Dear trainee,
Welcome to AIESEC Local Committee University of Andalas. Congratulation and thank you for choosing internship in our local committee. We are glad that you are interested in Indonesia, especially in Padang, West Sumatra. As soon as you land in Padang, your time will be filled with a lot of fun, exciting, and unforgettable experiences. We present this reception booklet to give you all necessary information that will help you during your stay here. With this booklet we would like you to get to know our place and its culture and fall in love with it. We hope that this booklet will make every single day in your internship easier. Enjoy it and see you soon!!! Incoming Exchange Global Community Development Programme 14/15 AIESEC Universitas Andalas Padang, Indonesia
Established since July 27th 1993, AIESEC Universitas Andalas (UNAND) so far, known as the only Local Committee in Indonesia that is placed outside Java. AIESEC UNAND has 3 principles that reflect the big picture of how AIESEC UNAND work, they are Courtesy (as we living up the values of our local culture), Integrity (trust and deliver the quality) and Family (strong family bond toward every AIESEC UNAND generation/ORI). Twenty years have passed, AIESEC UNAND will never stop refilling the energy to do more and gain more to create a big impact for this organization and society and living the AIESEC values. AIESEC in Andalas University has two offices: 1. Pusat Kesgiatan Mahasiswa (PKM) 2nd Floor, Universitas Andalas, Limau Manis, Padang. 2. Jati Office, Jl. Situjuh No. 1 Jati, Padang.
Indonesia’s population is around 230 million which comprises to 250-300 ethnic groups that have their own language and dialects but are united with Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesians), the national language spoken throughout the archipelago. Religious freedom is stipulated in the Indonesian constitution, but the government officially recognizes only six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Although it is not an Islamic state, Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, with over 80% of the population is Muslim, 8.7% is Christian, 3% are Hindu, and 1.8% Buddhist or other.
Lying along the equator, Indonesia has a tropical climate. The east monsoon from June to September brings dry weather while the west monsoon from December to March is moisture-laden bringing rain. Temperatures vary little throughout the year. The average daily temperature range is 26–30 °C (79–86 °F).
Indonesian cuisine varies by region and is based on Chinese, European, Middle Eastern, and Indian precedents. Rice is the main staple food and is served with side dishes of meat and vegetables. Spices (notably chili), coconut milk, fish and chicken are fundamental ingredients of Indonesian food.
West Sumatra (Indonesian: Sumatera Barat, abbreviated to Sumbar) is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast. The capital of the province is Padang. West Sumatra lies in the middle of the western coast of Sumatra which faces the Indian Ocean. The area of West Sumatra is around 42,297.30 km². Geographic features include plains, mountainous volcanic highlands formed by the Barisan mountain range that runs from north-west to southeast, and an offshore island archipelago called the Mentawai Islands.
The Minangkabau people inhabit the area of West Sumatra province on the island Sumatra. They are predominantly Muslim, and they have a reputation throughout Indonesia as traders. Mentawaians live on the Mentawai Islands, off the western coast of Sumatra, that are also part of the province. West Sumatran speaks Bahasa Minang as the local language, but still uses Bahasa Indonesia as the Indonesians official language.
The prime tourist attractions of West Sumatra are the natural environment, and the culture and history of the Minangkabau and Mentawai people. Natural attractions of the mainland include the tropical forests, mountains, volcanoes, lakes, valleys, rivers & waterfalls in the highlands, the fauna and flora, and the beaches around Padang. The Mentawai Islands are a popular destination for surfers and those looking to experience the culture and more primitive lifestyle of the Mentawai people. For developing West Sumatra tourism, in 2006 the government opened tourist train railway service run between Padang - Padang Panjang - Sawahlunto. Tour de Singkarak, an annual cycling race since 2009 also promoting West Sumatra tourism.
The cool highlands of West Sumatra are one of the most picturesque regions in Sumatra. It offers spectacular view of volcanoes, fertile valleys and canyons, such as the Anai valley, Sianok and Harau Canyons. The latter is a nature reserve famous for the rare giant, flowering plant, the Rafflesia. Bukittinggi is a cool highland town with stunning view of two volcanoes, Mounts Merapi and Singgalang. Right in the middle of the town is a city canyon, Ngarai Sianok. Stretching for 15 km, the cliff rises some 100 to 150 meters. 63 km away is Lake Maninjau, a huge and beautiful crater lake with complete recreational facilities. To get there, you have to pass through the famous “kelok 44� (44 bends and curves) down the hillside. West Sumatra is land of the Minangkabau people, known for their beautiful hand-woven songkets and richly decorated horn-roofed longhouses or Rumah Gadang. Places of interest:
Istana Pagaruyung
Pagang Island
Pasumpahan Island
Air Manis Beach
Purus Beach
Clock Tower
Lake Maninjau
Padang is the capital and largest city of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is located on the western coast of Sumatra. The population of the city is over 750,000 people. On September 30, 2009, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit about 50 kilometers off the coast of Padang. There were more than 1,100 fatalities, 313 of which occurred within Padang.
There are two accesses to get to Padang, domestic and international. There are many airline companies that fly from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (in Jakarta) to Minangkabau International Airport (in Padang). It takes around one and a half hour flight. As well, you can reach Padang directly from Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by using Air Asia Airline Company. The flight takes around one hour.
Living cost in Padang is pretty cheap. For three times eat a day, it costs around USD 7 - 10, which USD 1 equals to IDR 9,500-11,000. Money changers are available at the airport, banks, and gold store.
US $ 1 = Rp 11,000
Public transports in Padang are varied. There are angkot, bus, taxi, pedicab, and bendi. Mostly, they use angkots and buses. Transportation cost is around IDR 3,000. Most of Padang people do not speak english. These are some phrases that may help you to communicate with local people:
Hello / Hi = Halo / Hai Good morning = Selamat pagi Good afternoon = Selamat siang Good evening = Selamat malam
My name is ..=Nama saya .. I’m from …. = Saya dari ..... How are you? = Apa kabar? I am fine = Saya baik Thank you = Terima kasih You’re welcome = Samasama
One = Satu Dua = Dua Three = Tiga Four = Empat Five = Lima Six = Enam Seven = Tujuh Eight = Delapan Nine = Sembilan Ten = Sepuluh Twenty = Dua puluh Thirty = Tiga puluh One hundred = Seratus Four hundred = Empat ratus One thousand = Seribu Five thousand = Lima ribu
Yes No Sorry Please Here There
= Ya = Tidak = Maaf = Tolong = Di sini = Di sana
How much is this? = Berapa harganya? Where is this address? = Dimana alamat ini? I don’t speak Indonesian = Saya tidak bisa berbahasa Indonesia
The cuisine of the Minangkabau people is commonly called Padang cuisine, due to it being the capital and largest city of the region. Padang restaurants are common throughout the country and are famous for their spicy food and their unique way of serving it. The best known Padang dish are rendang (a spicy meat stew), soto Padang (crispy beef in spicy soup), sate (beef satay in curry sauce served with ketupat).
Padang is a common transit point for surfers traveling to Batu Islands and Mentawai Islands, and for tourists visiting the West Sumatran highlands. Padang beach (known as Taplau or Tapi Lauik) which located from Samudra Street until Puruih, is wellknown for its beautiful sunset and hundreds of food stalls. Bungus bay, to the south of Padang, is suitable for swimming and boating. Adityawarman Museum specializes in the history and culture of the local Minangkabau ethnic group, and the main exhibits are housed within a Rumah Gadang style building.
Living in Padang will be very different with living in your country. We hope you will not get culture shock after you arrive here. •
Geographically, West Sumatra province is in the line of equator. That is why Padang is very famous as a Hot City. Sometimes it rains in summer. As well, it can be very hot in wet/rainy season.
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Padang is a Moeslem City. Almost 90% of Padang pepole are moeslems. But, it doesn’t mean that we do not respect other religions. We are very respectful each other. Since Padang is a moeslem city, we wear courteous clothes in daily activity. We hope that you can do the same thing. For women, please do not wear such kind of tank top, bikini, mini skirt, hot pants, etc. Since the weather is hot, for top you can wear t-shirts or shirts with short sleeves, and for bottom it’s good to wear jeans, trousers, pants or skirts which at least can cover your knees. So please prepare your clothes before coming here. We do not want if people do impolite things when you are walking on the street.
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Your accommodation in Padang is free. We provide host families for trainees. They are voluntarily accept you to stay with them. You need to accept any condition in your house, such as their home, food, etc., and especially respect your host family. You need to follow the rules set by your host family. Just pretend that your host family is like your own family. They are your family in Padang. Love them like you love your own. Sometimes, it is difficult to find an available family to be a host family. How lucky you are to get host family.
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In padang, we use “angkot” and buses as public transportation. But mostly, peole use angkot. Angkot is a car which can carries around 12 passangers. To travel around the city, you can use angkot. Normally, angkot costs you IDR 3,000. It is cheap.
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Padang food is very famous all over Indonesia. It is famous with its spicy food. But, if you can’t eat spicy food, there are a lot of choices here. Don’t worry!
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For trainees who teach at schools, please wear semi-formal clothes. You can wear shirt or t-shirt and dark color trousers.
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You must be knowing the big earthquake happened in Padang in 2009. Today, the condition is not fully normal, but it is not as bad as before. Everything is getting better and better. For the internet connection, you can find Wi-Fi in our university and our AIESEC office. But maybe the connection is not very fast. Internet cafe can be another option. Are you sensitive with mosquitoes? Sometimes, trainees are very sensitive with mosquitoes. You can bring a mosquito repellent from your country. You can also buy it here. Another suggestion, you can bring some medicine for flu, cough, etc. Most people is difficult to adapt to new medicine. About money matters, it is better for you to bring US dollar. You’ll be easier to change it. JP Yen, Euro, MY Ringgit, and SG Dollar are also available. We do hope that you can be mingle and get closer to AIESEC members. They want to know you more and get some learning from you. This is what we call living diversity. We do understand that it is not easy to adapt with new situation. But you need to try it. You will get new and different experience that you will never forget in your life. We hope that you will have the real life changing experience by taking intenrship in Padang. Let us make friendship. We do also hope that you can give your best participation in AIESEC University of Andalas.
We do hope that you can be mingle and get closer to AIESEC members. They want to know you more and get some learning from you. This is what we call living diversity. We do understand that it is not easy to adapt with new situation. But you need to try it. You will get new different experience that you will never forgot in your life. We hope that you will have the real life changing experience by taking internship in Padang. Let us make friendship. We also hope that you can give your best participation in AIESEC Universitas Andalas.