You can use the Android Scripting Environment[1] which supports Python, Perl, Ruby, Lua, JavaScript, Tcl and things you've probably never heard of before. Their FAQ says you can build APKs too.
There is a Clojure port for Android[2], and I hear you can compile Scala programs as well[3].
If you're a CS student, you may find Scala interesting (it's a bit similar to Haskell).
Of course, straying from the well trodden path will give you more freedom but you'll get scratched along the way. Which is probably a good thing.