Indonesia Education

There were over 8,000 students from Indonesia studying in the United States in 2021/22, making it the 17th leading place of origin among international students. This number increased 6.9% from the previous year, but is yet to reach the levels from the years prior to 2020.

From 2020-2022, 56.3% of Indonesian students studied at the undergraduate level, 22.9% at the graduate level, 17.1% in optical practical training, and 3.7% in non-degree programs. The graduate-level increased by 29.6%, but the undergraduate decreased by 2.3%. Australia, Malaysia, and the United States are the top three destinations for Indonesian students who study abroad.

Of those studying abroad, 95% are self-funded. The decision to study abroad can be expensive for Indonesian middle-class families, yet they still send their children to study overseas. The choice of country and school often depends on the family’s financial situation and the desired course of study. Indonesian public high schools don’t have education counselors to advise students on studying abroad.  Despite easy access to digital information, parents still want input from a third party, namely local education agents. 

Many local education agents in Indonesia can provide advice from the beginning, such as choosing the university and the education program to assist with admission, preparing visa applications, and even finding housing. A local education agent offers free to minimal service fees for customized services and their primary duty is to ensure a smooth transition so students can quickly start college abroad.

For U.S. schools, these local education agents can be your presence in the market. They are able to reach out to public high schools and directly talk with students and parents. While information about U.S. schools is available online, it doesn’t give all the relevant information. By connecting with local education agents, your school information is always available when potential Indonesian students contact the local education agents for guidance.

For more information about this sector or to learn more about the opportunities for promotion of U.S. schools in Indonesia, contact Commercial Specialist Fidhiza Purisma at (Fidhiza.Purisma@trade.gov)