Indonesia – Maxwell

Student: Maxwell
Course: Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws
Program: International Internship

Before Indonesia, I thought I understood the legal world. I was wrong. A month at Ashurst OSP Jakarta shattered my assumption that Australia was the centre of my universe. I discovered intricate legal systems, thriving industries, and complex international frameworks operating seamlessly across borders, things I'd never grasped from a classroom.

But the real transformation wasn't intellectual. It was cultural. Working alongside teams in Jakarta, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and London taught me that professionalism, work ethic, and problem-solving look different everywhere. I had to adapt not just my thinking, but how I showed up as a person. My colleagues didn't think like me, communicate like me, or prioritise like me, and that was the gift.

Living independently in a foreign country tested me daily. Managing work, accommodation, and adaptation simultaneously was gruelling and exhilarating. It forced me to become resourceful, humble, and genuinely curious about the world beyond my bubble.

Indonesia showed me what I'm capable of. I'd urge every student to take that leap.