My foray into the country began with three weeks in Jogjakarta where I learned about Indonesia’s history, socio-economic landscape, the Bahasa language and Indonesian culture,
which was followed by 5 months in Jakarta, accumulating an unique opportunity to work abroad while at the same time, make new friends in a completely different social circle and network.

What surprises me is how open the people are with their personal lives. Teachers, new friends and colleagues openly talked about their families and have warmly invited me to their houses for visits, holding back no secrets about their personal lives at all.

Everyone that I’ve met in Indonesia had helped me in one way or another tremendously and I will earnestly remember them for all the memories, bridges and bonds formed.

Over the past few months, I was completely immersed into the Indonesian way of living, a multinational country with diverse identities. I’ve gained a better appreciation of their cultures, adapted to the lifestyle, wore batik, practiced the Bahasa language and attempted to try to be as local as possible.

This experience has shown me the diversities beyond my home shore and the delicate intricacies of interacting with the multitude of different cultures and lifestyles in a foreign country. The art of "negotiation" in Bahasa can really bring wonders and wonderfully lubricate your intentions and destinations.

I met many different people from all walks of life, from the teachers and international students at UGM, the locals of Jogja, the villagers of the Merapi disaster, the volunteers of all the community outreach programmes, to the affluent and articulate working-class of Jakarta. I even had the rare opportunity of attending a colleague’s traditional Javanese wedding!

Despite the cultural and language differences, new bonds were built and strengthened, and with my new-found friends in Indonesia and we have promised foster and build our friendship by visiting each other in the near future.

When it was time to part, bonds were already strong and it was a bittersweet emotional moment when I gave a closing speech in Bahasa. So stuttering like an epileptic I thanked everyone for everything and for the wonderful time we have had in Jogjakarta and Jakarta and promised to keep in touch.

Indonesia. A unique multi-cultural, multi-ethnic experience that has left behind a deep and fond memory, a truly priceless and unforgettable experience indeed.

This is the last entry that I will be writing this blog, I hope you have enjoyed my experiences, insights, opinions and pictures that I have documented throughout my whole trip as much as I have enjoyed writing about it.

It's time to head home.

MKFX, 3rd August 2011.