Culture, Religion, and Wellness
Bali, Indonesia | University of North Florida | Summer 2023
About the tripBy Karston Gilmore, UNF Health Science Major with a Public Health Concentration
The Bali 2023 study abroad trip was a three week experience for public health and anthropology students. This is not a typical study abroad. Those who went on the trip were immersed in Balinese culture and many claimed that the trip had a large impact on their life. The areas of focus were culture, society, religion, health, and wellness. This trip was organized with the Bali institute who arranged our schedule and supported us throughout the trip. The students participated in a variety of activities such as learning to dance the Legong, visiting the Peliatan Royal Palace, cooking Balinese dishes, and snorkeling the coral reefs. Students also visited local healthcare and non-profit organizations such as Yayasan Bumi Sehat, Kopernik, and PKP Women’s Center. This trip was led by Professor Ronald Lukens-Bull and Professor Katryne Lukens Bull. They have both been to Indonesia before and are two of the most supportive people you will ever meet.
Even if you are a student who has never traveled internationally before, this is a trip we highly recommend. This is an experience that will change your life. You will learn so much outside of the classroom. You will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the activities you were learning about in the class materials. The trip is also a chance to meet new people and make lifelong friends. "Bali is a perfect-fit study abroad location to explore themes in many academic disciplines because it is right at a critical turning point in its development: trying to balance tradition and modernity, cultural sustainability and economic advancement. Experiential learning is a passion of ours at Bali Institute because it invites students to tap into their deepest curiosities and invites them to explore the world in new ways. We believe these experiences propel students toward making positive impacts in their own communities." - The Bali Institute |
Visiting the Royal Palace in Ubud. Photo shared by Helen Rosell (c) UNF Psychology Major, Minor in Anthropology
A reunion of travelers at UNF. Photo shared by Sharon Ferguson (c) UNF Dual Anthropology and International Studies Major
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“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”– Henry Miller