RHIANNON Murray is still pinching herself after winning a scholarship to study in Indonesia for a year.

The Yamba local was accepted in the ACICIS Development Studies Immersion Program to help assist impoverished communities in Indonesia to develop in an economic and environmentally sustainable way, starting in February.

Rhiannon, who has just finished her first year of an International Studies degree at Flinders University, also received an Asia Bound grant of $5000 to assist in her travels.

Rhiannon said that this was an excellent opportunity to provide some real assistance.

"This scholarship is huge for me, because it enables me to go to over there and experience Indonesia first hand, and give me a future in working in Indonesia and help people out," she said.

"It's going to be a big challenge, but I am really looking forward to it.

"I want to be involved in the development of local communities and help make a change, and not just throw money at it."

The ACICIS program involves compiling reports on methods of development and is specifically aimed at rural communities.

Their objective is to empower the locals of the community to achieve sustainable economic growth through advanced farming techniques, improve life expectancy and healthcare, and increase education outcomes.

Rhiannon believes it is important to promote these sustainable outcomes, especially in Indonesia.

"Indonesia is our closest neighbour, and is becoming more important with trade so it is an important place," she said.

Rhiannon hopes to move on to bigger things, with the eventual goal being a part of a UN aid project.

But before that she has to start packing her bags.

This will be her first time to Indonesia, and she still can't believe it's all happening so fast.

"I still can't believe I got it, my friends are a bit jealous I think."