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 169 - 176 of 235 reviews

My only regret is that I am not able to stay longer.This experience has been amazing in many ways.
I was always very exicted to come to school.it is such q good feeling to see the kids eager to learn.Even without any previous teaching experience,we can help them to improve their english.It was also an amazing experience for me to learn more about their culture and their traditions. I am glad I decided to come to Bali not only as a tourist but as a volunteer.It is such a great experience and gives a meaning to your travel experience.
Finally, the local cordinators have been amazing.one of the best things we did together was to go to the temple for a ceremony.

Thqnk you everyone,I will definitely recommend this experience to my friends.

I had a very good time volunteering at VP Bali. It was my first volunteer experience and I learned so much about the culture, I learned a lot from my students and I would highly recommend it to everyone who is thinking about joining a volunteer program. VP Bali helped me a lot to get better everyday. I had the pleasure to meet so wonderful people who I will always remember. I had the chance to get in contact with the local people which was a one of a kind experience. I would always do the volunteer program at VP Bali again.

What would you improve about this program?

I would include a meeting where we learn more about the life situation of our students or the local people in general.

My only regret is that I am not able to stay longer.This experience has been amazing in many ways.
I was always very excited to come to school. It is such a good feeling to see the kids eager to learn. Even without any previous teaching experience, we can help them to improve their English. It was also an amazing experience for me to learn more about their culture and their traditions. I am glad I decided to come to Bali not only as a tourist but as a volunteer. It is such a great experience and gives meaning to your travel experience.
Finally, the local coordinators have been amazing. One of the best things we did together was to go to the temple for a ceremony.

Thank you everyone, I will definitely recommend this experience to my friends.

What would you improve about this program?

maybe we need a lit bit more materials like lists of vocabulary and different worksheets.
for me being two teachers in the classroom is a priority because it s way easier to help the kids. I saw the difference when I was only working with a group of 6.

Teaching english with vp bali has been a rewarding experience which has helped me build confiendence in myself to consider a career in education. There is a great balance between school time and free time to travel. During my stay in bali i always felt safe and the staff where always around if i needed anything. The have made great friends during my stay which i will keep in contact with when we are all back home.

I volunteered with VP Bali for 10 weeks and really enjoyed my time here. The kids at school were eager to learn and mostly very respectful and welcoming of all the new teachers. Although sometimes the curriculum felt impractical and the language barrier was a challenge, teaching and forming relationships with the kids was very rewarding. They have definitely improved their English over these past weeks and I've loved watching them grow. A special aspect of VP Bali is the family you become apart of: staff, volunteers, local coordinators, and students. Sharing family, school, and village ceremonies is a unique aspect of the program I particularly liked. The 4 day work week allows enough time to explore different parts of Bali on the weekend with the other volunteers. I highly recommend this organization!

What would you improve about this program?

The curriculum should include more practical topics, such as greetings, shopping, travel, and verbs. I found it very hard to teach the kids grammar and sentence structure, so some extra guidance with that would be good. The language barrier with the younger children is also very noticeable, so perhaps the VP Bali program is more beneficial to the junior high school kids with a basic foundation in English.

I have experienced VP Bali as a very open organisation that is standing within the communities. The aim is to teach English to the children from these communities. The children that join the program are very enthusiastic and eager to learn new things. The children are being taught in a creative way. They learn English in a playful way, it is easier for them to remember and also fun of course.

While volunteering at VP Bali you have the weekends and the mornings off. You can explore the island then with your fellow volunteers. The other volunteers are from all over the world, which is also very interesting.

I definitely recommend joining the program, you will fall in love with the people and nature!

I completed my 3 month volunteering on the 22nd of November and I have to admit it was an exquisite experience full of entertainment, joy, and knowledge thanks to vpbali. I left home for 3 months and it didn't feel any different because vpbali was like my second family. Supportive in every possible way whether from the choice of volunteers or the vpbali team. They enhanced my teaching skills; moreover, they showed me the real meaning of what a smile means. I thank them for this. I wouldn't want to have my first "teaching abroad" experience any other way.

What would you improve about this program?

Honestly, i think its perfect the way it is; although its sad that it is not that visible on social media.. and i truly think that it needs a bit of a push because truthfully they are doing a great job supporting all these opportunities for them kids who are in need!

I spent a two-months internship at VP Bali. I've been very easily intergrated to the team and the staff was very welcoming. This was a very useful experience. This organization is very active for the local development. It is also promoting the recycling system in Bali. The volunteers are very happy to be here and are very involved to teach to the kids. The founder gives all her time to develop all the programs and try to be very helpful with the volunteers and the local population.

I definitely recommend this program for those who wants to volunteer in Bali and also for interns.

What would you improve about this program?

I would think it would be great if they are known more on social media so more volunteers can come to help and have a great experience as I did.

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

See all 2 answers

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?