Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Off to Indonesia tomorrow!

Welcome to my blog about my year as an English Language Fellow in Gorontalo, Indonesia! This program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered through Georgetown University. I will be teaching for 10 months at Gorontalo State University (aka Universitas Negeri Gorontalo) on the island of Sulawesi.

I was thrilled when I found out I was going to be sent to Indonesia. I hear the people are friendly, the language is easy to learn, the food is good (depending on who you ask) and the town I’ll be working in is supposed to be gorgeous and close to some of the best diving sites in the world!

So what have I done to prepare myself for this big adventure? Well, I’ve been trying to learn some Bahasa Indonesia with Rosetta Stone and the free podcasts on www.learningindonesian.com. I got my PADI open water diver certification so I’ll be all set to go diving when I arrive. And probably most usefully, I’ve been emailing with Jonna, the Fellow who was in Gorontalo last year. I’ve asked her a million questions - everything from what should I wear when I’m teaching to how will I be viewed by the locals as a single, unmarried 31 year-old woman in a country where most women get married by around age 24 or 25. (Thank you Jonna for all of your excellent advice!!).

So, although I know a little bit what to expect, I’m sure that this coming year will be full of new, challenging and interesting experiences. And it is my intention to keep you - my friends, family, former co-workers, professors and all other interested parties – informed about all the funny, unusual, profound, baffling, frustrating and otherwise memorable things that happen this year.

Stay tuned!!

16 comments:

  1. Aw, I got a personal shout out in your first blog posting. ;) Thanks girl! You're going to do great there. And as more questions arise, DEFINITELY contact me. I'm sure you'll have them. ;) GOOD LUCK! Enjoy the 24-hour flight over there. ;)

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  2. I am looking forward to reading about your experiences!! Have fun and be safe.

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  3. Don't forget to pack A-Z (with or without "Y")

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  4. Can't wait- and let us know if you want any specific care package items once you get there. :)

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  5. yayy...i can keep updated on your adventures :)

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  6. Hey Julianne! So good to see you blogging! Awesome. Now you need a Flickr feed so we can see your pictures! :) Good luck with the new post. It'll be great! Keep in touch.

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  7. Julianne! good luck to you :) I'd like to see many pictures of your new like ! -Jiae

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  8. So excited for you Jule! The second I have a disposable income, I'm coming to visit! What will they think fo two 31yo unmarried girls?! my word!

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  9. What a fantastic adventure you are embarking on!!! Can't wait to get your updates. Sang and I are still pondering the idea of coming to visit you!

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  10. Can't wait to follow along on your adventure through your posts!

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  11. Congratulations on your new cultural-linguistic-oceanic adventure!

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  12. Hi-ya Danna, I'm so glad you made it to Asia. Enjoy Indo. Don't forget to post fun Indonesian words and phrases as you learn them! Love, Banny

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  13. Hallo Julianne, wow, du bist in Indonesien? Das sind tolle Neuigkeiten! Ich wünsche dir alles Gute für deinen zehnmonatigen Aufenthalt und bin gespannt, deine Erfahrungen auf dem Blog zu lesen. Liebe Grüsse aus Basel, Nino.

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  14. Nino! Toll, von dir zu hoeren! Ja, ich bin eine Weltreiserin, gell?? Freue mich, dass du mein Blog leist!

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  15. Bob and Cindy - I really hope you guys can come visit!! You're welcome anytime!

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