After three months in Indonesia, I've finally committed myself to writing in my blog on a regular basis. I've been incredibly busy here with teaching English, learning Bahasa Indonesia, applying for jobs and fellowships for next year, and immersing myself in the various cultures that exist within this unbelievably large country. I've had many unforgettable experiences and unique challenges, and I want to be able to look back and remember my time here.
In (belated) celebration of Thanksgiving and I want to devote this blog entry to many wonderful blessings I've had since I've arrived here. As I sit and think of my family, friends, professors, and mentors and wish everyone a belated Happy Thanksgiving, I'd like to share the things I'm thankful for this year.
I'm thankful for...
- My family back home, for their love, support, and willingness to let me go to Indonesia for a year. I miss them very much and wish I could share Indonesia with them.
- My friends in the States, who support me and keep in touch, even though I'm 12 hours ahead. They let me talk endlessly about my incredible experiences without being jealous and comfort me on the days when I'm discouraged. I miss them so much!
- My professors at University of Michigan, for kindling my interest in international relations, encouraging me to apply for every opportunity I found, and writing numerous letters of recommendation for me. I'm deeply indebted to them for this opportunity.
- My amazing and wonderful school, SMK Putra Bangsa. I couldn't have asked for a better placement and every day I realize how lucky I am to teach there. Such an amazing group of students and teachers.
- Ibu Vivi, my wonderful counterpart and co-teacher who graciously accepts my American style of teaching and always greets me with a smile. She is so incredibly encouraging and I'm blessed to work with her. It's exciting to work with someone who cares so much about her students and who is committed to helping them learn.
-Mr. Ubaid, the assistant principal at my school and my co-teacher. I am so privileged to work with someone who is very passionate about education and who has been so kind to me during my stay. His encouragement and excitement has helped me adjust to teaching in Indonesia and has made me feel extremely welcome.
- Ibu Sriyatin, the headmaster at my school. She is absolutely wonderful and has been extremely kind to me. She helped throw a surprise birthday party for me (arranged by always thoughtful Ibu Vivi), invited me to celebrate Eid-ul Adha with her family, and plans to take me to see the voting process tomorrow for elections, knowing that I studied politics.
- Ibu Kukuh and Pak Edi, Talya's counterpart and her husband. They are two of the most wonderful people I've met and have been incredibly supportive since Talya and I arrived here. Whenever there is a crisis (no power, no water, house flooding, canceled flights that leave me stranded in Indonesian airports), they are always there to fix the problem and help me adjust to my life here. Ibu Kukuh and Pak Edi have extended such amazing hospitality to me and I am truly grateful for their friendship.
- My students at Putra Bangsa. I teach 9 classes with the most amazing, energetic kids I've ever met. I love teaching and watching their faces light up when they understand a grammar concept or when they figure out how to formulate a proper sentence. This job is such a rewarding job and I'm lucky to work with my students.
- My 1st grade (freshman) Accounting class. 55 students (53 girls and 2 boys) who absolutely LOVE English and are always excited to learn. Every day, they greet me with such enthusiasm and are always eager to practice speaking English. They all have amazing senses of humor and I thoroughly enjoy teaching that class. It's definitely one of the highlights of my week.
- Bontang, my city, which continues to amaze me every day. It's exceptionally clean, especially for an Indonesian city, with little traffic and pollution. It's surrounding by rolling hills of dense Kalimantan jungle, making it possible for me to easily go hiking on the weekends. There is quite a bit of ethnic and religious diversity here, and I'm learning so much about the various cultures while I'm here.
- Being able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the traditional market. Why don't we have traditional markets back home? The local farmers market in the States is similar, but it's still not the same.
- The Christian community in Bontang. I started going to church here and immediately found a community that was very excited to get to know me. I've been invited to so many different events and was even lent a motorbike to use for the duration of my time here. I feel very loved and appreciated.
- Indonesian food. I love to eat everything here - nasi goreng (fried rice), tempe goreng (fried soybean slices), cap cay (steamed veggies), es kelapa (young coconut), es mangga (mango juice), ayam bakar (grilled chicken)...the list goes on.
- Kind people in Indonesia who treat me with compassion. I've been the recipient of so many random acts of kindness, reminding me of how important it is to care for strangers and foreigners back in my own country. Random strangers have taken me out to lunch, paid for my public transportation tickets, given me directions, negotiated on my behalf in Bahasa Indonesia, and done other compassionate things to let me know they care.
- The ability to act as a grassroots ambassador and represent the United States of America. I've been able to have the most interesting conversations with people and teach people about the principles that make America so unique. My students can't imagine a country where there are more than 5 recognized religions (like Indonesia) or where people have so much power over who runs their government. Some of my students come from areas with lots of religious or ethnic violence and can't fathom the idea of so many ethnic groups living together in one country without extreme violence. I love being able to talk to people about why America is so unique and so tolerant.
- Being a plane ride away from the most beautiful beaches in the world.
- Living 30 minutes from orangutans in their natural habitats.
- My fellow ETAs, who I can call/text/e-mail every day and know that I have supportive friends who are going through the same challenges I am. I love being able to visit other ETAs and am lucky to have such amazing friends.
- Living in one of the most diverse and incredible countries in the world. Indonesia is a beautiful country and I love teaching here. I'm SO blessed.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Intercultural Communication 101
Yesterday marks Day 5 of my 10 month adventure and I’ve already encountered what I anticipate will be my biggest challenge here in Indonesia: cultural misunderstandings and miscommucation. I’ve noticed, in my current teaching program and during my trip last year, that many things end up lost in translation…literally. Considering that my Bahasa Indonesia abilities are limited to a few key phrases, including berapa harganya (how much is it?) and saya pedangang (I’m a teacher), though, I find it difficult to be upset when words don’t translate as I intend. Just as I struggle to learn Bahasa (and juggle Arabic and Spanish as well), so Indonesians struggle with three (or more languages) themselves. Bahasa Indonesia, although the official state language of Indonesia, is not the only language spoken by Indonesians. Many people speak local languages, like Javanese and Sundanese on Java, Balinese on Bali, and so forth. In addition to that, some people attempt to learn English, which I’m finding is a more difficult language than I, a native speaker, realized. As I prepare to teach English to my students, I need to keep in mind the fact that English is a difficult language with sentence structure far different than that to which my students are accustomed.
Still, the miscommunications/misunderstandings complicate matters. For example, yesterday morning hotel housekeepers accidentally took some of my clothes away, assuming I wanted them washed (which I didn’t, especially at $1.50 or so an item). Even though I immediately requested that the items be returned unwashed, I ended up getting them late last night, soaking wet. I now have a laundry bill to pay. Last night, I spent 40 minutes attempting to explain to sales clerks at a Jakarta mall what I was looking for in one of Jakarta’s largest department stores. Even in Indonesia’s most-populated city in which many English-speaking ex-pats live, there are many here who do not speak English.
Lack of lingual understanding also frustrates me in that I am unable to respond to people’s friendly inquiries as they attempt to learn more about me and why I’m here in Indonesia. I’d love to be able to share more than a basic where I’m from and what I’m doing in Indonesia. I want to ask about Ramadan here, inquire as to where people have been and what their goals and dreams are. I want to learn more about the culture and the people, and find out what they think of America. However, I’m obstructed by my inability to communicate in Bahasa Indonesia.
At the same time, however, I’m discovering ways of communicating without words. A smile says a thousand words here in Indonesia, filling the linguistic gap I continually encounter as I explore Indonesia. People eye me curiously, wondering why a bule (foreigner) would wander around the cramped, narrow back streets of Jakarta’s most populated residential areas. I’ve noticed that people eagerly attempt to use the limited English vocabulary they know in order to engage me in conversation. As we, Indonesians and American bule, struggle to use the other’s language to communicate, we catch each other’s eyes and smile, and in that simple act, express what we’ve been trying to say for several minutes. “I don’t understand Indonesian,” I wince as I offer an apologetic smile, “but I want to learn about life here in spite of that.” “We don’t know the words to say, but we’re interested in learning more about you and why you’re wandering down our street,” they seem to reply. In that moment, there is a second of mutual understanding. We don’t understand each other, but we both acknowledge that the other is attempting to communicate. That in itself is sufficient for now…until I learn a bit more Bahasa.
Still, the miscommunications/misunderstandings complicate matters. For example, yesterday morning hotel housekeepers accidentally took some of my clothes away, assuming I wanted them washed (which I didn’t, especially at $1.50 or so an item). Even though I immediately requested that the items be returned unwashed, I ended up getting them late last night, soaking wet. I now have a laundry bill to pay. Last night, I spent 40 minutes attempting to explain to sales clerks at a Jakarta mall what I was looking for in one of Jakarta’s largest department stores. Even in Indonesia’s most-populated city in which many English-speaking ex-pats live, there are many here who do not speak English.
Lack of lingual understanding also frustrates me in that I am unable to respond to people’s friendly inquiries as they attempt to learn more about me and why I’m here in Indonesia. I’d love to be able to share more than a basic where I’m from and what I’m doing in Indonesia. I want to ask about Ramadan here, inquire as to where people have been and what their goals and dreams are. I want to learn more about the culture and the people, and find out what they think of America. However, I’m obstructed by my inability to communicate in Bahasa Indonesia.
At the same time, however, I’m discovering ways of communicating without words. A smile says a thousand words here in Indonesia, filling the linguistic gap I continually encounter as I explore Indonesia. People eye me curiously, wondering why a bule (foreigner) would wander around the cramped, narrow back streets of Jakarta’s most populated residential areas. I’ve noticed that people eagerly attempt to use the limited English vocabulary they know in order to engage me in conversation. As we, Indonesians and American bule, struggle to use the other’s language to communicate, we catch each other’s eyes and smile, and in that simple act, express what we’ve been trying to say for several minutes. “I don’t understand Indonesian,” I wince as I offer an apologetic smile, “but I want to learn about life here in spite of that.” “We don’t know the words to say, but we’re interested in learning more about you and why you’re wandering down our street,” they seem to reply. In that moment, there is a second of mutual understanding. We don’t understand each other, but we both acknowledge that the other is attempting to communicate. That in itself is sufficient for now…until I learn a bit more Bahasa.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Eat Pray Love
So I've read Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat Pray Love" a couple times and I must confess, I'm quite a fan of the book, although I think she gives a very...tourist perspective of Bali. That's fine by me, though; after all, she WAS a tourist. haha
Anyway, I'm eager for the release of the film based on the book (with Julia Roberts cast as Ms. Gilbert) next week, mostly because I'm hoping that the publicity will help Bali rejuvinate its tourist industry. Ever since the nightclub bombings in Kuta, Bali's tourism has been a bit shakey. Last summer, people told me that tourism was picking up again, but even years after the attack occurred, the region still suffers with the scars of terrorism. Maybe "Eat Pray Love" can bring people to Bali again.
On a final note...did I mention my group stayed with Gilbert's medicine man, Ketut Liyer, last summer? Thank you Agustini and Charlie - that was truly an incredible experience.
Go see the film. Then go to Bali.
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810105588/info
Anyway, I'm eager for the release of the film based on the book (with Julia Roberts cast as Ms. Gilbert) next week, mostly because I'm hoping that the publicity will help Bali rejuvinate its tourist industry. Ever since the nightclub bombings in Kuta, Bali's tourism has been a bit shakey. Last summer, people told me that tourism was picking up again, but even years after the attack occurred, the region still suffers with the scars of terrorism. Maybe "Eat Pray Love" can bring people to Bali again.
On a final note...did I mention my group stayed with Gilbert's medicine man, Ketut Liyer, last summer? Thank you Agustini and Charlie - that was truly an incredible experience.
Go see the film. Then go to Bali.
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810105588/info
The beginning...or introduction, if you like.
Welcome, friends and family back in the States, to my official blog of my next nine months of adventure in Indonesia! I've been officially placed in a vocational school in Bontang, a coastal town in the region of East Kalimantan on Borneo. For those new to Southeast Asian geography, I've included a link to a map of Indonesia: http://www.indonesian-food.88eight.com/images/indonesia-map.gif
I'm deeply grateful to my family and friends for being willing to let me run away to the tropics for the next year to learn about Indonesian language, culture, and life, even though I'll miss holidays and be gone for quite a substantial amount of time. I'm also very much indebted to all of my professors and mentors at the University of Michigan whose passion for international relations/politics and cultural appreciation helped me develop my own passion for intercultural understanding. Without the constant patience, guidance, and help from these professors and mentors, I wouldn't have developed an interest in diplomacy or applied for Fulbright in the first place. I can't express enough how grateful I am.
A bit about Indonesia...
Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country, which surprises many people, considering the country is not in the Middle East but in Southeast Asia. According to the Indonesian constitution, there are 5 official government recognized religions - Islam, Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Bahasa Indonesia is the official state-sponsored language, but there are hundreds of locally spoken languages, like Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese, and so forth. (My knowledge of a local language consists of counting from 1 to 5 in Balinese...I consider this an achievement ^_^ ). Traveling through Indonesia, one can visually see how unique and diverse the country is. For example, Borobudur is one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world. See http://gregor.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/borobodur-indonesia.jpg . It's on the island of Java, which has the largest Muslim population of all the islands and also a significant number of Christians. Yet it's one of the most popular tourist attractions for all faiths. Bali is incredibly interesting because its population is predominately Hindu. Indonesia, in my opinion, presents an absolutely fascinating case study for religious diversity.
I don't really know how to begin describing Indonesia. It has an incredibly rich, fascinating history and the political system is an interesting experiment in mass scale democracy. I find it interesting that a country so large has attempted to decentralize its government so much. When I was in Indonesia last summer, people told me that decentralization has its merits, but it also has challenges. How, for example, do you manage a system in which one district decides to implement Islamic law while the next district over doesn't? That's decentralized democracy for you.
I'm absolutely thrilled to spend the next nine months abroad. I eventually want to pursue a graduate degree in international relations, focusing on policy toward Muslim countries, and believe that living in another country will provide me with an excellent opportunity to explore intercultural communication and understanding. Most of all, though, I hope to provide my students with the same passion for learning that my professors bestowed upon me.
I'm deeply grateful to my family and friends for being willing to let me run away to the tropics for the next year to learn about Indonesian language, culture, and life, even though I'll miss holidays and be gone for quite a substantial amount of time. I'm also very much indebted to all of my professors and mentors at the University of Michigan whose passion for international relations/politics and cultural appreciation helped me develop my own passion for intercultural understanding. Without the constant patience, guidance, and help from these professors and mentors, I wouldn't have developed an interest in diplomacy or applied for Fulbright in the first place. I can't express enough how grateful I am.
A bit about Indonesia...
Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country, which surprises many people, considering the country is not in the Middle East but in Southeast Asia. According to the Indonesian constitution, there are 5 official government recognized religions - Islam, Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Bahasa Indonesia is the official state-sponsored language, but there are hundreds of locally spoken languages, like Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese, and so forth. (My knowledge of a local language consists of counting from 1 to 5 in Balinese...I consider this an achievement ^_^ ). Traveling through Indonesia, one can visually see how unique and diverse the country is. For example, Borobudur is one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world. See http://gregor.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/borobodur-indonesia.jpg . It's on the island of Java, which has the largest Muslim population of all the islands and also a significant number of Christians. Yet it's one of the most popular tourist attractions for all faiths. Bali is incredibly interesting because its population is predominately Hindu. Indonesia, in my opinion, presents an absolutely fascinating case study for religious diversity.
I don't really know how to begin describing Indonesia. It has an incredibly rich, fascinating history and the political system is an interesting experiment in mass scale democracy. I find it interesting that a country so large has attempted to decentralize its government so much. When I was in Indonesia last summer, people told me that decentralization has its merits, but it also has challenges. How, for example, do you manage a system in which one district decides to implement Islamic law while the next district over doesn't? That's decentralized democracy for you.
I'm absolutely thrilled to spend the next nine months abroad. I eventually want to pursue a graduate degree in international relations, focusing on policy toward Muslim countries, and believe that living in another country will provide me with an excellent opportunity to explore intercultural communication and understanding. Most of all, though, I hope to provide my students with the same passion for learning that my professors bestowed upon me.
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