little woman

Medical (travel)
All students enrolled will be covered by the University Insurance Policy.

Conflict/restricted areast
The DFAT travel advisory usually has the list of regions to be avoided due to safety reasons (i.e. not safe because of ongoing or potential conflicts). Likewise, Indonesian government ocasionally prohibits foreigners to visit some regions. The consular or visa section of the website of the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate usually has such information (as of August 2013, the restricted regions are Papua and Poso). Please do not visit those areas: it may invalidate your visa condition and your insurance cover and most importantly it will endager your life.

Drinks spiking
The deadly consequence of spiked drinks is obvious. There have been several reports of tourists becoming seriously ill and suffering permanent damage to the kidney and liver, permanent loss of sight, and permanent disability after the consumption of certain drinks which had been mixed with unknown Ingredients (including deadh/ methanol). Recently two young lives (Liam Davies  and Cheznye Emmons) were lost as a result of tainted drinks. Only consume from legal, conventional/ regular drinks, from unopened bottles of well known brands such as bir bintangor anker bir. Do not accept drinks from strangers. 

Illicit drugs
The death penalty is enforced in Indonesia for those who use, posses or sell illicit drugs. Australians are among many foreigners on death row because of their dealings with the drugs. UWA and ALVA has a zero tolerance policy towards the use and possession of illicit drugs, including traditional drugs such as mushrooms or home distilled drinks.

Please do not involve yourself in any dealing with any drugs or medications of any kind unless on direct advisement from a doctor, and purchased from pharmacy..
All personal medication should be accompanied by the Australian prescription or letter from your doctor.

Traffic accidents - be alert and vigilant
Traffic regulations may not be followed strictly by many local motorists and this has led to confusion and accidents. ISACFA ask you NOT TO drive or ride motorbikes in Indonesia, due to the unfamiliar conditions and different practices, you have to know all the relevant regulations, be alert and take extra precautions. There are many cases of serious injury from motorcycle crashes EVERY DAY in Bali.

Note: The right of way of pedestrians on the pedestrian crossings is not always observed by motorists. Be vigilant and alert when crossing any road, and only cross when you are sure that it is safe to do so. Carry a torch at night. The footpaths are irreguar and quite often have open drains which you can slip on and fall into.

Common illness
Tap water in Indonesia is generally not potable: drink only bottled water. There are also a few health problems such as stomach bugs (usually diarrhoea) associated with foods and/or flu associated with a lowering of the immune system.

Factors contributing to this include living in a different environment (weather/different bacteria), poor eating habits or hygiene (food vendors), excessive living (e.g. drinking), stress and anxiety over study or culture shock or missing home. Dengue fever, hepatitis, typhoid, malaria, rabies and a few other diseases not common in Australia are endemic in Indonesia. Any dog or animal bite must be treated as serious and you MUST be treated with with Rabies drugs.
Please visit the Travel Doctor for information on the required vaccinations. 

Hannah Goldfinch completing her Kamasan painting

Safety and security
Regardless of gender, avoid travelling alone at night time. If you are planning to socialize in the evening make sure you have fellow students to accompany you. Also do not leave friends behind alone. Remember at all times YOU ARE a visitor.

Arguments with strangers
While generally Indonesians are welcoming and kind, situations can quickly spiral out of control if you are arguing with the 'wrong' crowd. Avoid arguments with strangers/local people.

Demonstrations 
Demonstrations are a quite frequent occurrence in contemporary Indonesia. Many of them are related to employment conditions or economic conditions in general; others are related to issues of religion, autonomy, decentralisation, human rights, and other political issues, including demonstrations against foreign (i.e Western) intervention or influence. Do not participate in demonstrations.

Theft and pickpocketing
Please take care of your valuables and money. Make sure to lock your door and windows before going out. Be wary of displaying your money or valuables (iphone) in public places. By law you should have identiy papers with you at all times in Indonesia (eg.passport). Avoid leaving valuables on table tops in restaurants, it is not a good practice and creates temptation.