly English as an international language of communication. This is so much about the way and strategy. Due to globalisation, English has become a gateway to the

world and in the urge to keep up with this development, our mother tongue is becoming degraded. It is somewhat fashionable in upper echelons to converse in English, which is also flaunted as a status symbol.

To get their children admitted to English schools and, later, in order to keep up with the standards of the institution, English becomes the primary language spoken at home. The mother tongue takes a backseat only to be spoken with elders or hired help. English is indeed important, but it can be learned simultaneously with one’s native language during early childhood. The sooner a new language is introduced, the quicker a child picks it up.

During the first five years of life, a child has a lot of potential and inquisitiveness to learn new things and during this period, languages can be mastered quickly. The best way to introduce a new language to children is by speaking with them. Books and television can also be used as effective tools. The more they hear, the faster they begin to speak. Over time, however, the reluctance to learn another language increases in children. When they are older, if they are already comfortable in a certain language, they don’t want the pain of learning anything new.

Learning new languages widens people's perspectives and makes them more tolerant and broad-minded. It can also improve one's creativity and thinking. It is the keenness to learn that bridges the barrier between the past and the present.

The writer is a lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities, Andalas University.

Learning new languages widens people's perspectives and makes them more tolerant and broad-minded. It can also improve one's creativity and thinking.

Unlocking the Potential of Reading Books

“IS IT TRUE THAT READING BOOKS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE, INCLUDING YOUR WAY OF THINKING, PERSONALITY, AND ATTITUDE?”

This question sometimes appears in my mind. Never have I thought that reading books could have such a powerful impact on society’s development. Many people say that “a book is a window to the world ”. They believe that it will open your view towards the world that you have never known before. Is it 100 percent true?

Technically, it is true. Books are one of the main sources of information. Not all people have access to travel around the world, looking for information. Therefore, one of the best options they have to gain information is through any books they read.

First of all, let me try to elaborate on the benefits of reading books. There are so many positives to reading books in terms of intelligence, health, and personality.

INTELLIGENCE

• Drill your brain: Reading books is a great way to exercise your brain and mind. Reading can help the brain maintain its ability to perform its functions flawlessly.

• Enhance your writing skills: A well-written book can be an inspiration for you in composing beautiful and interesting words.

• Help you concentrate better: People who read books tend to have good concentration since they are trained to focus more on the books.

The one thing that is more important than reading books is applying what you have read to your real life. That is the first step of changing your life.

HEALTH

• Prevent Alzheimer’s: The more you read, the more vocabulary you collect in your mind. It means that reading books can help you to train your brain to memorise a lot of words.

• Reduce your stress levels: You might get tired of your routine activities, such as working, studying at school, or even having problems with your colleagues. A book can lure the brain to forget the burden for a moment so that your stress can be reduced.

• Fix your sleep-wake pattern: If we are used to reading books before going to bed, sooner or later our brain will get used to it as it acts as an alarm for the body, signalling that it is time for bed. This will help you get a good night's sleep and wake up fresh in the morning.

PERSONALITY

• Improve your confidence: When you are used to reading books, you will get a lot of information and knowledge. This helps increase your confidence when talking to someone else because you are able to talk about many topics.

• Intensify your discipline: Adding reading books to your daily schedule may help you intensify your discipline since you are obliged to stick to the schedule.

• Make you a peaceful person: It is very likely that the body relaxes while reading a book. Studies show that reading can lower blood pressure and calm the heart.

For that matter, there are many other benefits of reading books. However, there are also some people that do not achieve those benefits although they do the same thing. Have you ever wondered why?

Well, I have to say this, “only reading books is not enough”. You need to do more. The one that can change your life is you. It has to start with yourself. Reading books only helps introduce you to a new point of view and improve your way of thinking. But still, you have to act. The one thing that is more important than reading books is applying what you have read to your real life. That is the first step of changing your life. You might read thousands, millions of books about self-development, but if you do not act on what the book says, then you will never change. You will only get stagnant at your current level. All you get from the books is the material, without any practical experiences and development. I do not mean to say that reading books is useless, I am saying that without applying the information you got from a book, you will never get the real experience that may help you develop your life, personality, and attitude.

Indeed, the more you read books, the more information you receive. Afterwards, it is up to you what you are going to do with the information – to save it in your mind, to let it pass, or to start an action.

AIS Jakarta and Bali Campuses Foster Lifelong Learners

and discovered there was no school that would accept their daughter who has Down’s syndrome. The school opened on 15th July 1996 with an initial enrolment of 11 students and five teachers. AIS now has over 600 students on its two campuses.

The Bali campus opened in April 1999 in Kerobokan, Bali with eight students. In 2018, the school moved to a new, purposebuilt site just off Imam Bonjol in Denpasar Barat. We now have over 300 students enrolled. The two Jakarta campuses moved into our new campus on Jl. Pejaten Barat in South Jakarta in January 2022. Are there any differences between the Jakarta and Bali campuses?

Please complete this sentence: AIS is an IB World School, thus, students are…

JM: Prepared for further learning and becoming valuable contributing members of society with excellent breadth and depth of knowledge, who have studied at least two languages, and will thrive intellectually, emotionally, and ethically.

What are your personal favourite moments or experiences you’ve had with your students in Jakarta and Bali?

“Learning isn’t just about what happens in the classroom –everything we do at the school is part of our curriculum, from the co-curricular activities and special events to the healthy relationships that our students, teachers, and other community members have,” shared Craig Eldred (CE), the Principal of the Australian Independent School (AIS) Jakarta Campus and John Anthony Milliss (JM), the Principal of AIS Bali Campus.

“Good quality learning means that our students are developing deeper conceptual understandings, not just rote learning facts and figures. The excellent quality of learning at AIS supports our students in becoming lifelong learners with transferrable skills that can be applied to all aspects of their future lives.”

Who are Craig Eldred and John Anthony Milliss?

CE: I’m originally from Sydney in Australia and I joined AIS Jakarta as the Principal in January 2023. Even though I have only worked at AIS Jakarta for a short time, I have previously lived and worked in Indonesia as well as a number of other Asian and Middle Eastern countries over the past 20 years. I enjoy spending my spare time travelling and exploring with my wife and daughters, cycling, and BBQing for family and friends.

JM: I’m also from Sydney, Australia, and have been working in Indonesia since September 1993. I started working with AIS in 1999 as a classroom teacher. In 2007, I became the campus Principal. In my spare time, I enjoy walking up in the mountains near Mt. Batu Karu and working on continuing my goal of being a lifelong learner.

Why should parents choose the Australian Independent School (AIS)? And why did you both respectively decide to head the Jakarta and Bali campuses?

JM: AIS is a great school that walks the talk with regard to inclusion. Parents often choose our school because we have the best facilities on the island and teachers who genuinely care about the students. We

offer both the Australian curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). Our IB DP students have consistently received scores above the world average.

I was very grateful back in 2007 to be offered the chance to run the Bali campus. I have been the head of the school for the past 15 years, and I’ve loved every moment of leading the school.

CE: AIS was a school that I knew of long before I started working here as I have a number of friends and former colleagues who have worked at AIS over the years. As with AIS Bali, we have fantastic facilities on our new campus, which only opened in 2022, and are a truly inclusive school. When I take families on tours, the engagement in quality teaching and learning and positive, respectful relationships are evident in every learning space in the school. We are also the only school in Jakarta to offer the Australian curriculum with an IB Diploma option for our high school students and we also run on an Australian academic calendar, meaning our school year commences in February and runs through until December.

Briefly tell us about AIS.

JM: AIS Indonesia was founded in 1996 in response to a demand for inclusive education within international schools in Indonesia. Our founder Penny Robertson OAM accompanied her husband to Indonesia

JM: The main difference is of course our location, physical buildings, and school fees. The school year and curriculum are all the same.

Why the Australian curriculum?

CE and JM: The Australian curriculum is designed to provide a high-quality education for students. It is standards-based, flexible, inclusive, relevant, continually reviewed, and improved. It’s one of the best curriculums in the world – we are a little biased.

It represents an explicit statement of our priorities and aspirations for our young people, and about what the Australian and international community values as the knowledge, understanding, and skills that our young people should attain while at school.

CE: Even though I have only been at AIS Jakarta for a little over a month, my favourite moments have been spent getting to know our students on the playgrounds, in classrooms, in the canteen, and in assemblies. I have observed our high school students extracting DNA strands from wheat germ, I have participated in foot races with some very swift year 1 students, I’ve watched year 4 EAL students present so confidently at assembly, I’ve listened to our students proudly sing our marvellous school song, and I have already had the chance to teach a number of classes.

JM: Over the past seven months, our student population has increased exponentially. My favourite moments are always meeting and getting to know our new students and their families and welcoming them to our school community. I also enjoy seeing our students show us that they are caring, confident, and capable students willing to make a difference.

What’s next for AIS and for you, Craig and John?

CE: A main focus for us this year is to recommence a number of student and community events that have been on hold over the last few years. I’m looking forward to seeing sporting events, our walkathon, and more excursions taking place. I look forward to seeing more performances from our students in assemblies and at concerts, such as our upcoming AIS Idols. I’m also looking forward to seeing continued high-quality teaching and learning in our classrooms and learning spaces each and every day at AIS.

JM: This year, we are focussing on reuniting our school community by increasing community events, as we have yet to be able to host these over the past few years. We have several events planned for the rest of the year. We look forward to hosting the Bali round of the World Scholars Cup and another school Walkathon later this year.

How can our readers get in touch with you both and AIS?

JM and CE: A great first place to learn more about AIS is at our school website www.aisindonesia.com – look out for an updated website coming next month. We also have a Facebook and Instagram presence. We can be contacted directly via email at craig.eldred@ais-indonesia.com and john. milliss@ais-indonesia.com

The Australian curriculum is designed to provide a high-quality education for students. It is standards-based, flexible, inclusive, relevant, continually reviewed, and improved.

BACK PAIN!

A complaint we hear very often is back pain. Back pain, particularly lower back pain, is very common. Normally the symptoms improve within a few weeks but the pain sometimes last longer or it can be recurrent. There are things you can do to help ease the pain.

Causes of back pain

Back pain can have many causes. It's not always clear what the pain is caused by. Often the pain gets better on its own. A common cause of back pain is an injury like a pulled muscle (a strain).

Sometimes, medical conditions like a slipped disc, sciatica (a trapped nerve) or ankylosing spondylitis (in ammation of the bones in the spine)can cause back pain. Very rarely, back pain can be a sign of a serious problem such as a broken bone, cancer or an infection.

How can you ease back pain yourself

Back pain often improves on its own within a few weeks. There are things you can do to help you recover more quickly.

DO’s

Stay active and try to continue with your daily activities

• take anti-inflammatory medicine like Ibuprofen – paracetamol on its own is not recommended for back pain but it may be used with another painkiller

• use an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel to reduce swelling and pain

• use a heat pack (or hot water bottle) wrapped in a tea towel to relieve joint stiffness or muscle spasms

• try doing some exercises and stretches for back pain

DON’T

• Do not stay in bed for periods of time

Exercises and stretches for back

pain

There are specific exercises and stretches you can do to help with back pain, a physiotherapist can help you with that. But stop if your pain gets worse and see a GP for advice.

Activities like walking, swimming, yoga and pilates may also help ease back pain.

Non-urgent advice:See a GP if:

• back pain does not improve after treating it at home by yourself for a few weeks

• the pain is affecting you doing your daily activities

• the pain is severe and getting worse over time

• you're concerned about the pain or you're having dif culty to cope

More urgent advice to see your GP You have back pain and:

• a high temperature

• you lose weight without trying to

• there's a lump or swelling in your back or your back has changed shape

• the pain does not improve after resting or is worse at night

• the pain worsens on sneezing, coughing or pooing

• the pain is coming from the top of your back (between your shoulders), rather than your lower back

You should present to an Emergency department at a hospital, when you have back pain AND:

• pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in both legs

• numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttocks

• difficulty peeing

• loss of bladder or bowel control (no control over peeing or pooing)

• chest pain

• it started after a serious accident, such as a car accident

dr Steven Graaff,MD,MRCGP, the founder of Good Practice Clinic is a graduate of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Before completing his formal training in General Practice in the UK, he has worked in several hospitals, occupational health and general practice in the Netherlands and the UK. As a medical professional with international experience,Steven decided to start his own clinic – Good Practice, in Jakarta.

Treatments for back pain

If your back pain is severe or not getting better, a GP may prescribe painkillers or medicines to relax the muscles in your back.

Other treatment options if your pain does not get better after a few weeks include:.

• group exercise sessions and physiotherapy

• manual therapy – where a trained therapist massages and moves the muscles, bones and joints in your back.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT, to help you cope with the pain

• a procedure to seal off (to provide a blockage)some of the nerves in your back so they stop sending pain signals (only for long-term lower back pain)

If your back pain is caused by a medical condition like a slipped disc and other treatments have not helped, surgery may be an option.

It is important that you identify a clinic you are comfortable with. Good Practice registered patients from 77 countries. Our English speaking team implements international guidelines. We provide highly personalized care. Try us!

Strong Foundations for Learning

Early childhood is crucial for setting a strong foundation for a child's future success and wellbeing. During the early years, a child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development is shaped, making early years education an essential component of their overall growth and development. Therefore, it is essential to use effective curriculum frameworks that promote holistic and culturally responsive approaches to teaching and learning.

At New Zealand School Jakarta, we follow the New Zealand Early Childhood Framework. The curriculum is called "Te Whariki", which comes from the Maori language and translates to "woven mat". The idea is that all the principles, values, strands and learning goals weave together to form a holistic framework of education and help children develop as whole human beings. These areas of growth are not isolated. Instead, they connect, interweave and supplement each other.

PART 1: THE PRINCIPLES

The four principles of the Te Whariki are empowerment, holistic development, family and community and relationships.

EMPOWERMENT

For children to reach their potential, they should be respected and valued. We aim to empower children by giving them agency and the confidence to create and act on their own ideas and explore areas of knowledge that interest them. Moreover, provide opportunities for children to think, make choices and express their views and opinions.

HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT

It is essential that education focuses on all aspects of human development. At school, we aim to provide a balanced curriculum that nurtures the intellectual, physical, spiritual, social and emotional aspects of our students’ lives. A holistic approach views the child as a capable learner, full of potential and ready to learn and grow.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

Family and the wider community are integral parts of our Early Years programme. Children learn best when their identity, culture and language are affirmed and valued. A strong relationship between school and family will enable families to support their child's learning at home and teachers can learn about the child's interests, strengths, and needs so that they can build on what children bring with them to the classroom.

RELATIONSHIPS

Positive relationships between teachers, children and families are important for a child to feel safe and learn effectively. It reminds us to support children while they build relationships with other people, places and things. In addition, it is important for children to understand their relationship to the natural world and the impact they can have on other people and the planet.

PART 2: THE STRANDS

The five strands of the Te Whariki are wellbeing, belonging, contribution, communication, and exploration.

WELLBEING

This strand focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and nurturing emotional wellbeing. It is important for children to feel safe from harm and in an environment where they feel comfortable to express their needs and feelings.

BELONGING

Belonging focuses on building connections and links between school, family and the wider community. It is important for children to feel they belong and are familiar with the routines and customs of the place they are in. They should understand the limits and boundaries but also feel comfortable to take age-appropriate risks and ask questions.

CONTRIBUTION

Contribution focuses on providing opportunities for all students to learn, participate and contribute to the school community. Children should feel valued and affirmed as individuals with their own interests and experiences but also encouraged to learn and collaborate with others.

COMMUNICATION

This strand focuses on the development of verbal and non-verbal communication skills for a range of purposes. Children should be given opportunities to express their feelings and ideas. They should be able to understand, enjoy and use language in creative ways.

EXPLORATION

This strand focuses on nurturing curiosity and reminds us that play is a valuable mode of learning. When children play, they can explore, discover, experiment, and solve problems in imaginative ways. We should give children opportunities to develop working theories about how the world works and as they explore, they learn strategies for thinking, reasoning and working with others.

At New Zealand School Jakarta, we aim to create a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can explore, learn, and grow. We believe that by following the Te Whariki framework, we can provide a strong foundation for our students' future success and wellbeing. We also believe that by working in partnership with families and the wider community, we can create a rich and meaningful learning experience that fosters a love for lifelong learning.

To learn more about New Zealand School Jakarta, visit us at www.nzsj.sch.id or by scanning your phone camera over the QR code below.

In an increasingly diversifying world of the metaverse, AI is the newest avatar. Though it has been around us for quite some time, its presence has become more pronounced with the arrival of its new progeny (read genie), ChatGPT. Many of us know that some iPhone cameras use AI in order to detect faces and objects as do other gadgets in a number of ways. Many of us are also aware that chatbots have existed since the 1960s when the first one called ELIZA was made. We are also quite familiar with names such as Siri, and Cortana and use them too on our phones and PCs. However, the bots like ChatGPT go a step beyond where people can ask their phone and computer screens to write, design, to analyse, mark, and so on.

Ask AI, Relax?

Since its launch in November 2021, the Microsoft-supported ChatGPT from OpenAI has received more than one hundred million subscribers around the world. With its free and friendly operating system, it has attracted people from various parts of life, especially from the academic world. Teachers and students started using ChatGPT to test its strengths, abilities, and skills to respond to curriculum-based questions. The results have been amazing with teachers getting their time cut short in producing lesson materials and students taking advantage of a more personalised learning experience where they can selfassess and get materials suited to their needs. But then, cheating in assessments has also taken a new turn.

In Australia, two states – New South Wales and Queensland – recently banned the use of AI in their schools after a spurt in the use of ChatGPT by students to do assessments. ChatGPT has allowed them to produce materials without really understanding the content, causing huge concerns for teachers. Cheating cases have been reported from other parts of the world too.

This has given a new form to plagiarism which was previously dependent on search engines and peer-to-peer transactions. ChatGPT gets ready-made answers that just need clicking to submit your work. One of the most curious “cheating cases” related to AI has come from outside the world of education. An Australian firm called Absolutely AI tested its ability by participating in a photography competition ( https://www.australianphotography.com/ news/ai-generated-image-wins-australianphoto-comp) where it entered its AIgenerated image and won the top prize.

Upon receiving the cash prize, however, the company came clean on its act, admitting the fact and returning the money. The company expressed its objective of testing AI’s capabilities in clear-cut terms, but their fooling of the judges may have revealed a portent of things to come.

As part of my experiments, I tested ChatGPT’s ability not just to learn about what it can produce as a response to questions, but also to find out how students may use the system, how it can benefit them, as well as how it can take them away from their learning realms. The ChatGPT- generated answers to Cambridge or IB-styled questions are mostly to the point, arranged in neat paragraphs and very technical in nature. Students need to be smart enough to give additional instructions to get responses that will meet the requirements of the examiners. In some cases, for example, in a story piece that I generated after typing down a Cambridge

AS Level English question with extra instructions, I received aspects of narrative writing with specific characters, dialogues and setting that may fulfil the needs of a given mark scheme.

Even then, a student would only be able to get a pass, but not one of the top bands as the work would still need some finetuning. What the AI cannot generate is figurative language that is contextually suited, varied sentence structures, experimental vocabulary, and interior monologues to reveal the characters’ thinking processes. In an essay writing situation, the AIgenerated answer would don the look of a business-like manner of presenting oneself at a party – with crisp and well-chiselled paragraphs, but without providing examples and anecdotes to prove a point. Extra instructions might not include aspects a student might wish to have to achieve the desired band.

Here is where the academic world needs to see and make themselves beneficiaries of AI rather than customers who do not check the quality of its products. Just as the internet has served us as a tool in our studies, AI needs to be seen in the same status. Its weakness vis-à-vis being biased, not having human aspects and not encouraging critical thinking skills needs to be emphasised in classrooms to educate the younger generation who might be vulnerable to online abracadabra.

Students need to be aware that teachers are the best people on earth to understand their standard levels in academic performance. Thus, any anomalous submission of work is bound to face scrutiny. This will inevitably result in an investigation into plagiarismrelated offences and sanctions based on school policies. On a more serious level, such work submissions will only deprive students of practising their skills learnt as part of lessons.

BALI

Exclusive EV Transport and Solar Panel Charging Hub Operation at The Apurva Kempinski Bali

The Apurva Kempinski Bali has partnered with Indonesia’s premium sustainable brands, such as Nissan LEAF, Bank Central Asia and Danone Indonesia, to operate the Electric Vehicle Experience and Solar Panel Charging Hub This partnership focuses on creating a more environmentally friendly option for travellers. Those who stay at the resort can now use Nissan’s electric vehicle, Nissan LEAF, and contribute to reducing carbon emissions as they explore the Nusa Dua area and adjacent attractions. To ensure a seamless experience, the resort also has its own EV charging station, making it the only resort in Bali to have this essential site.

“We have a big vision in terms of sustainability, and for us to achieve our goals, it is important for us to find and work together with those who share our vision,” shared General Manager, Vincent Guironnet.

The Apurva Kempinski Bali has been consistently pushing out initiatives that are centred on embedding a sustainable plan into its programmes and guest experiences. As a leading presence on Bali’s hospitality scene, it is committed to inspiring the local community with a series of efforts, such as creating a sustainable wedding package and using its rooftop space to grow various types of greens for a more sustainable kitchen in the resort.

Similarly, Nissan builds on its decades-long programmes to reduce emissions and provide electric vehicle technologies that benefit the environment and society, while the Solar Panel Charging Hub cooperation with Bank Central Asia and Danone Indonesia elevates the partnership to a different level. Bank Central Asia is committed to working towards Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals and working collaboratively with the government to pursue this movement.

An Unforgettable Indonesia Expat Mixer in Bali

The Indonesia Expat Mixer returned to the Island of Gods for an unforgettable soiree much sooner!

Mari Beach Club Bali provided one of their huts that overlooked the stunning beachfront as the venue between 6 and 8 pm for a night of effortless networking on Wednesday 15th February 2023. Participants from various backgrounds gathered whilst enjoying free-flow beer from König Ludwig Weissbier and Karltenberg Royal Lager, as well as wine from Plaga, while scrumptious light-bites were whipped up by the beach club. A special thanks also goes to Resorts World Cruises for providing the grand prize!

Despite only having one prize for the night, it was absolutely a very tempting one. Mixer goers this time around were urged to fill up a small survey about the event as a unique way to clock in their details and join the lucky draw. By the end of the night, one lucky winner won TwoNight Kuala Lumpur Cruise departing

on Wednesday from Singapore onboard Genting Dream for two, in a Balcony Stateroom.

The Indonesia Expat Mixer is a monthly event that brings together both Indonesians and expats to expand their social network in an informal, relaxing ambience whilst also releasing some mid-week steam with appetising food, beverages, and music. Every event is presented in a different and unique setup taking place either in Jakarta or Bali.

To stay updated about the upcoming mixers, follow @indonesiaexpatmixer and @indonesiaexpat on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to Indonesia Expat on YouTube to watch the soiree’s recap.

See you at the next one in Jakarta!

JAKARTA

Blissful Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr' –The InterContinental Way

The award-winning InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah has prepared an extensive range of elite treats to celebrate Ramadhan and Idul Fitri the InterContinental way.

Two renowned Indonesian designers, Rinaldy Yunardi and Nefianto Setiono, the hotel’s illustrious Artists-in-Residence for 2022-2023, are back to transform the hotel into a beautiful wonderland fitting for a blissful celebration. The Lobby will be adorned spectacularly by Setiono, while Yunardi is releasing the third and final version of limited edition luxury gifts exclusively for the hotel called the Royale Hampers.

The hotel has appointed Chef Norman Ismail to join their decorated culinary team this year. Chef Norman’s knowledge of Indonesia's diverse culinary cultures is profound, and this expertise is reflected in his gastronomic creations. Think Crispy Soft Shell Crab served in Traditional Shrimp Bisque, Rawon Soup with Brisket Meat, and many more innovative dishes. All of this deliciousness will feature in Sugar & Spice’s special Iftar Buffet, available from 22nd March until 21st April, starting from Rp698,000++ per person.

The hotel also offers a Lebaran Holiday package which will be available on 19-26th April, starting from Rp3.5 million++ per room per night). This luxurious holiday package includes a lavish gourmet breakfast for two adults and two children aged 6 and below, with a minimum stay of two nights.

Dial 021 3950 7355 to start your bookings.

Serviced

Located

Expat Advertiser

JAKARTA

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Apartment name: Puri Garden (Jakarta Barat). Size: 136 sqm, Bedroom: 4, Bathroom: 3, Condition: Fully furnished, Price: Rp. 85.000.000 per year – Nego. Heater, microwave, washing machine, air conditioner 5 units & refrigerator, PAM & electricity fully installed, Close to the hospital & shopping mall,16 minutes to the airport. Contact person: Mrs Julia Susento –+6281287837370 (WA)

Property

Jl.

English teacher (native speaker). Jakarta Japanese School, Bintaro Sektor 9. Responsibilities: planning and teaching lessons, attending school functions and participating in extracurricular activities.

Required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree, teaching certificate (TESL, CELTA etc.), native speaker of English, can commit to a 12-month contract, currently based in Indonesia. At least five years of teaching experience. The monthly salary will be around Rp34,000,000 + other benefits. Please send your CV and a cover letter to: k_mckenzie@jjs.or.id

Your annual report, company profile or other global-oriented corporate publication should contain perfect business English, to be effective and impressive. A long-term ASEAN professional, I have written and edited documents and worked on websites for major institutional clients including Ramayana, Astra, Supernova, Bukit Asam, Multistrada, BNI Sekuritas and Bank Bali. Four-day turnaround of annual report copy, edited and proofread online, for Rp7,000,000. Contact: proofreading.annual. reports@gmail.com

Hi, looking for medical card/ other insurance services? The medical card provides (1) Coverage in Asian countries to the whole world, according to the plan. (2) No annual medical questionnaires or tests. (3) Full coverage even in an upgraded room without a limited

My name is Bowo Christantyo. I'm an experienced music teacher and also a professional musician. For those who are interested in learning to play guitar or ukulele, I'm providing private guitar and ukulele classes. I have been teaching since 2012 until now and I'm handling both foreign and local students as well. Both private guitar and ukulele classes are provided onsite/meet-up or online. Kids and adults can take the class at any level. Schedules are flexible and lesson materials are always given. Contact me at +6281808361136 (WhatsApp) or email me at bowoprivatemusiccourse@ gmail.com . Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ bowoprivatemusiccourse

Kemang house for rent: recently renovated home of 670m 2 , strategically located in the Kemang area available for rent. Only one stone's throw away from Jl Kemang Raya. Facilities: 3.5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, swimming pool and garage. Visit @rumahkemangkami on Instagram for photos.

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Household Staff Available

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DRIVER recommendation.

Pak Pras (43), our friendly and reliable driver Pak Pras has been working with us for just a couple of months and is available for work as we are moving back to the Netherlands. Pak Pras is a good and safe driver. He knows his way around Jakarta well. He is always on time and makes sure the car is in good condition. You can contact him directly on Whatsapp: +6287888546825.

I am posting this message to help amazing women whose employers left the country not long ago, they are actively looking for work. If you

Brand new modern apartment for monthly rent! Available now! Location: Umalas. 1 bedroom, fully furnished, enclosed living room, shared swimming pool, parking. Rp25 million/ month, included: housekeeping 2x per week, bedsheet change, internet. Not included: electricity. Call: +62812788396.

Brand new villa 2 bdr poss 3 or 4 bdr under constructionPererenan/Bali, leasehold 30 years . Price: US$ 160,000~IDR 2,420,000,000~EUR

148,000. 30-year lease-hold contract. Modern & brandnew villa unfurnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Land size of 200m 2 , swimming pool, parking. Located in Jl. Veteran/Pererenan, 10 minutes from Pererenan beach, 5min Pepito Supermarket. Villa under construction 50%, will be delivered in April. IMB/SLF permit. Building: 1 floor (possibility of extending the second floor with 1 or 2 additional bedrooms and terrace). Securing the villa before the end of construction will allow you to adapt it to your tastes. You can modify and choose the materials, coatings, colors etc. Here is the link to the full Youtube video:  https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=II62p_shHTk

For more info and/or to visit do not hesitate to send me a message  +6281237824910.

Unique investment opportunity: 2BR villa in Cemagi, 350m from beach. 2 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms (1 with bathtub), big closed-plan living room kitchen , pool, Parking area, smart switch (domotics), rooftop (75m 2 ), second floor. Surrounded by rice paddies. Minimum 20 years leasehold, January price: US$119k for 20 years. Can do up to 40 years lease. Finishing date: April 2023. Best deal in all Canggu, exclusive deal,  for more info : +62815 88889910.