Sometimes moving cities and between cultures pushes you to meet a completely new version of yourself. For many Indonesians abroad, that can happen through the food we chase, the values we hold onto, and the moments where we realise we don’t quite fit into one box anymore.
Jane Vieren is an Indonesian food content creator – among many other things – based in Melbourne. Between faith, confidence, and learning where she stands, Jane’s story reflects the messy, honest work of growing up far from home.
Jane joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast where they talk about the ethics of food content creation, the truth behind hype-driven dining videos, her funniest “wait… what?” Chindo culture mix-ups, and why marathons and pilates are the future for her.
This episode is predominantly delivered in a mix of English and Bahasa Indonesia.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned.
Loving Indonesia can feel complicated — especially when the place you call home challenges your hopes for its future.
Alfin Nurul Firdaus is a youth and environmental advocate from Pasuruan, East Java, now in Melbourne studying waste management at the University of Melbourne. From founding Pasuruan Youth Forum to building Waste Reform Indonesia, Alfin’s work is rooted in community, sustainability, and a desire to give back to the place that shaped her.
In this episode, Alfin joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about her deep, sometimes “toxic-relationship” love for Indonesia; the grassroots realities of waste management she witnessed growing up near industrial rivers; and how education abroad is reshaping her approach to environmental change.
Season 2 Episode 17 – The Perantau Podcast.
This episode is predominantly delivered in Bahasa Indonesia.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned.
What does it take to build a life, and a business, far from home?
Meet Jordan Setiawan, an Indonesian entrepreneur in Melbourne who transformed his student journey into a thriving career in hospitality. After arriving in 2019 with limited English, Jordan faced Melbourne's strict COVID lockdowns, lost touch with his Indonesian community, and struggled to find his place. But through coffee, resilience, and a reconnection to culture, he co-founded Mr. Summit Café and recently launched the new Indonesian eatery, Kantin Kita. His story reflects the challenges and triumphs of the Indonesian diaspora: building dreams overseas while staying rooted in identity.
On this episode, Jordan Setiawan joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about reconnecting with Indonesian identity, battling burnout as a café owner, and why food is his bridge between Melbourne and Indonesia.
This episode is entirely delivered in English.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned.
Chapters:
Intro (00:00)
Identity and disconnection (01:12)
Hospitality career and starting Mr. Summit Café (03:16)
Burnout and imposter syndrome (08:10)
What Sets Mr. Summit Apart (13:30)
Southbank's new Kantin Kita (16:53)
Reconnecting with Indonesia through food (20:13)
The Next Chapter: Returning to Indonesia (22:10)
Quickfire Q&A (25:25)
Closing Thoughts (28:22)
From Jakarta to Melbourne, the Indonesian diaspora is more than just students and migrant workers. It’s a community that reshapes how Indonesia connects with the world. Questions of belonging, identity, and rights remain central, especially as debates over dual citizenship and the future of overseas Indonesians gain momentum.
Charlotte Setijadi, anthropologist and author of Harnessing the Potential of the Indonesian Diaspora (ISEAS, 2017), has spent years studying how Indonesians abroad push for recognition, build networks, and engage in nation-building from afar. Now back in Melbourne after working in Singapore, she brings both her own research and personal take to the conversation.
In this episode, Charlotte joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about the changing face of the diaspora and the crucial role it plays in bridging cultures, politics, and economies.
Many young Indonesians living abroad quickly realise that life overseas isn’t always as ideal as it seems — especially when your degree and career path no longer feel like the right fit.
Adelina Novanty, or Dela, moved to Perth from Jakarta after finishing high school. Initially spurred by family, she began her degree in dental nursing. But over time, she discovered that her true interests lay in the business and creative space. Now, while continuing to work at a clinic, she’s pursuing a degree in management and exploring new opportunities — from health-sector marketing to running her own photography business.
In this episode, Dela joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about homesickness, the challenge of finding community in Perth, and the value of self-exploration. She shares her journey from working in dental care to building her own side hustle, and what it’s been like navigating work and life across cultures.
Season 2 Episode 14 – The Perantau Podcast.
This episode is predominantly delivered in Bahasa Indonesia.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned.
For students in Australia, Bahasa Indonesia is often seen as the throwaway subject — too easy, too close, or just not important. But for Silvy Wantania, Indonesian teacher at Melbourne High School and President of the Victorian Indonesian Language Teachers’ Association (VILTA), language isn’t just about passing doing well in class. It’s a way to build relationships — with others, and with ourselves.
After more than two decades of teaching in Australia, Silvy works with two main demographics: Australian-born students of Indonesian descent, and non-Indonesians who choose to learn Bahasa Indonesia as a foreign language. As the challenges differ, so does the approach. But the point stays the same: to make the language feel alive and relevant.
In this episode, Silvy Wantania joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to share her experience keeping Bahasa Indonesia engaging for the next generation. We discuss why student interest is stagnating, how pop culture like Dilan 1990 and Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? unexpectedly draw in non-Indonesian students, and the crucial role diaspora parents play in keeping the language from fading away.
This episode invites us to reflect: if Indonesia still matters, why is the language being left behind?
What happens when you’re trying to make a new home abroad—but your emotions still speak in the language of home?
In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Angela Utomo, an Indonesian psychologist and lecturer at Victoria University in Melbourne, who shares her unique perspective on navigating mental health, identity, and belonging as a migrant. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in Australia, Angela reflects on what it means to stay rooted in your cultural identity while building a new life elsewhere.
We explore the emotional weight of language in therapy, the hidden stigma still surrounding mental health in Indonesian communities, and the unspoken pressures that often come with studying or working overseas. Angela also opens up about how faith, community, and small everyday actions can ground us through the uncertainties of life abroad.
Whether you’re an international student, a first-time migrant, or someone supporting others through change, this episode reminds us that it's okay to ask for help—and that healing can begin in the words closest to our hearts.
Bisakah kita tetap berkontribusi untuk Indonesia, meski hidup jauh dari tanah air?
Denny Indrayana adalah akademisi, advokat, dan mantan Wakil Menteri Hukum dan HAM yang kini mengajar di Melbourne Law School dan Universitas Gadjah Mada. Meski berkiprah di luar negeri, ia terus menyuarakan pentingnya reformasi hukum, pemberantasan korupsi, dan keadilan sosial di Indonesia. Sebagai diaspora yang hidup di persimpangan dua negara, Denny berbagi cerita tentang rasa cinta tanah air, tantangan menjaga idealisme dari perantauan, dan bagaimana diaspora bisa ikut membangun masa depan Indonesia.
Dalam episode ini, Denny bergabung bersama Billy di The Perantau Podcast untuk membahas identitas, nasionalisme dari kejauhan, serta refleksi tentang bagaimana menjadi bagian dari perubahan tanpa harus selalu berada di tanah air.
Pandangan yang disampaikan dalam episode ini adalah pendapat pribadi dan tidak tentu mencerminkan posisi siniar ini maupun organisasi yang terkait atau disebutkan.
What does it mean to grow up between two cultures – when neither fully claims you – but both shape who you are?
Kris Redden is a cookbook writer, musician, and community organiser born in Jakarta to an Indonesian mother and Australian father. After moving to regional Australia in his teens, Kris has spent years navigating questions of belonging, identity, and cultural memory – reflections that now find form in a cookbook he’s co-writing with his partner and friends. His work spans storytelling, food, and community-building, all grounded in a mixed heritage that’s as rich as it is complex.
In this episode, Kris joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about finding connection through food, the long histories between Indonesia and Indigenous Australia, and how a near-death experience pushed him to embrace life more fully. Together, they reflect on music, memory, community survival, and why diasporic stories matter now more than ever.This episode is delivered in a mix of English and Bahasa Indonesia.The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned.
What 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, and where she truly belongs.
In this episode, Sharlene joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about the love-hate relationship many migrants have with life abroad, the emotional toll of visa pressures and hustle culture, and the power of pausing to find clarity. It’s a conversation about burnout, ambition, identity, and what it means to start again — on your own terms.
This episode is predominantly delivered in Bahasa Indonesia.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned.
For 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 Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about what the Australian film industry has taught him not just professionally, but about identity, diaspora, and the creative opportunities—and limitations—of being Indonesian abroad. They explore everything from why Ken’s early ambitions were a "gamble", to his current projects and his hopes for how Indonesia can better embrace creative subcultures, particularly in gaming and media.
This episode is predominantly delivered in English.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mention.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Ken's Journey from "Detached" to "Driven"
02:13 Discovering Virtual Production
04:32 Explaining Virtual Production
09:15 Ken's Early Years in Melbourne
12:51 Building a Community and Career
14:23 Reflections on Belonging
20:20 Growing Up in Bali the Impact of a Multicultural Upbringing
22:24 Indonesian Influence in Creative Work
23:14 Changing the Gaming Culture in Indonesia
30:51 Challenges in the Indonesian Creative Industry
37:39 Advice for Young Filmmakers and Indonesians Abroad
42:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
What 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 preparing to resign from her role in marketing to explore a new path. We also talk about transferable skills from student leadership, growing up through career uncertainty, and what it means to find purpose after graduation.
This episode is predominantly delivered in Bahasa Indonesia.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mention.
Find The Perantau Podcast on: Instagram |TikTok |LinkedIn |YouTube |ThePerantau.com
When 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 experience that stands in contrast to her past internships at larger companies. We talk about her transition into the workforce, the transferable skills she gained from leading the Indonesian Student Association of Victoria (PPIA Victoria), and the personal highs and lows she’s experienced along the way. While Melbourne has played a big part in her growth, Quincy shares why she ultimately sees herself returning to Indonesia in the long run.
This episode is delivered in English and Bahasa Indonesia.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mention.
Find The Perantau Podcast on: Instagram |TikTok |LinkedIn |YouTube |ThePerantau.com
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:39 “Detached” sama komunitas Indonesia
02:08 Quincy siapa sih
02:55 Dunia akuntansi dan gimana kalo salah nama
10:51 Transisi ke dunia kerja
14:31 PPIA berguna ga sih?
19:40 Jadi orang Indo di kantor
21:30 Apa sih yang dimaksud “increase efficiency by 0.5%”
27:01 Indo v Melbourne dan self-development
32:42 Soft-skills, magang, dan nyari pengalaman kerja
Indonesian 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 saw her own grief reflected in the legend, uncovering deeper themes of violence, loss, and resilience.
Christie joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about how animation can be a tool for cultural storytelling, her transition from coding to filmmaking, and how she’s working to bridge Indonesian traditional arts with modern animation. She also shares her vision for the future by learning from Indonesian animators, reimagining folklore, and finding new ways to tell stories that matter.
This episode is primarily delivered in English.
The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mention.
Find the Perantau Podcast on: Instagram |TikTok |LinkedIn |YouTube |ThePerantau.com
How 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 Indonesia shaped his career, identity, and love for gamelan; the unexpected links between economics, community-building, and the arts; why Indonesian culture –despite its proximity to Australia –remains underappreciated in the local arts scene; and how the future of Indonesian traditional music might shape in Australia.
This episode is primarily delivered in Bahasa Indonesia.
Find the Perantau Podcast on: Instagram |TikTok |LinkedIn |YouTube |ThePerantau.com
Ramadan 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 to practice and preserve faith while living overseas. From his own journey of dakwah (Islamic outreach) across Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Australia to the unique struggles and strengths of Indonesian Muslim migrants, he shares insights on community-building, adapting to local realities, and finding meaning in the challenges of being a perantau.
This episode is delivered in Bahasa Indonesia. A transcript is available online.
Find the Perantau Podcast on: Instagram |TikTok |LinkedIn |YouTube |ThePerantau.com
Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction
(0:49) Relationship with Indonesia
(2:38) Leaving home and outside your comfort zone
(10:47) Dakwah in Hong Kong
(19:09) Ending up in Melbourne
(33:42) Ramadan in Melbourne
(42:49) Advice to Muslims abroad
What 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.
Joanne joins Billy Adison Aditijanto onThe Perantau Podcast to talk about how data, creativity, and community come together to empower young women in tech. While anyone can learn to code, what truly matters is how you use it—whether it’s through stitching, drawing, or writing, it’s all about making sense of the world in your own way.
This episode is predominantly delivered in English. A transcript is available online.
Find the Perantau Podcast on:Instagram |TikTok |LinkedIn |YouTube |ThePerantau.com
Chapters:
Intro (0:00)
Getting to Know Joanne (00:56)
From student to full-time work (2:50)
How a coding class during lockdown led to DGP (9:12)
Bringing an idea to life (16:03)
Does being Indonesian shape Jo's approach? (23:13)
Lessons from building & sustaining communities (27:33)
"Humans are data processing tools too" (31:30)
For 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 moved to Australia from Indonesia in 1975. Though beyond that, he’s also a passionate activist for Indonesian Chinese politics and identity, a passion driven by his own family history. So how does Australia’s Indonesian diaspora celebrate Lunar New Year? And does it differ between generations?
Siauw Tiong Djin joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast about what it’s like celebrating Imlek in Australia, exploring the traditions, how they bring people together in a foreign land, and the challenges younger Chinese-Indonesians face when it comes to finding and holding onto their identity.
This episode is predominantly delivered in Bahasa Indonesia. A transcript is available online.
Find the Perantau Podcast on: Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | ThePerantau.com
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 away.
Cheers,
Billy
Growing 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 his experiences have inspired him to contribute to a more inclusive future.
This episode is predominantly delivered in English. A transcript is available online.
Find the Perantau Podcast on: Instagram | LinkedIn | ThePerantau.com
Music by FASSounds. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.