Think Pacific supports a number of elementary schools based within walking distance or a short commute from your homestay base in Bali. The aim of the school projects is to provide regular assistance with conversational English support under the direction of qualified local teachers.  The project also supports after-school youth clubs, which enable children to learn English in an interactive and engaging way. Each school has between 100 and 300 students, grade 1-6.

The schools have also requested English lessons and tuition for the teachers (adult literacy) with the aim of improving English conversation, reading and writing skills of the teaching staff.

We also support a number of after school clubs and locally run youth projects for 5-18 years old, located approximately 30 minutes drive from the community.  Transport is provided via private, air conditioned vehicles, taking you to and from each project.

We also support early education programmes for children aged 3-5 years old.  The project embeds conversational English at an early age to develop lifelong language skills. The project has a focus to teach children outside the classroom and use engaging and creative activities for learning.

You will be support to teachers within local elementary schools, acting as assistant teachers and delivering small group and 1-1 tuition for children. English lessons take place each day and you will work with different age groups to support the teacher or lead your own small groups, under their supervision, with a focus upon Conversational English as well as supporting English reading and writing.

Each day you will need to plan fun and interactive sessions, where you can follow on from classes led by the teacher and support sessions already held by previous volunteers. We encourage using learning through play, educational games and creative activities to make your lessons fun, interesting and interactive.

The cross-cultural collaboration provides uniqueness and novelty to local teaching, including considering accents, dialect, regional differences and even slang terms, which can all be important for conversational proficiency within tourism.

Session Planning

Each day you will have time to plan and prepare your English lesson and activities. The homestay provides a beautiful, quiet and comfortable space to work on your planning. There is also a selection of wonderful cafes and restaurants within easy walking distance with wifi access. Our staff team provide resources and materials and example lesson plans for you to use as a team as you share your ideas and experience and upload your resources to our database so future groups can build upon your work.

Your Average Day

The project is busy and varied and volunteers will work in smaller groups and visit different projects and rotate from Monday-Friday. Here is an example average day.

7am = Wake up & Time for Breakfast.  Breakfast is served in your homestay accommodation, together with your fellow volunteers.

8-8.30am = Travel to your project.  Some schools and projects are based a short walk away, others are up to 30 mins drive.   You will travel to your project with a small group of fellow volunteers, supported by our Project Coordinators. 

9am = In the mornings volunteers are assigned to one of the following projects on a rota basis and work within local school settings

• 1) Kindergarten support
• 2) Primary school support
• 3) English lessons for Teaching staff
• 4) Conversational English lessons in the community.

Midday  = Lunch & Yoga 

1pm –  2pm  = Lesson & Activity Planning in groups 

2pm – 5pm  = Travel to after school clubs to lead grass roots youth projects, and ‘English Language Through Activity’ , developing conversational English through art, drama, music, crafts and games.

5.30pm  = Return to the village and debrief 

7pm = Dinner & Free time 

The aim of our after school clubs is to further the development of English through a range of activities including art, drama, singing, dance, team games, crafts, music, or sports. Through this, we expand both the English skills and the wider personal and social skills of young people fostering team work, initiative, creativity, decision making, leadership, reflection and non-verbal communication, 

These clubs offer the chance to bring your own passions. Under the guidance of local Balinese staff you can suggest ideas for your favourite sport or activities so we can develop and grow the programme and widen the scope and theme.

Our conversational English lessons have been created for and at the request of local community members, including Balinese teaching staff.  They are a fun, impactful and innovative way for you to directly support the host communities.

With the vast majority of jobs in Bali connected to the growing tourism industry, being proficient in conversational English can be a vital tool to advance job opportunities for local people and a driver for better income. 

Working with our Balinese staff team, you will have the opportunity to design, plan and deliver small lessons, 1-1 and group English tuition at the most convenient times for local people (usually early morning or early evening).

Full inclusions list:

• Airport welcome by Think Pacific team leaders
• All accommodation including 2- day jungle briefing and cultural orientation, 2-day team building camp in a beautiful rural setting, homestay accommodation in traditional Balinese village and 2 days debrief at a hotel. (However, you can choose to travel with your teammates at the weekend to experience other areas of Bali)
• All in-country travel, except for optional weekends travel.
• Breakfast and evening meal from Monday – Friday across your 4-week project (lunches not provided)
• Guided activities, such as local hikes, excursions to sites of interest or attending local festivals or community events.
• Think Pacific leaders living alongside the group 24/7.
• In-country manager, Balinese-based Project Managers and UK team providing planning, risk assessment and 24-hour backup support.
• Outstanding pastoral support.
• Air-conditioned private transfers to your placements each day.
• Comprehensive online portal & personal volunteer project planning resources.

The following costs are not inclusive of the programme fee. However, Think Pacific provides comprehensive and personalised support to assist:

• Flights – Budget approximately £800 – £1,000
• Insurance – Budget approximately £100- £150 Think Pacific can advise and provide details for recommended policy
• Visa – Cost approx £200 – Think Pacific manages the process and advises students on their visa.
• Equipment – Budget approximately £100 Comprehensive kit list and pre-departure advice provided, including specific items of clothing, footwear and first aid resources
• Vaccinations – Budget approximately £50 (However, vaccines are free from the NHS for most students). Vaccinations include Typhoid and Hepatitis A.
• Spending Money – Budget approximately £300. For small items of personal nature, meals not included in the itinerary or additional activities.

Apply for university funding to cover flights, insurance and visa.

Your health and safety are our top priorities during your Think Pacific GTI in Ubud, Bali.

Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring that you feel secure and supported throughout your experience. Before your arrival, we provide comprehensive health and safety briefings, covering essential topics such as local customs, emergency procedures, and personal safety tips. While in Ubud, you will have access to 24/7 support from both local staff and international team members, who are well-versed in the area and ready to assist you at any time.

We also ensure that you have the necessary health resources, including information on local medical facilities and support for any health concerns you may encounter. By fostering a safe and supportive environment, we empower you to fully engage in your volunteer experience while prioritising your well-being.

Accommodation

During the project, all students stay within the same Balinese village, which is located in a very safe area, located a short distance from the beautiful Ubud. Living in homestay is a wonderful experience and your chance to learn about traditions and customs.

Often three or more generations live in one family complex, so prepare to be surrounded by kids, grandmas and grandpas in addition to your homestay parents. You’ll be sharing beautiful, but basic, accommodation with the family, some of your teammates and often some furry or feathery friends too. Trust us, you’ll never be lonely!

The accommodations are all clean and modern, with western style bathrooms. Rooms have air conditioning, electricity and wifi. Most rooms are twin share and you will share with a fellow student on the programme of the same gender. You will have a lock and key to your room for privacy.

Food

Breakfast and evening meals are provided from Monday to Friday at your homestay. Expect wholesome, local dishes with breakfast typically including bread, jam, fruit, fresh juice, tea, and coffee. Dinners often feature rice, noodles, vegetables, and either meat or seafood. While Balinese cuisine can be spicy, we ensure varied options are available, and vegetarian and vegan diets can be catered for. Filtered water is always available at homestays, as drinking tap water is not advised.

Breakfast and dinner are also included at any Think Pacific resorts, camps, or hotels. In the village, meals are shared daily with your Balinese host family. Dining with your hosts is a communal experience, as extended families often live together and share meals. The food is typically rich in carbohydrates, so you can expect rice and vegetables to form the main part of your diet.

During weekends, you’ll have the freedom to explore and purchase your own lunches and other meals, allowing you to sample the wide array of restaurants, street food, and market options. Lunches in Bali are affordable, generally costing no more than £5.

Adjusting to Life in a Rural Balinese Village

Life in a rural Balinese village is very different from life in a Western city, offering both a fascinating experience and its unique challenges. The comparatively basic standard of living, the communal lifestyle, strong religious beliefs, and traditional customs may take some time to get used to. It’s completely normal to feel a bit out of your comfort zone during the first few days. However, with the support of your host family, your teammates, and our experienced leaders, most people find that they quickly adapt to the rhythms of day-to-day village life.

Communication in the Village

Most Balinese adults speak some English, though you may encounter occasional language barriers due to differences in pronunciation. Speaking slowly and clearly in English generally ensures mutual understanding. However, young children and some elderly members of the community may not speak any English, so learning a few local words and phrases early on can be immensely helpful and appreciated.

Think Pacific’s Local Staff in Bali

Our dedicated in-country staff in Bali are essential to the success of our programs, guiding daily activities and supporting participants throughout their journey. We’re proud to share that 70% of our paid staff in Indonesia are local residents.

Investing in local staff enables us to maximize our positive impact in the communities where we operate. By providing long-term employment opportunities and having those who understand the culture and country best at the helm, we ensure authentic project management and meaningful partnerships with local enterprises. Our international team members offer additional 24/7 support and mentorship, sharing their own experiences and insights about life in Bali.

At Think Pacific, we understand that preparation is key to a successful and enriching internship experience. That’s why we provide comprehensive pre-departure support to ensure you feel confident and informed before setting off on your journey. Our pre-departure support includes detailed briefings, access to informative resources, and personalized guidance from our experienced team. We walk you through everything from cultural insights and project expectations to packing lists and travel logistics. This support helps you build excitement, answer your questions, and set you up for a seamless transition as you embark on your Think Pacific adventure.

1. Access to the Pre-departure Portal: This portal provides the step-by-step process to prepare for Bali, including fundraising information, flight information, kit list, visa, cultural preparation. Student can watch videos with our team and download document.
2. Contact our team: You can contact our team anytime between office hours, either give us a  call on 0113 335 9919 or email; info@thinkpacific.com
3. Online community/network: You can communicate with fellow volunteers, alumni and our team through our online community, hosted on the Might Network app. Within 3 months of you departing to Bali, you shall be entered into a private group with your volunteer team.
4. Live Pre Departure webinars: Our team host live sessions in the months leading up to your project. These are a great way for you to ask questions and delve deeper into planning for your project. They also add to the excitement!

All projects have been chosen by our team based on the need for international students to complement existing local initiatives. We work with organisations in an effort to bolster the pre-existing resources and provide further support.   This ensures programmes do not create a reliance or interrupt long term staffing structures.

Our process for partnership with local organisations is as follows:

1. Requested
2. Consultation
3. Planning
4. Logistics
5. Resources and Materials
6. Delivery
7. Review and Feedback
8. Sustainability Measures
9. Long Term Review

Think Pacific seeks advice from community members, government contacts and Mental Health specialists within Indonesia to ensure that, as an organisation, we plan with the local community needs and considerations at the heart of any projects.

We work to not negatively affect the employment structure and also availability of placements for local students by ensuring that local volunteers are always prioritised by organisations. 

The utmost respect is given to local customs & traditions. We wish to inspire with our actions but resist imposing our ideals on others. Students are reminded to treat everyone they meet with the utmost humility and respect.

From an ethical standpoint, it is important that we provide sustainable resources, and support, to our projects in Bali. Whilst students support programmes for a short amount of time, it’s important to note

1. The aim of the support is always intended from the outset to be supplementary and not replace local responsibilities.  In this way all parties benefit and the local projects can plan strategically to utilise the additional support.
2. The programme is long term and in partnership with universities around the globe, which enhances this planning and ensures Think Pacific can guarantee student participants at set times and structure placements many months in advance  
3. Project feedback is one of the core ways we are able to provide continuity in the sessions provided at all projects. Students record their progress on shared documents allowing them to communicate to present and future students the efficacy of their sessions and pass on important information. This feedback ensures that the service users receive continuity of support and a variety of activities despite the change in personnel.
4. We ensure all activity support sessions follow the same structure to provide consistency to the service users and projects.

We rely on consistent feedback from our projects and partners to measure the impact of our work and we release reports to explain the progress of our programs. Think Pacific has grown exponentially due to demand for our initiatives since our first project in 2009 and we continue to supplement local services in the Asia Pacific in collaborative with the needs, wishes and requirements of local stakeholders.