ISLAND HEALTH EXPEDITION

Welcome to Bali! Fly into Denpasar, Bali’s main gateway, where GLA staff will greet you at the airport. After picking up your luggage, head to the arrivals area where staff will take you to our home base in Ubud. We’ll drive an hour to Ubud, where you’ll meet fellow travelers and settle in. Once everyone has arrived, we’ll kick off with orientation and enjoy our first 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 two weeks, you’ll learn to embrace this holistic view of health. The morning kicks off with an orientation, followed by a scavenger hunt in Ubud. In the evening, we’ll dive into public health discussions led by your Program Director, featuring a documentary or guest speaker.

Start your day with a stroll through winding jungle paths and terraced rice paddies on an herbal walk, where you’ll learn about Bali’s native plants and their uses in traditional medicine, food, and body care. After a day of activities, enjoy a rare opportunity to tour the Royal Palace and have a traditional Balinese dinner with Prince Cok Agung. The Prince, a young and entrepreneurial leader from Peliatan village, is dedicated to preserving traditional Balinese customs. Listen to his insights on how tourism and modern development are impacting the village’s cultural practices, and engage in a conversation with him.

Start your day in Balinese fashion with a visit to a local banjar (community center), where you’ll learn about traditional arts like woodcarving, offering making, gamelan crafting, and legong dance. Later, meet university medical students who will assist with our service throughout the program. We’ll support a local medical university that offers free health services to Balinese people, especially those in remote areas or unable to afford treatment.

We’ll visit Bumi Sehat, a world-renowned natural birth and midwifery clinic dedicated to reducing maternal and child mortality while supporting community health. The clinic blends traditional and Western medical practices. In the afternoon, our service begins as we head into a rural village with local medical students to assist in providing free health checks and basic treatments.

We’ll visit Senang Hati, a non-profit focused on empowering people with disabilities through programs that foster self-confidence, independence, and community awareness. This will broaden our understanding of Global Health as we continue supporting rural communities with healthcare access during afternoon home visits. In the evening, enjoy a traditional legong dance performance by an internationally recognized Balinese troupe, accompanied by a gamelan orchestra.

While in Ubud, we’ll also meet a local balian (traditional healer), learning about their practices in herbal treatments, massage, energy work, and more. You’ll have the chance to ask questions about their background and journey to becoming a healer. Afternoon service continues with home visits to support local families.

On Day 8, we’ll travel to Amed, a quiet fishing village, stopping at Tirta Gangga (a former royal palace) and Bali Sehat along the way. Once in Amed, enjoy free time to explore the village.

On Day 9, wake up early for a sunrise boat ride with local fishermen in traditional spider boats, followed by snorkeling over coral reefs and marine wildlife. In the afternoon, we’ll assist Bali Sehat’s local clinic with service work before returning to Home Base for a group meal.

We’ll embark on a scenic 3-hour trek through the Bali jungle, starting at a beautiful river and crossing lush terrain, ending in the Bali Aga village of Tenganan. Along the way, we’ll enjoy views of Mt. Agung and expansive rice paddies. Midway, we’ll stop at a local home to taste honey harvested by the family and try red tea. This is a perfect moment for breathtaking photos and stunning views.

We’ll assist at the SOS Food Distribution Center, helping prepare and package nutritious food while learning about waste disposal on the island. Afterward, we’ll deliver lunch to the local community.

On Day 12 we’ll head to Sanur to unwind on the beach, enjoy poolside relaxation, and take in stunning sunset views while reflecting on our leadership journey. On Day 13, we’ll head south for a day of surfing in Bali’s world-renowned waters, with lessons from expert instructors in a beginner-friendly area. This will be an unforgettable adventure!

For the 14-day students, it’s time to say, “See you later!” after a memorable journey. Enjoy your final Balinese breakfast, head to the airport, and GLA staff will assist with check-in before your flight home.

For the 21-day students, we’ll focus on the environment’s impact on public health by working on a Mangrove cleanup project. Later, we’ll design and deliver workshops to local 4th-6th grade students on topics like healthy eating, hygiene, and exercise. These workshops will have a lasting positive effect by raising health awareness among the youth, creating lasting change in the community.

Today, we’ll head into the jungle for an exciting whitewater rafting adventure, offering a unique perspective of Bali’s landscape! Afterward, we’ll focus on preparing for tomorrow’s travel day and fine-tuning the Children’s Health Education workshops, ensuring we’re ready for a meaningful impact on the local community.

We’ll travel to a beautiful coastal village, exploring the connection between environmental health and human well-being. Along the way, we’ll stop to visit the stunning Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, home to the highest marine biodiversity, with around 500 species of reef-building corals—seven times more than in the entire Caribbean! Unfortunately, coral reefs are being degraded by development and human activity. We’ll learn about local efforts to restore and protect these vital ecosystems.

Visit the Coral Triangle Center to learn about preserving marine biodiversity and resources in Bali and beyond. After the presentation, you’ll get the chance to explore the project firsthand through a snorkeling experience. In the afternoon, head to local schools to deliver the public health lessons you’ve been preparing, making a positive impact on the community.

Visit West Bali National Park for a hike, where you’ll learn about mangroves and plant seeds as part of a service project. In the evening, enjoy a sunset boat ride along the Northern Coast, taking in the stunning views.

The next day, travel back to Ubud, stopping to visit a beautiful waterfall along the way. Once you arrive, settle back into your accommodation and reflect on all the experiences and knowledge gained throughout the journey.

Get to know Ubud from a different perspective with a scenic ridge walk through local communities. Take one last day to soak in the stunning surroundings of the city you’ve called home for the past three weeks!

“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.