Peace Corps Indonesia Welcome Book FY13

THE PEACE CORPS WELCOMES YOU TO
Indonesia
A PEACE CORPS PUBLICATION FOR NEW

VOLUNTEERS
JUNE 2013 CCD
A WELCOME LETTER
Greetings, ladies and gentlemen:
Congratulations on having been selected to join Peace
Corps/Indonesia!
Since the agreement was signed in December 2009 to re-establish
a Peace Corps presence in Indonesia, a dedicated group of
Volunteers and staff has been hard at work building the new
program here. If you are excited by the thought of helping to
create something new and accepting of the uncertainty that goes
with it, this may be just the place for you for the next two years.
The first three groups of Volunteers to serve in Indonesia in over
45 years have set a high standard for Peace Corps service in
Indonesia. They are looking forward to welcoming and supporting
you during training and your service. At the same time, they will
be looking to you to build upon the work they have started and to
uphold the standard they are setting in reference to what it means
to be a Peace Corps Indonesia Volunteer. As staff members, we
will expect the same.
The staff in Indonesia is committed to providing the best safety
and security, medical, training, programmatic, and administrative
support we can. At the same time, as Peace Corps has for 50
years, we will look to you to be as independent and self-reliant as
possible. During pre-service training (PST), you will begin to
learn Bahasa Indonesia (and an introduction to Javanese,
Madurese, or Sundanese) and to adapt to the culture, which will
include living with an Indonesian family. You will develop the
community entry skills needed for your assignment, undergo
technical training, and discover how to maintain your health and
reduce safety and security risks during your service.
It is important to realize that PST is a time for both you and the
Peace Corps staff to assess your suitability to serve in Indonesia.
A two-year commitment should not be entered casually and is one
you may need to re-affirm in many ways during PST and, in fact,
throughout your service. In fairness to our local partners and to
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safeguard the reputation of the organization, we do periodically

make the decision that a trainee or Volunteer is not suited to serve
here and arrange for their return home. Often, a trainee will reach
the same conclusion on his or her own.
As you may have already heard, the extent to which you become
an accepted and valued colleague and community member
depends largely on you. If you come with an open mind, a warm
heart, and a good sense of humor, you will do well. Although we
are here to provide support, you are the ultimate architect and
builder of a successful Peace Corps service.
Please read carefully these welcome memos as part of your
preparation for living and working in Indonesia as a Peace Corps
Volunteer. We look forward to meeting you in March!
Sheila Crowley
Country Director
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CONTENTS
A Welcome Letter
Core Expectations for Peace Corps Volunteers
Peace Corps/Indonesia History and Programs
History of the Peace Corps in Indonesia
History and Future of Peace Corps

Programming in Indonesia
Country Overview: Indonesia at a Glance

History
8
8
Government
10
Economy
12
People and Culture
12
Environment
14
Resources for Further Information
15
Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle
19
Communications
19
Housing and Site Location
19
Living Allowance and Money Management
20
Food and Diet
20
Transportation
21
Geography and Climate
22
Social Activities
23
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Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior
24
Personal Safety
24
Rewards and Frustrations
25
Peace Corps Training
26
Overview of Pre-Service Training
26
Technical Training
27
Language Training
27
Cross-Cultural Training
28
Health Training
29
Safety Training
29
Additional Trainings during Volunteer Service

Your Health Care and Safety in Indonesia
29
31
Health Issues in Indonesia
31
Helping You Stay Healthy
32
Maintaining Your Health
33
Womens Health Information
36
Your Peace Corps Medical Kit
36
Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist
37
Safety and SecurityOur Partnership

Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
40
41
Staying Safe: Dont Be a Target for Crime
44
Volunteer Safety Support in Indonesia
44
45
45
Diversity and Cross-Cultural Issues
47
Support from Staff

Crime Data for Indonesia
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Overview of Diversity in Indonesia
48
What Might a Volunteer Face?
49
Possible Issues for Female Volunteers
49
Possible Issues for Male Volunteers
50
Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color
50
Possible Issues for Senior Volunteers
51
Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers
53
Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers
53
Possible Issues for Married Volunteers
56
Possible Issues for Volunteers with Disabilities
58
Frequently Asked Questions
59
Welcome Letters from Indonesia Volunteers
63
Packing List
64
Pre-departure Checklist
68
Contacting Peace Corps Headquarters
71
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CORE EXPECTATIONS
FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS
In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps Mission of
promoting world peace and friendship, as a trainee and Volunteer,
you are expected to do the following:
1. Prepare your personal and professional life to make a
commitment to serve abroad for a full term of 27 months
2. Commit to improving the quality of life of the people
with whom you live and work and, in doing so, share
your skills, adapt them, and learn new skills as needed
3. Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under
conditions of hardship if necessary, and with the
flexibility needed for effective service
4. Recognize that your successful and sustainable
development work is based on the local trust and
confidence you build by living in, and respectfully
integrating yourself into, your host community and
culture
5. Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week for your personal conduct and professional
performance
6. Engage with host country partners in a spirit of
cooperation, mutual learning, and respect
7. Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace Corps
and the local and national laws of the country where you
serve
8. Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect
your health, safety, and well-being and that of others
9. Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host
country and community, as a representative of the people,
cultures, values, and traditions of the United States of
America
10. Represent responsively the people, cultures, values, and
traditions of your host country and community to people
in the United States both during and following your
service
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PEACE CORPS/INDONESIA
HISTORY AND PROGRAMS
History of the Peace Corps in Indonesia
Forty-six physical education Volunteers served in Indonesia from

196365, working with Indonesians in advancing their sports
programs. The program was brought to a close in 1965 as a result
of political upheaval and concerns for the safety and security of
the Volunteers.
In October 2006, the government of Indonesia invited the Peace
Corps to send an assessment team to the country for the purpose
of re-establishing a program. Assessments were completed in
2007, and the respective governments signed a new agreement
regarding the establishment of a Peace Corps program in
December 2009, with an initial project in English Teaching and
Teacher Training.
Public schools in Indonesia are under the direction of either the
Ministry of Education and Culture or the Ministry of Religious
Affairs. After visiting many interested schools in spring 2010,
Peace Corps/Indonesia, with support from the government of
Indonesia, determined that Volunteer placement in both types of
schools would be appropriate.
History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in
Indonesia
In March 2010, Indonesia welcomed its first group of Peace Corps

Volunteers in 45 years. Since then, additional groups of
Volunteers in increasing numbers have come to Indonesia each
year.
There are many similarities between state schools (MoEC) and
madrasah (MoRA): both are co-educational with a Monday
through Saturday schedule, both are obliged to cover the same
national curriculum (including religion as a subject area), and all
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graduating ninth- and 12th-grade students are expected to take the

same national exam. Differences include how the schools are
managed (i.e., centralized versus decentralized) and the quantity
of religious instruction.
Regardless of the type of host school, Volunteers co-teach
seventh- and/or eighth- and 10th- and/or 11th-grade English, work
with colleagues to improve English communication skills and
teaching methods, and lead extracurricular and community
activities of all kinds. Currently Volunteers are placed in either
East or West Java. In future years, the English teaching program
will grow to other provinces in Indonesia. Peace Corps/Indonesia
is also exploring areas of need and partnership that could sustain a
second sector of programming.
COUNTRY OVERVIEW:
INDONESIA AT A GLANCE
History
Historians believe that Indonesia was linked with the Asian

mainland during the Pleistocene period (4 million B.C.). This
period was also related to the first appearance of the hominids,
what is today called Java Man, who inhabited Indonesia as early
as 2 million to 500,000 years ago. Java Man is a short name for
Pithecanthropus Erectus, a human-like species whose fossilized
remains were discovered on the island of Java by the scientist
Eugene Dubois.
Much later, Indonesia developed many well-organized kingdoms.
Ruled by indigenous Rajas who embraced the Hindu and Buddhist
religions, these kingdoms grew very civilized. This time in
history, which lasted from ancient history to the 15th century, is
called the period of Buddhist-Hindu Kingdoms.
The first Buddhists arrived from India around A.D. 100200. One
of the most famous Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesian history is
Sailendra (A.D. 750850). During this period, the famous
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Buddhist temple at Borobudur was built. The dynasty's

replacement, the Hindu kingdom of Mataram, began the era of
Hindu kingdoms. The mightiest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia's
ancient history was the Majapahit Empire. Under the reign of
King Hayam Wuruk (A.D. 133164), the empire enjoyed tributary
relationships with territories as far away as Vietnam, Cambodia,
and the Philippines.
Gujarati and Persian merchants who embraced Islam started to
visit Indonesia in the 13th century. Along with trade, they
introduced Islam to the Indonesian Hindus, particularly in the
coastal areas of Java. Islam then spread further east to the Bone
and Goa Sultanates in Sulawesi, Ternate, and Tidore in the
northern part of Maluku, and the eastern part of Lombok. Besides
those areas, Islam also expanded into Banjarmasin, Palembang,
Minangkabau, Pasai, and Perlak.
European influence in Indonesia began when the Portuguese, in
search of spices, landed in 1512. Both the Portuguese and the
Spanish spread Christianity in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the Dutch
established an organized merchant trade called Dutch East India
Company in 1602 to tap the rich spice territories. After the seizure
of Ambon in Maluku (1605) and Banda Island (1623), the Dutch
enjoyed a trade monopoly in the "Spice Islands."
In 1814 the British came to Indonesia. During the Napoleonic
wars in Europe, when Holland was occupied by France, Indonesia
fell under the rule of the British East India Company. After the fall
of Napoleon, the British and Dutch signed a convention agreeing
that Dutch colonial possessions dating from 1803 onward should
be returned to the Dutch administration in Batavia (present-day
Jakarta). Thus, the Indonesian archipelago once again became a
Dutch possession in 1815.
Throughout the period of colonization, Indonesians had been
fighting for their independence. This struggle, which started in the
1600s, climaxed with a proclamation of independence in 1945,
and continued for a few more years.
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When World War II broke out, the Japanese occupied the Dutch
East Indies after the surrender of the Dutch colonial army in
March 1942. Three years later, on August 14, 1945, the Japanese
surrendered to the Allied Forces. To Indonesia's leaders, the
power vacuum in Jakarta looked like an open window of
opportunity to proclaim their independence. On August 17, 1945,
Indonesian national leaders Soekarno and Dr. Mohamad Hatta
proclaimed Indonesia's independence on behalf of the Indonesian
people. The proclamation took place at Jalan Pengangsaan Timur
No. 56, Jakarta, and was heard by thousands of Indonesians
nationwide through a secret radio broadcast from a captured
Japanese radio station, Jakarta Hoso Kyoku. An English
translation of the proclamation was broadcast overseas soon
afterward.
Government
Shortly after hostilities with the Dutch ended in 1949, Indonesia

adopted a new constitution, providing for a parliamentary system
of government in which the executive was chosen by, and
accountable to, parliament. Parliament was divided among many
political parties before and after the country's first nationwide
election in 1955, and stable governmental coalitions were difficult
to achieve. The role of Islam in Indonesia was debated. Soekarno
defended a secular state based on Pancasila, five principles of the
state philosophymonotheism, humanitarianism, national unity,
representative democracy by consensus, and social justice
codified in the 1945 constitution, while some Muslim groups
preferred either an Islamic state or a constitution that included a
preambular provision requiring adherents of Islam to be subject to
Islamic law.
Although he remained president, Soekarno transferred key
political and military powers to General Suharto in March 1966.
Officially succeeding Soekarno in 1968, President Suharto

proclaimed a "New Order" in Indonesian politics and dramatically
shifted foreign and domestic policies away from the course set in
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Soekarno's final years. The New Order established economic

rehabilitation and development as its primary goals and pursued
its policies through an administrative structure dominated by the
military but with advice from Western-educated economic
experts.
In mid-1997, Indonesia suffered from the Asian financial and
economic crisis, accompanied by the worst drought in 50 years
and falling prices for commodity exports. Amid widespread civil
unrest, Suharto resigned on May 21, 1998. Suharto's hand-picked
vice president, B.J. Habibie, became Indonesias third president.
President Habibie re-established International Monetary Fund and
donor community support for an economic stabilization program.
He released several prominent political and labor prisoners,
initiated investigations into unrest, and lifted controls on the press,
political parties, and labor unions.
Indonesia's first elections in the post-Suharto period were held for
the national, provincial, and sub-provincial parliaments on June 7,
1999. Forty-eight political parties participated in the elections.
Indonesias legislative branch (MPR) selected Abdurrahman
Wahid as Indonesia's fourth president in November 1999 and
replaced him with Megawati Sukarnoputri in July 2001.
The first direct presidential election was held on July 5, 2004,
contested by five tickets. As no candidate won at least 50 percent
of the vote, a runoff election was held on September 20, 2004,
between the top two candidates, incumbent President Sukarnoputri
and retired General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. In this final
round, Yudhoyono won 60.6 percent of the vote. Approximately
76.6 percent of eligible voters participated, a total of roughly 117
million people, making Indonesia's presidential election the largest
single-day election in the world.
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Economy
Indonesia has a market-based economy in which the government

plays a significant role. There are 139 state-owned enterprises, and
the government administers prices on several basic goods,
including fuel, rice, and electricity.
In the mid-1980s, the government began eliminating regulatory

obstacles to economic activity. Over most of the next two decades,
most analysts recognized Indonesia as a newly industrializing
economy and emerging major market. The Asian financial crisis
of 1997 altered the region's economic landscape. Although growth
slowed to 4.5 percent in 2009, given reduced global demand,
Indonesia was the third-fastest growing G-20 member, trailing
only China and India. Growth rebounded in 2010 to 6.2 percent
and grew 6 percent in 2012. Poverty and unemployment have also
declined despite the global financial crisis, with the poverty rate
falling to 11.7 percent (2012) from 14.2 percent in 2009 and the
unemployment rate falling to 6.1 percent (February 2012) from
6.6 percent in 2011.
Indonesias improving
growth prospects and sound
macroeconomic policy have many analysts suggesting that it will
become the newest member of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India,
and China) grouping of leading emerging markets.
People and Culture
According to the 2010 census, Indonesia is home to 237,641,326

people, making it the world's fourth most populous nation after
China, India, and the United States. In its ethnic groups,
languages, culture, and religion, Indonesia is a very diverse nation.
This great diversity is reflected in the country's national motto
Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which means "Unity in Diversity."
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Approximately 300 ethnic groups call Indonesia home, but most

(45 percent) Indonesians are Javanese. In addition, 14 percent are
Sundanese, 7.5 percent Madurese, 7.5 percent coastal Malays, and
26 percent are of other ethnic groups.
There are more than 700 languages and dialects spoken in the
archipelago. They normally belong to the different ethnic groups
of the population. To make the picture even more colorful, these
languages are also spoken in different dialects, while Bahasa
Indonesia is the national language.
Indonesia's active history has encouraged the growth of many
unique cultures. On Java, the Javanese of Central and East Java
are known for having several layers of formality in their language.
In Javanese, to speak to a boss and then to a child is like speaking
two different languages. The Toraja of Sulawesi are famous for
their elaborate funeral ceremonies. Often several days long, these
ceremonies bring the whole village together in a feast, a
procession, and a hillside burial. And the Minangkabau of
Sumatra still maintain a matrilineal society. Everything from
houses to animals is passed down from mother to daughter.
Today, the country maintains this cultural richness, even as it
expands into new areas. The traditional music of the gamelan and
angklung coexists with new dangdut and rock n roll. The ancient
art of wayang kulit, or shadow puppetry, complements the modern
Indonesian film industry. And, while the themes and stories from
historic epics like the Ramayana persist, newer literature like that
of the author Pramoedya Ananta Toer has become an irrevocable
part of Indonesian culture.
Six world religions are formally recognized in Indonesia: Islam,
Catholicism, Protestantism, Confucianism, Hinduism, and
Buddhism. Nevertheless, other faiths can be found, especially in
isolated societies. These religions, called traditional faiths, are also
accepted. According to recent counts, approximately 85 percent of
the population is Muslim, 11 percent is Christian (Protestants and
Catholics), and 4 percent is Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, or
traditional.
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Environment
Indonesia has the world's second-largest tropical forest and the

fastest deforestation rate, making it the third-largest contributor of
greenhouse gas emissions, behind China and the United States.
Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate
change, which include rising sea levels and erosion of coastal
areas, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather
events, species extinction, and the spread of vector-borne diseases.
Indonesia is also home to the greatest marine biodiversity on the
planet. In August 2007, President Yudhoyono called for the Coral
Triangle Initiative, a regional plan of action to enhance coral
conservation, promote sustainable fisheries, and ensure food
security in the face of climate change. The Coral Triangle region
is the global heart of shallow-water marine biodiversity.
Natural disasters have devastated many parts of Indonesia over the
past few years. On December 26, 2004, a 9.1 to 9.3 magnitude
earthquake took place in the Indian Ocean, and the resulting
tsunami killed over 130,000 people in Aceh and left more than
500,000 homeless. On March 26, 2005, an 8.7 magnitude
earthquake struck between Aceh and northern Sumatra, killing
905 people and displacing tens of thousands. After much media
attention on the seismic activity on Mt. Merapi in April and May
2006, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake occurred 30 miles to the
southwest. It killed more than 5,000 people and left an estimated
200,000 people homeless in the Yogyakarta region. A 7.4
magnitude earthquake struck Tasikmalaya, West Java, on
September 2, 2009, killing approximately 100 people. On
September 30, 2009, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Western
Sumatra. No official statistics were released on deaths and
injuries; however, press reports indicated more than 1,100
fatalities.
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RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Following is a list of websites for additional information about the
Peace Corps and Indonesia and to connect you to returned
Volunteers and other invitees. Please keep in mind that although
every effort is made to ensure these links are active and current, it
cannot be guaranteed. If you do not have access to the Internet,
visit your local library. Libraries offer free Internet usage and
often let you print information to take home.
A note of caution: As you surf the Internet, be aware that you may
find bulletin boards and chat rooms in which people are free to
express opinions about the Peace Corps based on their own
experience, including comments by those who were unhappy with
their choice to serve in the Peace Corps. These opinions are not
those of the Peace Corps or the U.S. government, and we hope
you will keep in mind that no two people experience their service
in the same way.
General Information About Indonesia
www.jatimprov.go.id and www.jabarprov.go.id
These are the official websites of East Java and West Java
provincial governments. Information is provided in Bahasa
Indonesia.
www.countrywatch.com/
On this site, you can learn anything from what time it is in the
capital of Indonesia to how to convert from the dollar to the
Indonesian rupiah. Just click on Indonesia and go from there.
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
Visit this site for general travel advice about almost any country in
the world.
www.state.gov
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The Department of States website issues background notes

periodically about countries around the world. Find Indonesia and
learn more about its social and political history. You can also go
to the sites international travel section to check on conditions that
may affect your safety.
www.psr.keele.ac.uk/official.htm
This includes links to all the official sites for governments

worldwide.
www.geography.about.com/library/maps/blindex.htm
This online world atlas includes maps and geographical

information, and each country page contains links to other sites,
such as the Library of Congress, that contain comprehensive
historical, social, and political background.
www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/info.asp
This United Nations site allows you to search for statistical

information for member states of the U.N.
www.worldinformation.com
This site provides an additional source of current and historical

information about countries around the world.
Connect With Returned Volunteers
and Other Invitees
www.rpcv.org
This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made up

of returned Volunteers. On this site you can find links to all the
Web pages of the Friends of groups for most countries of
service, comprised of former Volunteers who served in those
countries. There are also regional groups that frequently get
together for social events and local volunteer activities.
www.PeaceCorpsWorldwide.org
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This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers. It is a

monthly online publication of essays and Volunteer accounts of
their Peace Corps service.
Recommended Books
Books About Indonesia

1. Hirata, Andrea. Rainbow Troops (Laskar Pelangi). (Also a
film that you may be able to find online.)
2. Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Buru Quartet: This Earth of
Mankind, Child of All Nations, Footsteps, House of Glass.
Penguin, 1996. (Four works of historical fiction; works well to
read with Vickers book, below.)
3. Friend, Theodore. Indonesian Destinies. Cambridge: Harvard
University Press, 2003.
4. Vickers, Adrian. A History of Modern Indonesia. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2005
5. Schwarz, Adam. A Nation in Waiting. Colorado & Oxford:
Westview Press, 2000.
6. Taylor, Jean Gelman. Indonesia Peoples and Histories. New
Haven & London: Yale University Press, 2003.
7. Hellwig, Tineke and Tagliacozzo, Eric. The Indonesian
Reader. Durham & London: Duke University Press, 2009.
Books About the History of the Peace Corps

1. Hoffman, Elizabeth Cobbs. All You Need is Love: The Peace
Corps and the Spirit of the 1960s. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard
University Press, 2000.
2. Rice, Gerald T. The Bold Experiment: JFKs Peace Corps.
Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.
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3. Stossel, Scott. Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver.

Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2004.
4. Meisler, Stanley. When the World Calls: The Inside Story of
the Peace Corps and its First 50 Years. Boston, Mass.: Beacon
Press, 2011.
Books on the Volunteer Experience

1. Dirlam, Sharon. Beyond Siberia: Two Years in a Forgotten
Place. Santa Barbara, Calif.: McSeas Books, 2004.
2. Casebolt, Marjorie DeMoss. Margarita: A Guatemalan Peace
Corps Experience. Gig Harbor, Wash.: Red Apple Publishing,
2000.
3. Erdman, Sarah. Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the
Heart of an African Village. New York, N.Y.: Picador, 2003.
4. Hessler, Peter. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze. New
York, N.Y.: Perennial, 2001.
5. Kennedy, Geraldine ed. From the Center of the Earth: Stories
out of the Peace Corps. Santa Monica, Calif.: Clover Park
Press, 1991.
6. Thompsen, Moritz. Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle.
Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington Press, 1997
(reprint).
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LIVING CONDITIONS AND

VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE
Communications
From a Volunteer:
Almost everyone here has a least one cellphone, which is the main
means of communication between Indonesian community
members, Peace Corps staff, other Volunteers, and internationally
with our American families. Its pay-as-you-go, and vendors who
sell minutes can be found anywhere. Dialing 010171 before a 10digit U.S. number is an inexpensive way to call home and the
reception is quite good.
Internet is easy to access, whether it be Wi-Fi at school, the
abundant Internet cafes, or the purchase of a modem. Most of us
use Skype either with a headset or with video.
Sending letters to the U.S. is relatively expensive, usually the
equivalent of $2/letter, and takes about two weeks in either
direction.
Incoming packages sent through the post office are usually
opened by Indonesian customs (there have been reports of items
that go missing) and you must pay a customs fee to pick them up
at your local post office. FedEx is much more expensive to send,
but the packages are never opened, they are tracked, insuring
delivery, and theyre delivered directly so you dont need to pick
them up.
Housing and Site Location
Site placements are made toward the end of training. Once

Peace Corps/Indonesia staff has gotten to know you and the
other trainees better, they are in a better position to make
decisions about where your skills and abilities would fit best.
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To the extent possible, Peace Corps/Indonesia staff takes into

account the preferences you have regarding your placement. To
date, most Volunteers are within a couple hours of another
Volunteer. Peace Corps/Indonesia has no plans to place
Volunteers in the capital city or any of the provincial capitals.
All Volunteers live with host families for their two years of
service.
Please see the Working Conditions and Living Conditions sections
of the Your Assignment document.
Living Allowance and Money Management
During training, Volunteers receive a modest walk-around

allowance, which covers incidental costs. Once at their
permanent sites, Volunteers receive a living allowance, which is
intended to cover basic expenses. The living allowance is
deposited electronically into your local Indonesian bank account
on a monthly basis. The amount of the allowance is determined
through an annual survey of expenses by Volunteers. Managing
your allowance appropriately is a personal responsibility.
Food and Diet
It may be no surprise that the staple food in Indonesia is rice.

What may not be as well known is that there is a wide variety of
diets among the thousands of islands that make of the Indonesian
archipelago and even parts of the same island. Across Java, tastes
differ. A popular traditional dish in East Java is pecel which is
steamed vegetables in peanut sauce, while in West Java,
vegetables are commonly eaten raw in a dish called lalapan. A
favorite dish there is karedok, raw vegetables in peanut sauce.
A wide range of vegetables are available in the markets, year
round. Fruits that are generally available year around include
bananas, papayas, oranges, watermelon, melon, and apples. White
rice is most common, however brown rice is usually available in
big supermarkets in the city, while oatmeal and cereals are
generally available at local convenience stores.
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Many people consume tempeh (traditionally prepared soy beans)

and tofu (tahu) as their main source of protein. However, a variety
of other protein sources are available. Fish is usually available,
and cows, goats, and chicken are raised locally.
Javanese dishes tend to be oily and spicy. Although vegetables
abound, eating in restaurants can be challenging for vegetarians
because meat is often mixed in with dishes featuring tofu or
vegetables. Eating the food provided by your host family, or
cooking your own food, is cheaper and healthier than eating in
restaurants.
Urban areas offer much more variety. Larger cities such as
Surabaya or Bandung have a wide selection of restaurants, from
upscale international restaurants to very cheaply priced food carts
on the street corners.
From a Volunteer:
I live with a vegetarian, so there are definitely several alternatives
to meat, primarily tofu and tempeh (soy beans). We eat rice three
times a day, and a vast majority of the side dishes are fried. Most
Indonesians enjoy spicy food, but you can usually ask for the spice
on the side. An absurd amount of sugar is typically added to
drinks (tea, coffee, juice), and Ive only seen milk in powder form.
Muslims dont eat pork, so you might need to trek to Bali for some
bacon. Its very common to eat with your right hand, sitting on the
floor, but considered extremely rude to eat with your left hand.
Vegetables are less common with meals, but easy to find at the
market, along with fresh fruit, which is dependent upon the
season. The main meat dishes are chicken or fish, but goat, rabbit,
and cow are also fairly common.
Transportation
From a Volunteer:
Transportation is fairly convenient in East Java, but can be
frustrating or unpredictable at times. Expect delays, unscheduled
stops, heavy traffic, and negotiating with pushy drivers and ticket
sellers. Community members travel primarily by motorcycle,
which can be inconvenient since Volunteers are not permitted to
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use motorcycles. There are plenty of alternatives for getting

around the community, though. Riding a bicycle is the easiest.
There are public transportation angkots (mini-buses) that
travel between villages and the nearest city. From the main city in
any regency you can easily find a train, bus, or travel car to other
cities in Java. Javanese cities are well connected, which makes
traveling to Surabaya or visiting other Volunteers reasonably
simple.
Angkots are essentially mini-vans that travel back and forth along
various routes in Java, from early morning until around 5 p.m., so
travel is limited to the daytime. There are not necessarily any
regular stops; you just wave the van down anywhere along the
street and get off where you like.
Becaks, or rickshaws, are another option in some areas; they
are bicycles with a passenger seat in the front. Using a becak is
handy for going short distances or getting around cities. Only
major cities in East Java have taxis, so the becak is the alternative
to taxis in smaller city settings.
Buses are a very comfortable option for traveling long distances.
Many are air-conditioned and travel directly from one city to
another and depart frequently. Trains have specific schedules,
which are more dependable in some cases.
Another popular alternative is using a small travel van. There are
several travel agencies that operate direct non-stop connections
between various cities for a limited number of people, and they
will drop you off at your desired location. Its only slightly more
expensive and is a very secure way to travel.
Traveling throughout Java can run very smoothly or you can get
taken for a ride but there are many options and overall travel
in Java is efficient and reliable.
Geography and Climate
The typical weather in Indonesia is tropical. There are two

seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season runs from March to
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September with temperatures typically between 84 F and 96 F.

The rainy season is from October to March or April with
temperatures typically between 71 F and 84 F. The temperature
may vary considerably depending on elevation.
From a Volunteer:
Java is a scenic island with lush green rice paddies, stunning
volcanic peaks, and beautiful beaches. The mountainous areas
around Malang are higher in elevation and cooler compared with
the warmer sea-level coastlines.
Java has a tropical climate. There are two seasons in Javathe
rainy season and the dry season. The dry season is hot and sunny,
but it still rains occasionally. Average temperatures in East Java
range from 70 degrees Fahrenheit, on up. The rainy season is
sometimes cooler, but still very warm. You may see Indonesians
bundled up in fur-lined jackets, but temperatures remain in the
80s most of the time. It generally rains every day, usually in the
afternoons. There is a lot of discrepancy about the duration of
each season and what months they fall in. The rainy season is
commonly from October until April, with the wettest months being
December, January, and February. The dry season is from May
until October or November.
Social Activities
From a Volunteer:
Just walking/riding your bike around your community and
meeting different types of people has been one of my favorite
things. Playing sports (basketball, volleyball, badminton) with the
students is another great leisure activity. Cooking together with
neighbors to prepare for a large event is one of the best ways to
meet the women in your village. There are several holidays where
the community comes together, celebrating with a puppet show,
(wayang kulit), traditional dancing, or communal eating.
Volunteers find that the cities of Surabaya and Malang are
relatively easy to get to if they need a weekend/day away with
other fellow Volunteers or the modern luxury of a mall, movie, or
hamburger.
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Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior
The Javanese value clean, neat, culturally appropriate dress as a

measure of professionalism and respect. This is particularly true
for teachers.
Please see the Cultural Attitudes and Customs in the Workplace
and Dress Code sections in the document Your Assignment.
Personal Safety
More detailed information about the Peace Corps approach to

safety is contained in the Health Care and Safety chapter, but it
is an important issue and cannot be overemphasized. As stated in
the Volunteer Handbook, becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer
entails certain safety risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar
environment (oftentimes alone), having a limited understanding of
local language and culture, and being perceived as well-off are
some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Many
Volunteers experience varying degrees of unwanted attention and
harassment. Petty thefts and burglaries are not uncommon, and
incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although most
Indonesia Volunteers complete their two years of service without
incident. The Peace Corps has established procedures and policies
designed to help you reduce your risks and enhance your safety
and security. These procedures and policies, in addition to safety
training, will be provided once you arrive in Indonesia. Using
these tools, you are expected to take responsibility for your safety
and well-being.
Each staff member at the Peace Corps is committed to providing
Volunteers with the support they need to successfully meet the
challenges they will face to have a safe, healthy, and productive
service. Volunteers and families are encouraged to look at the
safety and security information on the Peace Corps website at
www.peacecorps.gov/safety.
Information on these pages gives messages on Volunteer health
and Volunteer safety. There is a section titled Safety and Security
Our Partnership. Among topics addressed are the risks of
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serving as a Volunteer, posts safety support systems, and

emergency planning and communications.
Rewards and Frustrations
From a Volunteer:
Your service in Indonesia will be a series of rewards and
frustrations, highs and lows, ups and downs. At times you might
think What am I doing here? or Im making absolutely no
difference or maybe even This is terrible. I cant take it
anymore. Small frustrations may be heightened because you are
living in a different place far away from family, friends, and the
comforts of home. The important thing to remember is not to let
those frustrations blind you from seeing the rewards. There will
definitely be rewards. Small differences, small rewardsa child
using what little English he or she knows to say hello, a student
telling you she had a great time in classare important and
should not be taken for granted. Remembering the rewards will
sustain your energy and enthusiasm during the frustrating
moments.
From a Volunteer:
Regardless of where youre placed, you will be making a
difference in at least a handful of lives. Thats one of the best
feelings in the world. Also, being challenged in ways you never
imagined and succeeding is one of the biggest rewards. One of the
challenges is a lack of privacy/independence. Another thing that I
struggle with is how to deal with corruption, both at the school
and the local level. School cheating is also an issue we have all
faced because its socially acceptable here.
Please also see the Potential Challenges and Rewards and
Additional Comments from Volunteers sections of the document
Your Assignment.
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PEACE CORPS TRAINING

Overview of Pre-Service Training
Upon arrival in Indonesia, all trainees begin an intensive 10-week

pre-service training (PST). The purpose of the training is to
prepare trainees to thrive as Volunteers during the first months of
their service. PST prepares Volunteers to engage safely in their
communities, begin their work professionally, communicate
easily, adjust culturally, and access needed resources.
Throughout PST, you will make adjustments as you learn new
ways of doing things; learn to do things youve never done before;
stop doing things you can no longer do; adjust to new people and
their culture; learn to live and work in an environment where a
different language is spoken; and get used to various new and
unusual (to you!) practices. Welcome to the toughest job youll
ever love! It is a collaborative effort among trainees and staff
members, which requires patience, flexibility, and hard work. You
will need energy, enthusiasm, patience, and determination. There
will be fun, excitement, and joy, as well as many challenges and
moments of frustration and exhaustion.
The Peace Corps training program, which continues throughout
your two years of service, is designed to provide you with the
necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes that you will need for a
successful and rewarding two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in
Indonesia.
Peace Corps training uses an experiential learning model. The
experiential approach is learner-centered and allows trainees to
take responsibility for their learning.
Throughout PST, trainees are challenged to demonstrate to the
Peace Corps their desire and ability to live and work in Indonesia
as effective and resourceful Volunteers, as professional
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development workers, and as individuals with an enthusiasm for

cultural exchange.
In addition to reading this welcome book, you might also want to
review the Training for Your Job section in the document Your
Assignment, which you would have received in your invitation
packet.
Technical Training
Technical training will prepare you to work in Indonesia by

building on the skills you already have and helping you develop
new skills in a manner appropriate to the needs of the country. The
Peace Corps staff, Indonesia experts, and current Volunteers will
conduct the training program. Training places great emphasis on
learning how to transfer the skills you have to the community in
which you will serve as a Volunteer.
Technical training will include sessions on the educational system
and expectations in Indonesia and strategies for working within
such a framework. You will review your technical sectors goals
and will participate in practicum activities with students and
teachers at local schools. You will be supported and evaluated
throughout the training to build the confidence and skills you need
to undertake your project activities and be a productive member of
your community.
Language Training
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will find that language skills are
key to personal and professional satisfaction during your service.
These skills are critical to your job performance: They help you
integrate into your community and can ease your personal
adaptation to the new surroundings. Therefore, language training
is at the heart of the training program. You must successfully meet
minimum language requirements to complete training and become
a Volunteer. Bahasa Indonesian language instructors teach formal
language classes five to six days a week in small groups.
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Your language training will incorporate a community-based

approach. In addition to classroom time, you will be given
assignments to work on outside of the classroom and with your
host family. The goal is to get you to a point of basic social
communication skills so you can practice and develop language
skills further once you are at your site. Prior to being sworn in as a
Volunteer, you will work on strategies to continue language
studies during your service.
Beyond the national language of Bahasa Indonesia you will be
introduced to one of the secondary languages spoken on Java:
Javanese, Madurese, or Sundanese, depending on your permanent
site placement. Each of these secondary languages have layers of
formality and differing degrees of difficulty. Learning even a
smattering of these local languages will no doubt endear you with
members of your community. Peace Corps will support your
efforts to learn the appropriate local language during your service.
During pre-service training, our focus will be Bahasa Indonesia as
the national language of the country.
Cross-Cultural Training
As part of your pre-service training, you will live with an

Indonesian host family. This experience is designed to ease your
transition to life at your site. Families go through an orientation
conducted by Peace Corps staff to explain the purpose of preservice training and to assist them in helping you adapt to living in
Indonesia. Many Volunteers form strong and lasting friendships
with their host families.
Cross-cultural and community development training will help you
improve your communication skills and understand your role as a
facilitator of development. You will be exposed to topics such as
community mobilization, conflict resolution, gender and
development, nonformal and adult education strategies, and
political structures.
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Health Training
During pre-service training, you will be given basic medical

training and information. You will be expected to practice
preventive health care and to take responsibility for your own
health by adhering to all medical policies. Trainees are required to
attend all medical sessions. The topics include preventive health
measures and minor and major medical issues that you might
encounter while in Indonesia. Nutrition, mental health, setting up
a safe living compound, and how to avoid HIV/AIDS and other
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also covered.
Safety Training
During the safety training sessions, you will learn how to adopt a
lifestyle that reduces your risks at home, at work, and during your
travels. You will also learn appropriate, effective strategies for
coping with unwanted attention and about your individual
responsibility for promoting safety throughout your service.
Peace Corps/Indonesia has a comprehensive Emergency Action
Plan, which describes the procedure used by staff and Volunteers
in the event of an emergency. During safety and security training
you will become familiar with the document and understand your
role in the event of an emergency. In addition, Peace
Corps/Indonesia staff will also train you to identify, reduce, and
manage any risks you may encounter.
Additional Trainings During Volunteer Service
In its commitment to institutionalize quality training, the Peace

Corps has implemented a training system that provides Volunteers
with continual opportunities to examine their commitment to
Peace Corps service while increasing their technical and crosscultural skills. During service, there are usually three training
events. The titles and objectives for those trainings are as follows:
In-service training: Provides an opportunity for Volunteers to
upgrade their technical, language, and project development
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skills while sharing their experiences and reaffirming their

commitment after having served for three to six months.
Midservice conference: Assists Volunteers in reviewing their
first year, reassessing their personal and project objectives,
and planning for their second year of service.
Close-of-service conference: Prepares Volunteers for the
future after Peace Corps service and reviews their respective
projects and personal experiences. To date, Indonesia has
held a Sustainability Conference in conjunction with the
Close of Service Conference, which brings together
principals, teachers, and Volunteers to plan for ways work
accomplished together can be continued after the Volunteers
departure.
The number, length, and design of these trainings are adapted to

country-specific needs and conditions. The key to the training
system is that training events are integrated and interrelated, from
the pre-departure orientation through the end of your service, and
are planned, implemented, and evaluated cooperatively by the
training staff, Peace Corps staff, and Volunteers.
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YOUR HEALTH CARE AND

SAFETY IN INDONESIA
The Peace Corps highest priority is maintaining the good health
and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs
emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to
disease. The Peace Corps in Indonesia maintains a clinic with two
full-time medical officers, who take care of Volunteers primary
health-care needs. Additional medical services, such as testing and
basic treatment, are also available in Indonesia at local hospitals.
If you become seriously ill, you will be transported either to an
American-standard medical facility in the region or to the United
States.
Health Issues in Indonesia
Most of the medical problems seen in Indonesia are also found in

the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections,
headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections,
adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers,
these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in
Indonesia because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the
severity of certain illnesses. It is important for Volunteers to know
that counseling services in Indonesia are extremely limited, with
no therapists available for extended monitoring of mental health
conditions. Also, there are no Alcoholics Anonymous facilities or
support groups for recovering alcoholics.
The medical problems specific to Indonesia are typical of those in
any developing tropical country. Malaria, dengue fever,
HIV/AIDS, gastrointestinal infections, typhoid fever, hepatitis,
and skin infections (including fungal infections, heat rash, and
heat exhaustion) are all common illnesses, most of which are
entirely preventable with appropriate knowledge and
interventions. Because malaria is endemic in Indonesia, taking
anti-malaria pills is required of all Volunteers. You will also be
vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, meningitis, typhoid,
diphtheria, tetanus, polio, mumps, measles, rubella and rabies. If
you have had any of these immunizations, please bring
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documentation from the providers who administered the vaccines.

Without such documentation, the Peace Corps must give you the
vaccines again to ensure that you are properly immunized. These
immunizations are not optional.
Avian influenza is endemic among the fowl population in some
parts of Indonesia, especially in East Java. There are reports on
human infection in East Java but no confirmed cases of human-tohuman transmission of avian influenza. The World Health
Organization (WHO) believes the spread of infection has become
consistent with human-to-human transmission. WHO is
monitoring the situation very closely in Indonesia, where most
cases have occurred to date. Peace Corps/Indonesia provides
Relenza to each Volunteer as a precaution. Peace Corps
headquarters will continue to monitor avian influenza and will
keep the post advised.
Helping You Stay Healthy
The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary
inoculations, medications, and information to stay healthy. Upon
your arrival in Indonesia, you will receive a medical handbook. At
the end of training, you will receive a medical kit with supplies to
take care of mild illnesses and first aid needs. The contents of the
kit are listed later in this chapter.
During pre-service training, you will have access to basic medical
supplies through the medical officer. However, you will be
responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs and any
other specific medical supplies you require, as the Peace Corps
will not order these items during training. Please bring a threemonth supply of any prescription drugs you use, since they may
not be available here and it may take several months for shipments
to arrive.
You will have physicals at midservice and at the end of your
service. If you develop a serious medical problem during your
service, the medical officer in Indonesia will consult with the
Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C. If it is determined
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that your condition cannot be treated in Indonesia, you may be

sent out of the country for further evaluation and care.
Maintaining Your Health
As a Volunteer, you must accept considerable responsibility for

your own health. Proper precautions will significantly reduce your
risk of serious illness or injury. The adage An ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure becomes extremely
important in areas where diagnostic and treatment facilities are not
up to the standards of the United States. The most important of
your responsibilities in Indonesia is to take the following
preventive measures:
Malaria: Indonesia is a chloroquine-resistant malarial endemic
country. All Volunteers are required to take prophylactic medicine
against the disease (one 250 mg tablet of mefloquine once a week
or one 100 mg tablet doxycycline daily). Malaria is treatable, but
there is no vaccine or treatment for dengue. The only prevention is
to avoid being bitten. All Volunteers are advised to use mosquito
repellant lotion, such as DEET, at all times and to sleep under
mosquito nets.
Avian flu: WHO has confirmed human cases from avian influenza
(H5N1) in Indonesia. Confirmed cases come from 12 provinces,
namely West Java, East Java, DKI Jakarta, Banten, North
Sumatra, Central Java, West Sumatera, Lampung, South Sulawesi,
South Sumatra, Bali, and Riau. There is no report of transmission
from human to human at the date of this printing and Volunteers
intending to travel to those areas for shorter periods are at the
lowest risk of infection. As a preventive measure, Volunteers
should avoid contact with any types of birds, including chickens
and ducks, to minimize risk of exposure to avian influenza. It is
wise also to avoid all poultry farms, contact with animals in live
food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated
with feces from poultry or other animals.
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Diphtheria: All trainees/Volunteers are encouraged to get their

diphtheria vaccination (e.g., Tdap, DTap) prior to their staging.
Diphtheria is an acute bacterial infection of the upper respiratory
tract, which results in the formation of a thick coating across the
throat, preventing swallowing and, in many cases, the ability to
breathe. If left untreated, diphtheria can damage the nervous
system and cardiac muscle, leading to chronic heart disease or
heart attack. It is a highly contagious disease, spread from one
person to another via touching, coughing, or sneezing. Prevention
can be done by proper handwashing, covering ones mouth when
coughing or sneezing, and by vaccination.
Rabies: All trainees/Volunteers will receive pre-exposure rabies

vaccination series during PST. Rabies is endemic in 24 of the 33
provinces in Indonesia. In Bali, rabies is endemic with the highest
mortality rate nationwide. Rabies is a rapidly progressing virus
that causes death. It is almost always spread by an animal bite but
can also be spread when a rabid animals saliva gets directly into
the eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin. The primary sources of
human infection worldwide are dogs and certain wildlife species,
such as foxes, raccoons, mongooses, and bats. The best protection
is to avoid exposure; don't pet any dogs or pick up street cats or
kittens. Pets in-country are not always vaccinated against rabies.
Air pollution: Indonesia has many of the worlds most polluted
cities. It is important to be honest with the Peace Corps medical
officer about any history you may have of asthma, reactive airway
disease, or other respiratory conditions that could be affected by
high levels of air pollution.
Respiratory infections: These are common occurrences. To
prevent them, you are encouraged to get enough sleep, maintain
good eating habits, refrain from smoking, get a moderate amount
of exercise, practice stress management, and wash your hands
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frequently. Also, do not share a dish (using same spoon/fork) with

someone who has a cold.
Diarrhea: Your medical officer will discuss specific standards for
water and food preparation in Indonesia during pre-service
training. It is also important to pay close attention to the sanitary
conditions of restaurants, wash your hands frequently, and carry
potable water with you at all times.
Stress: Successful strategies for stress management include
exercise, journaling, listening to or playing music, talking to
peers, and reading.
Dental problems: The best way to avoid broken fillings, receding
gums, and other dental problems is to maintain a regular regimen
of brushing and flossing correctly. Always check rice that you eat
or prepare for foreign bodies, such as small pebbles.
Many illnesses that afflict Volunteers worldwide are entirely
preventable if proper food and water precautions are taken. These
illnesses include food poisoning, parasitic infections, hepatitis A,
dysentery, Guinea worms, tapeworms, and typhoid fever. Your
medical officer will discuss specific standards for water and food
preparation in Indonesia during pre-service training.
You are taking risks if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen
risk, use a condom every time you have sex. Whether your partner
is a host country citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do
not assume this person is free of HIV/AIDS or other STIs. You
will receive more information from the medical officer about this
important issue.
Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth
control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Your medical officer
can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your
individual needs. Contraceptive methods are available without
charge from the medical officer.
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It is critical to your health that you promptly report to the medical

office or other designated facility for scheduled immunizations,
and that you let the medical officer know immediately of
significant illnesses and injuries.
Womens Health Information
Pregnancy is treated in the same manner as other Volunteer health

conditions that require medical attention but also have
programmatic ramifications. The Peace Corps is responsible for
determining the medical risk and the availability of appropriate
medical care if the Volunteer remains in-country. Given the
circumstances under which Volunteers live and work in Peace
Corps countries, it is rare that the Peace Corps medical and
programmatic standards for continued service during pregnancy
can be met.
If feminine hygiene products are not available for you to purchase
on the local market, the Peace Corps medical officer in Indonesia
will provide them. If you require a specific product, please bring a
three-month supply with you.
Your Peace Corps Medical Kit
The Peace Corps medical officer will provide you with a kit that
contains basic items necessary to prevent and treat illnesses that
may occur during service. Kit items can be periodically restocked
at the medical office.
Medical Kit Contents
Ace bandages
Adhesive tape
American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook
Antacid tablets (Tums)
Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymycin B)
Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleaner (Hibiclens)
Band-Aids
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Butterfly closures
Calamine lotion
Cepacol lozenges
Condoms
Dental floss
Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl)
Insect repellent stick (Cutter)
Iodine tablets (for water purification)
Lip balm (Chapstick)
Oral rehydration salts
Oral thermometer (Fahrenheit)
Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed)
Robitussin-DM lozenges (for cough)
Scissors
Sterile gauze pads
Tetrahydrozaline eyedrops (Visine)
Tinactin (antifungal cream)
Tweezers
Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist
If there has been any change in your healthphysical, mental, or

dentalsince you submitted your examination reports to the
Peace Corps, you must immediately notify the Office of Medical
Services. Failure to disclose new illnesses, injuries, allergies, or
pregnancy can endanger your health and may jeopardize your
eligibility to serve.
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your
physical exam is more than two years old, contact the Office of
Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your
records. If your dentist or Peace Corps dental consultant has
recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you
must complete that work and make sure your dentist sends
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requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of Medical

Services.
If you wish to avoid having duplicate vaccinations, contact your
physicians office to obtain a copy of your immunization record
and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any
immunizations prior to Peace Corps service, the Peace Corps
cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide
all the immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment,
either at your pre-departure orientation or shortly after you arrive
in Indonesia. You do not need to begin taking malaria medication
prior to departure.
Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-thecounter medication you use on a regular basis, including birth
control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for
this three-month supply, it will order refills during your service.
While awaiting shipmentwhich can take several monthsyou
will be dependent on your own medication supply. The Peace
Corps will not pay for herbal or nonprescribed medications, such
as St. Johns wort, glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant
supplements.
You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions
signed by your physician. This is not a requirement, but they
might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about
carrying a three-month supply of prescription drugs.
If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you. If a pair breaks,
the Peace Corps will replace them, using the information your
doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form during
your examination. The Peace Corps discourages you from using
contact lenses during your service to reduce your risk of
developing a serious infection or other eye disease. Most Peace
Corps countries do not have appropriate water and sanitation to
support eye care with the use of contact lenses. The Peace Corps
will not supply or replace contact lenses or associated solutions
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38
unless an ophthalmologist has recommended their use for a

specific medical condition and the Peace Corps Office of Medical
Services has given approval.
If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age, or have
a health condition that may restrict your future participation in
health-care plans, you may wish to consult an insurance specialist
about unique coverage needs before your departure. The Peace
Corps will provide all necessary health care from the time you
leave for your pre-departure orientation until you complete your
service. When you finish, you will be entitled to the post-service
health care benefits described in the Peace Corps Volunteer
Handbook. You may wish to consider keeping an existing health
plan in effect during your service if you think age or pre-existing
conditions might prevent you from re-enrolling in your current
plan when you return home.
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Safety and SecurityOur Partnership
Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security

risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment, a limited
understanding of the local language and culture, and the
perception of being a wealthy American are some of the factors
that can put a Volunteer at risk. Property theft and burglaries are
not uncommon. Incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur,
although almost all Volunteers complete their two years of service
without serious personal safety problems.
Beyond knowing that Peace Corps approaches safety and security
as a partnership with you, it might be helpful to see how this
partnership works. Peace Corps has policies, procedures, and
training in place to promote your safety. The Peace Corps depends
on you to follow those policies and to put into practice what you
have learned. An example of how this works in practicein this
case to help manage the risk of burglaryfollows:
Peace Corps assesses the security environment where you will

live and work
Peace Corps inspects the house where you will live according to
established security criteria
Peace Corp provides you with resources to take measures such as
installing new locks
Peace Corps ensures you are welcomed by host country
authorities in your new community
Peace Corps responds to security concerns that you raise
You lock your doors and windows
You adopt a lifestyle appropriate to the community where you
live
You get to know neighbors
You decide if purchasing personal articles insurance is
appropriate for you
You dont change residences before being authorized by Peace
Corps
You communicate concerns that you have to Peace Corps staff
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This welcome book contains sections on Living Conditions and

Volunteer Lifestyle; Peace Corps Training; and Your Health Care
and Safety that all include important safety and security
information to help you understand this partnership. The Peace
Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they need to
function in the safest way possible, because working to maximize
the safety and security of Volunteers is our highest priority. Not
only do we provide you with training and tools to prepare for the
unexpected, but we teach you to identify, reduce, and manage the
risks you may encounter.
Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteers risk,

many of which are within the Volunteers control. By far the most
common crime that Volunteers experience is theft. Thefts often
occur when Volunteers are away from their sites, in crowded
locations (such as markets or on public transportation), and when
leaving items unattended.
Before you depart for Indonesia there are several measures you
can take to reduce your risk:
Leave valuable objects in U.S.
Leave copies of important documents and account numbers
with someone you trust in the U.S.
Purchase a hidden money pouch or "dummy" wallet as a
decoy
Purchase personal articles insurance
After you arrive in Indonesia, you will receive more detailed
information about common crimes, factors that contribute to
Volunteer risk, and local strategies to reduce that risk. For
example, Volunteers in Indonesia learn to do the following:
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Choose safe routes and times for travel, and travel with
someone trusted by the community whenever possible
Make sure ones personal appearance is respectful of local
customs
Avoid high-crime areas
Know the local language to get help in an emergency
Make friends with local people who are respected in the
community
Limit alcohol consumption
As you can see from this list, you must be willing to work hard
and adapt your lifestyle to minimize the potential for being a
target for crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist
in Indonesia. You can reduce your risk by avoiding situations that
place you at risk and by taking precautions. Crime at the village or
town level is less frequent than in the large cities; people know
each other and generally are less likely to steal from their
neighbors. Tourist attractions in large towns are favorite worksites
for pickpockets.
The following are other security concerns in Indonesia of which
you should be aware:
Petty theft is common, particularly on crowded public streets.
Thieves on motorcycles may snatch handbags from
pedestrians. Volunteers in Indonesia have experienced thefts,
generally when they were away from their site and
particularly while taking public transportation. Volunteers are
trained in how to mitigate such theft during PST.
Female Volunteers have reported touching or groping

incidents while traveling alone. There is no indication that
Volunteers are being specifically targeted; Indonesian women
report such incidents as a common occurrence. In addition,
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these acts do not appear to be a precursor to more serious

levels of sexual assault. The vast majority of Volunteers
report feeling safe and secure within their communities and
receive training throughout their service on how to reduce the
risk from these and other types of crime.
Alcohol consumption is culturally suppressed in Indonesia,
and in many places it is considered a serious violation to local
norms and traditions. In addition, there are news reports of
deaths in the general population caused by homemade (and
therefore unregulated) alcohol and spirits. Volunteers are
trained so that they understand the risks and ramifications of
consuming alcohol.
With more than 35 million motor vehicles in Indonesia, traffic
accidents are common. The danger of congested streets is
compounded by drivers who may not know or heed traffic
regulations. Traffic safety issues are discussed during training.
Indonesia experiences periodic acts of political violence, civil
unrest, and terrorism. Peace Corps/Indonesia, with strong
support of Indonesian government counterparts, places
Volunteers in areas of the country where their exposure to
such acts is relatively remote. The prime targets of terrorist
activities have not been individuals, but rather institutions
such as the police and governmental offices. Sentiment
toward the United States, while trending in a positive
direction over the past few years, could potentially pose a
risk.
Terrorism is, unfortunately, part of Indonesians recent
history. Among the terrorist attacks in the last decade have
been the Bali bombings in 2002 and 2003, and in Jakarta in
2009. During training, Peace Corps staff and guest speakers
fully inform Volunteers about the targets and perpetrators of
these events, as well as steps the Indonesian government has
taken in response. Provinces or districts which have a record
of political unrest are not considered for Volunteer placement.
After training, Volunteers receive relevant updates and alerts,
as needed.
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Indonesia is geographically situated in the Ring of Fire, an

area of the Pacific basin where large numbers of earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions occur. Sites located within a 10kilometer radius of an active volcano, or those which are
prone to flooding or landslides, are not considered for
Volunteer placement. During training, Emergency Action
Plans are presented and practiced. After training, Volunteers
receive relevant updates and alerts, as needed.
While whistles and exclamations may be fairly common on the
street, this behavior can be reduced if you dress conservatively,
abide by local cultural norms, and respond according to the
training you will receive.
Staying Safe: Dont Be a Target for Crime
You must be prepared to take on a large degree of responsibility

for your own safety. You can make yourself less of a target,
ensure that your home is secure, and develop relationships in your
community that will make you an unlikely victim of crime. While
the factors that contribute to your risk in Indonesia may be
different, in many ways you can do what you would do if you
moved to a new city anywhere: Be cautious, check things out, ask
questions, learn about your neighborhood, know where the more
risky locations are, use common sense, and be aware. You can
reduce your vulnerability to crime by integrating into your
community, learning the local language, acting responsibly, and
abiding by Peace Corps policies and procedures. Serving safely
and effectively in Indonesia will require that you accept some
restrictions on your current lifestyle.
Support from Staff
If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident, Peace

Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All Peace Corps posts
have procedures in place to respond to incidents of crime
committed against Volunteers. The first priority for all posts in the
aftermath of an incident is to ensure the Volunteer is safe and
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receiving medical treatment as needed. After assuring the safety of

the Volunteer, Peace Corps staff response may include reassessing
the Volunteers worksite and housing arrangements and making
any adjustments, as needed. In some cases, the nature of the
incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace Corps
staff will also assist Volunteers with preserving their rights to
pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the crime. It is
very important that Volunteers report incidents as they occur, not
only to protect their peer Volunteers, but also to preserve the
future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers decide later in the
process that they want to proceed with the prosecution of their
assailant, this option may no longer exist if the evidence of the
event has not been preserved at the time of the incident.
Crime Data for Indonesia
Crime data and statistics for Indonesia, which is updated yearly,

are available at the following link:
http://www.peacecorps.gov/countrydata/indonesia
Please take the time to review this important information.
Few Peace Corps Volunteers are victims of serious crimes and
crimes that do occur overseas are investigated and prosecuted by
local authorities through the local courts system. If you are the
victim of a crime, you will decide if you wish to pursue
prosecution. If you decide to prosecute, the Peace Corps will be
there to assist you. One of our tasks is to ensure you are fully
informed of your options and understand how the local legal
process works. The Peace Corps will help you ensure your rights
are protected to the fullest extent possible under the laws of the
country.
If you are the victim of a serious crime, you will learn how to get
to a safe location as quickly as possible and contact your Peace
Corps office. Its important that you notify Peace Corps staff as
soon as you can so the Peace Corps can provide you with the help
you need.
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Volunteer Safety Support in Indonesia
The Peace Corps approach to safety is a five-pronged plan to help

you stay safe during your service and includes the following:
information sharing, Volunteer training, site selection criteria, a
detailed emergency action plan, and protocols for addressing
safety and security incidents. Indonesias in-country safety
program is outlined below.
The Peace Corps/Indonesia office will keep you informed of any
issues that may impact Volunteer safety through information
sharing. Regular updates will be provided in Volunteer
newsletters and in memorandums from the country director. In the
event of a critical situation or emergency, you will be contacted
through the emergency communication network. An important
component of the capacity of Peace Corps to keep you informed is
your buy-in to the partnership concept with the Peace Corps staff.
It is expected that you will do your part in ensuring that Peace
Corps staff members are kept apprised of your movements incountry so they are able to inform you.
Volunteer training will include sessions on specific safety and
security issues in Indonesia. This training will prepare you to
adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that
promotes safety and reduces risk in your home, at work, and while
traveling. Safety training is offered throughout service and is
integrated into the language, cross-cultural aspects, health, and
other components of training. You will be expected to
successfully complete all training competencies in a variety of
areas, including safety and security, as a condition of service.
Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe housing
for Volunteers before their arrival. The Peace Corps staff works
closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help
prepare them for a Volunteers arrival and to establish
expectations of their respective roles in supporting the Volunteer.
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Each site is inspected before the Volunteers arrival to ensure

placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and worksites.
Site selection is based, in part, on any relevant site history; access
to medical, banking, postal, and other essential services;
availability of communications, transportation, and markets;
different housing options and living arrangements; and other
Volunteer support needs.
You will also learn about Peace Corps/Indonesias detailed
emergency action plan, which is implemented in the event of
civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at
your site, you will complete and submit a site locator form with
your address, contact information, and a map to your house. If
there is a security threat, you will gather with other Volunteers in
Indonesia at predetermined locations until the situation is resolved
or the Peace Corps decides to evacuate.
Finally, in order for the Peace Corps to be fully responsive to the
needs of Volunteers, it is imperative that Volunteers immediately
report any security incident to the Peace Corps office. The Peace
Corps has established protocols for addressing safety and
security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner, and it
collects and evaluates safety and security data to track trends and
develop strategies to minimize risks to future Volunteers.
DIVERSITY AND
CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES
In fulfilling its mandate to share the face of America with host
countries, the Peace Corps is making special efforts to assure that
all of Americas richness is reflected in the Volunteer corps. More
Americans of color are serving in todays Peace Corps than at any
time in recent history. Differences in race, ethnic background, age,
religion, and sexual orientation are expected and welcomed among
our Volunteers. Part of the Peace Corps mission is to help dispel
any notion that Americans are all of one origin or race and to
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establish that each of us is as thoroughly American as the other

despite our many differences.
Our diversity helps us accomplish that goal. In other ways,
however, it poses challenges. In Indonesia, as in other Peace
Corps host countries, Volunteers behavior, lifestyle, background,
and beliefs are judged in a cultural context very different from
their own. Certain personal perspectives or characteristics
commonly accepted in the United States may be quite uncommon,
unacceptable, or even repressed in Indonesia.
Outside of Indonesias major cities, residents of rural communities
have had relatively little direct exposure to other cultures, races,
religions, and lifestyles. What people view as typical American
behavior or norms may be a misconception, such as the belief that
all Americans are rich and have blond hair and blue eyes. The
people of Indonesia are justly known for their generous hospitality
to foreigners; however, members of the community in which you
will live may display a range of reactions to cultural differences
that you present.
To ease the transition and adapt to life in Indonesia, you may need
to make some temporary, yet fundamental compromises in how
you present yourself as an American and as an individual. For
example, female trainees and Volunteers may not be able to
exercise the independence available to them in the United States;
political discussions need to be handled with great care; and some
of your personal beliefs may best remain undisclosed. You will
need to develop techniques and personal strategies for coping with
these and other limitations. The Peace Corps staff will lead
diversity and sensitivity discussions during pre-service training
and will be on call to provide support, but the challenge ultimately
will be your own.
Overview of Diversity in Indonesia
The Peace Corps staff in Indonesia recognizes the adjustment

issues that come with diversity and will endeavor to provide
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support and guidance. During pre-service training, several

sessions will be held to discuss diversity and coping mechanisms.
The Peace Corps looks forward to having male and female
Volunteers from a variety of races, ethnic groups, ages, religions,
and sexual orientations, and hope that you will become part of a
diverse group of Americans who take pride in supporting one
another and demonstrating the richness of American culture.
What Might a Volunteer Face?
From a Volunteer:
Indonesians are very forward when it comes to commenting on
your looks. It is, therefore, extremely common for both men and
women to comment on your weight whether they see you as thin or
large. This might be accompanied by laughter or even by some
gentle poking. Although this sounds terrifying, its important to
understand that their intention isnt to hurt you. Moreover,
oftentimes being called gemuk (fat) or kurus (thin) isnt really
about your weight but about whether they see you as happy or not.
If youre called gemuk, they mean to say that you look at home
and comfortable. Theyre very pleased when a foreigner is happy
in their country.
Possible Issues for Female Volunteers
From a Volunteer:
Although its ever-changing with this next generation, there are
certain gender roles the older generation still holds onto. For
example, women are expected to marry and start having children
in their late teens/early 20s, so being 25 years or older can be
considered an old maid. Also, living in a Muslim society,
women are not expected to act like men. This varies in each
community, but ranges from playing soccer, to wearing pants, or
doing anything that might be physically straining. Oftentimes
local men may feel entitled to tell you what, when, where, or how
to do something. Jogging is not forbidden, but may be deemed
inappropriate for young women to do alone. There may be
pressure to look beautiful, which can mean wearing a skirt,
lipstick, and doing your hair in a certain way. Its also frowned
upon for a woman to walk around unaccompanied after sunset.
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Possible Issues for Male Volunteers
From a Volunteer:
In most communities it is considered inappropriate to have a
girl/woman over at a mans house without any older supervision.
In general, men are not supposed to spend one-on-one time with
young, unmarried women; it is frowned upon. Therefore, male
Volunteers should be a bit cautious and try to avoid these
situations.
Although men experience significantly less dress restrictions than
women, male Volunteers may want to refrain from wearing shorts
except when exercising or at home. Wearing shorts is uncommon
among men and might be excessively informal (despite the hot
weather). That said, each community is different, and if you see
other men wearing shorts on a hot hot day, its not the worst thing
in the world to wear shorts too. Also, male PCVs should make
sure their hair isnt too long. Long hair is looked at as
unprofessional.
Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color
From a Volunteer:
It's hard to make a generalization about the way Indonesians
regard people of different ethnicities and backgrounds because,
just like in the U.S. and other countries, people have a variety of
attitudes toward, and reactions to, diversity.
For the most part, Volunteers have found Indonesian people to be
extremely accepting of Volunteers of color (especially since many
Indonesians are the same colors). Many Indonesians have never
really thought about the fact that Americans come in different
races, so Volunteers may find themselves explaining about the
diverse backgrounds of Americans.
Fairly regularly Volunteers receive comments that, in the U.S.,
would be considered rude or insensitive (e.g., "Why don't you use
lotion to make your skin lighter?" "You should straighten your
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hair"). While this may be perceived as insensitive, it is intended to

be helpful.
People here are not malicious, and they are genuinely curious
about our differences, presenting a wonderful opportunity to
increase understanding.
From a Volunteer:
As a Volunteer of color, I am often asked "Are you really
American?" This question is sometimes followed by more
questions related to family history.
From a Volunteer:
As an Asian-American Volunteer, you will have to explain yourself
(the how and why you are American) to many Indonesians. While
doing this day in and day out can be tiring, its helpful to remind
yourself that to each of those people asking, it may very well be
their first discussion about diversity in the U.S. Ive had many
good talks come out of this.
From a Volunteer:
Sometimes people in my village refer to darker-skinned people as
being more primitive, or descendants of Papua. It is not
considered taboo or rude to make fun of people based on the color
of their skin.
Possible Issues for Senior Volunteers
From a Volunteer:
Indonesians have a great deal of respect for age so it may come as
a shock to be treated as an incompetent childtold when to take a
bath, how to eat, and to be careful when you leave the house.
Language acquisition will likely be painfully slow as the brain
synapses no longer have the youthful speed they once had. The
amount of daily new information may be overwhelming. Not only
will you need to learn Indonesian, and a little Javanese and
Arabic, but possibly Facebook, thumb drives, text messaging, and
blogging.
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You may discover that you now need to use reading glasses due to
the low-level lighting available. Or perhaps your hearing is based
a lot on the context of words and suddenly you wish you had
hearing aids. Recent college graduates thrive on competition and
it may be hard to find yourself at the bottom in the inherent
classroom comparisons.
Your "peer" support group within the Peace Corps community
may consist of people you previously would classify as "kids."
Diarrhea/constipation and squat toilets are harder with aging leg
muscles!
Indonesians will ask your age and be amazed at your stamina.
You will probably be viewed as a cross between a movie star and
a superhero.
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Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers
From a Volunteer:
Indonesians can be tolerant, welcoming, and accepting of many
differences; bhinneka tunggal ika (unity in diversity) is the
national motto.
However, GLBTQ Volunteers in Indonesia should remember that
Indonesia is a largely conservative and religious country. In rural
areas where community culture tends toward the homogenous,
sexualities or gender identifications that fall outside the
Indonesian norm are not commonly discussed or acknowledged.
While transvestitism (waria) is popular in Indonesian
entertainment culture, and displays of physical affection between
same-sex friends are perhaps more common here than in the U.S.,
non-normative sexualities and gender identifications are just that:
non-normative.
In rural Indonesia, foreign visitors can be conspicuous.
Volunteers should strive to maintain credibility and integrity in
the eyes of host country nationals and counterparts. A decision to
behave publicly in accordance with the norms of the host culture
can be a valuable approach to a Volunteer's integration into his
or her community and workplace.
Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers
The 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia guarantees the

freedom for any Indonesian to hold and practice any religion. In
1965 a presidential decree mentioned that six religions are
practiced by the majority of Indonesians: Islam, Christianity,
Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism; this
statement is sometimes interpreted as official recognition of these
faiths. News media cover issues of religious freedom and
tolerance regularly, often in response to local demonstrations or
attacks against particular groups of believers.
Like many other features of culture, the role of religion in
Indonesia is simply not the same as that in the United States. For
example, routine paperwork in the public sphere often asks for one
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to state a religion, and Indonesian job applicants typically include

their religion on rsums. Although personal and specific
questions about faith may be less common (and are often asked of
Volunteers simply out of curiosity or an interest in
accommodating any needs), all Volunteers should think carefully
about how they will respond to questions about religious beliefs
and observance. If a Volunteer is interested in identifying
him/herself as part of a particular religious group, staff will
support you. However, Peace Corps/Indonesia encourages you to
discuss this thoroughly with staff prior to any disclosure so you
understand possible consequences. Note that Volunteers might put
themselves at risk if they choose to disclose their beliefs to
someone they dont know well.
Possible issues for Christian Volunteers
From a Volunteer:
Being a practicing Christian in Indonesia is very different from
being a Christian in the U.S. Indonesian Muslims on the whole
are very tolerant of different religions. The experience of being in
the religious minority has been extremely eye-opening and
valuable to Volunteers, and has made them look at religion in the
U.S. from a different perspective.
Apart from some very specific questions (What is your
religion? What can Christians eat/do?), religious differences
aren't often discussed. The most difficult conversations for me
have been ones in which well-meaning Indonesians suggest
conversion. For example, you may have students who are
genuinely worried because you don't join them for prayers, or you
may be approached by strangers on the street who see you going
into a church. These suggestions have never felt threatening,
just part of a social interaction.
It has been possible for Christian Volunteers (either Catholic or
Protestant) to attend church in many communities, though the
language barrier can initially (and subsequently) be an issue.
Indonesian Christians have been very welcoming.
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Possible Issues for Jewish Volunteers

Christian and Muslim staff members at Peace Corps/Indonesia
believe there are significant issues that a Jewish Volunteer may
face in Indonesia. There is a general lack of familiarity with
Jewish traditions, such as holidays, religious practices, or dietary
needs. The word for Jewish in Indonesian, yahudi, is commonly
used as an epithet meaning a bad, manipulative, or lying person.
Religion teachers at school, and clerics during Friday prayers, use
verses from the Koran to vilify Jewish people, particularly as it
relates to Israels actions in the Middle East and a perceived
suppression of Islam. Students are expected to know these verses
for exams. As a Volunteer (regardless of your background), you
may hear anti-Semitic comments that range from being mildly to
violently hateful. You might also at times feel that you cannot
adequately defend your political, religious, and cultural views for
fear of being rejected by your community, and that you are failing
at creating meaningful cultural exchange.
From a Volunteer:
When asked about my personal beliefs, I usually present myself as
Catholic without going into detail. My mom is Catholic and she
sometimes took me to church growing up so I have some
knowledge about that. I don't know how useful this might be to
other Jewish PCVs but it's how I approach the religion question.
Possible issues for Muslim Volunteers
As practices within the faith of Islam can vary, being Muslim as a
Peace Corps/Indonesia Volunteer may result in pressure to behave
differently or discuss things that are uncomfortable to the
Volunteer.
From a Volunteer:
Being a Muslim Volunteer in Indonesia has provided a unique
experience for me. I have been able to participate in religious
events as another member of the congregation, as opposed to a
curious bystander. It has also made certain Indonesians more
comfortable with me than they would have been if I were not a
Muslim. However, being a Muslim does come with its own sets of
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challenges. Many Indonesians assume that I am Arab because

they dont believe that there are any Muslims in the United States
who are not immigrants. In addition, growing up non-Muslim in
America has led me to have different opinions than are generally
held by Muslim Indonesians. Normally this would not be an issue,
but sometimes Muslim Indonesians assume that since we are of
the same religion, we will see eye-to-eye on everything. I am often
asked my opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is a
touchy subject in any country. Serving as a Muslim Volunteer in
Indonesia does afford you a different perspective in certain cases,
but for the most part you will still be going through the same
experiences as non-Muslim volunteers.
From a Volunteer:
One of the main tenets of the Indonesian state is the belief in one
God. For those Volunteers who are not monotheists, expressing
their religious beliefs or unbelief can be a sensitive issue.
Monotheism is equated with morality in Indonesia, and nonmonotheists may be considered immoral. Until you attain a very
high level of trust with an Indonesian colleague, you are very
strongly advised to avoid a situation in which you express your
disbelief because that will compromise your standing in your
community and school. This is not to say you should lie about
your beliefs, but it is oftentimes better to avoid discussions on
your religious beliefs or give non-committal answers. People who
are religious but non-practicing are common here, so you will
likely not be pressured to go to any religious services. Indonesians
are very accepting of many religions, and will accept your belief
in any of the accepted religions without hassle.
Possible Issues for Married Volunteers
If you are joining Peace Corps/Indonesia with your spouse, you

will experience rewards and frustrations similar to any Volunteer;
however, your marital status will add a dimensionsometimes
enjoyable, sometimes notto your community integration. Your
Indonesian host-family, school colleagues, and neighbors will be
curious about your marriage, and topics such as gender roles,
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family planning, and degrees of independence or privacy may

become points of frequent discussion.
You should know that during the 10 weeks of PST, you will live
in the same community as your spouse, but in a different
household. This is meant to facilitate rapid language learning and
cultural adaptation. At the end of training, you and your spouse
will live together with a host family at your permanent site, where
you will be assigned to teach at different schools.
From married Volunteers:
Living with your spouse in your host families home, you will only
have one bedroom for the two of you. Sometimes, you would like
privacy for yourself, and having alone time may require more
work than it did back home. Find something that you enjoy doing
alone, an activity that your spouse does not participate in. This is
especially great when you have just had an argument and need
some time to decompress.
Living with a host family can be a wonderful experience, but the
drawback is definitely privacy. Many Indonesian homes are full,
with not only the immediate family, but grandparents and other
family or friends as well. Indonesia is hot enough that closing
doors and blocking airflow makes the environment uncomfortable.
This may also decrease the opportunities to be intimate with your
spouse.
Being married, you automatically have a friend and helper! You

will be exposed to more activities, invited to more community
events, and your schools will enjoy getting to know you both. You
are almost seen as two people in one, double the fun, and you can
keep each other comfortable during those super-awkward
moments. Since you are both teachers, you can bounce ideas off of
each other and create lesson plans together. Working as a team,
you can share in any progress or difficult situations.
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Possible Issues for Volunteers With Disabilities
As part of the medical clearance process, the Peace Corps Office

of Medical Services determined that you were physically and
emotionally capable, with or without reasonable accommodations,
to perform a full tour of Volunteer service in Indonesia without
unreasonable risk of harm to yourself or interruption of service.
The Peace Corps/Indonesia staff will work with disabled
Volunteers to make reasonable accommodations for them in
training, housing, jobsites, or other areas to enable them to serve
safely and effectively.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much luggage am I allowed to bring to Indonesia?
Most airlines have baggage size and weight limits and assess
charges for transport of baggage that exceeds those limits. The
Peace Corps has its own size and weight limits and will not pay
the cost of transport for baggage that exceeds these limits. The
Peace Corps allowance is two checked pieces of luggage with
combined dimensions of both pieces not to exceed 107 inches
(length + width + height) and a carry-on bag with dimensions of
no more than 45 inches. Checked baggage should not exceed 80
pounds total with a maximum weight of 50 pounds for any one
bag.
Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take pets, weapons,
explosives, radio transmitters (shortwave radios are permitted),
automobiles, or motorcycles to their overseas assignments. Do not
pack flammable materials or liquids such as lighter fluid, cleaning
solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers. This is an important
safety precaution.
What is the electric current in Indonesia?
220 V/230 V
How much money should I bring?
Volunteers are expected to live at the same level as the people in

their community. You will be given a settling-in allowance and a
monthly living allowance, which should cover your expenses.
Volunteers often wish to bring additional money for vacation
travel to other countries. Credit cards and travelers checks are
preferable to cash. If you choose to bring extra money, bring the
amount that will suit your own travel plans and needs.
When can I take vacation and have people visit me?
Each Volunteer accrues two vacation days per month of service

(excluding training). Leave may not be taken during training, the
first three months of service, or the last three months of service,
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except in conjunction with an authorized emergency leave, or,

under exceptional circumstances, as approved by the country
director. Family and friends are welcome to visit you after preservice training and the first three months of service as long as
their stay does not interfere with your work. Extended stays at
your site are not encouraged and may require permission from
your country director. The Peace Corps is not able to provide your
visitors with visa, medical, or travel assistance.
Will my belongings be covered by insurance?
The Peace Corps does not provide insurance coverage for personal
effects; Volunteers are ultimately responsible for the safekeeping
of their personal belongings. However, you can purchase personal
property insurance before you leave. If you wish, you may contact
your own insurance company; additionally, insurance application
forms will be provided, and we encourage you to consider them
carefully. Volunteers should not take valuable items overseas.
Jewelry, watches, radios, cameras, and expensive appliances are
subject to loss, theft, and breakage, and in many places,
satisfactory maintenance and repair services are not available.
Do I need an international drivers license?
Volunteers in Indonesia do not need an international drivers

license because they are prohibited from operating privately
owned motorized vehicles. Most urban travel is by bus or taxi.
Rural travel ranges from buses and minibuses to trucks, bicycles,
and lots of walking.
What should I bring as gifts for Indonesia friends and my
host family?
This is not a requirement. A token of friendship is sufficient.

Some gift suggestions include knickknacks for the house; pictures,
books, or calendars of American scenes; souvenirs from your area;
hard candies that will not melt or spoil; or photos to give away.
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Where will my site assignment be when I finish training and

how isolated will I be?
Peace Corps trainees are not assigned to individual sites until the
later stages of pre-service training. This gives Peace Corps staff
the opportunity to assess each trainees technical and language
skills prior to assigning sites, in addition to finalizing site
selections with ministry counterparts. You will have the
opportunity to provide input on your site preferences, including
geographical location, distance from other Volunteers, and living
conditions. However, keep in mind that many factors influence the
site selection process and that the Peace Corps cannot guarantee
placement where you would ideally like to be. Most Volunteers
live in small towns or in rural villages and are usually within a
few hours from another Volunteer.
How can my family contact me in an emergency?
The Peace Corps Counseling and Outreach Unit (COU) provides

assistance in handling emergencies affecting trainees and
Volunteers or their families. Before leaving the United States,
instruct your family to notify the COU immediately if an
emergency arises, such as a serious illness or death of a family
member. During normal business hours, the number for the COU
is 855.455.1961; then select option 2. After normal business hours
and on weekends and holidays, the COU duty officer can be
reached at the above number. For non-emergency questions, your
family can get information from your country desk staff at the
Peace Corps by calling 855.855.1961, select option 1, then
extension 2414.
Can I call home from Indonesia?
Calling home is easy. In most areas, cell reception is good.

Should I bring a cellular phone with me?
If your American phone has a changeable SIM card, you can bring
it, though it is very easy and inexpensive to buy a phone in
Indonesia. If you do not bring one, you will likely buy one within
the first month.
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Will there be email and Internet access?

Should I bring my computer?
While the Internet is widely available in East and West Java, it can
be difficult to access in the more remote communities where the
Peace Corps is increasingly placing Volunteers, Even when the
Internet is available, connection times can be slow. While you
dont need to bring a computer from home, many Volunteers
appreciate having one with them. Computers can be purchased at
prices comparable to those in the United States.
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WELCOME LETTERS FROM

INDONESIA VOLUNTEERS
Please see the welcome letter from Peace Corps Indonesias Peer
Support Network, sent separately.
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PACKING LIST
This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Indonesia
and is based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in
making your own list, bearing in mind that each experience is
individual. There is no perfect list! You obviously cannot bring
everything on the list, so consider those items that make the most
sense to you personally and professionally. You can always have
things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind
that you have an 80-pound weight limit on baggage. And
remember, you can get almost everything you need in Indonesia.
Some General Notes on Clothing:
Many of you, male and female, will be given a uniform
by your school. Knowing this may reduce the amount of
teaching clothes you feel you need to bring.
Tailoring is very cheap here, so dont be afraid to pack
lightly for service and plan on having some things made
once you arrive.
Indonesian teachers dress very well; dont expect to wear
T-shirts, jeans, and flip-flops to school.
Higher-quality clothes that can withstand two years of
handwashing are preferred. Youll also appreciate clothes
made of lightweight and/or fast-drying cloth.
You can find most clothing you need here, although
average (or above)-sized Americans may have difficulty
and will need to get things made.
Leather bags or jackets may mold quickly here.
All clothing should be clean upon arrival.
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Female Volunteers comment that women shouldnt

bother bringing anything low cut as youre unlikely to
wear it in your communities.
Recommended Items for Women:

Pants: Dressy pants for school and events; jeans and
casual pants for outside of school. Shorts/capris for
around-the-house wear or vacation
Skirts: Skirts that fall below the knee. Black is a safe,
conservative color choice. Some Volunteers will be at
conservative schools that require long (to the ankle)
skirts; if you have them, bring them. If not, and you end
up needing them, they can be made here.
Shoes: Comfortable, black, closed-toe, ideally slip-on
dress shoes. Assume you will be on your feet all day and
walking in them, and taking them off when you enter
homes. Athletic shoes, flip-flops, nicer sandals. If you
wear a large size, consider bringing extra pairs.
Shirts: Dress shirts with three-quarter to full-length
sleeves, that button to the collar; other nice shirts; T-shirts
for outside of school
Other: Cotton underwear; undershirts (to soak up sweat);
extra bras; bathing suit; tank tops and shorts as pajamas
(assume you may not wear these outside your house, or
perhaps even your bedroom)
The Diva Cup or a large supply of tampons. (Tampons
are rare in Indonesia and pads are a hassle due to
difficulty of disposal.) Naproxen or your favorite
menstruation-related pain reliever
Rain jacket, a light jacket and/or sweatshirt (it can get
cold at night or in higher elevations)
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Sunglasses
Recommended Items for Men:

Pants: Black pants and other khaki-type pants for school;
jeans and casual pants for outside of schools
Shoes: Comfortable, black, closed-toe, ideally slip-on
dress shoes. Assume you will be on your feet all day and
walking in them, and taking them off when you enter
homes. Athletic shoes, flip-flops, nicer sandals. If you
wear a large size, consider bringing extra pairs.
Shirts: Long and short-sleeved button-down shirts (but
can buy them here too); T-shirts for outside of school
Other: Cotton underwear; undershirts (to soak up sweat);
shorts and T-shirts; bathing suit
A quality razor or a supply of disposable razors
Rain jacket, a light jacket and/or sweatshirt (it can get
cold at night or in higher elevations)
Sunglasses
Other Items to Consider

Bandana
Books (tried-and-true TEFL resources, and your favorite
literature)
Camera
Coloring supplies /markers
Daypack/small backpack for overnight or shorter trips
Deck of cards/card games
Deodorant (good quality can be hard to find)
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Dictionary: English-Bahasa Indonesia

Duct tape
Frisbee
Gifts for your two host families (during training and at
site): e.g., U.S.-themed pens, pencils, stickers, key chains,
calendars (no need to go overboard with large quantities)
Headphones
iPod/MP3 and speakers
Laptop/netbook (with extra battery, external hard drive
for media if desired)
Notebook to be used for learning Bahasa Indonesia
during training
Photos of friends and family
Pictures and postcards of the U.S.
Planner/calendar
Rechargeable batteries (with charger) for any device you
bring
Sewing kit
Sheets, flat (one or two)
Small mirror
Soap box
Teaching materials: Assume beginner or low-intermediate
level learners (magazines, pop music, puzzle books,
Mad Libs, Eye-Spy, stickers)
Towels, fast-drying (one or two)
Umbrella (small)
U.S. and world maps (in English)
Utility knife
Wristwatch
Zip-close bags in assorted sizes
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PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST
The following list consists of suggestions for you to consider as
you prepare to live outside the United States for two years. Not all
items will be relevant to everyone, and the list does not include
everything you should make arrangements for.
Family
Notify family that they can call the Peace Corps Counseling
and Outreach Unit at any time if there is a critical illness or
death of a family member (24-hour telephone number:
855.855.1961, then select option 2.
Give the Peace Corps On the Home Front handbook to
family and friends.
Passport/Travel
Forward to the Peace Corps travel office all paperwork for the
Peace Corps passport and visas.
Verify that your luggage meets the size and weight limits for
international travel.
Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after your
service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will expire three
months after you finish your service, so if you plan to travel
longer, you will need a regular passport.)
Medical/Health
Complete any needed dental and medical work.

If you wear glasses, bring two pairs.
Arrange to bring a three-month supply of all medications
(including birth control pills) you are currently taking.
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Insurance
Make arrangements to maintain life insurance coverage.

Arrange to maintain supplemental health coverage while you
are away. (Even though the Peace Corps is responsible for
your health care during Peace Corps service overseas, it is
advisable for people who have pre-existing conditions to
arrange for the continuation of their supplemental health
coverage. If there is a lapse in coverage, it is often difficult
and expensive to be reinstated.)
Arrange to continue Medicare coverage if applicable.
Personal Papers
Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.

Voting
Register to vote in the state of your home of record. (Many

state universities consider voting and payment of state taxes
as evidence of residence in that state.)
Obtain a voter registration card and take it with you overseas.
Arrange to have an absentee ballot forwarded to you overseas.
Personal Effects
Purchase personal property insurance to extend from the time

you leave your home for service overseas until the time you
complete your service and return to the United States.
Financial Management
Keep a bank account in your name in the U.S.

Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender or loan
service.
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Execute a Power of Attorney for the management of your

property and business.
Arrange for deductions from your readjustment allowance to
pay alimony, child support, and other debts through the Office
of Volunteer Financial Operations at 800.424.8580, ext. 1770.
Place all important papersmortgages, deeds, stocks, and
bondsin a safe deposit box or with an attorney or other
caretaker.
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CONTACTING PEACE CORPS

HEADQUARTERS
This list of numbers will help connect you with the appropriate
office at Peace Corps headquarters to answer various questions.
You can use the toll-free number and extension or dial directly
using the local numbers provided. Be sure to leave the toll-free
number and extensions with your family so they can contact you
in the event of an emergency.
Peace Corps headquarters toll-free number: 855.855.1961, press 1 or
the extension number (see below)
Peace Corps mailing address:
Staff
Peace Corps Headquarters

1111 20th Street NW
Washington, DC 20526
Toll-Free Extension
Responding to an Invitation:
Office of Placement
Country Information:
Ryan Schreiber
Desk Officer Indonesia
rschreiber@peacecorps.gov
Direct/Local Number
ext. 1840
202.692.1840
ext. 2414
202.692.2414
Plane Tickets, Passports, Visas, or other travel matters:

CWT SATO Travel
ext. 1170
202.692.1170
Legal Clearance:
Office of Placement
ext. 1840
202.692.1840
Medical Clearance and Forms Processing (includes dental):

Screening Nurse
ext. 1500
202.692.1500
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Medical Reimbursements (handled by a subcontractor):

800.818.8772
Loan Deferments, Taxes, Financial Operations:
ext. 1770
202.692.1770
Readjustment Allowance Withdrawals, Power of Attorney,

Staging (Pre-Departure Orientation), and Reporting
Instructions:
Office of Staging
ext. 1865
202.692.1865
Note: You will receive comprehensive information (hotel and flight
arrangements) three to five weeks prior to departure. This
information is not available sooner.
Family Emergencies (to get information to a Volunteer overseas)
24 hours:
Counseling & Outreach Unit
ext. 1470
202.692.1470
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Peace Corps Indonesia Welcome Book FY13

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Peace Corps Indonesia Welcome Book FY13

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THE PEACE CORPS WELCOMES YOU TO

A PEACE CORPS PUBLICATION FOR NEW

JUNE 2013 CCD

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

safeguard the reputation of the organization, we do periodically

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

Core Expectations for Peace Corps Volunteers

Peace Corps/Indonesia History and Programs

History of the Peace Corps in Indonesia

History and Future of Peace Corps

Country Overview: Indonesia at a Glance

People and Culture

Resources for Further Information

Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle

Housing and Site Location

Living Allowance and Money Management

Food and Diet

Geography and Climate

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior

Rewards and Frustrations

Peace Corps Training

Overview of Pre-Service Training

Additional Trainings during Volunteer Service

Health Issues in Indonesia

Helping You Stay Healthy

Maintaining Your Health

Womens Health Information

Your Peace Corps Medical Kit

Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist

Safety and SecurityOur Partnership

Staying Safe: Dont Be a Target for Crime

Volunteer Safety Support in Indonesia

Diversity and Cross-Cultural Issues

Support from Staff

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

Overview of Diversity in Indonesia

What Might a Volunteer Face?

Possible Issues for Female Volunteers

Possible Issues for Male Volunteers

Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color

Possible Issues for Senior Volunteers

Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers

Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers

Possible Issues for Married Volunteers

Possible Issues for Volunteers with Disabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome Letters from Indonesia Volunteers

Contacting Peace Corps Headquarters

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

Forty-six physical education Volunteers served in Indonesia from

In March 2010, Indonesia welcomed its first group of Peace Corps

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

graduating ninth- and 12th-grade students are expected to take the

Historians believe that Indonesia was linked with the Asian

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

Buddhist temple at Borobudur was built. The dynasty's

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

Shortly after hostilities with the Dutch ended in 1949, Indonesia

Officially succeeding Soekarno in 1968, President Suharto

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

Soekarno's final years. The New Order established economic

| INDONESIA WELCOME BOOK

Indonesia has a market-based economy in which the government

In the mid-1980s, the government began eliminating regulatory

According to the 2010 census, Indonesia is home to 237,641,326