HEALTH AND SAFETY
General Travel and Health Advice for Indonesia
Many government websites provide comprehensive travel advice, but we must stress that this is just ‘advice’. Travel to certain parts of Indonesia is advised against by many governments; however Indonesia is a very large country with very different issue affecting different areas. We consider our Indonesian sites in Bali to be very safe, although as with all travel there are certain precautions that should be taken. More information on health and safety issues relevant to Indonesia can be found by clicking on the following links:
British Government Travel Advice
Australian Government Travel Advice
Indonesian Ministry of Transport
National Travel Health Network and Centre
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Australian Venom Research Unit
Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies
Vaccinations
You must consult your doctor or travel clinic for personal advice and it is also worth checking the NaTHNaC web site for up to date advice. The Odyssey Institute is not able to give official advice on inoculations; however, based on past experience we would normally expect you to be up to date with the following inoculations:
Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Diptheria, Polio.
Rabies: it is recommended, though not essential, that you have the 0.1ml rabies vaccine.
Japanese B Encephalitis: not required for Bali.
Malaria: not required for Bali.
Prescribed medication
If you need to take prescribed medicines whilst on a trip please bring sufficient supplies to cover your stay and communicate your situation clearly with your teachers. Always carry medicines in clearly labelled packages and have the generic names to hand rather than the brand name. Occasionally there are restrictions on taking certain medicines in and out of Indonesia. If you think this may be relevant to you, please contact the Odyssey Institute.
Physical Fitness
The level of fitness required to participate in an Odyssey Institute Learning Adventure varies depending on the program. The most physically demanding program elements include tropical wilderness exploration that involve rainforest trekking and/or snorkelling. In some instances whilst trekking you are going to need to be able to carry a day pack and trek for 6 – 8 hours in temperatures of 25-30 degrees Celsius and in high levels of humidity. Additionally, in order to be able to participate in snorkelling activities you will need to be able to swim 100 meters (without fins), and tread water for 3 minutes unaided. Before you join an OI program it is well worth starting a fitness routine so that you can get to the level required for the site at which you will be based. You will still have to acclimatise to the higher temperatures though when you arrive!
Travel & Medical Insurance
Odyssey Institute requires that all program participants buy their own health insurance to cover any injuries or sickness contracted whilst in Indonesia. It is essential that your insurance covers medical evacuation. We also recommend travel insurance to cover loss of personal belongings and costs associated with cancelled or delayed travel plans.
Visas & Travel Documents
Passport
Please be aware that your passport must have at least 6 months validity (period before expiry) at the time of your arrival into Indonesia. Failure to have at least 6 months validity on your passport will result in denial of entry into Indonesia. We recommend bringing a few photocopies of your passport and 2 passport photos with you, just in case, and these should be stored in a separate spot from your passport.
Visas
Citizens of most nationalities need a visa to enter Indonesia. There are two types of visa that apply to the vast majority of people visiting Indonesia for an Odyssey Institute Learning Adventure. The visa that is most appropriate to you will depend upon the length of time you intend being in country.
- As a general rule anyone who is travelling to Indonesia and who will be in-country for 60 days or less does NOT need to organise a visa prior to arriving into country. You will instead need to obtain a Visa-On-Arrival (VOA) upon arriving into Indonesia (USD$25). This visa is initially valid for 30 days only, and can usually be extended for a further 30 days.
- If you are planning on staying more than 60 days in country a Social Visa may be required. This visa needs to be obtained from an Indonesian embassy or consulate well before your planned travel to Indonesia (approximate cost $60). A Social Visa initially provides you with 60 days in country and can usually be extended to cover a 6-month stay.
- Please remember also that you will be required to pay a departure tax of Rp. 150,000 at the airport when you leave Indonesia, and possibly an airport tax in addition.
Cultural Advice
Indonesians are typically laid back, gregarious and fun-loving and in any city, town or village people will want to talk to you or just say hello. Wherever you go in Indonesia you will be hear cries of ‘Hello Mister’, the standard greeting for any westerner (regardless of gender). This can be quite disconcerting if you have just arrived in the country but it is intended as a friendly greeting and nothing more. Simply smile and return the gesture.
As with any country, Indonesia has its own cultural etiquette and most guidebooks include a list of “do’s and don’ts”. These can cover any number of potential faux-pas including eating with your left hand, patting children on the head, pointing at people etc. Though you should bear these things in mind, they should not overly concern you. People understand that you are not used to the local customs and will forgive little mistakes in day to day social etiquette. The most important thing is to be respectful and be able to laugh at yourself when you make a blunder.
It is important that you don’t forget you are in a new country, however, you must remember that while little mistakes will be forgiven a lack of respect is not acceptable. There are three areas that can potentially cause offence, especially when you begin to feel more at home. These are alcohol, dress code and relationships.
Alcohol: Students found in possession of alcohol will be expelled from Odyssey Institute programs. For adults, alcohol is widely available in Bali however you should remember that drunkenness is considered unacceptable in Indonesian culture and creates a very bad impression of Westerners.
Dress Code: You should always dress conservatively by Western standards and, girls especially, should take care to cover up. Girls should keep their shoulders, cleavage, stomach and thighs covered at all times while men should keep their shoulders and stomach covered when in a social situation. Modest swimming costumes are perfectly acceptable on the beach or in swimming pools, but you should cover up as soon as you leave. Bikinis are not acceptable swimming attire, except as undergarments.
Relationships: You will soon see that in Indonesia, physical contact between same sex friends is common but with friends of the opposite sex it is very unusual. Traditionally, there is a respectful distance between the sexes and you should bear this in mind when with friends of the opposite sex. Remember also that what you may regards as a normal friendship can sometimes be misinterpreted as something more in Indonesia. Exclusive relationships are not acceptable on any Odyssey Institute program.
