My 4-month internship in Indonesia has been an incredibly exciting and educational experience, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s culture, both socially and professionally. Through fieldwork and interactions with academic and private actors, I have gained valuable insights into the dynamics shaping the green transition in a middle-income country such as Indonesia. At the same time, the experience presented a steep learning curve. Both culturally and academically speaking, it also provided opportunities to apply theories from my master’s studies in practice, helping me see the bigger picture. Using field trips as a workspace was particularly rewarding. Visiting Bojonegoro and Pontianak offered me direct exposure to Indonesia’s path dependency and sustainable development processes. I learned how policy tools operate in practice and gained insight into the challenges and opportunities of resource management and local community development. This experience not only deepened my understanding of Indonesian society but also provided a unique perspective on how the workforce is structured in a country with a culture so different from Norway.

The internship also enhanced my ability to translate academic knowledge into practical applications. By participating in the CitRes research project in collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), I gained a solid foundation for understanding the nuances of Indonesia’s work on green transition and path dependency. Combining academic work with hands-on field experience has been both inspiring and immensely enriching. In conclusion, this internship has been invaluable, both professionally and personally. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to explore and learn about Indonesia’s culture and work environment in such a direct and engaging way. This experience has provided me with perspectives I will carry forward in my career, and I would undoubtedly do it all over again.