Georgetown Semester in Jakarta

A semester immersed in Asia is the best way for you to experience firsthand the dynamism of Asia while acquiring the skills and networks to continue an international career.

The Asia Pacific region has long been at the crossroads of history, but in the 21st century, it has taken on renewed importance in the global economy. Working in Asia is exciting. Asia’s “Ring of Fire” is more than a metaphor: the region is a bubbling cauldron of new policy ideas, alliances, technologies and ways to confront the world’s challenges.

Indonesia, where the Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific is located, is the world’s fourth largest country, its third largest democracy, saw the second most rapid reduction in poverty and is still one of the top global centers for tropical and marine biodiversity. Yet, it is also a country that must deal with inequality, rapid deforestation and other externalities that face other growing middle income countries. In other words, you will be plunged into a hands-on engagement with all the complexities confronting policymakers in the Global South.

While taking a semester abroad in Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific, you can:

1. Join the immersive policy courses
2. Conduct directed policy research
3. Take Jakarta-based crasses from the Executive Masters in Diplomacy and International Affairs (EMDIA) on international relations, political economics and diplomacy

What are the Immersive Policy Courses?

The immersive policy courses provide an experiential learning environment that bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world practice.

Each course is taught by an experienced practitioner in the field who has personal experience implementing policy ideas. In these courses, you will take on the role of policy researchers, working to develop real-world solutions in collaboration with policymakers and practitioners.

The following courses will be offered in the September-December semester:

Mining, minerals and management

Virtually no issue today causes more controversy than mining and critical minerals. This course takes a 360-degree look at the economic, technological, political, social and environmental issues surrounding mining and critical minerals development in Asia. Students will visitlarge and small mines, processing sites, activists and mine managers in Indonesia.

Blue ecology

Gain hands-on understanding of coastal fisheries as ecological, economic and cultural systems. You will learn about coastal fisheries’ sustainability, artisanal production constraints, equity along the value chain, and how to set priorities for effective intervention. Field trips include appreciative inquiry with fisher communities and optional snorkeling or scuba (required PADI certification will be offered).

Social protection system

This course will review the overall logic of social protection systems and dive into the technical aspects. The class will also conduct field visits in Indonesia to see firsthand how what sounds good in theory does not always work well in practice. Guest lectures by social protection researchers and practitioners from the government, experts from across the globe and UNICEF will give students a 360-degree view of how social policy gets made and assessed.

Livable cities

Asia’s dynamic metropolis must reconcile the colonial legacies of the 19th and 20th centuries with the technical and planning challenges of the 21nd. This course walks students through the core principles of urban planning in Asia, covering urban policy, urban planning, transport economics, service provision and urban environmental management.

Geopolitics, investment and trade

This course aims to increase your understanding of global and regional trade and investment patterns and the impact of geopolitics on those patterns, seen from the perspective of the Asia-Pacific region. As a student, you will practice using analytical models of trade and investment agreements, understanding political economy trade-offs, and drafting economic policy documents.

Benefits of the Immersive Policy Courses

• Real-world impact: Contribute to projects influencing policy and practice.
• Collaborative learning: Work alongside a diverse team of experts, policymakers, and peers, gaining different perspectives that enhance your approach to problem-solving.
• Skill development: Build critical skills in building and managing real-world development projects.
• Career preparation: Graduate with a portfolio of applied work and the confidence to lead in international affairs.

For more advanced students, Georgetown Asia Pacific also offers a 3-credit directed policy lab research course, which includes directed readings and field research under the guidance of our senior faculty.

This is a unique chance to get hands-on mentoring and on-site support for independent studies such as capstones, dissertations or joining an ongoing research program. Directed reading and fieldwork can, in principle, be done anywhere in the Asia Pacific region.

Note: Admission depends on the approval of the proposed supervisor and your home faculty.

While taking a semester in Jakarta, you will be able to register for classes that are offered to the EMDIA Asia Pacific program in Jakarta, which covers topics in international relations, economic diplomacy, and diplomatic skills development.

Explore EMDIA courses

Georgetown Semester in Jakarta is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle the complex challenges of the Global South and the Asia Pacific region. The semester in Jakarta is open exclusively to students in SFS master’s programs.

Application

The deadline for joining the Georgetown Semester in Jakarta for the fall 2025 semester is March 15, 2025. To learn more about how you can apply, please contact the Academic Advisors of your SFS program. Take the next step in shaping your future as a leader in international affairs.