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 153 - 160 of 235 reviews

I was a volunteer at VP Bali for one month and had a very good experience. Almost all volunteers stay together what makes it one big group of friends in a very short moment of time. Teacher the children is done with another co teacher what's makes it easier and more fun as the kids can be quite busy and enthusiastic. We learned them one topic for four weeks and gave them a test after. After the four weeks they have learned a lot of new body parts and sentences. They are very grateful for you teaching them what makes it nice to go to school every day.

What would you improve about this program?

Maybe a bit more instructions how to teach the children at the beginning such as having a sheet with all the information of the class. Like where they are good at and where you have put some focus on to improve.

This experience in Bali was amazing, I really enjoyed my time with the kids. It's something different, that I never did before and at the same time if was something special because I really built a relationship with the kids. The two classes I had were so kind and they were always looking to learn English and have fun at the same time. The classes were always interactive.
I think this experience changed my point of view of the relationship with people and it also changed me.

I can recommend VP Bali to everybody who wants to discover and live a special experience that they had before.

I decided to come to Bali to volunteer and have loved it. I was able to make connections in the classrroom with the kids and explore in the mornings. I loved being able to immerse myself in the culture through visiting temples and ceremonies. Every morning offers a chance to explore the surroundings such as waterfalls and the market. Overall I am very happy with this experience...................

What would you improve about this program?

Could have more training on how to teach at the beginning.

when arriving in Bali I had no idea what to expect. Although I had already lived six months in South East Asia for an academic exchange I had never been to Indonesia. People here were more than nice to me, the staff, the locals, the students...
Before coming to VP I had never taught especially not English (which is not even my mother tongue). This experience has allowed me be more confident, creative, that sometimes it is okay not to know as long as you are willing to progress and learn from your mistakes.

What would you improve about this program?

- better organization of the curriculum so that the teacher have a better overview of the progress of the class (tests at the same time for all classes in order to progress more efficientely with the lessons

This experience in VP Bali during four months was a good experience for me.
Everybody was really nice and helpful !
That was my first experience of teaching, and the fact to have the VP Bali staff with me, I felt more comfortable and confident in what I undertook.
Children are so nice at school and really happy to know new things everyday !
I recommend VP Bali to have an experience abroad, in a new culture with a serious team.

VP Bali is an association with good goals, in terms of volunteers we were well welcomed and the staff was very helpful and always here to answer at our enquiries.
The time at the school with the kids is very rewarding because we see them improve thanks to our actions. We share good time by teaching english with games, the kids are very dynamic and happy to come to VP Bali classes.
I had a good experience!

I was welcomed at the Homestay where I got to meet all the other volunteers. Everybody was very nice and kind to me and I immediately felt at home. The social life with the other volunteers was just amazing: we organised morning excursions, dinners, weekends away and, not to forget our dinners and night out on Thursdays.
Teaching kids was just the most lifechanging experience of my life and I recommend it to everybody. VP Bali is a great organisation that gives future opportunities to local kids and gives volunteers an unforgettable experience.

What would you improve about this program?

I think the management team should give more detailed teaching plans to the volunteers.

I stayed one month in the program and it was so fast. I still remember my first week in School when I met all the kids. The three first days they offered me a lot of flowers to welcome me. I directly felt home. Moreover the staff is really helpful and efficient. I am so grateful for all the moments we spent together. I discovered a new culture and the kids really want to learn and make efforts. It was so sad leaving them. Thank you so much for everything! I'll miss the VP BAli family.

What would you improve about this program?

This is a great and helpful program and everyone is really involved.
Maybe the volunteers need to read the diary to know better their classes and in which topics they are in the curriculum before the first day of class. I know you already insist a lot but it is the only thing I have in mind. Otherwise thank you for your organization!

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

See all 2 answers

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!

View Entire Interview

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.

View Entire Interview

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

Local Coordinator

About 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...

Program Details

Pricing

Alumni Interviews

Harriet Grainger

Why did you pick this program?

What is the most important thing you learned abroad?

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

What was the hardest part about going abroad?

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

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

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

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

How much does it cost to stay in Bali?

Staff Interviews

Kezia Koen

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

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

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

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