This is my post-reflection blog post after my study abroad in Bali and Java in Indonesia. The program was cut shorts about 2 weeks because of Mt. Agung (volcano) erupting in Bali (sad, sad). I am still trying to process these last few months for me. The best words to describe them (although I can perceive that some words chosen may be cliché) are: intense, healing, life changing, unforgettable, eye-opening, and busy! I decided I wanted to go to Indonesia for the following reasons: to learn about Asian religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Confucianism), learn about Balinese and Javanese cultures, learn about the social problems of the largest archipelago in the world, understand how culture and religion can be deeply interconnected in some areas of the world, unwind and enjoy picturesque islands around Indonesia, push myself and my perceived limits, leave my comfort zone, take numerous and diverse art classes, make friendships with the locals, get a deep insight into traditional Balinese and Javanese family lifestyles, intern for an NGO that stands for an environmental cause, explore natural environments through hiking and other sports, and learn a new language. I can say that I confidently did all those things in just about 4 months. I have lived a lifetime of learning in just 14 weeks.
I wish I could give back to Indonesia all that it has given me. I know that I can’t because the amount of life lessons and aha moments that this country gave me is uncountable and seemingly endless. I have lived in different countries for a big part of my life and have always loved that about my history because it has made me feel like I created homes around the world and made family out of once strangers in my life. Going to Indonesia has further enhanced these feelings and thoughts of mine about being a citizen of the world. More than ever I am convinced that we are all one and interconnected in numerous ways. More than ever do I understand that no country is better or worse than the other (it is different!), more than ever I have learned the importance of traveling to understand oneself and the “others”. More than ever I appreciate what I have and took for granted. More than ever I also learned to have a social/political… cosmopolitan(?) responsibility to learn about the others not only for mere curiosity and self-discovery, but also to see how it is that I can make positive changes in this world to help others’ lives.
I will remember the places I was, the lessons I learned, and the classes I took thoroughly. I will also remember the people I met. Someone once told me to pay close attention to the people I met when traveling to distant lands because they will be a bigger part of my study abroad experience than I could foresee. So with this, I have to say: I will remember the friends I made while in the program, the locals I met, the host families I stayed with (4 in total!), the teachers and staff of SIT that guided and directed me, the children and dogs that were always friendly and playing everywhere, the other tourists I met, the restaurant workers, the art teachers who taught me skills I never thought I’d learn, the staff from my internship at TCEC, the priests, Balian healers, monks and gurus of different religions, the speakers for the various lecturers, the singers and dancers who entertained many of my nights, hostel workers and the overall tourist industry staff that I interacted with, and the overall Indonesian community that always met me with big welcoming smiles wherever I went in the country.
Choosing only one country to go to was hard for me: the possibilities of where to study were endless and I know I would be happy in all the places I considered studying abroad. However, I cannot imagine growing anywhere more than I did in Indonesia. My only regret is not studying abroad maybe twice! I cannot thank Rollins enough for adopting the SIT Study Abroad program into their curriculum and being so supportive to students for studying abroad. Rollins wants its students to be world citizens and with SIT Study Abroad, the program ensures that you are not a mere tourist on vacation for the months you are away from your home country. This was what made my experience so wholesome: this study abroad program was intense, demanding and fruitful. It let me be a tourist when I wished, but it pushed me to learn and try to become as much of a local as I potentially could.
Indonesia, I cannot wait to come back to you. I have so much more to explore and learn from your beautiful islands.