Bali - Ethical Business & Social Enterprise
Global Adventures That Boost Your Future
Dive into an immersive two-week journey through Ubud, exploring a fast-paced mix of businesses and social enterprises that put purpose before profit.
Visit inspiring ventures, meet local changemakers, and gain a first-hand insight into how innovation and culture drive impact in Bali.
Over two action-packed weeks, you’ll meet the changemakers reshaping Bali, from innovative plastic solutions to organic community start ups, from upcycled fashion to bamboo architecture. See how local entrepreneurs are tackling global challenges while staying rooted in Bali’s culture.
Live village life in Gianyar, connect with nature at jungle camp, and hike the mountains of Kintamani. Every day is a new mix of workshops, site visits, and founder talks that blend enterprise, culture, and Balinese spirit in one unforgettable experience.
This isn’t just travel. It’s a journey of discovery, connection, and impact in one of the most intriguing places on earth.
- Ethical Business & Social Enterprise: Exploring social enterprise, ethical innovation, culture & sustainability in Ubud.
- Timeframe: 14 days
- Team Size: 16-20 + local mentors and leaders. Join a group of likeminded people interested in social enterprise
- Accommodation Style: Jungle Camp + Hotel + Community Homestay
- Impact: Travel that supports local communities through our CARE approach
- Includes: Accommodation, breakfasts and evening meals, workshops, site visits, cultural excursions, domestic travel, 24/7 support.
- Programme Fee: £1595 for 14 days
- Funding: Turing Scheme grants available… see our Funding Guide
Join a Discovery Session 💻
Think Pacific Discovery 
Monday’s 4pm [GMT – London] / 12pm [EST – New York] (Register Here)
👇This is a fast paced journey into the world of social enterprise, meeting innovative founders and exploring how mission-led local enterprises drive positive social and environmental change.
Through site visits, experiential activities, discussions, action challenges, and hands-on activities, you’ll gain fresh insights into entrepreneurship, sustainability, and impact.
it’s a journey that expands your horizons, builds your confidence, and connects you to global perspectives you’ll carry into your career and life.
Meet the community entrepreneurs and innovators behind start-ups and social enterprises that blend tradition, creativity, and sustainability. Experience diverse business models that are creating local change.
Live in a traditional Balinese village, sharing daily experiences and unique moments with the community. Take part in unique cultural activities from batik painting, gamelan, wood carving, herbal medicine and more.
Go beyond the classroom through field visits, hands-on workshops, and learning directly from local changemakers. Hear their stories and gain unique insights.
Experience wellbeing practices like yoga, alongside active adventures like hiking or swimming and visiting beaches and waterfalls.
Collaborate as a team to respond to a real issue faced by a local organisation. Co-create ideas, present your findings, and build tangible project experience.
Learn about eco-projects, conservation efforts, and the impact of plastic pollution. Snorkel coral reefs, and see how community businesses connect livelihoods with sustainability..
Open to all students, whether you study business, sustainability, social sciences, or are simply curious about how enterprise can create impact, this expedition blends learning with culture, adventure, and unforgettable experiences.
- Experience – Dive into Balinese life, culture and sustainable enterprise.
- Career Exposure – Connect with founders, explore ideas, build your CV
- Adventure – Hike rice terraces, snorkel reefs, and explore Bali’s beauty.
- Impact– Discover how social businesses tackle local challenges.
- Skills – Boost confidence, creativity, teamwork, and adaptability.
- Memories – Unique cultural experiences, new friends and new perspectives.
- Global Outlook– Connect Bali’s innovations to global issues
Come with curiosity and an open mind and leave with new skills, lasting memories, and inspiration.
Immerse yourself in Bali’s world of social enterprise, explore sustainable solutions, and engage in authentic cultural exchange.
Experience a unique side of Bali to what tourists often seen. This is an authentic, real and purposeful journey. From rice terraces and jungle camps to vibrant hub of Ubud.
Through experiential activities, action projects, discussions, and team reflection, explore what ethical enterprise means and how you can use business as a force for good.
Think Pacific teams up with inspiring social enterprises, ethical start-ups, and grassroots organisations across Bali, all using business as a force for good. From women’s empowerment and sustainable farming to fair trade, eco-tourism, and protecting the environment, these changemakers are reshaping what the future looks like.
You’ll step inside their world, hear real stories of success, explore the challenges they’re tackling head-on, and see first-hand how purpose and innovation come together to drive impact.
Jump into mini team projects where you’ll think creatively, adapt to new perspectives, and share fresh ideas. Along the way, you’ll build skills that go far beyond the programme, from teamwork, leadership, and cross-cultural communication to problem-solving and critical thinking. These experiences strengthen your confidence, enhance your CV, and provide real-world examples you can draw on in interviews, essays, and future career opportunities.
You’ll wrap up by presenting reflections with your group, sparking meaningful conversations that not only add value for local changemakers but also spark new ideas for your career journey
Through this journey you will:
- Explore Business for Good – See how Balinese enterprises create impact.
- Build Key Skills – Strengthen creativity, teamwork, adaptability, and cultural intelligence.
- Think Globally – Understand how local entrepreneurship connects to global challenges.
- Learn by Doing – Collaborate on action challenges that tackle real-world issues.
- Embrace Adventure – Experience Bali’s diverse landscapes and scenery.
- Grow Personally – Reflect and return with fresh perspectives, skills and purpose.
Return with unique memories, career boosting experiences and a shared adventure with new friends.
Guided by our Think GLOBAL Learning Framework.
Through immersive activities, workshops, and cultural excursions.
Here is the unique six-step framework that forms the basis for your learning journey in Bali
- Gather – Travel in a team of up to 20 others. Arrive open-minded and curious
- Learn – Immerse yourself in daily life and shared experiences.
- Observe – Look beyond the surface to see new perspectives and approaches
- Build – Connect with people and cultures in meaningful ways.
- Apply – Use what you learn to grow personally and professionally.
- Lead – Carry your new perspectives home and create change.
It’s designed to help you connect deeply, reflect meaningfully, and transform real-world experience into skills that you can adopt for your personal and professional future.
Each expedition is designed to benefit not only students but also Bali’s communities, culture, and environment. Every journey we design is built on regenerative principles: empowering communities, promoting local priorities, and celebrating culture with respect. Our programmes are co-created with local communities, leaders, NGOs and grassroots organisations to directly support long-term community empowerment aims. By joining us, you’re not just travelling, you’re investing in local jobs, fueling small businesses, protecting traditions, and contributing to a more regenerative form of travel.
Transformative small-group expeditions that make a positive impact locally. We achieve our mission by:
- Respecting local cultures and traditional leadership
- Collaborating with communities to achieve local goals
- Supporting jobs, enterprises, and community-based economies
- Aligning with national priorities and development plans
- Protecting ecosystems and the natural environment
- Inspiring conscious, curious, and responsible travellers
- Regenerating through travel that goes beyond sustainability
- Prioritising people and purpose over profit
- Listening to community voices to shape meaningful experiences
- Empowering local people through partnership
You’re not just going on an adventure, you’re part of something bigger. You’ll connect deeply with people, learn from new cultures, and know that your journey is creating positive and lasting local benefits.
🌺 How This Programme Supports Local Impact
At Think Pacific, we believe that travel should be transformative — not only for students but also for the communities, enterprises, and ecosystems we partner with. This expedition is grounded in Bali’s values of Tri Hita Karana — harmony between people, nature, and spirit. Every visit, workshop, and collaboration reflects that balance, ensuring lasting benefits for local businesses, communities, and the environment.
Here’s how this program creates regenerative impact in Bali, aligned with both local values and enterprise for good:
1. Supporting Social Enterprises & Grassroots Business
Through site visits, participants meet founders of ethical start-ups, family businesses, and women-led cooperatives. These entrepreneurs share their vision, challenges, and impact models, offering students an authentic look at how businesses can blend tradition with innovation. By learning and engaging, students help amplify these enterprises’ stories while gaining new perspectives on sustainable entrepreneurship.
2. Strengthening Community Livelihoods
Stays in Balinese villages and visits to family-run ventures generate direct financial benefits through ethical partnerships. Host families, guides, and artisans earn income that stays within the local economy, while students gain an appreciation of collective systems that prioritise community wellbeing over individual profit — a living model of Pawongan (harmony among people).
3. Fostering Global Dialogue & Knowledge Exchange
Every enterprise visit becomes a space for mutual learning. Students listen to local leaders, ask questions, and respond to “mini action projects” — real challenges posed by founders. This process creates a two-way exchange: entrepreneurs gain fresh perspectives, while students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and cultural intelligence.
4. Promoting Ethical & Responsible Tourism
This expedition offers an alternative to mass tourism. Small-scale and community-first, it ensures students arrive as learners, not consumers. With pre-departure briefings on Balinese culture and respectful conduct, participants engage in meaningful experiences that support, rather than extract from, the local context — shifting travel toward a regenerative model.
5. Linking Business to Environmental Sustainability
Many Balinese enterprises integrate eco-practices into their models — from upcycling plastic and producing sustainable fashion, to regenerative farming and eco-construction. Students see firsthand how protecting the environment can sit at the heart of enterprise. Activities like coral planting and learning about Subak (traditional water systems) highlight Palemahan — harmony with nature — as a foundation for business success.
6. Elevating Local Leadership & Innovation
The program is co-created with local founders, NGOs, and business leaders, ensuring Balinese ownership and leadership at every stage. Whether joining a workshop in Ubud’s entrepreneurial hub or visiting a village cooperative, students learn from those who are building Bali’s future. This reinforces respect, humility, and Parahyangan — harmony with spirit — through gratitude and shared purpose.
7. Inspiring the Next Generation of Changemakers
By engaging directly with Bali’s innovators, students return home with new skills, global awareness, and a vision of how business can be used as a force for good. The program inspires participants to consider their own role in shaping ethical enterprises and sustainable futures.
🌿 Conclusion: Regenerative Business, Rooted in Respect
The Bali Business for Good Expedition is not just about student development — it’s about contributing to a thriving ecosystem of enterprises and communities creating real impact. Every experience is designed to be mutually beneficial, aligned with Balinese values, and guided by local voices.
This is regenerative travel with purpose — grounded in Tri Hita Karana — leaving a positive legacy for both Bali’s changemakers and the students who join them.
Every Expedition is Unique
This isn’t a sightseeing tour, it’s an authentic learning journey shaped by real communities, social enterprises, and local leaders. Timings and activities may change with local rhythms and opportunities, but you can expect to experience the following key areas:
Innovation & Enterprise
-
Site visits to social enterprises tackling issues like waste, fair trade, and sustainable tourism
-
Conversations with founders about vision, challenges, and impact
-
Small-group action projects responding to real questions posed by entrepreneurs
-
Guest lectures on ethical leadership, impact models, and community-driven business
Community & Culture
-
Live with Balinese families in village homestays, supporting community livelihoods
-
Take part in daily village life, festivals, and rituals that shape community values
-
Hands-on workshops in batik, carving, and crafts — exploring how heritage links to enterprise
-
Learn how Tri Hita Karana (harmony between people, nature, and spirit) informs business ethics
Sustainability in Action
-
Explore eco-farms and regenerative agriculture projects
-
Visit enterprises upcycling waste into eco-products and sustainable fashion
-
Learn about Subak water management and its role in collective governance
-
Coral planting, reef exploration, and eco-tourism initiatives protecting Bali’s ecosystems
Adventure & Team Growth
-
Jungle trekking and nature-based reflection activities
-
Snorkelling and reef exploration in Amed
-
Rafting or forest hikes to build teamwork and resilience
-
Sunset sharing circles to connect personal growth with the day’s learning
Academic & Career Learning
-
Interactive sessions with business leaders, NGOs, and cooperatives on challenges such as climate justice and social equity
-
Structured group reflections linking site visits to enterprise theory and global issues
-
Action project presentations to local partners for feedback
-
Final debrief in Sanur, translating your experience into academic, career, and personal development goals
The end result: A journey of learning, collaboration, and exploration — building practical skills, cultural awareness, and global perspectives while supporting Bali’s inspiring network of changemakers and social enterprises.
1. Intercultural Awareness & Global Citizenship
-
Develop a nuanced understanding of Balinese culture, spirituality, and values, grounded in the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana (harmony with people, nature, and spirit).
-
Gain cross-cultural communication skills by living in homestays, sharing daily life with Balinese families, and collaborating with entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and NGOs.
-
Appreciate how indigenous knowledge and traditions — from Subak farming to community cooperatives — influence enterprise, sustainability, and social wellbeing.
2. Personal Growth & Self-Reflection
-
Build confidence by adapting to new cultural rhythms, from village homestays to engaging with local leaders and changemakers.
-
Strengthen resilience, adaptability, and initiative through team challenges, business case studies, and collaborative action projects.
-
Cultivate empathy and global awareness by reflecting on your own values and perspectives alongside Balinese approaches to community, leadership, and sustainability.
3. Employability & Transferable Skills
-
Enhance teamwork, leadership, and collaboration through site visits, problem-solving projects, and founder discussions.
-
Develop practical skills in intercultural communication, critical thinking, and experiential learning — directly transferable to academic and professional contexts.
-
Demonstrate versatility and global perspective to employers through exposure to business innovation, social impact models, and sustainability in practice.
4. Academic & Career Alignment
-
Deepen academic learning by linking theory to practice in business, entrepreneurship, sustainability, sociology, anthropology, or international development.
-
Understand global challenges such as climate justice, fair trade, and social equity through a Balinese cultural and entrepreneurial lens.
-
Strengthen career readiness by showing initiative, cultural intelligence, and an applied understanding of business as a force for good.
5. Connection to Environment & Sustainability
-
Learn how enterprises integrate regenerative practices — from plastic upcycling and eco-construction to fair-trade farming and marine conservation.
-
Explore how Tri Hita Karana places environmental harmony at the heart of community life and enterprise models.
-
Reflect on lessons from Bali for sustainable business and responsible global citizenship.
6. Reflection & Lifelong Impact
-
Engage in structured reflection, team discussions, and presentations, culminating in a final debrief connecting learning to future goals.
-
Translate your experiences into personal growth, academic insight, and professional development pathways.
-
Build lasting networks with Balinese partners and peers, fostering ongoing intercultural exchange and collaboration beyond the expedition.
Here’s more about this experience to consider:
Embracing Balinese Life
Life in Bali is guided by community, ceremony, and the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana — harmony with people, nature, and spirit. Whether you’re in Ubud, a jungle camp, a village homestay, or by the ocean, daily life revolves around connection, rituals, and togetherness. Join in wholeheartedly — whether it’s helping prepare temple offerings, joining a gamelan session, trekking through rice fields, or sharing stories after sunset.
Settle Into Your New Surroundings
Each stage of the journey has its own rhythm — from Ubud’s cultural buzz, to the quiet simplicity of jungle living, to the warmth of your host family in Mas village. Be ready for a mix of simple living and new comforts: bucket showers and open-air kitchens in rural areas, eco-lodges in the jungle, and guesthouses on the coast. Wherever you stay, you’ll be welcomed as part of the community.
Eat Like a Local
Food in Bali is central to culture, family, and wellbeing. Meals are often shared, with rice at the heart of every dish. Expect fragrant nasi campur (mixed rice), fresh vegetables, tempeh, fish, and the famous spicy sambal. Hospitality is generous — don’t be surprised if neighbours, relatives, or friends join for a meal or celebration.
Give Yourself Time to Adjust
Bali moves at its own rhythm — shaped by ceremonies, family routines, and nature’s cycles. The pace may be slower than you’re used to, and traditions may feel unfamiliar at first. It’s normal to feel out of step in the beginning — lean on your host family, teammates, and Think Pacific leaders. Soon, you’ll feel at home in the flow of Balinese life.
Learn Some Language
While many people speak Bahasa Indonesia, in villages you’ll also hear Balinese language. Learning simple greetings and phrases will help you build trust and connection. We’ll share guides and practice sessions before and during the trip so you can confidently engage with local communities.
Go With the Flow
Bali runs on Jam Karet — “rubber time.” Ceremonies may run long, mealtimes may shift, and plans often adapt around the needs of the community or the environment. Embracing this flexibility is part of the journey — it teaches patience, presence, and the joy of living in the moment.
Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
From jungle trekking to trying new foods, you’ll face situations that feel unfamiliar or even challenging. These moments are part of the learning experience — they build resilience, confidence, and adaptability.
Simple Living, Different Comforts
Not every stage of the journey will have hot showers, air conditioning, or constant Wi-Fi. Embrace the simplicity — it helps you connect more deeply with nature, people, and yourself. You may experience cold bucket showers, or share accommodation with insects or bugs that you often find in such tropical weather.
Respecting Culture & Ceremony
Balinese life is steeped in ritual and spirituality. You may be invited to join ceremonies or observe sacred practices. Be open, curious, and respectful — wearing appropriate clothing, listening carefully, and following local guidance.
Navigating Group Life
You’ll be travelling, learning, and reflecting as part of a team. Living in close quarters means patience, communication, and compromise are essential. Sharing circles and group reflections are a chance to process challenges together.
Emotional Adjustment
Exploring wellbeing and mental health can be powerful — but also emotional. You may feel homesick, overwhelmed, or stretched by new experiences. Remember you’re supported at all times by your leaders, peers, and host families.
Expect the Unexpected
Plans may change due to weather, ceremonies, or local needs. Flexibility is key — Bali teaches the art of letting go and embracing the moment.
Travel Dates
4th June – 1st July 2026 (21 Days)
2nd July – 29th July 2026 (21 Days)
30th July – 26th August 2026 (21 Days)
19th September – 16th October 2026 (21 Days)
We pride ourselves on delivering safe, structured, and deeply supported travel experiences. Our approach is all about providing a high-quality, meaningful journey that gives you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with culture, community, and environment in a responsible and respectful way.
Over one-third of your fee is spent locally, including support the Think Pacific Foundation, our registered local charity. Your contribution helps fund local initiatives and community-owned programmes—ensuring your travel leaves a lasting, positive impact.
| Currency | £GBP | $AUD |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | 195 | 345 |
| 1-Month Programme Fee | 1400 | 3900 |
Welcome to the FAQ section. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to support you every step of the way!
Think Pacific collaborates with numerous universities around the globe to promote student mobility and enhance employability opportunities. There are various scholarships and grants for students through partnerships with individual university departments and governments. Students are encouraged to explore the possibility of scholarships and bursaries for our projects.
To discover if funding is available at your university or in your region, please reach out to us at info@thinkpacific.com for personalised assistance and information.
Can I gain credit for this project as my placement?
We partner with over 50 universities who see the value of our work and some have even count our placement as part of their students’ course requirements. This often means our programmes are used as credit towards your degree or as part of a formal placement (as required to complete your home degree programme).
Please speak to us and contact info@thinkpacific.com if you would like to use your programme as a formal placement or for university credit and we will be happy to discuss with your institution or confirm existing university partnerships we have in place.
Recruiting students who are experienced in the mental health sector helps us to make the best impact in the communities where we work and adds tremendously to the global learning when you are undertaking formal reflections and course work related to the placement.
Business for Good Expedition Itinerary
Day 1–2: Team Briefing & Ubud
-
Arrive, relax, and acclimatise in Bali.
-
Join cultural and team briefings to prepare for the journey ahead.
-
Explore Ubud — Bali’s hub of creativity, enterprise, and innovation.
Day 3–4: Jungle Camp
-
Head into the lush interior of Bali for a remote jungle camp.
-
Build team spirit through outdoor challenges, cultural activities, and reflection.
-
Connect with nature while learning how local communities live sustainably in balance with their environment.
Day 4–12: Community in South Bali & Social Enterprise Workshops
-
Live with a traditional Balinese community south of Ubud.
-
Take part in a structured program blending cultural exchange workshops with enterprise learning expriences.
-
Visit social enterprises and family-run businesses tackling issues like waste, fair trade, and sustainable farming.
-
Explore Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese philosophy of harmony, and how it guides both daily life and ethical business.
-
Collaborate on mini “action projects,” responding to real challenges set by local entrepreneurs and NGOs.
-
Engage in workshops and talks with local founders, cooperatives, and youth groups, linking community values with enterprise innovation.
Day 13–24: Sanur Beach Reflection
-
Return to Sanur’s calm beaches for final reflection and debrief.
-
Share your group’s insights.
-
Consider how your experience of culture, enterprise, and sustainability in Bali will shape your studies, career, and global outlook.
What’s Included?
-
Welcome & Orientation – Airport pickup, 2-day briefing and cultural orientation, plus a team-building camp in a rural setting.
-
Accommodation – All accommodation provided, including homestays in traditional Balinese villages.
-
Meals – Breakfast and dinner included daily (please budget £2–5 per day for lunch).
-
Cultural Immersion – Welcome ceremony and feast, guided hikes, excursions to cultural sites, festivals, and community events.
-
Learning & Development – Guest speakers, workshops, and exclusive access to Think Pacific’s partner network.
-
Support & Safety – 24/7 guidance from Think Pacific leaders, in-country manager and Balinese project team, daily health check-ins, risk assessment, and pastoral care.
-
Travel – All in-country transport in private air-conditioned vehicles.
-
Preparation – Comprehensive online portal, pre-departure webinars, and personal planning resources.
What’s Not Included?
-
Flights – Budget £700–£1,000 (guidance provided).
-
Insurance – Budget £50–£100 (recommended policy provided).
-
Visa – Approximately £30 (requirements vary by nationality; please check with the Indonesian Embassy).
-
Vaccinations – Recommended Typhoid and Hepatitis A (budget £50; often free via NHS in the UK).
-
Spending Money – Budget £150–£200 for lunches, drinks, souvenirs, and personal items.
Accommodation
During this programme, you’ll have the unique opportunity to live in an authentic Balinese village. Most homestays are multigenerational, with grandparents, parents, and children living together in one family compound. This means you’ll experience the warmth and rhythm of real community life.
Accommodation is simple but comfortable, shared with your host family and teammates. Expect basic facilities, but also beautiful surroundings, family hospitality, and an experience that feels personal and memorable.
Food
Breakfast and dinner are included each day, whether you’re staying in a Think Pacific camp, hotel, or your host village. In the village, you’ll eat with your Balinese family, often surrounded by several generations at the table — reflecting Bali’s close-knit way of life.
Meals are carbohydrate-heavy, with rice and vegetables forming the core of a typical Balinese diet, often accompanied by fresh seasonal produce.
Lunches and weekend meals are not included, giving you the chance to explore Bali’s vibrant food scene — from street food stalls and local warungs to markets and restaurants. A typical meal costs around £2–£5.
- Access To The Pre-Departure Portal.
This portal provides the step-by-step process to prepare, including flight and visa information, kit list, cultural preparation, health and safety information. You can watch videos from our teams overseas and ask questions through our Live chat.
- 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.
- Online Community
You can communicate with fellow participants, alumni and our team through our online community. Within 3 months of you departing you shall be entered into a private facebook group with your fellow teammates.
- 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!
- Global Skills Programme
We have created an online course to give you the set you up for success before departure! Complete short-courses in: Culture, Sustainable Travel & Global Leadership.