Let's keep Bali clean

When thinking about Bali most people imagine the island of gods to be all about the beautiful beaches, breathtaking sunsets and world class waves surrounded with unique balinese people and culture. This is definitely a big part of Bali's attraction amongst most students and tourists traveling to Bali. Unfortunately there is also a down side to the buzzing entertainment and life that we are offered here that is disregarded by most visitors, garbage that is. Especially plastic bags, water bottles and cigarette buds that fill the streets and eventually end up in our precious ocean. Surfing the east coast during rain season can be a gross experience since you end up paddling though plastic waste including everything from diapers to rubbish bags.

What can we do then? 

There are many things that just an individual or a small group can do to prevent this problem getting worse. We have collected 5 most used tips that previous students have come up with in order to do their share to keep Bali clean and attractive to further visitors.

1. Tote bag

For every purchase even for a bottle of water they offer you a plastic bag here. Easiest way is to keep your own reusable tote bag in your scooter so it's always there when you need it!

2. Aluminum water bottle. 

Almost every villa here offers a refillable water tank. Fill up your water bottle from that and you don't need to get a plastic bottle every time you get thirsty.

3. Rubbish bins

Always take your rubbish from the beach including cigarette buds. Even if you see others or locals leave their litter around doesn't mean you should do that. Pick up a rubbish a day is a great principle to follow here. One easy step to help keep Bali beaches clean

4. Recycling

Recycling is almost invisible in Bali. There's hardly any places around where you could separate your garbage. Luckily that doesn't mean it doesn't exist here! You can often see locals collecting used bottles both glass and plastic. Also aluminum cans can be recycled. Locals get paid 9000rp (80cents) per kilo and although that sounds like nothing to most people in western countries, here in Bali some people truly make a living out of it. Living in a villa you can easily organize either your cleaning lady or just someone you've seen collecting bottles to come  over weekly to pick up your empties.

5. Bicycle vs. scooter

The most common way of transportation here is a scooter. It's often the quickest way to move around different areas but every year traffic gets busier and you can hardly take in a breath of fresh air while stuck in a traffic jam on the main roads. Bicycle is a safe and pollution-free option to get around short and even a bit longer distances not to mention a healthy option. If you need to take your scooter consider taking just one and ride with your friend!

With these easy tips you can do your best to help the current situation and encourage others to join you :)

Special insight to balinese living: Workshops and excursions

As an addition to the lectures students get to experience balinese culture and living through different workshops and excursions. Workshops give the students a hand on perspective to the daily routines of balinese people such as making ornaments for the ceremonies and learning the unique balinese writing. Workshops are a great way to get to know little secret bits of the amazingly rich balinese culture. Learning the proper dress codes and what different ornaments are for will ease the integration to the new surroundings. Especially in Asia where manners and traditions are valued high. 

This week students hit the Denpasar market to test their bargaining skills and buy them selves their own ceremony clothes! Traditional outfits are worn to every ceremony and can be worn by tourists even when just visiting a temple. The traditional outfits are different for men and women. Mens' outfit is build from 6 parts the head-cloth (udeng), a collar shirt or a safari jacket (kuaca), an inner sarong (kamben and an outer sarong (saput), a sash (selempot) and a pair of sandals. Women wear a lace top (kebaya), underclothing a top or a corset (kutang), a sarong (kamben), a sash (selempot) and a pair of heal sandals.

Spring 2013 students in their traditional outfits

During excursions students have the opportunity to access plenty more places than a typical tourist in Bali. Being invited to a traditional balinese house and compound, getting a sneak peek into Bali's most prestigious hotels and visiting a local handcraft factory that exports products around the world. These excursions are free of charge to our students and sometimes the only way to access some of the destinations. 

Balinese handcraft factory

Help is often wanted when organising an event or just helping out with a lack of staff. Being active and participating in excursions can help you find some independent volunteer work or just some special activities outside school hours. International students with their good english skills and open minded attitude are a wanted resource around the world but specially here in Bali. Sign up for an event and experience what happens behind the scenes. For example last autumn semester 2012 students had the opportunity to work as a volunteer at the annual Nusa Dua Fiesta. Tasks varied between information and guiding the guests all the way to body painting modelling! 

Nusa Dua Fiesta 2012

Always keep your eyes and ears open! 

You never know what adventure is waiting for you around the corner!

The spring semester 2013 kick off!

The spring semester 2013 had a fresh start at the new campus in Jimbaran. Although not all the facilities are quite ready the program is running normally. The new location of the campus has all the different international students studying together in separate buildings.

Jimbaran campus

For the students the first month has been pretty hectic as they integrate them selves to the balinese lifestyle and living, figuring out in which villa they want to stay what colour scooter they want to ride and where can they catch the best waves. Arriving in Bali during the rain season can be a surprise to them who are expecting to see the sun and beautiful beaches. The island of gods can be gloomy and it's hard to do outdoor activities when it's pouring rain. Luckily this year the sun's been out all day most of the days and anyone interested has had the opportunity to try surfing and do some traveling after school or the days off from their studies.

sunset on Kuta beach

During orientation week the students visited The Seeds of Hope, an orphanage that is a part of AsiaExchange's charity programs. During the semester students will have other possibilities to visit other orphanages here in Bali. The ice breaking dinner and party at BeachLounge finished the orientation week and gave everyone a great chance to get to know each other more. The night was a success!

Ice breaking dinner and party at BeachLounge

Most of the students have already explored some of the island either renting a car or taking an organised tour. The most popular destinations have been the mountains Agung and Batur with the Gili islands that are all situated just a few hour drive or boat trip away. Yet there's so much more to see!