Presentation made to CU meeting on December 12, 2002
Fun fact: "What color are the beaches in Bali?" (See answer at end.)
"You're going in the wrong direction!" was a Community Unity member's response to Agus Juliawan's description of his seven-year trek from Bali to San Diego, California, then Arkansas and now to Indiana. Agreeing that he had been moving to colder and colder climes, Agus described his first reactions to the U.S. "It was a culture shock. I was totally unprepared. It was different from what I thought." He admitted that his first American host family knew nothing about his culture either.
Your food is going to kill me!
"In my culture, it's hard to say 'no' if people ask or offer something. This, especially, applies to someone that has been nice to us." As a result, Juliawan had to accept the bread and cheese (no rice!) that his host family served him at nearly every meal. Salad was unusual for him too - "We eat raw salad sometimes with peanut sauce, but not with Thousand Island or Ranch dressing!" In Bali lots of spices are used. Agus made a chili sauce for his American hostess. She took a big bite, thinking it was spaghetti sauce, and could only exclaim, "Your food is going to kill me!"
Now lots of women in my country know their own rights.
In his host family, Agus shared washing dishes and cooking, something he had never done before because at home that was for women to do. At first Agus was shocked at American women being outspoken and being in politics. But now in his own country, people are more open. Indonesia has a woman president and women in the cabinet. "Now lots of women in my country know their own rights."
It has been peaceful and tolerant...
Indonesia's 17,508 islands contain many languages and cultures. Indonesian is the official language but there are different languages spoken in Bali, Java, Borneo, etc. In Bali, Buddhist and Hindu are the main religions, but Islam and Christianity are also welcomed. It has been very peaceful and tolerant, which is why the recent bombing was such a shock. He shared his father's recent description of empty beaches and few tourists since the bombing. Flights have been cut and Bali has lost lots of money.
Agus distributed pictures of Bali, known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. He also showed a brightly decorated leather shadow puppet and some beautiful paintings. An old style painting was done on cloth and a more modern style used carved and painted animal skin.
Health care and government
When asked about health care in Bali, he said health care is affordable in Bali; unlike in the U.S. where everything is based on whether you have insurance. In Bali, if you don't have money, you show your electric bills to the public hospital and they will help you at very low cost. Agus said his "great grandma used cloves, ginger, eucalyptus and other natural healing ingredients."
They help make this country stronger
Technology attracted Agus to the U.S. The ability to do research, to get and share information quickly was important to him in his work in Food Science and Product Development. He said "Americans should be proud and appreciate technology and speedy information." He now works for Tyson Foods in Corydon. He reminded the Community Unity audience that immigrants do pay Federal and State taxes, Social Security and Medicare. "They help make this country stronger and that will help other countries." Agus described how hard it is for immigrants to come into the U.S. legally. He said, "they have to work twice as hard to get through the system, to get visas, papers, etc."
Fun fact about Bali answer: Agus showed pictures of beautiful white, brown and black sand beaches on Bali.
Fun fact: "What color are the beaches in Bali?" (See answer at end.)
"You're going in the wrong direction!" was a Community Unity member's response to Agus Juliawan's description of his seven-year trek from Bali to San Diego, California, then Arkansas and now to Indiana. Agreeing that he had been moving to colder and colder climes, Agus described his first reactions to the U.S. "It was a culture shock. I was totally unprepared. It was different from what I thought." He admitted that his first American host family knew nothing about his culture either.
Your food is going to kill me!
"In my culture, it's hard to say 'no' if people ask or offer something. This, especially, applies to someone that has been nice to us." As a result, Juliawan had to accept the bread and cheese (no rice!) that his host family served him at nearly every meal. Salad was unusual for him too - "We eat raw salad sometimes with peanut sauce, but not with Thousand Island or Ranch dressing!" In Bali lots of spices are used. Agus made a chili sauce for his American hostess. She took a big bite, thinking it was spaghetti sauce, and could only exclaim, "Your food is going to kill me!"
Now lots of women in my country know their own rights.
In his host family, Agus shared washing dishes and cooking, something he had never done before because at home that was for women to do. At first Agus was shocked at American women being outspoken and being in politics. But now in his own country, people are more open. Indonesia has a woman president and women in the cabinet. "Now lots of women in my country know their own rights."
It has been peaceful and tolerant...
Indonesia's 17,508 islands contain many languages and cultures. Indonesian is the official language but there are different languages spoken in Bali, Java, Borneo, etc. In Bali, Buddhist and Hindu are the main religions, but Islam and Christianity are also welcomed. It has been very peaceful and tolerant, which is why the recent bombing was such a shock. He shared his father's recent description of empty beaches and few tourists since the bombing. Flights have been cut and Bali has lost lots of money.
Agus distributed pictures of Bali, known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. He also showed a brightly decorated leather shadow puppet and some beautiful paintings. An old style painting was done on cloth and a more modern style used carved and painted animal skin.
Health care and government
When asked about health care in Bali, he said health care is affordable in Bali; unlike in the U.S. where everything is based on whether you have insurance. In Bali, if you don't have money, you show your electric bills to the public hospital and they will help you at very low cost. Agus said his "great grandma used cloves, ginger, eucalyptus and other natural healing ingredients."
They help make this country stronger
Technology attracted Agus to the U.S. The ability to do research, to get and share information quickly was important to him in his work in Food Science and Product Development. He said "Americans should be proud and appreciate technology and speedy information." He now works for Tyson Foods in Corydon. He reminded the Community Unity audience that immigrants do pay Federal and State taxes, Social Security and Medicare. "They help make this country stronger and that will help other countries." Agus described how hard it is for immigrants to come into the U.S. legally. He said, "they have to work twice as hard to get through the system, to get visas, papers, etc."
Fun fact about Bali answer: Agus showed pictures of beautiful white, brown and black sand beaches on Bali.