CAREER EXPLORATION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WITH FOCUS ON BUSINESS & SUSTAINABILITY

Fly into Denpasar, Bali’s main gateway, where GLA staff will greet you at arrivals. After collecting your luggage, they’ll accompany you to our Ubud homebase, just an hour’s drive away. Once settled, you’ll meet other GLA students, followed by orientation and your first Balinese dinner.

Om Swastiastu! In Bali, this greeting means, “May you be in the best of health: spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.” Over the next three weeks, you’ll embrace this holistic view of health. In the morning, we’ll start with program orientation, followed by a scavenger hunt in Ubud. In the evening, we’ll begin your Internship Curriculum with your Supervisor.

After a session on Business, Entrepreneurship, and Social Impact led by our host organization, enjoy an immersive exploration of Balinese culture. A student favorite, this herbal walk takes you through jungle paths and terraced rice paddies, where you’ll learn about Bali’s native plants and their uses in traditional medicine, food, and body care.

After a day of activities, visit Magi Farm, a social enterprise focused on producing sustainable, high-protein feed for farm animals. Then, explore a local banjar (community center) to learn about traditional Balinese arts like woodcarving, offering making, gamelan crafting, and legong dance. End the day with a world-renowned legong dance performance, accompanied by a gamelan ensemble—an unforgettable Balinese experience!

In our next module with the Makadaya Impact Centre, we’ll explore identifying business and community needs and learn about Branding and Marketing from a guest speaker. In the afternoon, we’ll visit an NGO focused on reducing poverty by testing solutions for challenges faced by low-income communities in Bali. In the evening, get ready to sharpen your chef skills as we learn to make traditional Balinese delicacies!

After a day of activities, we’ll have the unique opportunity to tour the Royal Palace and enjoy a traditional Balinese dinner with Prince Cok Agung. A young entrepreneurial prince from Peliatan village, he works to preserve Balinese customs while navigating the impact of tourism and modern development. You’ll have the chance to ask him about these challenges.

Next, we’ll visit a social enterprise supporting regenerative rice farming, where they work with local farmers to revive traditional methods and promote biodiversity in Bali’s rice paddies. This visit will highlight the intersection of culture, business, and positive impact in Bali.

Today, we’ll embark on a whitewater rafting adventure through the jungle, offering a unique perspective of Bali. After lunch, we’ll head to the coastal town of Amed, where we’ll spend the next few days. Here, a guest speaker will share insights on financial literacy in social enterprises.

On our way to Amed, we’ll visit Tirta Gangga (a former royal palace) and the Bali Sehat clinic before enjoying free time to explore the village. We’ll go on a sunrise boat ride with local fishermen in traditional spider boats, followed by snorkeling over vibrant coral reefs and marine life. In the afternoon, we’ll assist the Bali Sehat clinic with service work before returning to our Home Base for a group meal and more free time for snorkeling.

We’ll also explore the Bali jungle on a scenic 3-hour trek, starting at a beautiful river, crossing the jungle, and ending in Tenganan, a Bali Aga village. Along the way, we’ll enjoy views of Mt. Agung and expansive rice paddies. Mid-trek, we’ll visit a local home to taste honey harvested by the family and enjoy red tea. It’s the perfect opportunity for breathtaking photos and stunning views.

Today, we’ll visit a local coffee plantation where students can sample a variety of teas and coffees. We’ll also hear from a guest speaker from the for-profit sector.

Get ready to make a real impact! After completing our site visits and modules, you’ll be challenged to create solutions for Bali’s most pressing social and environmental issues. In groups, you’ll design an innovative proposal based on your observations over the past two weeks. With support from local changemakers, you’ll refine your ideas and present them to the local community. Your solution could be chosen by a social enterprise to drive change, create jobs, and make a lasting impact. This is your chance to turn passion into action!

Today, we’ll head south to surf in some of Bali’s most beautiful waters. With world-class instructors, you’ll learn in a beginner-friendly area. South Bali is renowned as one of the top surfing destinations globally, making this an adventure you won’t forget!

It’s time to share your hard work and ideas with the local community. After weeks of learning and planning, you’ll present your solution to a panel of social enterprises, local leaders, and community members. This is your chance to show how your project can tackle a real-world issue and potentially be chosen to create lasting impact in the community.

“Goodbye” doesn’t exist in Indonesian, so we’ll say, “See you later!” as you prepare to depart . Enjoy your last Balinese breakfast and head to the airport to begin your journey back. At the airport, GLA staff will help you check in for your flight and see you off on your trip home.