Program Reviews

I found my overall experience really good. - Novia was a pleasure to work with along with Kimberley and Jose. The kids were absolutely beautiful and teaching them english and about western life was amazing. The home stay could be improved, small things such as bathroom, bedding, fan, storage and insects and bugs.

Usually they aren't a problem for many people but when it becomes annoying and ruins your stay / sleep it can get frustrating and very annoying.

I very much enjoyed the classes. I feel like I made a good connection with the kids and found great ways to connect and keep them interested through learning games. The curriculum was a great way to know what you should be teaching.

The first week Wayan was on time when picking us up, but failed to arrive on time the second week. I didn't mind as much as some of the others but it was a little inconvenient for girls who needed to go to the toilet or had made dinner plans.

-ik vind de templates niet handig, het is onoverzichtelijk en een heel werk. Zelf had ik er weinig aan de templates van vorige leraars te lezen. Misschien zou een beknoptere samenvatting van de leerstof/activiteit handiger zijn.
-het project is fantastisch, niets op aan te merken
-organisatie vond ik super, ik wist dat als er problemen waren ik altijd kon bellen en er een luisterend oor zou zijn

The homestay for Program Ubud with VP Bali is right in the middle of central Ubud, so during the mornings I was able to go to the Yoga Barn and go to the market etc. the food is so cheap in Ubud, a favorite is Dewa Warung on Jl. Goutama! Teaching was for 1:30 for each class with 2 classes a day. The kids at the school are amazing, they are so motivated to learn from you but I learned so much from them too! As extra English practice I had them talk about their lives and culture which was such an amazing insight into Balinese life! The weekend is 3 days long which is ample time to travel to any part of Bali, for example, I had 3 weekends and made it to Kuta, Mt Batur, the Gilis and Nusa Lembongan. Everyone in the program is so kind and amiable, they will help with any problems if you have any, I never did! Definitely recommend to anyone who wants to help people and also see a lot of Bali. I only wish I could've stayed longer, 2 months would have been perfect! At the end, the kids became so attached that there were tears which makes me want to return to the program ASAP! I will miss VP Bali and my group of volunteers so much!

I had a very good time teaching. In the beginning it was sometimes difficult to invent exercises, but over time and with some help it became a lot less difficult and even interesting.
I loved the energy you get from the children and the appreciation they have for what you do.
Furthermore I loved having the long weekend to travel. Its also nice living in Ubud, and all the freedom that it gives you.
Overall I had a very good time!

I joined VP Bali’s programme in Ubud for 4 weeks in June/July. It was my very first time in Bali and my first time ever in Asia as well. I came with no previous teaching experience and no knowledge of working with children. I simply didn’t know what to expect, but quickly I discovered and experienced more than I could have ever dreamed of.

Joining the programme in Ubud you will be accommodated in a local homestay in the very center of Ubud. The location is excellent – on a very central but yet quiet street where you will find some of the best places to eat and the cutest art shops in town. Living in a homestay is truly the best way to discover typical Bali life as for these four weeks I became a part of the family – observing their daily routines, the preparations for the ceremonies and I was even lucky to attend the weeding of the owner’s sun! Of course the family is more than hospitable and friendly, making you feel truly at home.

After my very first lessons I was enchanted by the smiles of Bali children. It is impressive to see the eagerness and the motivation in their eyes to soak up every new word, phrase or expression. You will be placed with another volunteer which makes teaching easier and much more fun of course. There is a teaching curriculum for every class and a constant support of a local teacher. It is a good if you have planned your lesson ahead, but you should be aware that you will rarely follow it as you need to adapt to the kids’ level, their previous knowledge, the speed of learning and so on. Most importantly you should have fun. Enjoy what you do and the kids will easily join you! Teaching for these four weeks has been an amazing experience. The children are so bright, smart, motivated and full of positive energy that they made saying ‘bye’on my last day one of the hardest things I have ever done.

Classes take place in the afternoon Monday to Thursday. This gives you a lot of free time to explore the abundance of activities Ubud offers. Walking around the rice fields, cycling around the near villages, doing yoga, cooking classes, art classes or just wandering around Ubud’s streets looking for one more hidden warung are some of the things you may do. You also would have plenty of time to travel to other places of the island and enjoy Bali’s beaches, volcanoes, lakes and sacred temples or visit the nearby islands too.

Kimberly and Jose, the people behind the programme, will help you adapt to the new environment quickly from your very first day. They are always there should you have any problem or if you need advice or anything. They are always around during classes, we have farewell dinner whenever a volunteer is leaving and they will make everything to make you feel like at home.

My time at VP Bali Ubud programme was truly an amazing and unforgettable experience. I enjoyed every minute and would love to come back again one day.

I absolutely loved working at the WG program. It was challenging at first as i was teaching the youngest group however i gained so much from this experience.

I learned how to be patient,and to think on my feet one thing is for sure in bali you have to go with the flow when you plan something most of the time it will not go how you envisioned it. Which might be hard to get used to as a western because we are so used to structure and doing things a certain way.

Living in the village at the WG program was just amazing as you get to interact with the locals i have been to bali twice before but this was the first time i actually learn some indonesian and the locals really appreciate it so my advice is to take a little dictionary with you as a few words will go a long way.

Its an amazing experience and even when you have had a difficult day at school because the children didn't really listen just remember why your there your there to help and teach the children something and your in paradise so tidak apa apa ( no worries)

This program was so much more than i expected. The level of commitment and passion the program leaders/organisers have for volunteer programs Bali is amazing. My experience is one that i will never forget. It was extremely well organised and easy to follow and Kimberley and Jose were very helpful with answering any questions we had for them. The children we had the priviledge of teaching were lovely and happy which made it so much more rewarding to be there. The homestay was very suitable and for the cost of volunteering at volunteer programs bali was very reasonable for the living arrangements, breakfast every morning, pick up and drop off to the school and of course the donation. Having a curriculum folder to follow and see what past volunteers had tought the students was extremely helpful although there was an obvious language barrier with most of the children it was easy to adjust as long as we spoke slowley and used many hand gestures. I was involved with the program for 2 weeks which was not long enough. I have every intention of returning in the future and staying atleast for one month. This experience is one that i can take with me and have forever and as a future primary school teacher in Australia it has giving me new ways of looking at teaching.

I understand this Yayasan is work in progress and runs of sponsorship.
My only recommendation would be for VPBali to work in a more connected way with Ketut and Nyoman; perhaps calling weekly meetings with the volunteers, as I felt little communication regarding the teaching and expectations from their perspective (K and Ny's).
Since they "run" the school, I find it would be highly beneficial to have a more open approach to the experience as a whole and receive and get feedback as well.

It's such a cliché - 'an experience that changed my life', but that's what it was :)

I came for two weeks originally, but loved it too much to leave. VP Bali was nice to let me extend my stay over and over and over again and only pay as if I'd known from the beginning what the duration would be. In the end, I did 9 weeks in Program Ubud and one in WG, so my feedback is mostly relevant for the Ubud program.

One great thing about my experience was timing: I came nearly at the beginning of the ubud program, so it was great to see it find shape and even impact some of the changes. The kids are just amazing, so willing to learn, obedient, never get bored and just open your heart. So don't be nervous about teaching, just get some ideas about what you could do before you leave - activities, games for different levels of English (Google it, ask friends, remember what you used to do in school etc).

There is a curriculum in place, there are lessons plans and suggestions filled in by the other volunteers so once you get here, just take time to read them and you'll know exactly where the kids are. After that, you can come up with games and fun stuff to review the material (it's very important to always review existing material, maybe even more than half the time of the lesson) and teach new things. You may find some of your ideas from home are useful for this or not. But I assure you, ideas will come. Just remember: make it fun and the more competitive, the better. The kids love that. Be prepared to have varied attendance, so adjut your lessons accordingly - cover the same material more than once, make sure everyone has learned a certain topic etc.

In program Ubud, they encourage co-teaching, which means you get to teach with an existing volunteer so that also helps to warm up and find ideas.

The highlight for me was the interaction with the kids: palpable progress leads to joy of teaching.

I'm happy to report no difficulties for me. The only bump in the road was not due to the place or the program, it was meeting people that do not seem to come for the right reason. That made me sad because these kids deserve everything. So make sure you come to give 100% percent to the cause, and not for fun or travel or any other reason. Of course, there is enough time to explore, but that can't be your priority. When you put the kids first, you get the most of the experience and if you're lucky enough after it, you will know your life has changed. And you will be surprised to hear everyone around you say how much you've changed also - who knew they can tell?!

Keep in mind local culture and habits: don't expect things to go on a roll, expect things to take time and plan accordingly, be proactive and organize anything you want to do, don't leave it to anyone else.

If you want to fund raise for the kids, that's a great idea. I did it after I arrived, but it is better done before so you have enough time. VP Bali can help you with ideas and logistics to use the money you raise (supplies, scholarships etc).

One small advice to make your life easier: try to get on local time. People in Bali sleep early and wake up early. You get the most of your time if you do the same - and this is coming from someone who could not get up before 10am or sleep before 12 am prior to Bali.

My daily activities included art classes (Ubud is great for that: painting, batik, cooking, pottery, you name it, it's there), spa, cycling, going out for dinner and jalan jalan - just walk around. There are many things to discover in Ubud.

In the weekends I did some trekking (Batur, Agung - this one is not for everyone, make sure you know what you are in for beforehand), visited the south of bali (Uluwatu and all the west coast there is great), went to Gili T and Nusa Lembongan (the diving is better than the Gilis and it's more quiet, so this was my kind of place. But if you like to party, Gili's is better).

Lastly, be prepared to be sad to leave, but don't spend too much time moping about it, or you'll miss the experience. You can be sad about it at home. And you can be pretty sure, the kids will remember you too. I've seen many volunteers come and go and the kids never forget anyone.

Thanks so much VP Bali. Till next time - I hope to come back soon ;)

Alex - Romania.