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Volunteer Programs Bali

Why choose Volunteer Programs Bali?

At VP Bali, we believe that education can change a child’s destiny. More than just an international volunteer program, we provide opportunities to empower local Balinese communities through free English classes, recycling events, workshops, and more.

Since 2013, over 1000 international volunteers have provided the backbone for our community of learning in our after school English classes (Monday-Thursday). As part of “The VP Bali Way: Education Through Play,” volunteers are encouraged to use creative learning techniques such as games and class competitions. This helps reinforce the idea of education as a journey, not an end goal for Balinese youth.

Everything we do at Volunteer Programs Bali is for the Balinese and with the Balinese. Our English classes and community opportunities help Bali's youth and their families develop in today's changing society without losing the rich culture and family values that make Bali, Bali.

Reviews

Default avatar
JOANA
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience with VP BALI

My experience with VP Bali was just unforgettable and magic.
It’s certainly my best experience. I had the opportunity to meet many people and discover the wonderful place of Bali.
You are in contact with a group of people from all around the world, you make unforgettable meetings and create strong relationships.
At the beginning, I wasn't totally confident about teaching English to kids but finally everything went very well and even better than I could ever have imagined.
We are helped and supported and the kids are just adorable and grateful, they want to learn and are very participative in class.
The time spent at school was a pure moment of happiness. We have the opportunity to teach a lot of things, to play with them and they love it.
As for accommodation, it's also very nice, you're staying in a homestay, in direct contact with the family, they are always available to give you advice about places to see in Bali. The accommodation is located in one of the best streets in Ubud and you will feel safe because the Balinese are adorable.
For my part, I stayed for two and a half months and I sincerely think that the best is to stay as long as possible.
Time passed so quickly and if I could have stayed a few more months, I would have done so without hesitation.
Do not hesitate to apply, do not doubt, there is no negative point in this experience.
LOVE VP BALI !!

Default avatar
rafaella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My vp month!

I love kids and i volunteer back home sometimes, when i took a look at this program it was everything i wanted. The idea of teaching scared me a little bit because I’m not a teacher or close, but education is what the world most needs right now and I had to try my best. I think many people could be afraid because of the same reason but the amount of help you get is amazing!!!!
The topics are fun and the kids are so eager to learn you just want to give them your best each day. You arrive, meet amazing people with incredible values and a big big hearts and that makes you want to stay teaching forever. The kids are AMAZING and so loving.
Bali is really safe. I didn’t believe this that much until i arrived, you have nothing to worry about. It has been one of the best experiences of my life, thank you my vp family for everything!!!

Default avatar
Diego
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Vp Bali Review

Review VP BALI
Diego De Corcuera Serrano

It doesn’t matter where you come from. You can either come from the other side of the world or just a couple of hours away, but the moment you arrive it begins to feel special.

Since the beginning you get picked up from the airport, all the way to the homestay your assigned to. If your excuse NOT to join Vp Bali is getting lost on the way or not meeting anybody, do not worry about it. Some of the volunteers arrive by themselves, and leave making new friendships from all over the world.

VP Bali has an amazing school schedule, because school begins around 1 pm to 5 pm almost. This leaves you more than enough time to prepare classes, see water fountains in the morning, or go to the monkey forest, or do a million different things. Also, VP Bali allows you to travel on the weekends after school with the other volunteers to wherever you want to go! It’s a perfect excuse to have fun on the weekends, travel and bond with the other volunteers.

Also Ubud it’s an amazing location in Bali, the spirit of the place will cheer up everybody. You can walk all around downtown, eat good food, or do some shopping at the market without the use of a car or a scooter. The home-stays are located perfectly, and also the families from the home-stays are really nice. They would always make sure everything is good while you stay with them. Also! The Home-stays include free breakfast in the morning. If you come with friends to the program, you can ask to be placed with them in the room.

The VP Bali school is great for making an actual difference for yourself and for the involved ones:

1. You can see over time how you bond with the children, and see them grow from your first day till your farewell.
2. It’s all fun! The children are really eager to learn english, get to know you more, and play lots of new games!
3. When you team up with your coteachers you create a special bond with the kids, because they will be more eager to be in your class if you have a good relationship.
4. Don’t know Indonesian or Balinense? Do not worry! Every single class room counts with Local Coordinators that will be happy to help you traduce some words that your students struggle with.
5. Creating life long memories with the students is priceless. You’ll see that most of them remember all the previous volunteers in the program, and tell you good stories about them. These means that eventually you’ll be one of those memories.
6. Your transport is already paid to go to school and back to the homestay! So don’t worry about walking in the hot Balinense weather.
7. Once is your farewell, you’ll see all the impact you caused in the VP Family, and the life long memories you’ll keep forever.

The program is also water clear with it’s finances so, do not worry or wonder where your money is going! The program wants to make the money worth it for the children, and not to make a profit out of it. If you have more questions about this, please visit Vp Bali’s web page.

For me VP Bali will always be one of the best memories I’ve had so far. I would recommend it to anybody who wants to do a volunteer program, and also travel at the same time. I am so thankful for this experience, and more thankful for people I got to meet on the trip. Definitely you do not go empty handed back home. Come join the Vp Family, and have the time of your life!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I could change something, would probably be staying only for 1 month! For me it was not enough, there are so much things to do, and travel inside Bali to other locations. Even though I did so many countless things in such a short time.
Default avatar
Diego
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Diego’s Review VP BALI

It doesn’t matter where you come from. You can either come from the other side of the world or just a couple of hours away, but the moment you arrive it begins to feel special.

Since the beginning you get picked up from the airport, all the way to the homestay your assigned to. If your excuse NOT to join Vp Bali is getting lost on the way or not meeting anybody, do not worry about it. Some of the volunteers arrive by themselves, and leave making new friendships from all over the world.

VP Bali has an amazing school schedule, because school begins around 1 pm to 5 pm almost. This leaves you more than enough time to prepare classes, see water fountains in the morning, or go to the monkey forest, or do a million different things. Also, VP Bali allows you to travel on the weekends after school with the other volunteers to wherever you want to go! It’s a perfect excuse to have fun on the weekends, travel and bond with the other volunteers.

Also Ubud it’s an amazing location in Bali, the spirit of the place will cheer up everybody. You can walk all around downtown, eat good food, or do some shopping at the market without the use of a car or a scooter. The home-stays are located perfectly, and also the families from the home-stays are really nice. They would always make sure everything is good while you stay with them. Also! The Home-stays include free breakfast in the morning. If you come with friends to the program, you can ask to be placed with them in the room.

The VP Bali school is great for making an actual difference for yourself and for the involved ones:

1. You can see over time how you bond with the children, and see them grow from your first day till your farewell.
2. It’s all fun! The children are really eager to learn english, get to know you more, and play lots of new games!
3. When you team up with your coteachers you create a special bond with the kids, because they will be more eager to be in your class if you have a good relationship.
4. Don’t know Indonesian or Balinense? Do not worry! Every single class room counts with Local Coordinators that will be happy to help you traduce some words that your students struggle with.
5. Creating life long memories with the students is priceless. You’ll see that most of them remember all the previous volunteers in the program, and tell you good stories about them. These means that eventually you’ll be one of those memories.
6. Your transport is already paid to go to school and back to the homestay! So don’t worry about walking in the hot Balinense weather.
7. Once is your farewell, you’ll see all the impact you caused in the VP Family, and the life long memories you’ll keep forever.

The program is also water clear with it’s finances so, do not worry or wonder where your money is going! The program wants to make the money worth it for the children, and not to make a profit out of it. If you have more questions about this, please visit Vp Bali’s web page.

For me VP Bali will always be one of the best memories I’ve had so far. I would recommend it to anybody who wants to do a volunteer program, and also travel at the same time. I am so thankful for this experience, and more thankful for people I got to meet on the trip. Definitely you do not go empty handed back home. Come join the Vp Family, and have the time of your life!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do not give to much thought into it, apply, book your flight, and enjoy all of it! No expectations are the best, take the risk!
Default avatar
Erin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trip of a lifetime

This trip to Bali was, by far, one of the most rewarding months of my life. I arrived with no expectations, really, there was no way I could comprehend what I was getting myself into. To begin with the reason for my trip, I spent the month volunteering at an incredible after-school initiative called VP Bali. Teaching in Bali was so challenging, but to have each day end with your class running up to hug you goodbye made it worth every second. It’s so easy to doubt your abilities, but looking back, being thrown into the deep end gave me the skills to adapt and imagine, to build up the confidence to teach without hesitation. I taught a young class who were still learning their animals and colours, and also a class of 16/17 year olds (not too far off my own age!) who left me in constant shock with their desire to learn and improve their English. This first class was the one I found most challenging - the younger ones need constant attention and interactive learning, but are also quite shy and insecure in their English skills. It was difficult to find the perfect balance of education and excitement, but once you do, you can instantly sense the shift in their confidence. The second class was predominantly boys, and the progression of their respect for me over the month makes me so proud. The saying ‘boys will be boys’ ran true when I first started, they were super cheeky & were always laughing between each other, but as I continued and persisted with them, they not only proved me wrong in their work ethic, but they showed me genuine friendship and connection. The girls welcomed me with open arms on my first day, and are the most lovely people you’ll meet! My final goodbyes at the school were so pure, so full of love. All of the staff, local coordinators, students, drivers and families involved; thank you so much, you are all so dedicated and passionate about the vision for this school. If you’re even considering taking on an experience like this, please just do it. This trip has taught me how to love deeply: the people I’ve met are so incredibly special, so unique, so worthy of everything this world has to offer. It’s such a crazy thought to know that you have connections with people in every corner of the world, and being able to encounter and navigate different worldly perspectives is such an underrated experience.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Stay longer!!! I was a month in the program - but which I could have stayed to experience more.

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Harriet Grainger

Hi! I'm Hattie, an undergraduate music student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, but I am originally from England. I study music composition, but also love playing the cello and piano, photography, dance and travelling!
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Why did you pick this program?

I chose VP Bali because it is located right in the centre of Bali, in Ubud, which is a town known as the major cultural and arts centre of the island. I planned to go to Bali to research about the traditional music there, but I also really wanted to volunteer as a teacher too during my one-month stay.

The program seemed really appealing to me on the website and Facebook page, and after reading really great reviews about it I knew it would be the perfect program to apply to. It is very inexpensive too, which is really great for students!

What is the most important thing you learned abroad?

One important thing I learned abroad was not to be afraid to follow your dreams (no matter how scary they seem!) and know that you can do something really great on your own. My experience teaching in Bali was a real self-esteem booster for me; I gained a huge amount of independence and confidence, and not to mention lots of amazing friends!

Two other important things I learned were how important family, connection and community is to leading a happy life, and to always remember that your actions affect everybody around you. I have never been so happy as I was in Bali, the Balinese are so kind and friendly and always ready to laugh or to point you in the right direction if you get lost on your moped!

What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?

I think, just go for it! You have nothing to lose; it really will change your life forever! You learn so much about the world, about others and about yourself.

I have never met anybody who regretted going abroad to travel - you can see amazing landscapes, learn about other cultures and languages, become independent, and study what you love. It expands your mind and brightens your personality, and I think going abroad makes you really appreciate your own family and what you have back home. And, of course, you will always have amazing stories to remember for the rest of your life!

What was the hardest part about going abroad?

The hardest part about going abroad for me was worrying about my studies at university, and that what I would be doing in Bali wasn't really related at all to my studies. I also worried about getting the right flights and navigating my way around the airport in Hong Kong, about luggage going missing or that the VP Bali driver might not be waiting for me at the airport. I suppose I was thinking about the worst-case scenarios as I hadn't travelled that far before, which wasn't a good idea!

Thankfully the journey went smoothly, and my time in Bali has really helped my studies since as I arrived home much more motivated and inspired!

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

I think climbing Mount Batur to see the sunrise was one of my favourite experiences in Bali. We had just a couple of hours sleep before waking at 2:30am and being driven to the foot of the volcano to climb and see the sunrise at 5:30am. It was pitch black, and we were given torches and two Balinese guides to help us hike. I remember, about halfway up, looking back down and not being able to see anything except a long path of torchlights going all the way back down, it was so magical!

Once we eventually had arrived at the summit (1,717 metres!) we waited for the sunrise. It was incredible, and so colourful, I remember everybody cheering and then becoming silent and just watching. There must have been almost fifty people up there with us.

On the way down we were taken into bat caves and to see monkeys, and to see hot steam rising from fissures in the volcano. On the way home, we were so exhausted that we decided to visit a coffee plantation. Needless to say after sampling every type of Balinese coffee that exists we were ready for a day of teaching!

Tell us about an experience you had that you could not have had at home.

On my last day there was a ceremony at our school in Ubud celebrating Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, wisdom and music. We all wore Balinese ceremonial dress, and took part in the whole ceremony as special guests of the school.

After it had finished we had rice on our foreheads and chests, lotus flowers in our hair and were all smelling of incense. Some of the students played instruments and danced throughout the ceremony; it was just beautiful and the perfect last day of an amazing month.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

On your weekends off, hire a moped and explore the whole island as much as you can!

What made this trip meaningful to you, or how did this trip change your perceptions or future path?

I studied a lot of traditional music and the relationship between music, community and religion. The experience has made me think about studying Ethnomusicology after graduation next year, and I will hopefully be exploring more of SE Asia with a funded research program which I am excited about!

I made amazing friends from all over the world, not just Bali, and learned that I absolutely love teaching! I will never forget the experiences I had there.

How much does it cost to stay in Bali?

It is very cheap to live in Bali. Meals cost about $2 - $3, and accommodation for one night is about $8! I went to Bali with just £150 for the whole month, after paying the program fee (which included accommodation).

Also, don't be afraid to haggle prices with the local Balinese! And definitely try street food.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Kezia Koen

Job Title
Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

VP Bali allows me to put my skills and experience to use for a greater cause. For once, I'm actually working for an organization that is not about revenue and sales, but making a real impact in communities.

Working closely with Kim (the founder), local staff, interns, and volunteers from all over the world taught me to be agile and able to adapt to many different kinds of situations.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose our volunteer program because it's much more than just gathering volunteers, interns, and staffs from all over the world and conducting free English courses to local Balinese kids.

We provide an opportunity to exchange cultures and experience different perspectives, a great personal development and life-changing lesson for those who come with an open mind and an open heart.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

In VP Bali we strongly believe that we can help make the world a better place by enriching the community, providing free English Courses, preserving local Balinese culture, exchanging local and foreign ideas to learn from one another. This is just a bit of what we do daily to help our community.

I'm especially proud of my team when I see progress - in the kids, in the volunteers, in my fellow local staff , and in myself. Also when we learn something new together and master it.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

When the company puts their people and their people's growth first (just like at VP Bali) it's very unlikely for the company to not strive and succeed.