The Complete Guide to Indonesian Language Study Abroad! Thorough Explanation of Costs, City Selection, Visas, and Schools

Jan. 26, 2026

The Complete Guide to Indonesian Language Study Abroad! Thorough Explanation of Costs, City Selection, Visas, and Schools


I want to go to Indonesia for language study!
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If you have opened this article, you are likely attracted to the country of Indonesia, aren't you?

  • I want to experience the sounds of gamelan, the patterns of batik, and the unique culture more deeply
  • I can't forget the smiles of the people I met during my travels in Jakarta or Bali
  • I love spicy Indonesian food like nasi goreng and sambal

You must have feelings of "liking" Indonesia budding within you like this.

There is a perfect way to deepen those feelings rather than letting that interest end with just a trip.

That is language study abroad in Indonesia!

If you study Indonesian, you can further understand Indonesian culture and communicate more deeply with the local people.

Furthermore, Indonesia is a "hidden gem for language study" that offers many benefits not only in terms of cost but also in terms of ease of language acquisition and future career development.

In this article, we will explain the local situation, including the sense of costs for studying in Indonesia, characteristics of study destinations such as Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and Bali, basic visa knowledge, and points for learning that you must grasp before traveling.

Why not nurture your feeling of "liking Indonesia" into something bigger through study abroad?

[Free] Latest Recommended AI Services for Indonesian Language Learning

Ondoku

If you are learning Indonesian, Ondoku is recommended!

Ondoku is the ideal AI reading service for creating Indonesian listening and speaking materials.

With the latest AI speech synthesis engine, you can create Indonesian audio with native speaker pronunciation.

Furthermore, Ondoku is free!

Since it is easy to use just by entering text, why not utilize Ondoku for your Indonesian language studies?

Why is language study in Indonesia recommended?

Why is language study in Indonesia recommended?

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I want to know about language study in Indonesia!

Language study abroad is highly recommended for those of you who like Indonesia.

First, let's explain the reasons why language study in Indonesia is recommended.

1. Indonesian is an easy language for Japanese people to learn

The first reason to recommend language study in Indonesia is that Indonesian is a very easy language for Japanese people to learn.

When learning a new language, the biggest barriers are often characters and pronunciation.

However, with Indonesian, you don't need to worry about either.

The characters used are the Roman alphabet, so there's no need to memorize special symbols.

As for pronunciation, it is basically understood by reading it like Romaji.

You won't be troubled by complex phonetic symbols like in English or tonal changes like in Chinese.

What's even better is that the grammar is simple.

Indonesian is sometimes called the "easiest language in the world to memorize."

We confidently recommend studying Indonesian especially to those who feel they are not good at languages.

Indonesian is a language with great potential

What's important when learning a foreign language is not just memorizing it, but using it.

Indonesian also has outstanding future potential.

Current Indonesia is truly a country overflowing with the energy of growth.

The average age is young, around 29 years old, and the population exceeding 270 million is attracting attention from around the world as a huge market.

Expansion of Japanese companies is also accelerating, and the demand for human resources who can speak Indonesian locally is only increasing.

Cases where people start their careers as local hires in Indonesia, such as in Jakarta, after language study are also increasing.

If you study in Indonesia, it's possible to not only acquire the language but also cultivate a business sense in the rapidly growing Asian economic zone!

This is a major advantage not found in other study abroad destinations.

Of course, in your career after returning home, being able to speak Indonesian will be valued as a rare skill.

Indonesia is an easy country to live in. Safety is also OK.

What kind of life you can lead at your destination is also an important point.

Actually, Indonesia is known as one of the most pro-Japanese countries in the world, and an environment where Japanese people can easily live is available.

There is deep trust in Japanese culture and products, and there are many situations where you will be treated favorably simply because you are Japanese.

When you feel anxious about living abroad for the first time, the warm response of the local people will be a great source of emotional support.

Of course, a minimum level of crime prevention awareness is necessary, but there is no need to be excessively fearful of public safety.

In Indonesia, where the spirit of mutual aid is rooted—where someone will help you if you are in trouble—you can continue your studies positively.

What are the costs and cost of living for language study in Indonesia?

What are the costs and cost of living for language study in Indonesia?

How much does it cost to study language in Indonesia?
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Next, we will introduce the costs of language study in Indonesia and the living expenses.

Cheaper than the West? Market rates for Indonesian language study tuition and living expenses

The thing people care most about when considering study abroad is, of course, the cost.

First, let's look at the specific market rates.

In conclusion, the cost of studying in Indonesia can be kept to less than half, and in some cases, about one-third of the cost of studying in the West.

Even combining tuition and living expenses, you can live sufficiently on about 100,000 to 150,000 yen per month.

For university-affiliated courses for foreigners (BIPA), tuition for a program of several months is surprisingly reasonable, ranging from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand yen.

Even when taking one-on-one lessons at a private language school, it will be cheaper than attending an English conversation school in Japan.

Regarding living expenses, the price level is much lower than in Japan, and you can save significantly on food costs in particular.

If you use local eateries or stalls, you can eat your fill for 200 to 300 yen per meal.

Local dishes like nasi goreng and mie goreng are cheap and delicious allies of the common people.

Costs vary depending on the accommodation method (Kos/Hotel)

A common accommodation method for language study in Indonesia is the lodging style called "Kos."

A Kos is housing that is somewhere between an apartment and a shared house, often with a private room equipped with a bed, desk, and private shower and toilet.

Kitchens and living rooms are shared, creating an environment where it's easy to interact with other residents.

Rent varies depending on facilities and the area, but there are plenty of options ranging from simple rooms for about 15,000 yen per month to luxury Kos with pools and gyms for over 50,000 yen per month.

Rent goes up or down depending on the presence of air conditioning or hot water showers, so it's recommended to choose according to your lifestyle.

Many properties include cleaning and laundry services, making it an ideal environment for students who want to concentrate on their studies without spending time on housework.

It is also recommended to stay in a hotel immediately after arrival and sign a contract after actually going around to see properties.

Prepare well for airfare and insurance costs

While living expenses in local Indonesian cities like Yogyakarta and Jakarta are cheap, careful estimation of initial costs such as travel expenses is necessary.

In particular, airfare prices fluctuate greatly depending on the purchase timing and route.

Direct flights to Jakarta or Bali are easy, but it's not uncommon for round-trip tickets to exceed 100,000 yen.

If you want to keep costs down, using LCCs (low-cost carriers) via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore is also recommended.

It takes more time, but you can save tens of thousands of yen.

Also, of course, enrolling in overseas travel insurance is mandatory.

The medical situation in Indonesia differs from Japan, and medical expenses at hospitals that meet the standards usable by foreigners are often high.

It is important to choose insurance with sufficient coverage to prepare for unforeseen illness, injury, or theft.

How to choose a destination based on your purpose: Yogyakarta, Bali, or Jakarta

How to choose a destination based on your purpose: Yogyakarta, Bali, or Jakarta

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If I study language in Indonesia, which city should I choose!

Next, let's look at specific study destinations within Indonesia, such as Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and Bali!

1. Yogyakarta: An academic city for serious Indonesian language learning

If you prioritize the learning environment for Indonesian, Yogyakarta is the best choice!

Yogyakarta is an ancient capital located in central Java and is one of Indonesia's leading academic cities where many universities are concentrated.

It is located about 450 km east of the capital, Jakarta.

An academic and calm atmosphere drifts through the entire city, attracting many international students who want to study seriously.

Prices are cheaper than in Jakarta or Bali, making it possible to keep the financial burden low even for long-term stays.

Because it is not overly touristy, there are many situations in daily life where English is not understood, forcing you into an environment where you inevitably have to use Indonesian.

Since it is also a center for traditional culture, you can deeply understand the culture behind the language through cultural experiences such as batik and gamelan.

2. Jakarta: The center of Indonesian business and culture

The capital Jakarta is the political and economic center of Indonesia.

For those thinking about local employment or starting a business in the future, there is the major advantage that networking and company visits are easy to do.

However, there are also problems unique to large cities, such as serious traffic congestion, air pollution, and high prices.

It is a recommended language study destination for those seeking business opportunities and stimulation.

3. Bandung: A city of academia and trends called the "Paris of Java"

Bandung, located about 3 hours by train from Jakarta, is known as a summer resort in the highlands.

It is an attractive city where the fashionable streetscape called the "Paris of Java" and an academic atmosphere with many universities coexist.

There are many young people with high sensitivity to fashion and art, making it recommended for those who want to live while experiencing the cutting edge of trends.

4. Bali: Language study while refreshing at a resort

Learning a language and refreshing at a resort.

If you are interested in both, Bali is also recommended.

Beautiful beaches, sophisticated cafes, and interactions with travelers from all over the world.

Bali is packed with many fun things.

However, there is the disadvantage that English is understood because it is so famous as a tourist destination.

Since local people are also used to tourists, even if you speak to them in Indonesian, they often respond in English.

If you want to acquire Indonesian seriously, you will need a strong will not to rely on English and to consciously create an environment where you use Indonesian.

English study in Indonesia? Bali and the "English Village" Pare

Actually, it is also possible to study abroad in Indonesia for the purpose of learning English.

Particularly in Bali, there are language schools and international schools that conduct classes in English for long-term residents and nomad workers.

Schools similar to the "one-on-one and cheap" style of Philippine study abroad are also increasing.

Also, "Kampung Inggris (English Village)" in the town of Pare, East Java Province, is famous.

More than 100 English schools are concentrated here, and students who want to learn English gather from all over Indonesia.

Living expenses and tuition are very cheap, and because you will be living in a local Indonesian environment, it is also recommended for those interested in cultural exchange.

Of course, to deeply know the local culture of Indonesia, learning Indonesian rather than just English is the top recommendation.

What is BIPA? Explaining schools and courses for Indonesian language study

What is BIPA? Explaining schools and courses for Indonesian language study

A common study program when studying language in Indonesia is "BIPA."

Language study in Indonesia includes types such as BIPA and private language schools.

University-affiliated Indonesian language course "BIPA"

A common way to study Indonesian is to participate in a program called "BIPA".

BIPA is a language course for foreigners established at national and private universities in Indonesia, where you can learn Indonesian through a systematic curriculum.

Since classes are organized in units of half a year or a year, you can acquire grammar, conversation, reading, and listening in a balanced way.

Because international students gather from all over the world, a major attraction is the ability to build an international network through interaction with classmates.

Furthermore, you can use university facilities such as libraries and cafeterias.

However, since enrollment times are fixed at once or twice a year, you need to align your own schedule with the university's calendar.

Since the application process often takes time, it is important to prepare early.

Short-term language study is possible at private language schools

When you want to study on a more flexible schedule, private language schools are also recommended.

Enrollment is possible for as short as one week, and in many cases, enrollment timing can be handled flexibly.

The biggest feature is that they center on one-on-one lessons.

A strength is being able to adjust the curriculum to individual needs, such as "focusing on travel conversation" or "wanting to learn business terminology."

It is also recommended for study abroad using a working person's short-term vacation or for use as a preparation period before BIPA enrollment.

Visa types and precautions required for Indonesian language study

Visa types and precautions required for Indonesian language study

What's important in Indonesian language study is what kind of visa is required.

Depending on the method of study abroad, the required type of visa will change.

Visit Visa (B211A): A visa that allows entry only once

The Visit Visa (B211A), commonly known as "Sosial Budaya," is a visa for stays for the purpose of cultural exchange or education.

A 60-day stay permit is granted initially, and by performing extension procedures locally, the stay can be continued for up to 180 days (about half a year).

Since it may take a certain amount of time to obtain, it is recommended to obtain the visa with time to spare in accordance with your travel plans.

Student Visa (C316): Official visa for study abroad

The official visa for study abroad is the Student Visa (C316).

This is a visa for studying at educational institutions in Indonesia, such as universities, and requires the submission of documents proving the study destination.

Employment within Indonesia is not permitted.

Note that obtaining the visa can take time.

Study abroad on a Tourist Visa (VoA) is NG

When Japanese people visit Indonesia for tourism, they can enter without a visa.

Also, when staying for a long period, it is common to use the "VoA (Visa on Arrival)" obtainable at the airport.

VoA is a visa that allows for a 30-day stay, and with extension procedures, a stay of up to 60 days is possible.

However, since VoA is strictly a visa for tourism, short-term business trips, or visiting relatives, formal language study is NG.

Crackdowns on illegal work and use of visas outside of their intended purpose are becoming stricter every year, so to avoid trouble, we recommend obtaining an official visa.

Is no prior learning NG? Points for Indonesian language learning before study abroad

Is no prior learning NG? Points for Indonesian language learning before study abroad

Finally, we will introduce recommended methods for studying Indonesian before departing for language study!

It is recommended to memorize vocabulary and basic expressions before studying abroad

To spend your language study in Indonesia meaningfully, it is recommended to solidify the basics while in Japan.

By memorizing basic vocabulary and basic expressions, you can experience Indonesian in a living environment as soon as you arrive in Indonesia.

This article introduces Indonesian words and expressions, so please check it out as well!

Listening & Shadowing are recommended for Indonesian language learning

If you want to improve your Indonesian communication skills, the key is to learn using audio.

Listening practice using Indonesian audio and shadowing, where you pronounce while listening to audio, are recommended.

However, in Indonesian language learning, it's often difficult to find materials that match your level.

It is very difficult to find practical listening materials, as audio included in commercially available texts may be outdated or have little variety in conversation content.

In such cases, it is recommended to make your own materials using latest AI services!

With latest AI speech synthesis services, you can have Indonesian text read aloud with native speaker pronunciation.

You can create Indonesian materials for any topic you like, such as travel, hobbies, or business, so you can keep your motivation while proceeding with your Indonesian studies.

[Free] Ondoku is recommended for Indonesian language learning!

Ondoku

Ondoku is recommended for making Indonesian language materials!

Ondoku is an AI service that can read Indonesian text aloud using the latest AI speech synthesis engine.

You can create easy-to-hear Indonesian audio files with native pronunciation in female and male voices.

Usage is very simple.

Paste the Indonesian text on the Ondoku top page,

Paste Indonesian text

Select "Indonesia (Indonesia)" as the language.

Select language

Select the type of voice (speaker) (audio samples here).

Select voice type

Then just press "Read" and the Indonesian audio will be played immediately.

Generation complete

Audio files can be saved to your smartphone or PC in MP3 or WAV format.

Furthermore, Ondoku is free!

Since it is easy to use just by opening the top page, why not utilize Ondoku for your Indonesian language studies?

Would you like to study language in Indonesia?

Indonesian language study abroad is a very attractive option.

It is a recommended study destination not only for those who love Indonesian culture but also for those interested in business and skill improvement in the rapidly developing Indonesia.

Experience varies greatly depending on where you study in Indonesia, such as Yogyakarta, Jakarta, or Bali, so please refer to this article to choose your destination.

To make your language study more meaningful, it is recommended to start learning Indonesian now using AI services.

Why not use Ondoku to study Indonesian?

We sincerely hope your language study in Indonesia is a success.

■ AI voice synthesis software "Ondoku"

"Ondoku" is an online text-to-speech tool that can be used with no initial costs.

  • Supports approximately 50 languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and German
  • Available from both PC and smartphone
  • Suitable for business, education, entertainment, etc.
  • No installation required, can be used immediately from your browser
  • Supports reading from images

To use it, simply enter text or upload a file on the site. A natural-sounding audio file will be generated within seconds. You can use voice synthesis up to 5,000 characters for free, so please give it a try.

Text-to-speech software "Ondoku" can read out 5000 characters every month with AI voice for free. You can easily download MP3s and commercial use is also possible. If you sign up for free, you can convert up to 5,000 characters per month for free from text to speech. Try Ondoku now.
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Email: ondoku3.com@gmail.com
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