EDUCATION & MARINE ADVENTURE

Fly into Denpasar (DPS), Bali’s main airport, where GLA staff will be waiting to greet you. After picking up your luggage, we’ll head to the arrivals area where the team will guide you to our Home Base in Ubud. The drive to Ubud takes about an hour, where we’ll settle into our new home, meet fellow GLA students, and get ready for an exciting adventure ahead. Once everyone has arrived, we’ll kick things off with an orientation and enjoy our first delicious Balinese dinner together!

Om Swastiastu! In Bali, this greeting means, “May you be in the best of health: spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.” Over the next few weeks, you’ll immerse yourself in Balinese culture and traditions. After everyone has arrived, we’ll begin our programming with a special blessing ceremony. The ceremony, known as Sisya (students) and Upanayana (a ceremony to bless), is designed to prepare you for the learning ahead, offering blessings for growth and knowledge. To finish, each participant will receive a Karawista placed on their head, symbolizing clarity and focus for the learning journey.

In the afternoon, we’ll dive into a scavenger hunt around Ubud to familiarize ourselves with the local culture and surroundings. It’s the perfect way to start exploring the vibrant community and bond with your fellow students!

On day 3, take a visit to Magi Farm, a social enterprise that focuses on producing sustainable, alternative and high-protein feed for farm animals. In the evening visit the Royal Palace and get the rare chance to speak to a member of the royal family and ask your questions over a delicious local meal!

On Day 4, visit a local banjar (community center) to learn about traditional arts that have become famous around the world: woodcarving, offering making, gamelan making and legong dance. In the afternoon visit a female empowerment NGO and learn about styles of yoga and meditation in Bali!

In collaboration with a local organization, students will learn about mangroves in Bali and how waste has impacted the environment. Boat over to the mangrove area, clean up while paddle boarding around, sort the trash that you’ve collected on the shore.

Today, we head to Pemuteran, a remote part of Bali known for its exceptional snorkeling and diving. In the morning, we’ll enjoy some beach time with stunning views. In the afternoon, we’ll begin our Children’s Education workshops, where we’ll design and deliver lessons to local 4th to 6th graders on sustainability, the environment, and more. This service will have a lasting impact, as educating youth is key to driving change in rural communities. We’ll learn, play, and share together!

Students will continue their NGO service with the Biosphere Foundation, supporting a coral restoration project and snorkeling in beautiful waters. In the afternoon, we’ll return to the local school to continue teaching our lessons, fostering connections with the Balinese students as we share and learn together! Then we’ll say our goodbyes and creating more memories to walk away
with!

Today, we’ll explore Bali from beneath its crystal-clear waters! Students will first learn basic dive theory and essential skills in shallow water before embarking on a guided underwater tour. This is a fantastic opportunity to discover Bali’s vibrant coral reefs. A swim test is required for participation in this activity.

We’ll begin our journey back to Ubud, stopping to admire a beautiful waterfall along the way. We’ll arrive back at our main Home Base in the island’s urban center and settle in for the evening.

The next day, the 14-Day program students will head south for a day of surfing in some of Bali’s most beautiful waters. With world-class instructors, you’ll get the chance to learn in an area perfect for beginners. South Bali is renowned for its surfing, making this a truly unforgettable adventure!

As we don’t say “Goodbye” in Indonesian, we’ll say, “See you later” to our 14-Day students! Enjoy your final Balinese breakfast before heading to the airport to start your journey home. GLA staff will assist you with check-in and see you off as you head back.

21-Day students will continue on with our community service at the PKP Community Center supporting Balinese women to be empowered and independent in their communities.

We’ll visit to a local coffee plantation where students will try many local teas and coffees! The next day, we’ll embark on a scenic 3-hour trek through the Bali jungle, starting from a beautiful river, crossing through the jungle, and ending in Tenganan, a Bali Aga village. Along the way, we’ll enjoy views of Mt. Agung and lush rice paddies. Midway, we’ll stop at a local house to taste honey harvested by the family and enjoy some red tea. In the late afternoon students will made their way to the small town of Amed in the Eastern part of Bali.

We’ll go on a sunrise boat ride alongside local fishermen in their traditional spider boats and snorkel over coral reefs, marine wildlife and more! In the afternoon we will learn about glass sanding and return back to Home Base for a nice group meal. On Day 18, we will head back to Ubud. Along the way, we’ll stop at Tirta Gangga (a former royal palace) before settling back into our Home Base. In the afternoon we’ll have some time for souvenir shopping.

Students will visit the NGO Five Pillar Experiences which provides sustainable tourism programs to protect and educate rural Bali. The enterprises also fund youth skill development programs and community-based programs for the locals.

On Day 20, the 21-Day program students will get their chance to surf. We’ll head south to spend the day surfing in some of the most beautiful waters in Bali. Lessons will be taught by world-class instructors in an area that is well suited for beginners. South Bali is well known for being one of the top surfing destinations in the world, so this will definitely be an adventure to remember.

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!