How did you discover and get involved with Upskill Study Programs?
I played a part in launching Upskill Study Programs, so I’ve been involved since the beginning!
Where are you currently based? What is your favorite part of living there, and how long have you lived there?
I’m currently based in Bali. I have been living here since fall 2016. My favorite part of living in Bali is the people who are incredibly friendly and kind with a very positive approach to life. Another thing I really like about living in Bali is the delicious food. Indonesian (and especially Balinese) food is very rich in spices and you hardly ever get disappointed when trying something new.
During our trip to a remote village in North Bali with our semester students
How have your past travels and study abroad experiences influenced the work you do today?
During my travels, I have learned that a journey only becomes really interesting and special when you get involved with the local cultures, customs and of course, the local people. Therefore, today I want to help interested students gain exactly such experiences while studying in Bali. We are very eager to give the students opportunities where they can get involved with the Indonesian, and in particular with the Balinese, culture.
Why did you decide to make the jump from engineering and applied sciences to international education?
I didn’t decide that, it just happened! I actually enjoy doing something totally different than my studies.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of your role with Upskill?
The most beautiful thing about my work with Upskill is to see how the students grow during their time in Bali, both on a professional and a personal basis. It is nice to see at the end of each program that the students were ready to embark on something new for a longer period of time and that they are eager to keep this openness for their future. For me, it’s also great to see how the students usually get a greater awareness of environmental issues and that they learn not to take all things in life for granted.
Sliding down a natural waterslide during our trek through the rice fields
How should students prepare for a trip with Upskill?
Students should be ready to experience a culture that probably couldn’t be any more different to their own culture. Students should read all the information we provide and as soon as they have a question or get second thoughts, they should contact us. We are always happy to Skype with our students to give them further information about what to expect when staying in Bali for several months.
What kind of classes and programs can students expect to participate in?
All classes in our different programs are aiming to combine theoretical lectures with practical experience. Therefore, we try to spend as much time as possible in the field to get a better understanding of the discussed topics.
Who is the most successful type of student, and what kind of qualities do they possess?
The most successful students are those who are willing to think outside the box and those who are open to accept that some things are done differently in Indonesia. However, students who ask critical questions and get engaged in discussions where they are willing to see things from a different perspective will also succeed.
What is something you want future students to know about Upskill?
We, Upskill, are not just an agency helping students to apply for study programs in Bali. We are real, caring people who will be there for our students at any point of their stay in Bali. We will provide help whenever it is needed. We will be there if one of our students needs someone to talk to. For us, it is really important that our students feel comfortable in their new environment. In every problem there is always a solution—and our job is to work out this solution together with our students!
I also want future students to know that for us it is very important to always support local communities in Bali. This is why the course content and field trips of all study programs and summer courses are designed to support the local communities in the most sustainable way possible.
Visiting and exploring Bali’s beautiful neighbour island Nusa Penida
How have you seen students benefit from their time with your organization?
All students who have so far participated in one of our study programs/summer schools have experienced some form of personal growth. Some of our students have simply learned that they can not expect to find the same kind of living standard they are used to at the other end of the world. Other students took the chance to broaden their network of contacts while visiting some of the organizations partnering with us. Some students even extended their stay and completed an internship in one of these organizations.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
For me, meaningful travel means to get involved with the local culture of your travel destination, to travel in the most sustainable way possible, to always put a great value on environmental conservation, and to try to support local communities e.g. with the choice of accommodation or the choice of restaurants.