Shows
The Perantau PodcastS2E9. Sabbatical, Burnout, and Melbourne’s Love-Hate Reality with Gracia SharleneWhat happens when success no longer feels like enough?Born and raised in Bandung, Gracia Sharlene is a financial services consultant and business analyst based in Melbourne. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Information Systems from the University of Melbourne, she built a career working across major firms in tech and finance. But after years of chasing deadlines and career milestones, she found herself burnt out — emotionally drained, professionally disconnected, and unsure of what came next. Now on sabbatical, Sharlene is taking a step back to figure out what she truly wants, an...2025-05-2134 minThe Perantau PodcastS2E8. What working in Australia’s film industry taught me about Indonesia with Kennardi SebastianFor many Indonesian creatives, the most meaningful insights come after going abroad.Kennardi Sebastian is an Indonesian creative working in Melbourne’s film and media scene. His journey spans from growing up in Jakarta with a passion for storytelling and gaming, to building a career in Australia as a Virtual Production Operator at The University of Melbourne. In navigating the fast-paced, often unpredictable world of Australian filmmaking, Ken has also found himself reflecting more critically and personally on Indonesia—its culture, creative industries, and the concept of belonging.In this episode, Ken joins Billy Adison Adit...2025-05-0743 minThe Perantau PodcastS2E7. What One Project Taught Me About Indonesia’s Education Sector with Sherlina Felicia LiviantoWhat happens when your dream job doesn’t feel quite right?In this episode, Billy Adison Aditijanto chats with Sherlina Felicia Livianto, a marketing graduate who landed her first full-time job in Melbourne – only to realise a few months in that something was missing. It turns out it was a prior university-led project focused on building university partnerships with Indonesia that she discovered a deeper interest in education and cross-border collaboration.Sherlina opens up about that turning point, what it taught her about the untapped potential of Indonesia’s higher education sector, and why she’s now pre...2025-04-2334 minThe Perantau PodcastS2E6. Internships, First Jobs, and Life in Melbourne with Quincy JhonWhen studying and working abroad, it’s natural to ask: does this place still align with who I am and where I’m going? For many young professionals, navigating life after graduation means figuring out not just career moves, but whether to stay or return home. It’s a question that becomes more complex the longer you’re away.In this episode, Quincy Jhon joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast. Since arriving in Melbourne in 2022, Quincy has completed a Finance degree at the University of Melbourne and now works full-time in accounting at a smaller firm—an...2025-04-0938 minThe Perantau PodcastS2E5. Animating Grief and Indonesian Horror with Christie WidiartoIndonesian horror often reflects deep societal fears, cultural beliefs, and the lived experiences of women. Folklore like Kuntilanak carries layers of meaning, often tied to grief, womanhood, and systemic struggles. Through animation, these stories can be reinterpreted, reclaimed, and told in new ways, blending tradition with modern creative expression.Christie Widiarto is a lecturer, filmmaker, and researcher exploring the intersection of Indonesian folklore, grief, and feminism. Born in Indonesia, she moved to Australia at age two and grew up navigating multiple cultural identities. Her PhD research began with an article on Kuntilanak but soon became personal. She...2025-03-2530 minThe Perantau PodcastS2E4. Bringing Gamelan to Melbourne with John Cheong-Holdaway and Gamelan DanAndaHow do you go from working in economics and infrastructure to being a key part of a gamelan ensemble in Melbourne? For John Cheong-Holdaway, the journey has been anything but conventional.John spent his childhood in Jakarta and later worked in finance and policy, before returning to Australia and rediscovering his passion for music and cultural exchange. Now involved in Gamelan DanAnda, they build a community, reshape cultural narratives, and make traditional Indonesian art forms more visible in Australia.John joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about how his time in...2025-03-1141 minThe Perantau PodcastS2E3. Ramadan in Melbourne and Life as Muslim Perantau with Ustad Abdul AzizRamadan away from home hits differently. For many Indonesian Muslims in Melbourne, the experience is a mix of newfound challenges and unexpected joys – longer fasting hours, a smaller but tight-knit community, and the constant effort to balance faith with daily life in a non-Muslim country. What does it take to maintain a spiritual connection in a secular environment? And what lessons from life abroad can help young Muslims navigate their journey?Ustad Abdul Aziz, an imam with the Indonesian Muslim Community of Victoria (IMCV), joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast, to talk about what it means...2025-02-2547 minThe Perantau PodcastS2E2. Empowering people through creative coding and data storytelling with Joanne AmarisaWhat happens when you invest in young women in tech? 🌱ThroughThe Data Garden Project,Joanne Amarisa transforms everyday conversations into visual art, using creative coding to explore relationships, emotions, and community.It all started with a simple but powerful idea. Joanne documented a month’s worth of WhatsApp conversations with her mother and turned them into a digital garden. The result? A stunning reminder that data isn’t just numbers – it’s a storytelling tool.But beyond the code, this project is about something bigger: when you uplift one woman, she brings others with her.2025-02-1139 minThe Perantau PodcastS2E1. Celebrating Lunar New Year as Chinese-Indonesians Abroad with Siauw Tiong DjinFor many Chinese-Indonesians living overseas, Lunar New Year isn’t just a tradition – it’s a special way to stay connected to their roots. Even far from home, the locally-known Imlek or Sincia is all about honouring cultural values, keeping family traditions alive, and building a sense of community with fellow Indonesians abroad. But for younger generations, keeping that connection can be tricky. Now parents play a huge role, depending on how they use Bahasa Indonesia at home and encouraging their kids to embrace cultural practices.
Siauw Tiong Djin has spanned his professional career in communications engineering and mo...2025-01-2841 minThe Perantau PodcastSeason 2!A big change coming in 2025: videos!
This year, we'll be streaming video podcasts on all our existing channels where available.
With that, we're launching our new YouTube channel, so subscribe to that as well!
Huge thank you to all of you who've listened to the many inspiring stories this past year, and a warm welcome to new friends tuning in for the first time.
We're always looking for new stories to tell and people to meet. So if you've got a story, don't be shy!
I'm always a text...2025-01-2501 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E23. Growing up as an Indonesian-Australian with Zac SumarnoGrowing up as an Indonesian-Australian has shaped Zac Sumarno's perspective on identity, culture, and career. For Zac, his Indonesian heritage is more than ancestry, it’s a meaningful connection that continues to influence his life and choices.
From studying politics and Asian studies in undergrad to now pursuing a Juris Doctor, Zac’s journey reflects a deep curiosity about navigating the intersections of culture, society, and law.
Zac Sumarno joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about the impact of growing up as part of the Indonesian diaspora, his academic journey, and how...2024-12-1034 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E22. Supporting Indonesians Relocating to Australia with Adji Baskoro and KoskosanStarting his journey in Australia as an RMIT student, Adji Baskoro shares how his education and experiences shaped his transition start up his own business, Koskosan. Having not only thrived for over a decade but also received recognition, Adji reflects on the growth of their business.
Adji Baskoro joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share about the ideas behind Koskosan, the highs and lows in managing a start-up, and the challenges that Indonesians may face when relocating to Australia.
This episode is predominantly delivered in Bahasa Indonesia. A transcript is available online.2024-11-2639 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E21. Redefining Indonesian Art and Activism in the World with Wulan DirgantoroLiving and working abroad has shaped Wulan Dirgantoro’s understanding of her identity and Indonesian contemporary art. For Dr Dirgantoro, her journey has been one of personal growth, cultural exchange, and deep connections. Working internationally has given her unique insights to see Indonesian art through a global lens.
Wulan Dirgantoro joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share about how Indonesian diaspora is contributing to the global recognition of Indonesian art and culture, and the impact of her work on gender and feminism in Indonesian art. She reflects on the differences in how these themes ar...2024-11-1230 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E20. Bringing Indonesian Culture to Australian Classrooms with Bayu PrihantoroEver wondered what it’s like to teach Bahasa Indonesia in a foreign country? It’s a rewarding experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges. With students from diverse backgrounds, teachers go through extensive training to be prepared for any situation in the classroom. But beyond the challenges, there’s also the privilege of learning alongside the students—sometimes the teacher becomes the student too.
Bayu Prihantoro joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share about his journey to Melbourne, the unexpected challenges he faced while teaching Indonesian in Australia, and his thoughts on...2024-10-2935 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E19. Inside PPI Australia with Wildan Ali and Yudhi HartawanPPI Australia serves the varying needs of Indonesian students, not only across different states but also considering their different population sizes, which brings its own set of challenges. Aside from representing student aspirations, PPI Australia also relays government communications and other student-centric stakeholders.
Wildan Ali and Yudhi Hartawan, past and present presidents of PPI Australia, joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share how the organisation has played a significant role in their lives. Despite the heavy responsibilities, they embraced their roles, committed to making a meaningful impact.
This episode is predominantly delivered...2024-10-1545 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E18. Bringing Dangdut to Melbourne with Michael HB Raditya and Yarra IramaHow much do you know about dangdut? It’s not just a genre; it has become an important symbol of Indonesian identity.
Since being given the name in the ‘70s and its peak in the ‘90s, dangdut has become one of the many faces of Indonesian pop culture. Has time now come for them to take on the world?
Michael HB Raditya – founder of the Dangdut Studies centre and current PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne – joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share his journey of bringing dangdut to Melbourne.
On this ep...2024-10-0233 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E17. Experiences as a Migrant Journalist with Tito AmbyoAs a migrant, as perantau, sometimes you become more conscious of how you present yourself and how others perceive you. We expect ourselves to be emotionally composed, sometimes straying from our true feelings. That’s emotional labour.
But what happens if you’re a migrant journalist?
Tito Ambyo is an Indonesian-Australian journalist and lecturer at RMIT and joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share his journey of settling in Melbourne for over 20 years.
On this episode, we talked about his double-role in industry and academia, the challenges of navigating the medi...2024-09-1752 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E16. How an Australian Became an Indonesian Language Teacher with Darcy MurphyAs Indonesia is projected to become the 4th or 5th largest economy in the next decade, it makes sense for Australia to strengthen its ties with Indonesia. Yet, since 2012, funding for language learning in Australia has been cut, leading to fewer students and even fewer future teachers to teach Bahasa Indonesia. This creates a cycle in which Australia, at the policy level, has fallen short in recognising the importance of learning more about Indonesia.
Darcy Murphy, a VCE Indonesian teacher at Braemar College, joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share his experience as an...2024-09-0446 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E15. Melbourne’s Art Galleries and the Bandung Relationship with Dea AzaliaAside from the coffee and colonial-style architecture, Melbourne and Bandung share a strong identity as art cities, each with vibrant street art scenes, rich histories, and deep community engagement in the arts. Dubbed Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne's renowned street art and festivals are paralleled by Bandung's innovative community art initiatives and historic charm.
Dea Azalia visited Melbourne on a 4-month work placement program at the RMIT Gallery as part of her Masters degree in Art Management and Curatorship from the Bandung Institute of Technology. Aside from being an Assistant Lecturer and Creative Director at the university, he...2024-08-2046 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E14. Lessons from Melbourne's Art Scene and Indonesia's Prospects with Patriot MukminArt is a window, a reflection, and the embodiment of the world we live in. What could be a representation of our truths may change – given new surroundings and new stimuli, we may see a shift in how we colour the world.
Patriot Mukmin is a visual artist and lecturer at the Bandung Institute of Technology with a particular interest in how history and social events shape Indonesian art today. Having presented solo exhibitions in France (2023), Japan (2019), Jakarta (2017), South Korea (2016), and Bandung, (2015), he is currently a PhD candidate at The University of Melbourne’s Victorian College of the...2024-08-0747 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E13. Studying Abroad, Double Degrees, and Being Extroverted with Saskia SukmanaBack to school! As Melbourne passes its coldest point of the winter, university students face a new semester ahead of them. We wonder about our classes, meeting new people, and face the challenges of balancing studies, social life, and personal growth. It’s a time of change and opportunity, filled with both uncertainty and excitement.
Saskia Sukmana, currently pursuing a double degree from Universitas Indonesia and the University of Melbourne, joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast and shares her motivation to move to Melbourne, the differences between studying at UI and Unimelb, and the ups and...2024-07-2439 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E12. A Beacon of Hope for Indonesian Students in Victoria with Agung Padmeshwara and PPIA VictoriaMore than 2000 Indonesian students study across Victoria alone, making it one of the top destinations for Indonesian students studying abroad.
As the peak representative Indonesian student body in the state, PPIA Victoria celebrates the Indonesian identity by serving and supporting Indonesian students across Victoria through student and community-oriented events.
PPIA Victoria President, Agung Padmeshwara, joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about what makes PPIA VIC tick, similarities and differences between Australian and Indonesian student bodies, how he settled in as an international student and what PPIA VIC means to him.
2024-07-0930 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E11. A Taste of Home Away From Home with Giovanni Sutjiutama and KenanganThe growing number of Indonesian restaurants in Melbourne is solid proof of the high demand and the high quality of Indonesian food readily available. From nasi goreng to iga bakar, to Indonesian coffee and es campur, Indonesian food looks to pave the way to bring Indonesia to the world.
As its namesake, Kenangan brings Indonesian flavours and culture to Australia, rekindling memories of home and sparking new ones along the way. Although having started out as a vacuum-packed delivery service during COVID, they have now fully transitioned into a full-time restaurant at Queen Victoria Market, with people...2024-06-2630 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E10. Cross-cultural education, identities, and networks on Australia and Indonesia with Sharyn DaviesGlobal education plays a key role in connecting Indonesians studying abroad and Australians learning about Indonesian language and culture. While navigating cross-cultural challenges, pop culture and social media goes a long way to teach Australians about Indonesia. As more Australians engage with Indonesian culture, we start to see positive changes. This allows for meaningful connections and enhancing cultural exchange efforts.
Sharyn Davies, Director of theHerb Feith Indonesian Engagement Centre and Associate Professor at Monash University, joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about the impact of cross-cultural education, transnational identities and social networks, and...2024-06-1142 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E9. Playwriting and Reconnecting Indonesian Roots with Victoria WinataPlaywriting and drama can be a powerful tool for exploring migrant identities, sharing their stories and cultures. Through understanding and awareness, one can reconnect with their roots and continuously explore who they are, both for themselves and what they may represent.
Victoria Winata is a playwright and director, through her original "MAY 1998" and "Dear Sun, Love Joy", and actively works with the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association of Victoria. Victoria joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast and talks about her latest play, how generational trauma plays into her work, and her exploration of identity as part of...2024-05-2931 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E8. Melbourne's Indonesian Diaspora with Kuncoro Giri Waseso, Consul General for the Republic of Indonesia in MelbourneAround 20,000 Indonesians call Melbourne home, ABS data shows. With a predominantly younger group of diaspora, Melbourne, and Victoria more broadly, becomes a melting pot of Indonesians past and present, old and new. This comes at a time when Indonesia and Australia continue to strengthen bilateral ties and brings about even more opportunities.
Pak Kuncoro Giri Waseso, Consul General for the Republic of Indonesia in Melbourne, joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share his thoughts on Melbourne's Indonesian diaspora, progress on language and cultural exchange, trade and economic bilateral ties, and what makes Melbourne's Indonesian diaspora stand o...2024-05-1555 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E7. PR & Journalism across Australia and Indonesia with Raffa Athallah, ABC Indonesia JournalistIt's not easy working in journalism, advertising, or PR if you don't understand the audience – especially if you're a foreigner. How can you talk to people if you can't relate? Although for some, that might be their greatest asset.
Raffa Athallah joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about breaking into the Australian public relations and journalism industry, transitioning from student life to full-time work, and whether or not being Indonesian means much in the workplace.
This episode is delivered with a mix of English and Indonesian.
Find the Perantau Pod...2024-04-3042 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E6. How Indonesian Diaspora Stay Connected with Monika WinarnitaHome to the largest population of active social media users in Southeast Asia and third in Asia-Pacific, millions of Indonesian diaspora actively stay connected with what goes on back home through social media.
Dr. Monika Winarnita, Indonesian studies lecturer from the University of Melbourne, joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about how social media strengthens the international Indonesian consciousness, how migrants have different social media profiles for different needs, and how we usually enjoy greater freedom of speech when abroad.
This episode is delivered with a mix of English and Indonesian...2024-04-1728 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E5. Bridging Young Australians and Indonesians with Angus Baranikow and Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) VictoriaThe Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) is a non-profit, youth-run organisation that bridges young Indonesians and Australians together with active chapters in every Australian state and territory, as well as Jakarta, Jawa Barat, Yogyakarta, South Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara.
AIYA Victoria President Angus Baranikow joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share his thoughts on the Australian-Indonesian relationship in Victoria, aspirations for the future, and why he’s dedicated so much time to learning Bahasa Indonesia and Indonesia more broadly.
This episode is delivered predominantly in English. Transcript available here.
Find AI...2024-04-0232 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E4. Being Perantau Muslims with Eqi Rikansa, Ahmad Alfath, and the Young Indonesian Muslim Students AssociationRamadan Mubarak! Happy fasting to all observing Muslims. In this blessed month for some, it is also a time for reflection and to look at how we view religion when we’re far away from home.
Eqi and Alfath from the Young Indonesian Muslim Students Association (YIMSA) join Billy Adison Aditijanto to talk about their experiences as Muslims living abroad, YIMSA's role in providing a supportive environment for Muslims in Melbourne, and the importance of finding a community with shared values and beliefs.
This episode is delivered predominantly in Indonesian.
Find The Perantau Po...2024-03-2035 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E3. The Highs and Lows of Making a Social Impact from Abroad with Jane Vieren, Kresentia Aretha and Solar Chapter MelbourneThe things you do will always matter to someone, even if you don't realise. Just because you’re abroad, doesn’t mean you’re helpless to what goes on back home. You can still make a difference!
Jane and Aretha from Solar Chapter Melbourne join Billy Adison Aditijanto to discuss how they raise funds to build clean water infrastructure and improve education in remote NTT villages, what it means to make a social impact, and all the highs and lows of giving back to Indonesia from abroad.
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This episode...2024-03-0530 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E2. Youth, Activism and Bahasa Jaksel with Yacinta KurniasihYouth plays an important role in celebrating and maintaining the use of Indonesian abroad but also continues to shape the way we speak and understand each other.
Indonesian academic Yacinta Kurniasih joins Billy Adison Aditijanto to talk about how she continues to teach Indonesian and Javanese at Monash University, how being away from Indonesia makes you more Indonesian, and how she believes Indonesians are the most multilingual people in the world.
This episode is delivered predominantly in Indonesian.
Find The Perantau Podcast on: Instagram | LinkedIn | ThePerantau.com2024-02-2038 minThe Perantau PodcastS1E1. Stay News Savvy with Hirzi Putra Laksana and What Is Up, Indonesia?Hirzi Putra Laksana, Editor-in-Chief of What is Up Indonesia? (WIUI) talks to Billy Adison Aditijanto about how they inspire young Indonesians, especially those abroad, to actively engage in politics. Explore the role of digital media in democratising information and empowering individuals to stay news-savvy.
Tune in for an insightful discussion on staying informed and making informed decisions in the realm of Indonesian politics. Stay updated with the latest insights and perspectives on news literacy, media engagement, and informed citizenship.
Find The Perantau Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, and on ThePerantau.com
This episode is entirely in English...2024-02-0622 minThe Perantau PodcastIntroducing The Perantau PodcastWelcome to The Perantau Podcast.
Join Billy Adison Aditijanto and have a chat with overseas Indonesians to talk about what it means to be – well – Indonesians, and to celebrate the vibrant tapestry of our diaspora.2024-02-0201 min