About Indonesia
Oct 29, 2010
Indonesia is home to an extremely diverse set of cultures, ethnic groups, and languages. The concept of Indonesia as a unitary state did not arise until the 20th century, and was essentially a political rather than a cultural construction.
The concept of a unitary state, along with the implementation of Bahasa Indonesia as the lingua franca, can be seen as superficial glue beneath which lies a plethora of distinct cultures. [1] Indonesia has much to offer the adventurous students.
Indonesia contains hundreds of ethnic groups, each with their own distinct set of customs and local language (bahasa daerah). These ethnic groups are further stratified by different religions and, sometimes, by socio-economic classes.
Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta, is a large, bustling and modern metropolis. Located on Java, it is the heart of Indonesia's industry, business and trade, as well as its political center. The cosmopolitan city also offers some of Indonesia's best shopping and sightseeing and high quality entertainment and cultural attractions. A popular destination for study abroad students is the island of Bali. As a predominately Hindu island, Bali offers students a look at the diverse religious and cultural influences of Indonesia and the opportunity to be immersed in the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Bali.