Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30
We’re so happy to finally have this group here on the program with us! Our staff team has been excitedly preparing and awaiting. All 14 students in the group have arrived safe after their long journey.
The bonding has been pretty instantaneous amongst the group with our bus ride back from the airport full of laughter and songs.
When we arrived at home base we shared a Balinese dinner and learned some new words. After dinner students connected with their roommates. Most were ready for an early night to recover and prepare for tomorrow’s “Amazing Balinese Race” where they will explore the local area and learn a lot about the culture here.
What a great start to this journey!
Students will have busy days fostering in-person community. To keep you looped in, we’ll send regular blogs and be available as a staff support team 24/7.
Our blogs will start with myself Amanda, International Director, and Gustavo, Mentor, as authors then transition into student written narrative.
Thanks for trusting us with your teens, it’s really an honor to work with them.
Amanda and Gus
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
Om Swastiastu!!
Today we started the morning at 7:30am with breakfast which was very delicious. Immediately after we jumped into orientation that went over GLA rules and policies and created a community agreement that will be followed for the next 20 days.
In the afternoon students had a language lesson in which they learned how to say basic phrases/words in Indonesian. Later on students then were split into three teams for a scavenger hunt. During the hunt each team talked to various locals in order to learn more about Balinese culture and norms while also exploring the city.
Towards the evenings students began to slow down and the leaders of the day led sunset circle and appointed the leaders of the day for tomorrow. The evening ended with students talking, playing cards, and heading off to bed.
Overall today was filled with fun and students continued to grow closer to one another! See you bright and early tomorrow morning.
From your leaders of the day: Daniella & Jacob
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Today was packed! We started the morning bright and early by leaving home base for a walking tour of the rice paddies around Ubud, learning about medicinal plants, visiting an herbal shop, and tasting fresh lemongrass tea. Afterwards we went to a sacred Water Temple. Then we then had lunch overlooking a beautiful volcano, followed up by a tour of a Balinese coffee plantation. We got to try 15 different coffees and teas, as well as a coffee made from a type of cat poop! When we got home we had our mentor groups and our leaders of today organized a few really fun rounds of Mafia. Good night from Bali! 🇮🇩
-Leaders of the Day, Xander & Jameson
BLOG POST FOR JULY 3
GLA Today started out like any other (with a delicious breakfast), and ended with what most thought was so spectacular, it could have been our entire trips finale – a royal dinner with a Balinese princess. Winding back the clock, post breakfast we headed promptly to a traditional Balinese Banjar, or community centre. Here we learned how the woodworkers, whose spiritually powerful art never fails to impress us, create their sculptures. We even got to try it ourselves when we carved our names into a wooden plaque! We also learned to make Balinese offerings and play traditional instruments called Gamelans.
After lunch and some gelato, we headed to the royal estate for our tour and dinner. Everyone was especially surprised at how down to earth and articulate the princess was, and we were exited to learn she related to us in more ways than previously imagined. Aside from our adventures and tangible experience, we all continue to feel a deeper social satisfaction: the relationships we have continuing to grow and flourish. Through our mentor groups and free time together, this is truly becoming the essence of what makes GLA a life changing endeavor.
– Jonah & Nikki
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
Today we split into two groups to participate in learning about and supporting the trash cycle here in Bali.
One group explored the mangroves and learned how they help the environment in multiple ways. For example, helping beach sediment stay together, cleaning the air and water, absorbing carbon, and much more. We first got to go paddle boarding in one of the mangrove systems and pick up the trash trapped by the roots and random pieces in the water. Throughout the trip, we were constantly seeing leftover trash in a truly stunning experience. We then headed back to the beach where we accidentally caught a fish in one of our trash baskets. We then learned and sorted through the different types of plastic and saw how much of it was not recyclable or reusable. We then spent the rest of our time at the beach, swimming, relaxing, and exploring local shops.
The maggot group went on a quest to a maggi farm which makes maggots to compost food waste and emmet less methane. We got a tour of the farm and made food for ourselves and others with local Balinese people. After making the amazing food the group traveled to a scavenger village and gave out 100 meals. The maggot group bonded more and had fun holding a hundred maggots in our hands and even adopting one special friend we named Jerry.
After that, we headed back to home base where we played some competitive games of tips in the pool and finished the day off with some futsal at a local arena.
Tomorrow will be another great day with each group swapping activities.
– Asher and Ben
BLOG POST FOR JULY 5
Today we switched activities: the group that attended the maggot farm and scavenger village yesterday went to clean up trash from the mangrove forest and vice versa.
The maggot group went to a magi farm where we learned about the largest landfill in Bali called Suwung landfill. It stretches over 80 acres and holding roughly 1,200 tons of waste per day. We spent time learning how tourism contributes to this landfill, and how its recent closure is an issue for people that rely on its contents for income. We then learned how maggots are a much more sustainable way to dispose of natural waste, and were able to explore the maggot farm.
Later in the day we packaged food and headed to a scavenger village (a village that relies on landfills to source their income and construct their homes). There we handed out 100 meals in hopes that the people could use their money on other essentials.
The mangrove group went to the beach to pick up trash from the mangroves. It was very interesting because they got to meet someone who is very involved with the mangroves and is also a business owner. We had the opportunity to plant trees in the water to help the forest thrive. After that, we sorted trash the trash we collected and learned that most trash can’t even be recycled (large plastic companies made up the recyclable sign to make people think they were doing good). After that we decided to hang out on the beach for the rest of the day and walk around the beautiful beaches of Bali.
– Zoe and Max
BLOG POST FOR JULY 6
Today our group made our way to a gorgeous water fall just a short walk from our home stay. After climbing the pathway to it, we swam in the refreshing water and sat right under the waterfall. While looking at the spectacular view we noticed a few monkeys playing in the trees. Everyone was so excited and taking pictures and videos of the big monkeys and their babies too.
After our excursion we went back to home base to prep for teaching. We broke off into groups and brainstormed ideas on ways to teach English to the kids.
After that, we went the PKP community centre where we showed the kids some of the sports and art activities we had brought with us. In return, they shared some of their local traditions and activities with us. We then formed a big dance circle and had so much fun dancing together. After that, we went down to the garden and cleared out an area to plant plants that are used for offerings and cooking. Shortly afterwards, we went up for dinner. While we were eating, they taught us some of their local dance moves, and some of us even joined in and learned them. And then we went back to the home stay and celebrated Jacob’s birthday and had so much fun for the rest of the night.
– Mimi and Jude
