First Trip to Bali

Where do I start?! From my first day in Bali, everyone was so nice and helpful. The staff, and other volunteers were very welcoming. The staff at The Green Lion were always available for support with anything we needed, from random inquiries to emergency situations (not that we ever had to deal with any). I really enjoyed our introduction week, because they showed us around the area and then taught us how to do traditional Balinese things that I probably would not have had the opportunity to do if I were traveling around on my own. It was a great introduction to Bali. The placements were chosen very well, as they gave us the option to request teaching partners and age levels to work with. My program was teaching english, and although it was challenging at times, I really did enjoy it. The children were so excited to learn and if we hit a stump where they really did not understand us, we could ask a coordinator to help us to translate. This was my first trip on my own, and I was never really alone. Between my house mates and the other people in my group, there was always someone to do things with and plan excursions with. Although Bali is totally different from my home town, it was so cool to see how people in Bali live, and it was very eye-opening to see how different the schools are, in comparison to home.
As far as excursions, I was able to do so much in my time there, although I could have done much more if I had stayed longer. One weekend a bunch of us did a trip to Gili T island, which was gorgeous and had amazing sunsets. If you have ever seen sunset pictures with the swing in the ocean, this is on Gili T. The following weekend we climbed Mount Batur, which is an active volcano that people hike up to watch the sunset. For someone like me who is not too physically active, it was a challenge, but it was worth it once I got to the top. It really was an amazing experience. The volcano takes about two hours to climb up. The following day we went to the famous Tegenungan Waterfall, and toured around that area. Later on we visited the Elephant Safari Park & Lodge, which was also a great experience. I fell in love with the elephants instantly.
For my first solo trip, I'll admit it was a bit of a challenge because I did not know exactly what to expect, but I really did enjoy it. I also really enjoyed seeing the architecture in Bali and learning about the religious renditions.
As far as food - I enjoyed every meal that was served at the canteen. They always had a vegetarian/vegan option and they were very good with being cautious of allergies.
I would recommend this trip to others, without a doubt.