Ambassadors from Australia's closest neighbouring country have been staying with host families in Canberra and doing work placements throughout the ACT since mid-October.
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The 18 Australian Indonesian Youth Exchange Program visitors have shared cultural performances at local schools, universities and community groups every Monday.
Students from the senior and junior sites of the Gold Creek School in Nicholls were among those who enjoyed the enriching experience.
They were treated to a stunning display of synchronicity and body percussion as the AIYEP participants led them through a colourful program of dance and song last week.
Dressed in traditional outfits for their show's opening pageant, the smiling visitors gave their audience a glimpse of a world that is as diverse as it is beautiful.
The elaborate costumes hinted at the variety running through the archipelago of Indonesia: just as there are thousands of islands, so there are hundreds of dialects and tongues.
Philip De Zylva, who teaches Indonesian language and science at the Gold Creek Senior School, is among the AIYEP alumni.
He was a group leader for the 2011-2012 party and travelled to Sumatra, staying in Riau and its capital Pekanbaru.
"I've still got an ongoing relationship with my family over there," Mr De Zylva said.
Forging connections and fostering cultural understanding between Australia and Indonesia is central to the program.
Mr De Zylva assisted in community development during his stay on the island, building and painting playground equipment and constructing a giant fence between a soccer field and a road.
He recalled how everything had to go through the kepala desa or village head.
"It was a fantastic introduction to the culture and language," he said. .
"Australia is not in a bubble; English is only spoken by 25 per cent of the world's population."
Mr De Zylva said Bahasa Indonesia, the country's official language, served to unite the different islands.
AIYEP participant Suryadi Prianda, who helped Mr De Zylva during his work placement in Canberra, found it "very interesting to experience the Australian classroom".
Another of the Indonesian visitors, Jovia Mariana, was engaged on the Gold Creek junior site.
Not all the ambassadors were attached to schools, with work placements at Questacon and the Indonesian embassy, among others.
From Canberra, the Indonesian participants move to Ulladulla for several weeks.
AIYEP operates under an agreement between the Australian and Indonesian governments.
