why study Indonesian

	Indonesia is a country rich in cultural diversity with hundreds of different ethnic groups. Each group has its own unique traditions and arts, making Indonesia a country of interest to students of anthropology, ethnomusicology, theater, and art. At the University of Hawai'i you can even study how to play the Balinese and Javanese Gamelan orchestra.
Indonesian is easy to learn. Within a month of beginning the program, you will find that you are already able to have some simple conversations in Indonesian as well as to write short compositions using the language.
Each ethnic group also has its own local language, which they speak in addition to Bahasa Indonesia. On some islands such as Sulawesi and in the Moluccas, local languages often vary from village to village. Such linguistic diversity, along with language change make Indonesia a fascinating country for those interested in linguistics. Linguists interested in historical linguistics, morphology, sociolinguistics, language shift and language attrition will find Indonesia a land that provides them with much material to work with.
	Indonesia has the largest Moslem population of any country in the world. At the same time, it is a country that is diverse in religion. World religions include Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic and Protestant. In addition Kaharingan, the religion of the Dayak peoples of Kalimantan has gained official recognition as a religion. These religions and indigenous beliefs, their interrelationships and their syncretism provides fascinating study for students of religion.
Indonesia is a developing nation rich in natural and human resources and promising economic potential, making it a country of interest to geographers, economists, international businessmen and women, and development workers.
	Indonesia has undergone tremendous political change in recent years, moving toward greater freedom and democracy for its citizens, making it a nation of intense interest for political scientists.