In brief
A Jakarta‑hosted career expo highlighted the growing interest among Indonesian youth in studying and working abroad through Chinese language skills. The event drew 3,000 participants and showcased 21 institutions, featured students like Calysta Wijaya, and included success stories such as graduate Dexter Godwin. Chinese language teachers and alumni underscored the expanding role of Mandarin in Indonesia’s education system.
The 2026 Indonesia HSK study in China and career expo, held in Jakarta on Sunday, brought together 21 Chinese universities—including Peking University and Tsinghua University—and attracted about 3,000 Indonesian students, language learners and parents seeking study opportunities in China. The event showcased the growing interest in Chinese education and opportunities for Indonesian youth to advance their academic and career prospects abroad.
Among the crowds at the exhibition was Calysta Jacqueline Wijaya, a 16‑year‑old high school student who has been learning Chinese for 11 years. Though only in her first year of high school, Calysta already plans admission to a Chinese university and wants to study pharmacy in China. She hopes to bring professional knowledge back to Indonesia to help more people, and she is working to improve her score on the Chinese Proficiency Test, or HSK, as she prepares to apply to Chinese universities.
"I want to study pharmacy in China," Calysta told Xinhua, noting that she hopes to bring professional knowledge back to Indonesia to help more people.
Her classmate, Richard Dharma Hungnata, also a Chinese language learner, shares a similar aspiration. Having studied Chinese since his first year of primary school, the 15‑year‑old can already communicate fluently in the language. Previous visits to Beijing, Shanghai and other Chinese cities have left him deeply impressed by China’s development. With a strong interest in mathematics and physics, Richard hopes to study engineering at a Chinese university and plans to take the HSK exam after his second year of high school, aiming for a higher score to strengthen his university applications.
Their Chinese teacher, Zheng Wenting, who also heads a Mandarin education centre in Indonesia, has witnessed growing enthusiasm for the language. Zheng told Xinhua that more Indonesian parents have become interested in having their children learn Chinese in recent years, while an increasing number of students are aspiring to study in China. Reflecting this trend, enrollment at her institution has grown from about 50 students per intake a decade ago to nearly 500 today.
In addition to student participation, the expo highlighted alumni success stories. Dexter Godwin, an Indonesian graduate who earned his degree in petroleum engineering in China, now works in Indonesia, illustrating how graduates use their language skills and educational background to contribute to local development. His experience underscores the practical value of Chinese language education for Indonesian career prospects.
The presence of 21 Chinese universities, including some of China’s most prestigious institutions, signals the depth of opportunity for Indonesian students. The event offered information on admission requirements, scholarship options, and cultural exchange programs, allowing participants to map a path from language proficiency to university placement and career advancement.
Attendance by parents and educators highlighted the increasing role of Chinese language studies within Indonesian schools. The growth in student enrollment at Mandarin education centres indicates a shift toward incorporating language skills that align with global academic and economic networks. Through the expo, institutions emphasized support services such as preparatory courses for the HSK exam and mentorship programs to guide students through application and transition processes.
Overall, the Jakarta expo served as a showcase for how mastery of Chinese can open academic doors to leading universities in China and position Indonesian graduates favorably in both domestic and international job markets. It also illustrated the expanding collaboration between Indonesian educational stakeholders and Chinese universities, fostering a new generation of bilingual professionals.
By enabling students like Calysta, Richard, and Dexter to pursue study and work opportunities abroad, the event positions language learning not just as a skill but as a strategic asset in Indonesia’s broader educational and career development strategies.
