VP Bali

I am in my last week of VP Bali, having joined the program 3 weeks ago - and even so, it is not long enough. If I could do my time again, I would have joined the program for 6 weeks at least, as I am not ready to leave Bali or the children that I teach!

The whole program, from pre-program information, to accommodation, to classes, is really well organised. Before arriving in Bali, you are given all the information you need regarding the program, what to bring, money, airport pick up and culture. Once arriving in Bali, you are picked up from the airport and taken to the homestay accommodation to meet the other volunteers and to see your room. You are then given all the information you need about teaching students English and what to expect during the orientations that taken place during your first couple of days. Whilst you are joining the programme to teach English, you also have a lot of free time - you have every morning free to explore the sights around and near to Ubud (such as temples, monkey forrest, waterfalls, Mount Batur, Bali swings and rice fields), and then you have Friday and the weekend to explore wider Bali (such as Gili, Nusa, Seminyak and Uluwatu) with your fellow volunteers.

As for the teaching English part of the program - I was nervous as I had never taught English abroad before and didn't know what to expect, however, Kimberly provides you will all the info you need, and the local staff are so helpful and are happy to answer and questions and help with translation. Teaching the kids is an extremely rewarding experience that I will never forget. They are so thankful that the volunteers spend their time teaching them and you develop such special bonds with your students. I am definitely not ready to leave as I will miss them all!

I would recommend anyone thinking about volunteering abroad to give VP Bali a go - it was a life changing experience, that I don't want to end!