1. Accommodation
On-Campus Accommodation
All freshmen of UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim are obliged to stay in ma’had (dormitory) for a year, including foreign students. The university has several dorms located in all three campuses.
After a year, those who still want to stay in ma’had can contact the personin-charge for applying
Off-Campus Accommodation
If you want to live off-campus, after a year in ma’had, it is best that you physically inspect the property before signing a contract. Make sure you allow time to look for accommodation. There are a variety of off-campus accommodation options that range from shared accommodation and boarding house.
Shared accommodation is where a number of housemates share an apartment or a house, and can offer good value for money to students. The facilities are varied. Some include internet connection, others may not. You may find shared accommodation listings on popular websites, such as mamikos.com.
Boarding house accommodation is a house (frequently a family home) in which lodgers rent one or more rooms for one or more nights, and sometimes for extended periods of weeks, months, and years. Many of the lodgers might not advertise their accommodations via online, so you have to do the physical survey.
2. Money, Banking, and Budgeting
a. Setting Up a Bank Account
Generally, for bank account registration, you should prepare documents,
(1) Personal Documents: Passports & KITAS/KITAP
(2) Balance and Deposit: Initial deposit around IDR 200,000
For further information, visit the customer services in a bank you want to register to. For
foreigners, each bank may have different requirements or documents they need in order to
process the bank account registration.
b. Exchanging Currency
Students must bring adequate Rupiah currency prior to their arrival in Indonesia. If you do not bring any, you are advised to change some right after you arrive. Some money changing facilities are available in the airports, money-changer rates are usually slightly higher for cash. You can also visit banks and money changers in the city who offer the most competitive exchange rates.
3. Working and Worker’s Rights
As student visa holder, international students are not allowed to work/earn a living while studying in Indonesia.
4. Transport
a. Angkot (Minivans)
Angkot (minivans), in bright blue color, is the most common means of public transportation in Malang. Because they are coded, make sure to know which angkot you can hop in according to your destination. Of the many angkots, the ones passing by in front of Campus 1 of UIN Malang are AL, LG, and GL.
b. Train
Train service can be an option if you want to go to cities outside Malang. For example, if you want to go to Surabaya, you can use local train (KRL) pricing around IDR 12,000 to 15,000. If you want to go further, the long-distant train is needed, and the price is based on the level (Economy, Business, Executive, Sleeper). To book the train service, you can download the KAI app from your mobile phone.
c. Online Transport
Online transportation has become one of the popular means of transportation, nowadays. It is popular among students. To book the online transportation (motorcycle or car), you, firstly, need to download the application. The price range is competitive among online transportation service providers. You can also gain some vouchers, if you’re lucky. Some well-known options are: Gojek and Grab.
d. Driving
Other options besides using public or online transportations are using private or rental vehicles. To get a rental vehicle, you can visit several vehicle rental services around the campus or ask your campus friends.