Emails home: Michael

Semester 12... 30 June 2001

If I had to use one word to describe my stay here in yogya, it would be FUN! This semester has been the greatest experience ever, everything I had hoped for and so much more. Not a day has gone by where at the end of it I haven't been blown away at how good a time I have had, and how much I have learnt. Apart from the obvious language acquisition (which has been phenomenal - not just Indonesian, but also Javanese, and a little Arabic) this stay has taught me so much about Indonesian society and culture, and also a heaps about myself.

I'll try to give as brief an outline as possible. If I was to go into everything I've gained from the acicis experience I would be here all day... from the very beginning I knew I wanted as authentic an experience as it is possible for a bule to get in Yogya, so I carefully chose a kos that would facilitate this. I loved living a bit further away from uni, thereby isolating myself somewhat from the other acicis students, forcing me to use my language non-stop, and forcing me to create my own experiences. In everything I have done I have tried to live as much as possible as an Indonesian would, to gain the most from my experience. While this has provided a few hardships, it has been an amazing eye-opening experience, and enabled me to see "how the other half live" through my own eyes - it has also put me in a variety of situations that I could never have imagined myself in - and made me a better person in the process.

I have been involved in all sorts of activities in Yogya, some more formal than others. Soon after arriving my bapak kos realised the language resource he had access to and organised English classes for the neighbourhood at the kos. These informal classes, for children and adults, have been most rewarding - seeing students' confidence build, being able to offer something back to the community, and associating with a wide cross-section of the community, and having the opportunity to spread 'Australiana' throughout Karangkajen. I've also loved the opportunity to help out at Yayasan Sayap Ibu orphanage. Before this trip I'd never been to an orphanage, now I have been able to assist in one.

That somewhat sums up the Yogya experience, at home I had all these good intentions, but was trapped in routine, stepping out of that routine here has enabled me to throw myself into a variety of activities that have opened my eyes and put action to my intentions. I have also revelled in the opportunity to explore Java - trying to head away most weekends, checking out the amazing locations around the island, meeting people in all sorts of different settings, and most of all indulging my true passion - SURFING. Have scored some amazing waves in all sorts of isolated places and formed links that will keep me returning whenever possible for the rest of my life.

I have loved studying at UGM, getting the opportunity not only to boost my language skills but to explore how environmental issues are taught here, and get a feel of the direction Indonesia is heading by exploring the thoughts of the nations youth - Indonesia's future.

Every single aspect of my stay here has been an adventure, even the simplest things, and has taught me about this rich culture, and taught me heaps about me - who I am, how I fit into this big wide world, and what Ii can do to make this life worthwhile. The experience has been amazing, I have never felt so alive, or felt my eyes are so wide open....I have had so much FUN.