We believe that Bali is a living classroom with something special to share with the world beyond its shores.
For more than 15 years, Bali Institute has been collaborating with extraordinary leaders, organizations, and communities in Bali to offer premier educational travel programs for all ages.
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Bali reminds us what it means to be human and connects us to the beauty of the world.
In the heart of our work is the belief that every unique experience we offer has the power for self-discovery.
Bali invites you to tap into your deepest curiosities and engages you to explore the world in new ways.
Our unwavering commitment is for you to return home empowered.
Our cross-cultural team has a genuine care for the well being of the island’s people, culture, and environment.
We are excited to share the magic of Bali by harnessing our deep roots in the community to create unique and transformative programs for all ages.
Bali Institute emerged from two “Quest for Global Healing” conferences in 2004 and 2006, and a third “Awakening Global Action” conference in 2007, all held in Ubud, Bali. Developed by Bali Institute’s founder, Marcia Jaffe, and a collaborative team of leaders and volunteers, these conferences ultimately brought together more than 1,200 people from more than 40 countries. The focus of these events was to explore new roles individuals might play in addressing issues like poverty, human rights, sustainable development, environment sustainability, nonviolent conflict resolution, and numerous other global challenges.
At the conclusion of the conferences, individuals and organizations began approaching Bali Institute asking for assistance in creating leadership trainings, global activism workshops, and education travel programs that incorporated Bali as more than just a tropical backdrop, but instead as a living classroom featuring examples from the Balinese culture as central components of the learning experience.
In the last fifteen years, Bali Institute has been developing inspiring educational programs focused on teen exploration, university experiences, adult learning journeys, and professional development. We have custom designed each of our programs around the specific group’s theme, with topics including everything from public health to social entrepreneurship, art and music to biology, service learning to psychology, and leadership to indigenous wisdom. Our team works closely with each program leader to co-design and co-facilitate the program materials, linking the curriculum or learning objectives with specific cultural immersion experiences. Identifying these links is what truly brings a program’s theme to life—and the resulting experiences are what send participants home transformed.
Today, Bali Institute includes a consortium of universities, international organizations, NGOs, thought leaders and consultants who promote a sustainable, humane and culturally-diverse life for all. It is the only affiliate member of International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP), and is an educational partner with Bali’s two largest universities, Udayana University and Ganesha University.