About Indonesia

Definitely will be working on this page as my service continues, but for now, this is what I have

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Tell me a little bit more about Indonesia…

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The Republic of Indonesia is the fourth most populous country right after the US. It’s located in Southeast Asia, and spans into Oceania as well, with approximately 17,000 islands included in its territory. The country “consists of hundreds of distinct native ethnic and linguistic groups, with the largest—and politically dominant—ethnic group being the Javanese. A shared identity has developed, defined by a national language, ethnic diversity, religious pluralism within a Muslim-majority population, and a history of colonialism and rebellion against it” (thanks Wikipedia). With incredible natural beauty, widespread cultural diversity, and distinct culinary experiences, Indonesia is also fondly known by Peace Corps Volunteers as a land of friendly people and big smiles.

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What language do they speak?

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Indonesian, duh! Jokes aside, the country has a national language called Bahasa Indonesia (bahasa meaning language), but each region has it’s own language that’s separate. For example, in East Java, they also speak Javanese, which is its own language, not a dialect of Indonesian. Read more about Bahasa Indonesia here.

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What’s the food like?

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As a diverse country with a vibrant and rich culture, Indonesian cuisine is full of flavor, with influences from its various regions and surrounding countries. Also, vegetarianism is relatively well represented in Indonesia and there’s veg dishes with meat substitutes that are served (tofu and tempeh ftw!!) but meat products are usually mixed with these dishes.

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From the Peace Corps Indo website, “It may be no surprise that the staple food in Indonesia is rice. Across Java, tastes differ. A popular traditional dish in East Java is pecel which is steamed vegetables in peanut sauce, while in West Java, vegetables are commonly eaten raw in a dish called lalapan. A favorite dish there is karedok, raw vegetables in peanut sauce. A wide range of vegetables are available in the markets, year round. Fruits that are generally available year around include bananas, papayas, oranges, watermelon, melon, and apples. White rice is most common; however brown rice is usually available in large urban supermarkets, while oatmeal and cereals are generally available at local convenience stores. Many people consume tempeh and tofu as their main source of protein. However, fish is usually available, and cows, goats, and chicken are raised locally. Javanese dishes tend to be oily and spicy. Eating in restaurants can be challenging for vegetarians because meat is often mixed in with dishes featuring tofu or vegetables. Eating the food provided by your host family, or cooking your own food, is cheaper and healthier than eating in restaurants.”

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Does it get cold?

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Well, it’s a tropical climate. Indonesia lies on the equator, and for the most part, the country is hot, humid and wet, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s, and humidity hitting around 70 – 90%. Imagine New York in August! Good stuff! Their rainy season runs from October to April, and it’s one of the rainiest places on Earth! In areas of higher altitudes, temperatures can get lower, but for the most part, no it doesn’t get cold there.

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So, what exactly are you doing there?

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I am serving as an English teacher and teacher trainer Volunteer, my goals include:

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1. improving student’s English learning,

2. enhancing their life and academic skills,

3. increasing Indonesian teacher’s English skills, and

4. improving teachers’ instructional capacity

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Projects will focus on improving students’ English acquisition, increasing student motivation and confidence, improving teachers’ English communication and teaching skills, or creating opportunities for life skills and leadership skills acquisition among students and youth. Volunteers serve in Indonesian middle schools, high schools, or vocational school. Students’ language abilities vary, and my students may have a basic understanding of the language, or a more intermediate understanding of it. I will also serve with a counterpart, an Indonesian national that I will co-teach with.

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Sick! So can I visit you in Bali?

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Sure, but there’s a lot more to Indonesia than just Bali (even though it is a pretty awesome place). I’ll be placed either on the island of Java or in East Nusa Tenggara, which are not too far from Bali. Java has been voted the best island in the world by Travel and Leisure, offers beautiful beaches, kind and friendly residents, and UNESCO world heritage sites.