Living in Yogyakarta for 3 Months: What International Students Should Expect
Moving to another country is exciting.
It is also challenging.
Every year, students from Europe, North America, Australia, and other parts of Asia come to Yogyakarta for exchange programs, internships, field research, language courses, and university collaborations. Most arrive eager to experience Indonesia’s culture, food, and academic environment.
What many do not expect is how quickly Yogyakarta begins to feel different from home—and how important it becomes to find a place where they can settle comfortably.
If you are planning to spend three months in Yogyakarta, here are some things you should know before you arrive.
Yogyakarta Is More Than a Student City
Yogyakarta is often called Indonesia’s student capital.
Home to Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and dozens of other universities, the city attracts students from across Indonesia and around the world.
Yet Yogyakarta is much more than a university city.
It is a place where traditional culture and modern student life coexist. Ancient temples stand alongside coffee shops. Traditional markets operate next to co-working spaces. Local families share neighborhoods with students, artists, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
For international students, this creates a unique experience that feels both educational and deeply cultural.
Many visitors arrive expecting a busy city.
Instead, they discover a city with a slower rhythm and a strong sense of community.
The First Month: Excitement and Adjustment
Most international students experience what is often called the “honeymoon phase.”
Everything feels new.
The food is interesting. The people are welcoming. The city feels affordable and full of discovery.
During this period, students often spend their weekends exploring:
- Malioboro
- Pasar Beringharjo
- Prambanan Temple
- Borobudur
- local cafés
- traditional markets
But after several weeks, another reality begins to emerge.
Students start adjusting to:
- a different language
- a tropical climate
- transportation habits
- unfamiliar routines
- academic expectations
This adjustment period is completely normal.
It is also why having comfortable accommodation becomes increasingly important.
Learning to Live Like a Local
One of the greatest benefits of spending three months in Yogyakarta is the opportunity to experience daily Indonesian life.
Unlike short-term tourists, international students begin to develop routines.
They learn where to buy groceries.
They discover favorite cafés.
They find shortcuts to campus.
They build relationships with neighbors and classmates.
Over time, Yogyakarta becomes less of a destination and more of a temporary home.
Students who embrace this slower rhythm often gain the most meaningful experiences from their stay.
The Challenge of Homesickness
Almost every international student experiences homesickness at some point.
Sometimes it happens after a difficult day.
Sometimes after a video call with family.
Sometimes during holidays or weekends when life feels quieter.
This feeling is not a sign that something is wrong.
It is simply part of adapting to a new environment.
What helps most during these moments is often not entertainment or tourism.
It is routine.
A familiar place.
A comfortable room.
A quiet corner to read.
A shared kitchen where you can prepare food from home.
A welcoming environment where you feel safe and supported.
These small details often make the biggest difference.
Why Accommodation Matters More Than You Think
When students first search for accommodation, they often focus on practical things:
WiFi. Location. Price. Air conditioning.
These are important.
However, students who stay for several months usually discover that other factors become equally valuable.
They begin to appreciate:
peace and quiet,
clean shared spaces,
a safe neighborhood,
comfortable communal areas,
and a place that feels welcoming rather than transactional.
After a busy day of classes, research, or internship work, returning to a calm environment can significantly improve wellbeing and productivity.
Transportation Is Easier Than It Looks
Many students worry about transportation before arriving.
Fortunately, daily life in Yogyakarta is relatively easy to navigate.
Ride-hailing services such as Grab and Gojek are widely available and affordable.
Most destinations can be reached within a short drive.
Students living near UGM often find that cafés, restaurants, convenience stores, and campus facilities are all within easy reach.
Because of this, choosing accommodation in a well-connected neighborhood often matters more than owning transportation.
Food Becomes Part of the Experience
One of the highlights of living in Yogyakarta is discovering Indonesian food.
Students quickly become familiar with dishes such as:
Gudeg,
Nasi Goreng,
Soto,
Bakso,
and countless local specialties.
At the same time, many students occasionally miss the comfort of familiar meals.
This is why access to a kitchen can be surprisingly important during a long stay.
Being able to prepare breakfast, make coffee, cook pasta, or share a meal with friends helps create a sense of normality and balance.
Finding the Right Environment for Study and Focus
Students often underestimate how important their living environment becomes during a three-month stay.
Research projects, thesis work, internship reports, and online meetings all require concentration.
Unfortunately, not all accommodation options are designed for academic living.
Noisy neighborhoods, crowded hostels, and party-oriented environments can quickly become distracting.
Many students eventually seek something simpler:
a quiet place where they can focus.
A place where mornings begin peacefully.
A place where evenings feel restorative rather than exhausting.
Why Many International Students Choose Griya Ewolu
Located in Pogung Baru near Universitas Gadjah Mada, Griya Ewolu was created for guests who value calmness, flexibility, and meaningful hospitality.
Rather than functioning as a hotel or a crowded hostel, Griya Ewolu offers a quieter approach to temporary living.
Guests enjoy comfortable long-stay accommodation, shared spaces designed for reading and discussion, kitchen access, and a peaceful atmosphere that supports both study and wellbeing.
For many students, researchers, and interns, the experience feels less like renting a room and more like finding a temporary home.
Your Three Months Will Pass Faster Than You Think
Most students arrive expecting an academic experience.
Many leave with something more.
New friendships.
Greater independence.
Cultural understanding.
Personal growth.
And memories that stay with them long after returning home.
Yogyakarta has a way of leaving a lasting impression.
The key is finding a place where you can truly experience it—not as a visitor, but as someone temporarily belonging to the city.
Welcome to Griya Ewolu
A quiet academic home near UGM.
A place to study, reflect, and experience Yogyakarta at your own pace.
Whether you are coming for an exchange program, internship, research project, or cultural immersion, we look forward to welcoming you.
GRIYA EWOLU
Pogung Baru Blok E No. 8, Jl Kaliurang Km.4, Yogyakarta
Click here for direction in google maps
Klik untuk Chat: 0816-1989-414 (Wisnu)
Quiet Academic Living | Flexible Monthly Stay | Home Away From Home