Episode: Speaking the Place: How Language Changes the Way You Travel

Guest: Hari Gunda

A Boren Scholar and Gilman Research Scholar at the University of Alabama with a dual degree in Data Science and Foreign Languages & Literature.Study and work experience in the U.S., Indonesia, and GermanyFocused on sustainable development and conservation research

Indonesia Beyond Bali

While many travellers immediately associate Indonesia with Bali, this episode challenges that narrow lens. Hari shares how his interest stemmed from:

Indonesia’s linguistic diversity (700+ regional languages)

Its role in climate diplomacy

The capital relocation project

Its global importance in mangrove conservation

Marine biodiversity and conservation research

Indonesia emerges not as a backdrop for tourism, but as a complex, globally significant nation.

Why Bahasa Indonesia?

Written in the Latin script

No grammatical gender

No noun cases

No tonal system (unlike Vietnamese or Thai)

Straightforward verb structures

For English speakers interested in Southeast Asia, Bahasa Indonesia offers accessibility without sacrificing depth.

The Power of Immersion

Hari compares:

German Immersion in the U.S. (Portland State University)

German-only dorm

Tight-knit language community

B1 certification achieved in under two months

Indonesian Immersion via the Boren Scholarship

Host family living

Cultural electives (dance, music, singing)

Daily intensive language classes

Real-world application beyond the classroom structure

The takeaway: immersion is about ecosystem design, not just location.

When Language Clicks

Language fluency doesn’t arrive in one dramatic moment.

It builds through:

Difficult conversations

Explaining abstract ideas (like the U.S. Electoral College in Indonesian)

Teaching peers

Gossiping at the dinner table

Making mistakes

Mistakes, like confusing teman (friend) and taman (park), become bonding points rather than failures.

Language and Reciprocity

Speaking Bahasa Indonesia enabled:

Deep conversations with conservation workers

Invitations inside a marine national park office

Meaningful dialogue about sustainability

Stronger personal relationships

Language shifts travel from consumption to reciprocity.

Career Impact

Hari’s experience at Planet Indonesia in West Kalimantan opened doors to:

Conservation data science

Fieldwork in villages along the Kapuas River

Marine ecosystem research

Environmental economics in Germany

Ongoing research proposals related to Indonesian conservation conflict

Travel didn’t dictate his path; it expanded it.

Cultural Lessons Brought Home

Take greetings seriously.

Ask better questions.

Listen intentionally.

Replace “no” with “not yet.”

Language shapes mindset.

Final Reflection

Travel becomes transformative when we:

Speak with people, not just about places

Move beyond influencer itineraries

Choose curiosity over comfort

Accept imperfection in language

Prioritise attention over fluency

If you enjoyed this episode:

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Because language isn’t just vocabulary.It’s how we learn to live inside a place.

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