If you are planning a trip to Indonesia, first of all: Congratulations! Visiting such a beautiful country is going to be an amazing experience and will definitely be one you will cherish and remember for a lifetime.
Surely by now, you are already thinking of what outfits to bring and which specific sites you want to see. Your passport, itinerary, hotels-check, check, and check.
Have you stopped to consider that maybe you might have forgotten one of the most important things? Before getting on that plane, you should learn Indonesian first and here are the top 3 reasons why:
1. To get rid of unwanted language barriers
Being in a different country can be overwhelming enough, without having to worry about the difficulty of overcoming a language barrier.
Just being able to fully express yourself to other people is a great load off your shoulder. Imagine the immense bonuses involved in being able to speak Indonesian: you won't have to worry about getting lost, you can converse freely with locals and get to know about their culture and daily lives, and of course, you can haggle for the best prices on merchandise and souvenirs.
2. To build strong networks and gain opportunities
It has often been said that communication is the key to strong relationships. On that account, the key to communication is language.
In order to create lasting bonds with Indonesians, you need to put in the effort to learn their language. If you can speak with them on their level, they will appreciate and respect you for it. And in today's global economy, where every nation is intertwined, it would not hurt to have strong networks in Indonesia.
Also, you might be able to set up work and other related opportunities while you are there. It all depends on whether or not you can put yourself out there. The most significant step involved is learning Indonesian.
3. To be able to pride yourself in a new achievement
Let's face it. Learning a new language like Bahasa is no walk in the park. It will require your time, effort, and focus. But if you think about it, the end more than justifies the means. Just think of all that you have to gain and you will be on your way.
Learning Bahasa will not afford you a plaque or trophy, but it is something that you can keep and it will only grow as you nurture it. And even though it is not something tangible, people will recognize you for it and you can even impart your own knowledge.