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Post Archives
Getting There
Getting to Bali by Mya Taylor
Getting Here by Alexandra Arroyo
In Country​
Daily Offerings by Sharon Ferguson
First Days by Sarah Shiell
Bumi Sehat by Jenny Fils
Music in Bali by Suman Sahani
The Gamelan by Mya Taylor
Batik by Sharon Ferguson
The NGOs by Suman Sahani
Bali Bina Insani by Alexandra Arroyo
The Royal Palace by Helen Rosell
The Green School by Mya Taylor
Rubber Tapping Rain Guard by Bethley Luctama
The Green School and on to Pemuteran by Amelia King
11 Days in Ubud by Reid Murphy
Herbal Walk by Jenny Fils
Balinese Healer by Sarah Shiell
Snorkeling in Pemuteran by Jenny Fils
Island Beach Cleanup by Sharon Ferguson
Pemuteran, Turtle Hatchery and Menjangan Island by Sarah Shiell
Snorkeling by Mya Taylor
Turtle Hatchery, Secret Garden, and Sanur by Amelia King
Public Health Needs in Bali by Suman Sahani
Sanur by Sarah Shiell
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle by Alexandra Arroyo
Scholars of Sustenance by Amelia King
Reflections
Last Reflection in Bali by Mya Taylor
Culture Shock by Sharon Ferguson
Reflecting on Bali by Sarah Shiell
Going Home by Sharon Ferguson
Back Home by Helen Rosell
Falling in Love with Bali by Alexandra Arroyo

- Falling in Love with Bali -
By Alexandra Arroyo

Photo credit to Alexandra Arroyo (c) UNF Health Science Major
Posted June 22, 2023
I did not only fall in love with Bali for its beautiful sunsets, tropical feel, and nature but the people who live in Bali. I can honestly say I met the most polite, kind, and hospitable individuals while I was there. I have been to 3 different countries and eight different states and nothing compares to how Balinesians treated my friends and I...     

- Back Home -
By Helen Rosell

Photo credit to Helen Rosell (c) Psychology Major, Minor in Anthropology
Posted June 19, 2023
Coming back to the States was a bit shocking. The culture in Bali differentiates in many ways. I’ve enjoyed integrating with Balinese culture and meeting so many amazing people. This experience has awakened my interest in traveling and continuing to learn about different cultures...             

- Going Home -
By Sharon Ferguson

Photo credit to Sharon Ferguson (c) UNF Anthropology and International Studies Major
Posted June 18, 2023
On Thursday June 15th we began to make our journey home to the United States. We learned a saying that is the politest way to say goodbye at the airport that reads, “titiang Lungsur Mapapit dumun” which translates to “I’m taking leave now”...

- Reflecting on Bali -
By Sarah Shiell

Posted June 15, 2023
As I reflect on the last three weeks in Bali there are many moments that stand out. From learning about Balinese culture and religion to working with local organizations that tackle food insecurity, sustainability, and conservation to meeting members of the royal family to building friendships that will continue after the trips end... 

- Culture Shock -
By Sharon Ferguson

Photo credit to Sharon Ferguson (c) UNF International Studies and Anthropology Major
Posted June 15, 2023
Today is the day we are leaving back to America after our wonderful visit in Bali for three weeks. Over the course of this trip, we have gone through culture shock which is one goes through different emotions when exposed to a new environment/culture...

- Our Last Reflection in Bali -
By Mya Taylor

Photo credit to Mya Taylor (c) UNF International Studies Major, Minor in Chinese
Posted June 15, 2023
After spending three weeks in Bali with people who were at first complete strangers and now making new friends, I would have never thought that all fifteen of us would be able to get along and care for each other like we did for the past three weeks...

- Scholars of Sustenance -
Sanur​, Bali, INDONESIA
By Amelia King

Posted June 14, 2023
Two days in a row in Sanur we aided Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) in making and preparing meals for impoverished communities. We cooked and wrapped up 300 meals two days in a row. It was very rewarding to do something that was genuinely helping the community and country we were visiting...

- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle -
Sanur​, Bali, INDONESIA
By Alexandra Arroyo

Photo credit to Alexandra Arroyo (c) UNF Health Science Major
Posted June 14, 2023
Out of all things I’ve been learning in Indonesia, a big issue I have learned about is waste, such as food waste and plastic waste. I got to visit the world's largest landfill with Scholars of Sustenance to see where people are living in a TRASH landfill. The trash was like a mountain, I had to look up and out the window to even see it. It absolutely shattered my heart... 

- Sanur-
Sanur​, Bali, INDONESIA
By Sarah Shiell

Posted June 14, 2023
We arrived in Sanur three days ago. The weather here is beautiful. You can feel the ocean breeze walking around the area near our hotel. Tourism seems to be the main form of economy. Shops and restaurants fill the streets...

- Public Health Needs in Bali -
Sanur​, Bali, INDONESIA
By Suman Sahani

Photo credit to Suman Sahani (c) UNF Graduate Public Health Major
Posted June 13, 2023
Waste clean up is a huge issue in Bali. There are many landfill sites that are both controlled and uncontrolled in Indonesia. It is hard to fathom the extent of the problem as there are many areas, specifically in high traffic places where trash is strewn about without regulation... 

- Turtle Hatchery, Secret Garden, and Sanur -
Pemuteran​, Bali, INDONESIA
By Amelia King

Posted June 12, 2023
After our snorkeling endeavors, we got the chance to visit a turtle hatchery. It was incredible to see the efforts being made to preserve the local wildlife population. It showed the need to compromise to achieve goals...  

- Snorkeling!-
Pemuteran​, Bali, INDONESIA
By Mya Taylor

Photo credit to Mya Taylor (c) UNF International Studies Major, Minor in Chinese
Posted June 12, 2023
As we made our way onto our second stop of the trip, we visited a small fishing village in Pemuteran, which we only visited for five days if one were to include travel there and leaving early in the morning for our third stop, Sanur. Out of those five days we had the opportunity to snorkel on two different occasions...

- Pemuteran, Turtle Hatchery and Menjangan Island -
PEMUTERAN​, BALI, INDONESIA  (MENJANGAN ISLAND)
By Sarah Shiell

Photo credit to Sarah Shiell (c), Anthropology Major
Posted June 11, 2023
The adventures continue in Pemuteran, Bali. The drive from Ubud was filled with breathtaking views of mountains. We had to follow along winding roads and steep cliffs. The village itself is much smaller than Ubud... 

- Island Beach CleanUp -
Pemuteran​, Bali, INDONESIA  (Menjangan Island)
By Sharon Ferguson

Photo credit to Sharon Ferguson (c), UNF Anthropology and International Studies Major
Posted June 11, 2023
On day 13 we took a boat over to a small island called Menjangan Island which is known for having deer on it. Walking over to the boat on the shoreline of Pemuteran we noticed so much garbage laying along the beach. Each year so many people leave trash on the beach or around their cities and...

- Snorkeling in Pemuteran -
Pemuteran​, Bali, INDONESIA
By Jenny Fils

Photo credit to Jenny Fils (c), UNF Health Science Major
Posted June 10, 2023
On day 12 of the trip we went snorkeling! This was my first time snorkeling and honestly I was terrified...

- Balinese healer -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Sarah Shiell

Photo credit to Sarah Shiell (c), UNF Anthropology Major
Posted June 9, 2023
The adventures continue in Bali! For this post I first want to guide you along a unique experience visiting a traditional Balinese healer, then I will describe a visit to a local natural birth clinic. It was a hot day. We had to walk about 10 minutes through neighborhoods, then a long alleyway before arriving at the house. 

- Herbal Walk -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Jenny Fils

Photo credit to Jenny Fils (c), UNF Health Science Major
Posted June 9, 2023
As we are currently embarking on our journey in Pemuteran that is giving us a newfound sense of excitement and energy with a need to explore... But before I begin to speak about what we have been up to in Pemuteran, I want to talk about an activity we did in our first city Ubud...

- 11 Days in Ubud -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Reid Murphy

Photo credit to Reid Murphy (c), UNF Anthropology Major with a minor in Communication
Posted June 8, 2023
11 days in Ubud. 4 visits to local NGOs, 3 Bahasa lessons, 2 visits to local schools, and 1 Balinese cooking lessons, and so much more. With the guidance of the Bali Institute, this UNF study abroad trip has been more amazing than I ever could have hoped. Though I could write pages of my memories made in Ubud, I’ll share only one of my favorites...

- The Green School and On to Pemuteran -
​UBUD and Pemuteran, INDONESIA
By Amelia King

Photo credit to Amelia King (c), UNF Anthropology Major, Archeology Concentration, Minor in Ancient Studies
Posted June 8, 2023
On our last day before moving from Ubud to Pemuteran, we went to the Green School. The school is primarily comprised of students from America, Australia, or other outside countries. Out of their nearly 500 student enrollment, only around 30 are Balinese students there on scholarship... 

- Rubber Tapping Rain Guards -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Bethley Luctama

Photo credit to Bethley Luctama (c), UNF Political Science and English Major, Minor in Anthropology
Posted June 7, 2023
Here is another groundbreaking non-profit organization's work that deserves to be highlighted after our visit to their office Kopernik. While at Kopernik we were able to learn about a variety of environmental issues facing Bali from the tonnes of food waste...

- The green School -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Mya Taylor

Photo credit to Mya Taylor (c), UNF International Studies Major, Minor in Chinese
Posted June 7, 2023
The Green School was founded by John and Cynthia Hardy in 2006, this school was built completely out of bamboo. The Green School officially opened in September 2008, as of now they have over 400 students who attend this school from primary all the way up to high school, this school also follows alongside the Indonesian school regulations...

- The Royal Palace -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Helen Rosell

Photo credit to Helen Rosell (c), UNF Psychology Major, Minor in Anthropology
Posted June 6, 2023
We visited the royal palace on day six. We met the king and the princess. We got to learn a lot about the princess. She’s interested in studying abroad in the future at Yale University or in London. She loves films and is very familiar with American pop culture. The royal family was very welcoming and open to answering our questions.                                   

- Bali Bina Insani -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Alexandra Arroyo

Photo credit to Alexandra Arroyo (c), UNF Health Science Major
Posted June 5, 2023
I am currently in Permutran after being in Ubud for 10 days. The first day was such an experience and a very nice welcome to Bali. Got to get out and talk to the people of Ubud while doing a scavenger hunt and during that I was able to try Durian, which is Bali’s...

- THE NGOs -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Suman Sahani

Photo credit to Suman Sahani (c), UNF Graduate Public Health Major
Posted June 4, 2023
In Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, we visited many non-governmental organizations (NGO's). We visited the PKP Community Centre which focuses on improving female empowerment and brings gender equality to Balinese women and girls. It accomplishes this by having a cooking, seeing, education, health and body, bamboo bike, gardening, and family program. These various programs are for skill development for the women...

- Batik -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Sharon Ferguson

Photo credit to Sharon Ferguson (c), UNF Anthropology and International Studies Major
Posted June 4, 2023
In Bali, many clothes such as dresses, sarongs, shirts, and pants have a pattern on them made from the technique known as batik. Batik is a clothes dyeing technique in which one takes a piece of clothing and draws a pattern on it with pencil. Often the patterns have beautiful line work and have dots or even...

- The Gamelan - 
Ubud, Indonesia
​By Mya Taylor

Photo credit to Mya Taylor (c), UNF International Studies Major, Minor in Chinese
Posted June 3, 2023
On day 3 of our trip, we had the privilege of visiting Banjar where we learned how to play the Gamelan, woodcarving, making offerings and learned the Legong Dance. A Banjar means neighborhood and what this is, is a small community that has a local form of government...

- Music in bali - 
Ubud, Indonesia
​By Suman Sahani

Photo credit to Suman Sahani (c), UNF Graduate Public Health Major
Posted June 2, 2023
Music is an important aspect of Balinese culture. People of all ages play in the gamelan usually as a part of religious rituals, ceremonies, and theatre performances. The melody is played by a group of instruments and multiple instruments play other parts to form a rhythm. In Bali, the gamelan makes...

- Bumi Sehat - 
Ubud, Indonesia
​By Jenny Fils

Photo credit to Jenny Fils (c), UNF Health Science Major
Posted June 1, 2023
It is day 9 of being in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia and this trip has already been far more transformative and informational than I could have imagined. I have been able to immersive myself in a completely different culture than I am used to. And while it has been a culture shock, it has been amazing to see how this community thrives. What I find most interesting here is...

- First Days - 
Ubud, Indonesia
​By Sarah Shiell

Photo credit to Sarah Shiell (c), UNF Anthropology Major
Posted May 31, 2023
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be describing some of my experiences on the UNF 2023 study abroad trip to Bali, Indonesia. The first night in Ubud, Bali consisted of a long drive through traffic, late dinner, and restless sleep. Looking back on those first several hours of the trip, I realize now how exhausted I was from the amount of travel it took to make it onto the island. Nonetheless, a feeling of excitement stirred within me and fueled the next few days of activities... 

- Getting Here - 
Japan and Jakarta
​By Alexandra Arrayo

Photo credit to Alexandra Arroyo (c), UNF Health Science Major
Posted May 30, 2023
It is currently day 3 of my study abroad trip in Bali, Indonesia and I can honestly say so far this has been the most eye-opening experience. I want to begin my blog post from a pit stop in Japan on the way from the United States... 

- Daily Offerings -
​UBUD, INDONESIA
By Sharon Ferguson

Photo credit to Sharon Ferguson (c), UNF Anthropology and International Studies Major
Posted May 29, 2023
Daily offerings are seen all over Bali as they have belief in the spiritual life as well as the physical life. On day three of the trip, we got to attend a banjar workshop and one of the activities was leaving to make daily offerings. There is a strong connection between...

- Getting to Bali -
​Japan and Jakarta
By Mya Taylor

Photo credit to Mya Taylor (c), UNF International Studies Major, Minor in Chinese
Posted May 28, 2023
Before going to Bali, I had never traveled outside of the country but, it was always something that I have dreamed of. Getting to Bali took around four days' worth of traveling with...