About Me

Hi, my name is Klarijn, but I also go by Clare or Klara, depending on where I am in the world. Currently I am based in the UK, but I love to travel and frequently visit my native country, the Netherlands, and (of course!) Bali and other locations in Indonesia.

I am an experienced, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic Indonesian-language specialist who is passionate about learning and teaching languages. I hold a PhD in Indonesian Studies and have studied and lived on Java in various locations for a number of years. I have also travelled around Indonesia extensively on many a holiday, from Medan in North Sumatra to Sulawesi and Komodo Island – so I know a thing or two about what life in Indonesia is like! A former assistant professor and Indonesian-language tutor, I have taught Indonesian to groups and individuals for over a decade. I've been involved in translation and consultancy projects since the late 1990s and launched my Indonesian translation and academic-editing business in 2007. To boot, in 2008 my husband and I started building a small resort in one of the most amazing locations in East Bali, which we have been managing and developing ever since.

My latest venture is the development of high-quality, engaging, and highly effective Indonesian language courses, specifically for the Bali-bound community. I am passionate about languages and language learning and can't wait to show you that learning Indonesian can be extremely rewarding and a lot of fun; it’s a great way to enhance your holiday or work experience and to really connect with the local population.

Aside from languages, I care deeply about children and their wellbeing. A lover of sports, football in particular, I am also an avid foodie and a keen reader. When I’m not working or reading, you’ll most likely find me in the kitchen or chasing after my two amazing boys. They surprise me every day with their questions, wisdom, and energy; they are insatiable learners and my best teachers. In my spare time, I enjoy having long chats with my wonderful husband about everything that life brings to us. Ultimately, my aim is to contribute, albeit in a modest way, to the creation of a world that is more connected, as I believe it is in the connections with other people that true happiness can be found. Language learning, in my opinion, is one small but important step in this process of bringing people closer together and connecting the world – one language learner at a time.