The Day I Made a Friend Entirely Through Indonesian

The Day I Made a Friend Entirely Through Indonesian

Author: Fluent in 3 Months May 26, 2025 Duration: 9:28

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I’m checking in from deep in the jungles of Borneo — or Kalimantan, as it’s called here in Indonesia — surrounded by orangutans, dense rainforest, and the kind of real-life language immersion I’ve been aiming for since the start of this journey. After nearly five months exploring the country, including a two-month trek across Java and a recent stay in Batam with $30 ocean views (just across the water from pricey Singapore), I’m finally seeing major progress in my Indonesian: I’ve begun having full, meaningful conversations and even making new friends entirely in the language — no English safety net.

Of course, the road hasn’t been smooth the entire way. I share some honest moments of confusion, including why I still struggle to catch parking fees (yes, even numbers trip me up sometimes!) and how dialect differences can make even the basics a challenge. But I’m feeling more confident than ever, just in time for the next leg of the trip — from East to West Borneo, then on to Sulawesi and Sumatra, where I’ll rarely come across other foreigners. If you’re starting your own language learning journey and want personalised advice, you can book a consultation with me here. I’d love to help you through any hurdles you’re facing — and for a limited time, I’m offering these sessions at half the usual rate.

Click here to book a personalised one-on-one language coaching session with me

Or you can follow me 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: en-us Episodes: 100

Language & Travel Hacking
Podcast Episodes
#140 Peggy on “Little Victories” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:14
Do old-school language learning methods still work in our technology-focused and app-driven world? Fluent in 3 Months student Peggy tackled this question while learning Spanish with us. She also discovered how to balance…
#139 Will Scott on Learning French Daily [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:37
“Before the Challenge I would have laughed if you told me I was going to study [French] every day for a week.” This is what Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and French learner, Will Scott, shared. Discover how he…
Ask Benny: How Did the Korean Mission Go? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:22
In this episode, Benny goes over his Korean mission and lists some of the best decisions he’s taken and the setbacks he’s encountered.He analyses the CEFR level he is at, outlines a plan to improve over the next weeks, a…
#138 Anika on How to Learn Telugu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:05
How do you learn to speak another language when there are little to no resources available for learners?Fluent in 3 Months student Anika took head-on as she learned Telugu with us. She shares how she taps into native res…
Ask Benny: Can I Learn a Language With My Partner? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:56
Benny gives his opinion on learning a language with the help of your partner and why it can cause difficulties both to the language learning and the relationship itself.Instead, he suggests alternatives that would still…
#137 Victoria Galmarini on Mundo Lingo and Language Exchange Events [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:59
What’s it like attending an in-person language exchange event?Victoria Galmarini, Lead Manager for MundoLingo, an in-person language exchange organization, shares how to run a language exchange event, ways exchanges diff…
Ask Benny: Why 3 Months? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:15
Benny answers the big questions that a lot of skeptics asking him: Why 3 months?Listen to this episode to hear the founder of world-famous Fluent in 3 Months language brand explain how setting himself a deadline of three…
#135 Azren on Going from Window Cleaner to Language Teacher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:10
How can you find good resources to learn uncommon or less popular languages?Azren grew up multilingual and made a career out of his passion for languages. He currently speaks English, French, Spanish, Gujarati, and Manda…
Ask Benny: How Do You Start Speaking From Day 1? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:54
Join Benny as he explains how he has started his Korean mission from absolute scratch—and how you can do the same! The steps are simple:Avoiding English at all costs—so no English conversation, even with your tutor.Cheat…