About a year ago, my husband and I started plotting a mini-sabbatical. This is my un-trademarked term for a scouting trip that is longer than a typical vacation but short of pulling up stakes and moving. When we take mini-sabbaticals, they are typically about a month long. A month is a great length of time – long enough to truly develop a sense of a place without everything going to pieces without you back at home.
We crafted a pandemic-pending plan. So long as the world was deemed safe to travel again, we figured, we would fling ourselves somewhere far away and new to us. Somewhere that exposed our kids (ages 6 and 8) to a new culture. Somewhere that had both developed and undiscovered gap year opportunities for my students. Somewhere warm to combat the dark and cold of a Vermont November. Indonesia generally and Bali specifically sifted to the top of the pile rather quickly.
Over a decade ago, droves of travelers added Bali to their bucket lists after the immense popularity of Eat, Pray, Love. The success of that book fundamentally changed tourism on the island – for better and worse. Now there are areas of the island that are dangerously over-touristed – choked with traffic, aspiring influencers and visitors who may or may not respect the local culture.
But for those who seek it, Bali is an endless treasure trove of breath-taking natural beauty, culturally rich traditions and welcoming people.
Over the course of my month in Bali, I had the fortunate opportunity to visit nearly two dozen projects or programs that gap year students or adult travelers could partake in. This includes yoga retreats, English teaching programs, farmstays, a maternal health center, marine conservation programs, study abroad programs, co-working spaces and much more.
These site visits are crucial to my advising process, since they allow me to vet locations while also creating a personal connection with my partner sites across the world. Working with my students is a very personal process, but I also seek these relationships with the programs I work with as well! I am continually inspired by the people I meet on these scouting trips – dedicated and humble global citizens who are making the world a better place in their sphere of influence.
Scroll through the gallery for a glimpse into Bali adventure!
A stunning image of Pura Besakih – the Mother Temple – captured by my husband Tom.
We went on a sunrise fishing trip with Nengah, our property’s gardener, who is also a fisherman.
After observing yoga teacher trainings, I’m keen do do one myself someday!
Rice fields abound in beautiful East Bali.
Grateful for the quality time with my daughters and partner – priceless!
Honored to have joined morning prayers with Ibu Ati, a high priestess in Sideman.
Barik, one of the many inspiring changemakers I met!
We sought out waterfalls that were lesser known rather than some of the ones crowded with people – worth it!
Traditional legong dance.
Ujung Floating Palace
A image of a dance recital at a ceremony in our local village.
We ate well in Bali – most enjoying the traditional fare as well as the fresh fruit and many MANY smoothies!
On several occasions we were invited to join in on or learn cultural practies like traditional dance and offering-making.
Ever consider being a digital nomad? I visited many co-working spaces in Bali who make it easy for people to work remotely.
Loved getting to visit programs and watch gappers in action!
I enjoyed many meetings with locals working to create social change, like Agus here who runs a teaching program in northern Bali.
All dressed up to attend an important ceremony in Jasri, the village we stayed in.
Ceremony processional in our village.
Spent time at the Green School – an architectural marvel (sustainably built from bamboo in the most amazing ways) and innovative k-12 learning center.
We saw many macaque monkeys!
Sharing some gap year wisdom at a whole-school presentation at the Green School.
