Lessons Learned from Studying Abroad in Indonesia

 Hi! My name is Elizabeth and I studied abroad in Indonesia this past summer. I was in Indonesia for 6 weeks studying Biodiversity and Conservation as well as their national language, Bahasa. I had an incredible experience and want to encourage all students to study abroad, even if it's not for a full semester. Here are some lessons that I learned throughout the process:

• Don't be afraid to travel alone! There were twelve students on my trip and we all came from different universities. Nobody knew each other until we met in Indonesia. This gave us the best experience with each other and we all felt comfortable while traveling halfway across the world alone. Although it may seem daunting to go abroad alone, it makes for a more authentic experience when you are not with a friend from your university. 
• It is more affordable than you think! The HPU Study Abroad Office has compiled a list of numerous scholarships to apply to on top of any academic scholarship you may already have from HPU. If you are interested in studying abroad but are concerned with the affordability, set up a meeting with the Study Abroad Office. 
• The language barrier is not an issue. Outside of the tourist areas in Indonesia, most people do not speak English and, in fact, many do not speak the national language either, only their local dialect. My host family and I could not verbally communicate but we were still able to communicate with each other and it made for a great learning experience. I never felt uncomfortable when I couldn't communicate with others in English, we always found ways to get our message to each other. 

Discovering My Future

I have always had a passion for cooking. Ever since I can remember I was always in the kitchen cooking up something. My favorite thing was to explore the cabinets and piece together recipes with the ingredients we had on hand. In deciding what I wanted to do with my life I chose my biggest dream of Marine Biology. However, with the help of this experience abroad, I have found it may not be my main goal. Taking a cooking class with the amazing Silom cooking school in Bangkok, coupled with not being able to cook in my small apartment, had me come to the realization of just how important cooking is in my life. Being away from the ocean and forced to take the hard science courses required for my degree allowed me to realize how field research, lab reports, and especially math or chemistry; will only leading to my stress and sadness. On the other hand, educating people about conservation and inspiring people with the passion I feel for the ocean is something I could thrive in doing. It is now my goal to graduate with a Bachelor of Marine Science and then further my education with a Culinary Business degree. With the help of these degrees, I hope to one day open my own Whale Watching Cruise exploring marine life while serving my guests a plant-based brunch and educating them on not only the animals but more sustainable practices in life in order to save them. This enlightening journey opened a new path for my future that I am excited to explore.