FACULTY-LED
WHO WE ARE
Bali Institute is a global education organisation providing highimpact, inspiring learning opportunities by exploring the intersection of Bali’s rich culture with vital areas of study including environmental sustainability, global health and wellness, social entrepreneurship and the arts.
Over the last 10 years, thousands of students have participated in our 2-5 week faculty-led university programs. Our core team works closely with each professor to co-design and co-facilitate the courses, helping to link curriculum with specific cultural immersion experiences.
OUR ETHOS
In the heart of our work is the belief that every unique experience we offer has the power for self-discovery. Bali, as a living classroom, invites students to tap into their deepest curiosities and empowers them to explore themselves and the world in new ways. Our unwavering desired outcome is for students to return home inspired in their pursuits.
Our cross-cultural team has a genuine care for the wellbeing of the Balinese people, culture, and environment. We are honored to share the island’s wisdom by harnessing our deep roots in the community to co-create university programs that are truly unique, thought-provoking and transformative for everyone involved.
KEY ELEMENTS OF OUR PROGRAMS
LIVING CLASSROOMS
Exploring social, environmental,
and economic challenges facing Bali
provides real-world context for issues
discussed in the classroom and brings
them to life. The openness of the
Balinese culture allows students to gain
significant international experience and
understanding in their field of study,
even over a short time frame.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Our university programs incorporate
relevant activities, inspiring individuals,
and innovative local organizations that
complement classroom learning. We
custom design each of our program
itineraries with the professor to add
invaluable experiences to their syllabus
and to return students home feeling
inspired.
CROSS-CULTURAL EXCHANGE
We partner with local universities in Bali
to create seminars or mini-courses that
give students the opportunity to meet
their Indonesian counterparts from the
same area of study. Students engage
in international dialogue on the issues
in their field and work in teams on a
project, challenging them to collaborate
across cultures.
THE BALI INSTITUTE EXPERIENCE
Each program is custom-designed to include the perfect balance of classroom time, NGO site visits, and cultural activities in each location, allowing your students to deepen their understanding of class topics as well as Balinese culture.
During the program, we want you and your students to be fully present and at ease in Bali, ready to welcome each new experience. That’s why Bali Institute manages all program logistics and coordination from the moment you touch down in Bali to the moment you head to the airport to return home. In short, faculty teach an amazing course, the Bali Institute team takes care of everything else.
OUR OFFERINGS
- Serve as thinking partner with faculty member(s) to develop the program in a way that meets their course objectives
- Co-design the program itinerary by providing a variety of immersive
experiences that complement the course topics - Pre-arrival coordination for all program participants (registration,
traveler’s tips, packing list, visas, cultural orientation, and other
support for any participant questions) - Management of all logistics from arrival in Bali to departure (including
accommodation, meals, transportation, ground staff, and activities) - General liability insurance coverage of $1 million USD
- A strong health and safety protocol in which all staff are trained
- 24/7 medical and emergency staff support for the entire duration of the
program - English speaking tour guide(s) and coordination team who are with you
for the entire duration of the program
LOCATION
We work with you to create an enriching journey around Bali, including several of our favorite areas on the map based on the location of inspiring activities that support your class content. Bali is an exceptional living classroom, perfect for exploring a wide range of fields from public health to environmental sustainability, anthropology to social entrepreneurship. We recommend a program length of 14-28 days to ensure there is ample time for students to find their grounding and reflect on their experiences in each location.
Ubud is a thriving village in central Bali that is considered the cultural capital of this tiny island. It is famous as an arts and crafts hub, and much of the village and nearby areas consist of artists’ workshops and galleries. Here you find remarkable architecture as well as historical museums, artists, and an array of interesting cafes, local foods, and non-stop ceremonies. The word Ubud comes from the Balinese word for medicine, so it is here that people flock for healing energies, good spirits, meditation, yoga, artistry, and indigenous knowledge..
Amed is part of a long stretch of shoreline on Bali’s northeast coast, made up of small fishing villages divided by large hills and river valleys. While it is known to visitors as a great spot for diving, the area’s local residents make a living mainly from fishing and salt-making, as the area has limited land suitable for growing rice. Despite being a less prosperous area of Bali, you’ll still find ornate and lively ceremonies up and down the coast.
Singaraja is the largest city in North Bali, and was formerly the colonial administrative capital for the Dutch. Singaraja still has some remnants of the old colonial capital: the streets are wider and grander than elsewhere in Bali and some of the old houses set in large gardens recall the past colonial period. Singaraja is a multiethnic city, with Arabic and Chinese influences especially apparent. There are over 100,000 students who live in Singaraja, as the city is also a major academic center with two universities.
East Bali Immersion is located in Kubu, a quiet area on Bali’s northeast coast, a far cry from the highly-developed tourism areas of the south. The area receives very little rainfall throughout the year, making it difficult for the local residents to farm and prosper. Although the climate is a challenge, Kubu is an incredibly beautiful area with rolling hills and panoramic views of the ocean and mountains. There is also a new industry on the rise in the area- cashews! The dry climate is perfect for cashew trees– many residents already farmed the nuts but have recently started earning a better living because there is now a local processing facility.
SPOTLIGHT ON INSPIRING VOICES &
ORGANIZATIONS AROUND BALI
The Royal Family
of Peliatan Palace
Puri Agung Peliatan is an original Balinese Royal Palace built in 1769, preceding all other palaces in the region. Members of the Peliatan Royal Family have witnessed vast changes in Bali over the years, and especially over the last decade. Bali swiftly moved from a mainly agrarian society to a tourism destination that is now experiencing the growing pains of its rapidly increasing popularity, including traffic, flooding, and a slow loss of Balinese culture due to globalization. All members of the Royal Family have a unique perspective on their home island and they welcome discussions about issues facing Bali and its culture in the 21st century.
Agung Rai
Founder of ARMA Museum
Agung Rai is the founder and visionary behind ARMA Museum and Resort. Almost completely self-educated, Agung Rai started out hawking paintings on the streets of Bali. Over time he was able to travel the world to buy pieces of Balinese art that had been taken during Bali’s occupations by Holland and Japan. He eventually realized his dream of creating a living cultural museum that helps to sustain the Balinese culture despite the heavy influence of the western world in Bali. ARMA is now recognized as one of the largest collections of traditional Balinese art in the world. Much more than a museum, ARMA is a center for visual and performing arts that provides opportunities for Balinese youth to continue celebrating their culture into the 21st century and beyond.
Ibu Sari
Founder of KIM Women’s Center
Ever since her divorce almost 15 years ago, Ibu Sari dreamed of creating a space where women from all backgrounds can support each other, share skills, and find job opportunities to achieve greater independence. A teacher at a school for children with special needs, Ibu Sari began the organization by holding gatherings for local women after school. The organization now has its own dedicated space where members hold meetings for sharing and support, English lessons, community yoga, computer classes, and environmental education. They are also currently working on generating revenue through their sewing program and catering business so the center can eventually be self-funded.
Coral Restoration Project
with Biorock Technology
The Karang Kestari Coral Restoration Project has been running since 2000, when a community leader named Agung Prana, met two scientists working on coral restoration technology. The corals in Pemuteran Bay were heavily damaged by dynamite and cyanide fishing methods in the late 1990s, and with large swaths of the reefs suffering, the fish populations also dropped drastically. In partnership with Agung Prana, the scientists worked to install the Bio Rock structures in order to rebuild the coral and reinvigorate the surrounding villages’ economies through responsible, sustainable tourism. In 2012, the project was awarded the Equator Prize by the United Nations Development Programme. Today, Agung Prana’s son continues his father’s legacy of sustainable community-based tourism in Pemuteran village.
Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha
Ganesha University of Education
Ganesha University of Education is the second largest university in Bali and prepares students to become teachers in every major subject. Bali Institute has, in partnership with visiting universities from around the world, conducted cross-cultural exchanges as well as month-long practical workshops in the field of social entrepreneurship. The students at Ganesha are bright, resourceful, and excited to share their culture and learn about the cultures of visiting students. It is often the highlight of the program for visiting students to meet their counterparts in the same field of study in Bali, discuss their interest and experience in that field, and work together on a project. Students from Ganesha are also eager to apply to participate in programs organized by Bali Institute, as it is a unique opportunity to meet and collaborate with international students.
East Bali Cashews &
East Bali Immersion
When the founder of East Bali Cashews first came to the Kubu area of East Bali in 2012, he discovered that farmers sold raw cashews to traders who shipped them overseas for processing. As an entrepreneur, he saw an opportunity for a powerful social venture that would bring livelihood & educational opportunities to the community. Over the years this cashew factory has grown to become an awardwinning social enterprise, employing & empowering over 350 people from Ban village, the majority of which are women. After starting East Bali Cashews, the founder wanted to share with others the beauty of East Bali while also creating another alternative source of livelihood and revenue for the community: an eco-camp where guests can enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and immerse in the Balinese way of life, and engage with the work of East Bali Cashews through their amazing facilitators.
CLIENT PROFILES & COURSE TOPICS
UNIVERSITY OF
CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Global Public Health
Public health students from UC Irvine participate in a 5-week practicum working closely with local Balinese NGOs focused on issues like services for the elderly and disabled, access to healthcare, and sexual education. Student groups from our most recent program raised over $2,000 for a playground at a school for mentally disabled children, organized a medical supplies drive and an activities fair at a home for the elderly, and conducted social media outreach and grant research for an organization that provides free medical care to Balinese people living in remote areas of the island. In addition to their practicum work, the students experienced traditional medicine firsthand through visits to local healers, herbalists, and Ayurvedic experts.
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | SIMMONS UNIVERSITY | FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
Social Entrepreneurship
The success of our early social entrepreneurhsip programs with Northeastern University have led to several similar programs with other partnering universities. Our social entrepreneurship programs are particularly unique because we pair international students with a class of Indonesian students from Ganesha University, and together they create business plans that aim to address current social issues in the nearby Balinese communities. A group of students from our 2014 class presented their proposal to the Clinton Global Initiative University Conference.
LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY | UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Environmental & Indigenous Studies
Students in the LIU Global Studies program spend each semester of their college career studying at a different one of their eight global campuses. Their Australia semester now contains a Bali component in partnership with the Bali Institute, providing an important regional and comparative context and allowing students to further deepen their understanding of the critical juncture of indigenous and environmental issues. Through seminars with Balinese students, guest lectures and visits to local NGOs, students learn about indigenous peoples and philosophies, local ecology and sustainability efforts, and the crucial relationship between social justice and environmental justice. University of Western Australia has also established an annual program for indigenous studies students to travel to Bali to explore the similar and contrasting issues facing the indigenous people of Bali.
DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY
Marine Biology
Our field-based biology experience for Dominican University students involved traveling to some of the most biodiverse areas of Bali to enrich their knowledge of ecological systems, processes, and human interaction with the environment. Students spent time snorkeling the island’s reefs, hiking through national parks, and visiting conservation projects for corals and sea turtles. The class also explored how Hindu beliefs affect environmental management on the island.
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
Equity and Diversity in Education
This program focused on the principles of equity and diversity and their implementation in schools and other institutional settings. Students examined their own beliefs, biases, and expectations about equity, diversity, and multiculturalism, so that they may be better prepared for their future careers. They explored Bali through the lens of culture and tradition with the goal of developing comfort with difference through heightened self-awareness. Students participated in community engagement projects as well, integrating course content with cultural immersion.
IKON INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA
Art Therapy
Bali Institute has hosted several rotations of IKON students of Art Therapy for three-week internships focused on bringing creative methods that allow Balinese participants to express feelings and issues of concern in their lives. The IKON students are challenged to be creative in working across cultural and language barriers with participants who have physical and/or mental disabilities. IKON students guide participants to use art not just as a reflection of their surroundings, but as an expression of themselves.
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
Leadership, Risk Assessment
We have led several programs with University of San Diego on topics including leadership and the arts, and risk assessment and trauma intervention. Students have had the opportunity to meet with Balinese leaders in a variety of fields as well as celebrated artists and the small community of Balinese who are gathering steam in starting the conversation about mental health on the island. We have also hosted a PhD candidate from USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences who is writing his dissertation about leadership through the lens of Balinese culture.
“My time with Bali Institute was a beautiful, cultural experience, and has changed my life forever.”
-Student of Long Island University
“What students learn in this course I cannot
possibly impart in a classroom. It is such an
exquisite opportunity to teach because what I
say in class suddenly comes to life. It is my great
joy and privilege as a teacher to witness such
deep and integrative learning as it happens.”
-Dr. Vania Coehlo, Dominican University
“Through Bali Institute’s trust and mutual respect
with Balinese leaders that has formed over years of
exchanges, we were warmly received and felt the
authenticity of the conversations. The emphasis
on encountering Bali, rather than checking off
bucket lists of “must see” or “must do” was totally
effective. I can’t imagine coming to Bali for the
first time any other way.”
-Don, St. Mary’s University
WHY BALI?
A Warm Welcome
The Balinese are some of the most welcoming people on earth—don’t be msurprised when people on the street meet your eyes, smile at you, or even invite you into their home for coffee without ever having met you before. Over our 15 years of experience, Bali Institute has forged deep relationships with amazing people and organizations all over the island who are excited to get to know you, share with you, and learn from you too.
A Daily Celebration
Bali is an island of celebration. Every single day of the year you will you find thousands of offerings of colorful flowers and fruits at every entryway, in every shrine, and being paraded through the streets in processions to the temples. Balinese Hinduism involves honoring everything around us: people, nature, and the spirits, both good and bad—are you ready to celebrate?
A Stunning Landscape
Balinese culture is deeply connected with the island’s breathtaking natural beauty. With lush green jungles and cascading waterfalls, billowing rice paddies carved into magnificent terraces, breathtaking sunrises over the mountain vistas and glittering sunsets over the endless ocean, Bali has no shortage of natural wonder. .