Volunteering Programs by Volunteer Programs Bali

Name: Volunteering Programs by Volunteer Programs Bali
Brand: Volunteer Programs Bali
SKU: 31508
Rating: 4.91 (235 reviews)

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4.91 Rating

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Location

Indonesia
- Bali

Length

2 to 12 weeks

Project Types

Arts Community Development Family Conservation Environmental Conservation Education Teaching Computer Literacy Disabled Care

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Program Details

Language

English

Age Min.

Age Max

Timeframe

Year Round

Housing

Host Family Hostel

Groups

Medium Group (16-30)

Pricing

Starting Price

300

Price Details

Please visit the "Program Fee" section of our website's volunteer page for more detailed information regarding volunteer costs.
Included in your volunteer fee:

* Shared home stay accommodation with breakfast included.

* Airport pickup.

* Orientation prior to beginning your volunteering placement.

* Wi-Fi access onsite at the home stay.

* 24 hour local emergency number (Volunteer Coordinator).

* Support from Volunteer Coordinator and local English teachers.

* Volunteering Certificate

* Experience of a lifetime!

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals SIM cards Transportation Wifi

What's Not Included

Some Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Some Meals Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: Oct 29, 2019

Last Reviewed: Mar 12, 2020

Wish List

55 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Here at Volunteer Programs 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. Furthermore, we also provide scholarship program, paid-internship, and continuously encourage local business owners to create job opportunities for our students. These opportunities give our students the tools they need to achieve their fullest potential in an ever-changing society, while holding on to the values and respect for the vibrant culture that makes Bali so unique.

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Program Impact

Every volunteer’s experience, empowerment, and growth is equally as important as anyone else in our family. We hope that the personal development and lessons learned during your time with us stay with you long after Bali, and ultimately inspire you to empower those in your own communities.

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Program Reviews

4.91 Rating

based on 235 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Volunteer Teach

5 rating 91.49%
4 rating 8.09%
3 rating 0.43%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Impact 4.75
Support 4.85
Fun 4.8
Value 4.85
Safety 4.95

Benefits 4
Support 5
Fun 5
Facilities 4
Safety 5

Good for Solo Travelers, Students, Adventure travelers

Showing 121 - 128 of 235 reviews

It is incredibly rewarding getting to know the children and seeing their reaction when you turn up to school. They are always so happy at the programme and seem to be having a great time. For them this programme is an enjoyable way to learn English. I think that the sociable aspect of the programme contributes to this as all the volunteers get to know each other so and as a result get on so well. When the children see the volunteers getting on well together it sets a great example for them.

Signing up for the program was one of the best decisions I've taken. The kids were such an inspiration! Every day I just couldn't wait to come to school so that I could see the smiles on their faces :) This was true fulfillment and experience that is so empowering.

All this along with the wonderful volunteers from all around the world made my stay a life time experience!

Thank you, lovely kids and VP Bali Family!
I will miss you and I hope we meet again,

What would you improve about this program?

As most of us have no previous experience of teaching, it might be helpful during the orientation day to have some role plays or during the first day of teaching to be an observer of different volunteers classes

I came with another portuguese friend. We shared a room at the homestay which was really good. The bathroom was really funny because it was just a shower right in the middle of it, but soon we realized that every bathroom on this island is like that.
I loved the people on the program, they were all very nice and welcoming and I think no one feels like the newbie when they arrive.
I have stayed for 4 weeks, so obviously I have a lot of stories to tell, but I honestly recommend this program, especially if you like to make new friends and if you don't mind living in a country a little less cleaner than you're used to!

It was the best experience in my life, i really enjoyed the children, the school, and the local people and staff. I learnt a lot with them. I saw my students' progresses during classes. I met really nice people here and i will never forget them. They are an essential part of my experience. I would love to repeat this experience as soon as possible. In our homestay we have all the things that we need. Thank you VP Bali. :)

This program has helped my ability to understand the difficulties in children being provided sufficient and effective language education. The way the program has helped the communities children not being left behind with their education and their assistance in the community and the assistance that they can give their families is immense, and I feel so grateful to be a part of this program. The structure is great, and the speed that the children learn English from different nationalities is impressive.

You go to Bali with the idea to give something, to help the local community teaching English to the Balinese kids. However, when you leave you realize that you have just received from them, especially from the kids. They give you their heart.
Once happened that I was sick and I missed one class. The reaction of the children surpised me. Everyone prepared a piece of paper wishing me to get well soon and everyone, the day after, was so worried about me. I'm really touched by this experience. It's been amazing. Thank you.

The children I taught at VP Bali where absolutely incredible. Every child was happy, fun, enthusiastic and ever so loving and caring. I noticed this from the very first day where many of the kids would come up to me and hug me and give me high fives and ask about me and my life. The children are so welcoming and really make you feel welcomed, loved and in the right place. I will never forget these children and their mentalities.

As soon as I arrived , everything was perfect organized from the staff.
They explained with details about our responsibilities and many things about the local area.
The location of our Homestay is the best in Ubud with many restaurants and shops around.
The kids are just adorable and they welcome you with a big smile.
overall it is an amazing experience and I highly recommend to anyone who want take a break or visit Bali.

Questions & Answers

Which program has the most volunteers at a given time?

Ubud!

By Jordan Lee on October 3, 2016

Did anyone have experiences with being transferred?

Hi Juliette! As far as I know volunteers only get transferred if there is a case of illness or cancelation, and only if it otherwise means that a certain class doesn't have a teacher. When I was volunteering I did not see anyone transferred, they are very well organized and try to accommodate everyone's wishes.

By Raphaël Escande on July 6, 2016

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Is it possible to learn Bahasa Indonesia with VPBali?

Hi Rowan, From my experience I can tell you that during your classes you can pick up a lot of Indonesian very quickly. If you want to go more into debt you can always follow an extra course which can be found easily.

By Raphaël Escande on July 6, 2016

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What type of visa do you need to do these programmes?

Hi Cathryn, a social/cultural visa is needed for this program. More information here: http://volunteerprogramsbali.org/placement-info/indonesian-visa/

By Mallory Meiser on January 25, 2016

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Alumni Interviews

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

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!

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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.

Elizabeth Waugh

Jerome Nun

Staff Interviews

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

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.

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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.

Ni Wayan Tutik Kastari Devi

Local Coordinator

Eka Saputra

Coordinator

Ni Komang Ayu Sukaningsih