The "Darmasiswa" programme has been offered by the Indonesian Government for foreign students from friendly countries to study in Indonesia. The program first began in 1974 and was initially only for students from ASEAN countries. In 1976 the program was expanded and students from other countries in the continents like Europe, America and Australia were encouraged to apply. Following are some information on the "Darmasiswa" programme offered by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia
What is "Darmasiswa" ?

"Darmasiswa" is a special scholarship scheme offered by the Government of Indonesia to students from friendly countries who are interested in the cultural aspects of Indonesia. It is special because the scholarship scheme is intended only for those who are interested in learning and/or studying :
a. the Indonesian language or the local languages of Indonesia;
b. Indonesian traditional dances;
c. Indonesian traditional music;
d. the art of playing Indonesian traditional musical instruments;
e. the art of shadow-puppet playing (or pedalangan);
f. Indonesian traditional crafts.

A non-degree programme
The "Darmasiswa" is offered to pursue a non-degree programme of one year duration at the most.

Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements :
a. Age limit: 35 years or less.
b. Minimum education: completed higher secondary level of education
c. Basic knowledge : should have some basic knowledge of the subject one is interested in
d. Application : interested candidates must fill in an application form available at the Indonesian Embassy. The application form, duly filled in, must be submitted through the Indonesian Embassy, no later than 30th November with the following attachments :

1. Duly filled in medical- examination forms, proving that one is in good health. These forms are available at the Embassy.
2. Ten (10) photographs (recent) of 4x6 cm’s measurements and eight (8) of 2x3 cm’s.

The Amount of Scholarship
Successful applicants are notified mid year and travel to Indonesia to commence their studies in August/September. They will receive a monthly allowance to cover expenses (excluding tuition fees). For those whose programme lasts more than three (3) months, an additional allowance will be provided for clothing.

International Travel Costs
The Government of Indonesia cannot provide financial assistance for international travel. The applicant must seek his/her own source(s) of funds for international travel from and to his/her country of origin.

Visa Requirements
The visa required for this programme is the "Visa Berdiam Sementara (or temporary residence visa).
The applicant must have this type of visa before coming to Indonesia. The Ministry of National Education and the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta will take care of the study visa after having received the visa application submitted by the applicant, addressed to the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta, through the Indonesian Embassy where the applicant resides.

List of tertiary education institutions open to Darmasiswa scholarship holders

1. University of Indonesia (Universitas Indonesia),
Kampus Baru UI, Depok 16424
Subjects offered:
-The Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia).

2. Padjadjaran University (Universitas Padjadjaran),
Jalan Dipati Ukur no. 35, Bandung.
Subjects offered:
- Bahasa Indonesia
- The local language (Sundanese)

3. Bandung Dance Academy (Akademi Seni Tari Indonesia),
Jalan Buah Batu no. 212, Bandung
Subjects offered :
- Traditional dances, traditional music, and
- Karawitan (the art of playing traditional musical instruments).

4. Gadjah Mada University (Universitas Gadjah Mada),
Kompleks Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55821
Subjects offered:
- Bahasa Indonesia
- The local language (Javanese)

5. The Indonesian Art Institute (Institut Seni Indonesia),
Jalan Parangtritis, Km. 6.5 Kotak Pos 210, Yogyakarta
Subjects offered :
- Traditional dances
- Handicraft

6. Eleventh of March University (Universitas Sebelas Maret),
Jalan lr. Sutami no. 36 Kentingan, Jebres, Surakarta (Solo)
Subjects offered :
- Bahasa Indonesia
- The local language (Javanese)
- Fine Art

7. College of Indonesian Art (Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia),
Kentingan, Jebres, Surakarta (Solo)
Subjects offered :
- Traditional dances
- Traditional music
- Karawitan
- Pedalangan (the art of shadow-puppet playing)

8. Udayana University (Universitas Udayana),
Jalan Panglima Besar Sudirman, Denpasar, Bali
Subjects offered :
- Bahasa Indonesia
- The local language (Balinese)

9. College of Indonesian Art (Institut Seni Indonesia),
Denpasar, Jalan Nusa Indah, Denpasar, Bali.
Subjects offered :
- Traditional dances
- Traditional music and karawitan.

10. Indonesian "Karawitan" Art Academy (Akademi Seni Karawitan Indonesia), Padang Panjang, Jalan Puti Bungsu no. 35, Padang Panjang.
Subjects offered :
- Karawitan traditional music
- Traditional dances

Arrival in Indonesia
Upon arrival in Indonesia, the prospective recipient of the Darmasiswa scholarship is requested to report to the Bureau for International Co-operation and Public Relation at the following address:

Biro Kerjasama Luar Negeri dan Humas
Sekretariat Jenderal
Departemen Pendidikan Nasional
Gedung C, Lantai 7
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Senayan, Jakarta 10270
Phone/Fax. : ++62-21-5738181

The purpose of this visit is to enable the bureau to complete the necessary paper work before the prospective recipient stalls with his/her academic activities. He/she must have with him/her, the passport and some recent photographs.

Additional information
1. Participants are usually met at the Jakarta Soekamo-Hatta International Airport if prior notification is given to the Bureau for International Co-operation and Public Relation at the address given above. Do not forget to ask the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin to do it for you.
2. Recipients of the Darmasiswa are strongly urged not to bung their spouses or any member of the family considering that the subsistence allowance provided is just enough for one person. Furthermore the presence of an extra person might cause accommodation problems.
3. For your information, the Indonesian Government levies a tax (called "Fiskal") in the amount of Rp 2,000,000 (two million rupiahs) on Indonesian residents leaving the country. Recipients of the Darmasiswa are exempted from this tax when they are ready to return to their home countries after finishing their programme in Indonesia. Mind you, this exemption is given only once and applies only to those who are recipients of the Darmasiswa!
4. The Ministry of National Education of the republic of Indonesia is not responsible in any way for persons accompanying recipients of the Darmasiswa proper.
5. Regarding accommodation, we should inform you that a number of those who rent their houses or rooms would commonly want to have advance payment for 6-12 months. Therefore, it is advisable that you bring some money of your own, let’s say, around € 500,00,-