Indonesia internship "broadens outlook on life"

Olivia: "Living and working in Indonesia was truly memorable. I feel privileged to have learnt so much about a nation I once knew very little about..."

I had long awaited the opportunity to apply for a business internship with the Asia New Zealand Foundation having admired the incredible experiences previous interns had shared from their time in Asia.

When the chance arose to apply for an internship in Indonesia, despite knowing very little about the country, I saw it as a unique and invaluable opportunity to gain professional experience in Asia. I was selected for the internship and not long after finishing my semester one exams, I flew to Jakarta to begin a six-week internship with KPMG Indonesia—one of the country’s largest audit, tax, and advisory firms.

I joined the transfer pricing team within the tax division at KPMG Advisory Indonesia, which advises multinational companies on related-party transactions, prepares transfer pricing documentation (master file, local file, and CbCR), and ensures regulatory compliance.

Much of the work concerns benchmarking and the arm’s-length principle, with both foreign entities seeking to establish a presence in Indonesia and local entities looking to expand within and beyond the country.

Olivia: "My colleagues generously shared their professional expertise and culture... "

 Jakarta is a fast-paced commercial hub, attracting immense hustle and bustle, impressive shopping malls, and endless traffic.

The KPMG offices are in the Jakarta Mori Tower, in the Sudirman Central Business District at the heart of the city's 'Golden Triangle'. Despite Indonesia being the world's fourth most populous country, this is KPMG's only tax, audit and assurance premises.

During my internship, I worked on various tasks, from preparing documents and administrative work for the court, researching Indonesian regulations and transfer pricing methods, to conducting data analysis.

As an accounting major with no prior exposure to transfer pricing during my studies, I had a lot to learn. I was in an unfamiliar country with no prior knowledge of the local language (Bahasa Indonesia), working with unfamiliar regulations and standards and within a very different social, political, and economic environment. This challenge was precisely what made the experience so valuable. The opportunity arose to expand my global perspective, test my adaptability and apply my academic knowledge in a new and practical way.

Olivia: "A highlight of my internship was the people I worked with."

As a law student, learning about Indonesia's tax court and its strict presentation demands of hard copy documents and related procedures was fascinating.

The post office must stamp documents before KPMG manually delivers them to the client. At times, entire suitcases were needed to transport files required for court (often needing multiple copies).

A highlight of my internship was the people I worked with. My colleagues generously shared their professional expertise and culture, teaching me about Indonesian customs, language basics, and business etiquette.

They were very welcoming and supportive, and most days we shared coffee or lunch together. Thanks to their recommendations, I tried traditional foods for the first time, such as salak (snakefruit), pie susu (custard tart pastry), nasi padang (steamed rice with accompanying dishes), and fresh durian (a notoriously stinky fruit).

I quickly learned that Indonesian food is often very sweet in flavour and that unique combinations —such as avocado or cheese in desserts and drinks — are common. Meals usually pair contrasting textures, such as krupuk (crackers) with rice or noodles.

Outside of work, I lived in an Airbnb apartment within walking distance of the office, making the daily commute easy. Weekends provided the chance to explore other islands — Indonesia being the world's largest archipelago — and different parts of Java, including Yogyakarta and Surabaya.

A selection of Olivia's photos from her time in Indonesia

I came to appreciate the size and bursting diversity of culture within the country, expressed through its religions, traditions, and food, offering so much more than touristy Bali.

This opportunity highlighted how personal connections and cross-cultural understanding can strengthen business ties between New Zealand and the Asia region, which comprises many of our important trading partners, and boost social inclusivity within our multicultural society.

This internship not only developed my technical understanding of transfer pricing and knowledge of the country, but also deepened my appreciation for Indonesia’s business ecosystem and its role within Asia.

Thanks to the Asia New Zealand Foundation, I leave with greater confidence to pursue work opportunities in Asia, enhanced professional and personal development and a broader outlook on life.

Living and working in Indonesia was truly memorable. I feel privileged to have learnt so much about a nation I once knew very little about, and could not recommend this experience any higher.

The Foundation's Business Programme supports New Zealand companies to better understand Asia so they can make the most of opportunities in the region. It also supports to grow the next generation of Asia-savvy business leaders.

Our internship programme helps interns build a better understanding of the people, place and culture of their Asian host country, while developing industry-specific skills that will benefit them as they progress in their careers.