Month 2 Language Project update

Month 2 Language Project update

Author: Fluent in 3 Months March 17, 2025 Duration: 7:58

After two intense months of studying Indonesian—dedicating up to eight hours a day, seven days a week—I’m excited to share my progress in this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast. I’ve reached a solid B1 level, able to hold conversations with patient speakers using formal Indonesian. Skipping Bali’s beaches and parties to focus entirely on learning has paid off, and I’m now ready to take my skills beyond structured lessons and into real-world interactions. With a spontaneous, unscripted conversation video on the way, you can judge my progress for yourself.

Now, as I prepare to travel through Indonesia—starting in Jakarta before spending a month in Jogja—I face a new challenge: shifting from formal textbook Indonesian to the casual, everyday language spoken by locals. Adapting to natural speech won’t be easy, but I’m eager to fully immerse myself and explore more of Indonesia beyond Bali. Tune in to hear about my language journey so far and what’s next as I continue my adventure!


If you need one-on-one language guidance, schedule a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat.
And don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp here!

Or you can follow Benny on all Social Media channels:
Instagram: @irishpolyglot
Thread: @irishpolyglot
TikTok: @irishpolyglot


There’s a certain magic that happens when you step off a plane and try to order a meal in a language you’re still fumbling through, or when a simple conversation with a stranger on a train opens up an entirely new perspective. Language & Travel Hacking, from the team behind Fluent in 3 Months, lives in those messy, authentic, and profoundly rewarding moments. Host Benny Lewis, a nomadic polyglot and best-selling author, doesn’t just theorize from a studio; he records from the road, sharing raw, real-time experiences and the practical strategies that actually work when you’re navigating a foreign market or building confidence in a new tongue. Each episode feels like a candid chat with a well-traveled friend who’s made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. You’ll hear the sounds of street markets and train stations in the background as Benny breaks down the psychology of language learning, offers actionable tips for picking up phrases quickly, and discusses how travel itself can be the ultimate classroom. This podcast is built on the idea that fluency and cultural connection aren’t distant goals reserved for the gifted, but accessible skills you can hack through smart, intentional practice. It’s for anyone who believes that the deepest way to explore a place is through its language, and that every journey is an opportunity to reshape how you see the world-and yourself. Tune in for honest stories and tangible advice that will change how you approach your next adventure, whether it’s across the globe or right in your own neighborhood.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 271

Language & Travel Hacking
Podcast Episodes
Saving money with the world's easiest language [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:18
In this episode, Benny shares his frugal travel plans for the upcoming New Year, featuring the Junulara Esperanto Renkontiĝo (Youth Esperanto Week) in Belgium. He explains how Esperanto events provide a unique mix of cul…
Announcing my big 2025 language and travel project! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:08
Benny Lewis shares his ambitious plans for 2025, which revolve around learning Indonesian and traveling across Indonesia. Following his 2024 adventure exploring every state in Brazil, Benny plans to spend the first two m…
What is it like to visit every state of Brazil? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:53
In this episode, Benny Lewis shares his journey of completing a long-time travel goal: visiting all 26 states of Brazil plus the federal district. Over the course of nine months, Benny explored the country deeply, opting…
Moving abroad: What to think about (part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:30
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, host Benny Lewis dives into part two of his guide to preparing for a potential move abroad. Building on the previous episode's core tips, Benny emphasizes the i…
Moving abroad: What to think about (part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:29
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking podcast, Benny Lewis dives into the essentials of planning a move abroad. Inspired by recent conversations with listeners and current events, Benny shares his insights o…
Improving language skills through learning other new things [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:45
In this episode, Benny shares a unique approach to language learning while traveling: enrolling in local classes for non-language subjects. Benny explains that by taking lessons in activities like dancing, cooking, or ev…
Several tools to share your travel itinerary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:39
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, Benny dives into tools for sharing travel itineraries, inspired by his friend Derek Sivers. Benny discusses why sharing travel plans can be useful for friends a…
Using travel to get in shape [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:37
In this episode, Benny shares his inspiring journey of losing 20kg (44lbs) through travel. After reaching 120kg (265lbs) and feeling stuck in unhealthy habits, Benny chose to reset his routine by traveling to the remote…
How I became a polyglot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:14
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, Benny revisits the story of how he became a polyglot. He shares his early struggles with maintaining multiple languages, especially during his time learning Spa…
Travel Health Hacks: Avoiding and Managing Illness on the Road [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:55
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, host Benny Lewis dives into the challenges of staying healthy while traveling. Drawing from 21 years of travel experience, Benny shares his personal stories of…