At Think Pacific, we believe an internship should do more than just boost your CV – it should broaden your global perspective, enhance your skills and confidence, be accessible, and help you uncover your true passions through meaningful real-world experiences.
Our Global Team Internship (GTI) bridges the gap between university life and graduate employment in a globalised world. Combining hands-on work experience with cultural immersion and a team-based adventure, this program equips you for future success while empowering you to make a real impact.
During your placement, you’ll live in a traditional Balinese village alongside fellow students and collaborate with a select network of local businesses, social enterprises, and charities. Your role will be to help develop practical and sustainable solutions to real-world challenges, contributing directly to their missions.
The GTI allows you to experience Bali in an authentic way, joining a team to work side-by-side with local organizations. This journey not only supports local community aims but also sharpens your skills and prepares you for the global workforce.
At a Glance...
Team based internship in beautiful Bali, Indonesia
Explore a new culture by immersing yourself into Balinese life
Create work for up to 3 different local businesses, charities or start ups
Tackle realworld& impactful projects, across a range of sectors
Prepare for the future of work – diverse, ever-changing and hybrid
Develop the skills and attributes, which employers crave
Up to 120+ hours of learning, mentoring and global work experience
Suitable for all students – supercharge your CV & boost your employability
Project includes: Accommodation, 24/7 in-country support, food, domestic travel, unique internship projects, employability skills workshops and cultural and adventures activities.
Bali is a paradise island waiting to be explored, with its stunning beaches, misty waterfalls, majestic volcanoes, and lush rice fields. Its rich culture, deep-rooted traditions, and spiritual customs create an atmosphere that captivates all who visit.
Beyond its natural beauty, Bali offers unique opportunities to engage with and contribute to inspiring local social enterprises aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). As Asia’s leading startup hub and a global hotspot for digital nomads, it provides invaluable insight into innovation and community-driven projects. Experience this vibrant island while supporting impactful local initiatives and enjoying a culturally immersive team adventure where perspectives are broadened, and lifelong memories are made.
Cultural Immersion
Living in a traditional Balinese village as part of this project offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience life as a local. You’ll be welcomed into the heart of the community, where multi-generational families live together, fostering a strong sense of togetherness and support. Immerse yourself in the customs, traditions, and spirituality that make Bali unique, from daily rituals and ceremonies to communal meals shared with your host family. This authentic living experience deepens your cultural understanding, enhances your adaptability, and enriches your time abroad with meaningful connections and lifelong memories.
Real-World Impact
Engage in meaningful, hands-on projects by working with inspiring local social enterprises and NGOs in Ubud, Bali. These organizations focus on sustainable development and social impact. Your team will tackle real-world challenges, such as creating marketing strategies for eco-businesses, developing awareness programs, or planning sustainability initiatives alongside local change-makers. By working directly with Balinese social enterprises, you’ll gain firsthand experience in social impact and develop a global perspective on community-driven solutions.
Team Experiences
Create unforgettable memories and build lasting connections with your fellow interns through an exciting team adventure! During this project, you’ll bond over group activities like hiking through lush rice padi’s, language lessons, cultural activities and eco-friendly jungle treks. These shared experiences are designed to strengthen teamwork, foster resilience, and develop adaptability—while forming meaningful friendships and connections that will stay with you long after your internship ends.
Who Is This Project For?
Think Pacific’s GTI in Bali is open to students from all fields, requiring no prior experience or specific skills. Ideal for those looking to build cultural awareness and employability, this program combines impactful work with a travel-based experience that encourages personal growth.
Participants collaborate on weekly group challenges with local partners, exploring diverse themes and the real-world application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The internship focuses on adaptability, teamwork, and stepping out of your comfort zone, fostering resilience while supporting Bali’s social enterprises. Join us for an enriching journey that equips you for the future of work!
Live, work and learn with a group of like-minded students. Up to 40 students can join our project at a time. You’ll depart with a new group of close friends and lifelong connections. Enjoy weekly activities and even travel together, as you explore Bali further on your weekends.
Watch Some GTI Student Testimonials...
My Internship at Think Pacific made me appreciate the notion of learning as a constant process, even more, it helped me strike a balance between improving myself and recognising my achievements so far.
Francesca Costello, LSE
Your Journey in Bali 🌴🇮🇩
How the Itinerary Comes Together...
1. Welcome to Bali!
Say goodbye to everyday life and arrive in tropical Bali. You will land at Denpasar Airport where you will meet your team and begin preparing for your project ahead.
2. Team Briefing
Projects starts with a 2-day briefing at a hotel with your team. This is the time for you to get to know your teammates, acclimatise, learn about Balinese culture, prepare for life in the village and explore our project aims, objectives and partners.
3. Culture Building
Next we'll visit an incredible camp in a stunning rural location for 2-nights. You'll bond as a team whilst taking part in leadership games and traditional Balinese cultural activities. Learn how to make traditional offerings and cook Balinese food.
4. Meet Your Hosts
Travel to a traditional Balinese village and meet your host family and community for the first time. Your stay in the village begins with an amazing welcoming ceremony and feast.
5. Action Projects
Time to make your impact! Each week you are allocated a local social enterprise or charity and a selection of current action projects. You will collaborate in small teams to decide, define and deliver solutions.
6. Team Activities
Each week your team will engage in exciting group activities in and around Ubud. Additionally, your leaders will host social activities in the evening in your host community to bring your group and the community together.
7. Weekends
You can choose to stay in the village and relax at the weekend at your homestay accommodation (breakfast and evening meal are included Monday-Friday). Or you can take the chance to travel and explore other areas of Bali and spend the weekend sampling the tourist areas with fellow interns.
You can choose to stay in the village and relax at the weekend at your homestay accommodation. Or you can take the chance to travel and explore other areas of Bali and spend the weekend sampling the tourist areas with fellow interns.
8. Project Outcomes
By the end of your GTI our aim is that you will have achieved significant outcomes for local organisations, proposing valuable solutions to local challenges. You'll also develop your skills and form strong bonds with local community.
9. Rest & Reflection
Say a sad farewell to your Balinese community as we depart the village. We finish the project by enjoying your final night with some time at a resort to de-brief. This is time to rest, relax and reflect as a group as we discuss the project goals and celebrate project achievements.
Why Join a Team Internship in Bali?
Here’s why we think this program stands out for students looking to make the most of their university summer:
Develop In-Demand Global Skills: Gain hands-on experience in leadership, project management, and cross-cultural teamwork, skills that are essential in today’s global job market.
Engage with Real-World Impact Projects: Collaborate directly with local social enterprises, supporting sustainable development projects in Ubud.
Embark on an Authentic Cultural Journey: Engage with local traditions through cooking classes, temple visits, art workshops, and language exchanges that offer a deep and authentic experience of Balinese life.
Experience Adventure and Team Building: Discover Ubud’s natural beauty from scenic mountain treks to wood carving and exploring ethical sanctuaries.
Prioritise Personal Growth and Wellness: Step outside your comfort zone, develop resilience, and boost your confidence as you navigate new environments and tackle diverse challenges.
How Does it Work?
The Partners, Projects & Professional Development
After your first week of cultural discovery, orientation, preparation and team building with your fellow interns, it’s now time to start working on inspiring projects for fantastic social enterprises, businesses and NGO’s in Bali.
Each week you will be given a programme partner to work for and project brief that inspires you. The week begins with a site visit to learn about the organisations vision, goals and challenges. Your task then is to work within a small group of 3-5 interns to tackle the brief and present back your ‘action project’ and ideas to the organisation at the end of the week. For host organisations, this is an opportunity to gain unique international insights from creative thinking students, to prototype new concepts, begin new projects that have been limited by staff resources or gain fresh perspectives on their strategies and operations.
The Organisations
Inspiring Local Enterprises
Our partners include local enterprises, family-run businesses, start ups, social enterprises and charities. Organisations are from diverse areas of arts, tourism, retail, property and technology or mission focused in areas of environment, conservation or human rights. All organisations are chosen for their ethics and sustainability. They are also fabulous mentors, who value student perspectives, are eager to collaborate to grow their vision. Like us, they see external participation as a means to boost internal opportunity.
The Action Projects
Create Your Impact
Each week you will be set an Action Project – A specific challenge faced by the organisation. Your role in your team is to find the best solution. Often ‘big picture’, always interesting, sometimes challenging. Projects focus upon research, development and solving issues. You’ll need to work collaboratively, consider cultural difference and learn quickly. Creative and critical thinking are the secret ingredients to producing the most effective outcomes. Each week culminates in you presenting your concepts to the partner for feedback and review.
Our '5-D Process'
When it comes to working with a new partner each week to complete an ‘action project’, we have designed the ‘5-D process’ that you and your fellow interns will follow:
Discovery: you will visit the organisation and engage in activities to learn about the product or services
Discussion: engage in discussion with the organisation’s team and your fellow interns to deepen your understanding and explore ‘action projects’
Decide: alongside your group, you will decide which project you will focus on
Design: working in vibrant ‘co-working’ spaces, you will create your project with your small team
Deliver: present your group project to the attached partner organisation
This secures your place in the team and provides personal support from your project coordinator, access to our pre-departure portal, online preparation webinars and your Think Pacific t-shirt. Your registration fee is added to your project fees.
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Programme Fee
This covers the remaining costs of the placement. Many students receive bursaries from their universities to support their participation and/or fundraise for their program fees. It’s up to you whether you fundraise or not but your project fee is due 60 days before the project begins.
GTI Costs 🌴🇮🇩🌎
We pride ourselves on the delivery of a safe, structured and personally supported experience. Our philosophy is to provide a high-quality and exceptionally well-structured international placement that gives you a once-in-a-lifetime experience, whilst contributing to sustainable development.
Over 1/3 of your fee supports our international charity, the Think Pacific Foundation.
Welcome to the FAQ section of Think Pacific’s GTI in Bali! Here, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about the program, including details on accommodation, health and safety, cultural immersion, and support. 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. We offer various scholarships and grants for students through partnerships with individual university departments and governments in several countries. Students are encouraged to explore the possibility of scholarships and bursaries for our projects in Bali.
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.
All accommodation including 2- day hotel 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)
Welcome ceremony on your into the arrival to the community
All in-country travel, except for optional weekends travel.
Breakfast and evening meal included from Monday – Friday across your 4-week project.
Arrangement of business site visits and co-working spaces
Guided activities, such as local hikes, excursions to waterfalls, cultural activities or attending local festivals or community events.
Think Pacific local and international staff team co-ordinating all daily group activities and providing 24/7 support.
In-country manager, Balinese-based Project Managers and UK team providing planning, risk assessment and 24-hour backup support.
Air-conditioned private transfers to your placements each day.
Comprehensive online portal & personal volunteer project planning resources.
The following costs are not inclusive. However, Think Pacific provides comprehensive and personalised support to assist:
Flights: Budget approximately £800 – £1100
Insurance: Budget approximately £100- £200. Think Pacific can advise and provide details for example policies.
Visa: £210. Think Pacific manages this process with a local visa partner and advises students on their 3-month visa.
Spending Money: Budget approximately £300 for lunches, weekend food & additional drinks or items of a personal nature.
Vaccinations: Typhoid and Hepatitis A. Budget approximately £50 (However, vaccines can be free for most students). We advise you check with a medical professional for any specific vaccines you may require.
Apply for university funding to cover flights and insurance.
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 internship experience while prioritising your well-being.
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.
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.
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.
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/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.
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!
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.
You can choose to stay in your accommodation at the weekend but the homestay village is located outside main tourist areas and away from attractions, which is why volunteers tend to head out on Friday afternoons to spend the weekend soaking up culture and comfort. (This is your choice)
Whether you prefer lazing on a beach or visiting cultural sites, the weekend is your oyster. We would recommend budgeting £50 per weekend for transport, activities, accommodation & all meals. We will provide you with advice on incredible things to do on the weekends.
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.
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