Whether hiking through bamboo forests, spearfishing with your homestay father, or examining gender roles in the world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia is sure to challenge your worldview and stimulate your senses.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS & OUTCOMES

• Snorkel one of the world’s most pristine and endangered coral reefs in the Wakatobi National Park, and gain knowledge about complex marine conservation efforts.
• Learn a traditional skill or trade alongside a talented Javanese mentor such as silversmithing, batik, gamelan, wayung kulit (shadow-puppets), street art, cooking, martial arts and more.
• Meet with professionals, academics, community leaders, and laypeople to understand Indonesia’s colonial history, and current political state, and learn how it relates to larger geopolitical conversations 
• Explore the various religions of Indonesia and how history and places can shape local beliefs such as Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity, as well as Animist and Shamanistic traditions
• Return home with a deep appreciation for Indonesia’s ecological and cultural diversity, and a range of perspectives and stories to share

Our program begins in the rolling green hills of Dieng. Sitting over 6,000 feet above sea level, Dieng comes from the Javanese term Di Hyang which means “Abode of the Gods.” The location of the plateau is home to ancient Hindu temples dating back from the mid 7th-8th century AD and geothermal colored lakes. The temples are the oldest known standing stone structures in Java and were built as monuments to the god- ancestors and dedicated to Shiva. During this time, we’ll set individual intentions, learn how to stay safe and healthy emotionally and physically, get to know each other and begin to come together as a group and begin interacting with Indonesia both by learning some basic geography, history, culture, and language and by having our first interactions with locals. We’ll also have the opportunity to embark on some short hikes to see the geothermal activity in the area, learn about the local agriculture, and take in a stunning sunrise over the surrounding volcanic peaks with the call to prayer echoing in the background. 

Moving to the city of  Yogyakarta (Jogja, for short), we enter our first homestay living with families in the cultural and artistic heart of the island of Java. The modern and ancient mingle on Jogja’s streets, which are home to a unique blend of Javanese, Hindu, and Islamic tradition. This is the “urban” portion of the course, and we will take advantage of the city’s offerings by exploring its bustling markets, Sultan’s palace, and religious centers. Each day, we will also have introductory lessons in “Bahasa Indonesia,” one of the most accessible languages to learn in Asia. Students will also take part in short-term apprenticeships, also what we call Independent Study Projects (ISPs), with local artisans and experts, having the opportunity to learn new skills to bring back home.  

A few flights, boats and a lot of rugged travel take us to the archipelago of Wakatobi in southeast Sulawesi, home to the Bajau people, also known as the “sea nomads.” The Bajau live in stilted houses built over the open ocean and spend the majority of their lives on the water. We embrace their unique lifestyle, snorkeling over fragile reefs, attending indigenous ceremonies, and learning about conservation initiatives from local leaders. As we engage with the diverse peoples of Indonesia, we begin to understand that our definition of “community” extends far beyond the people in our own towns. Diverse experiences help expand our worldview and encourage us to be more mindful of the interconnected relationships.