Volunteer and Teach English in Ubud, Bali

This was my first volunteer experience and the team at IVHQ went above and beyond my expectations. I was well supported and kept up to date with all of the programs ins and outs. They were easy to contact and quick to reply, and offered endless guidance from the moment I signed on. The program was well organised and I met so many new people which was so daunting as a solo female traveller in her 40s. I cannot wait to book another experience with IVHQ!

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Volunteer teaching in Bali was a wonderful experience and I would recommend this location for anyone planning a first time teaching adventure. The program coordinators are always present during prep time to answer questions, supplies are provided for teaching, and the coordinator is present at the school for any issues that may arise. Transportation is organized for you by the coordinator as well, so no extra worry or effort required. Orientation to the program includes Bahasa lessons which are valuable in lessons with the children, or for when you adventure out in your free time. I participated in the offered cultural week, activities included Batik painting, cooking lessons, visits to the Monkey Forest and the Holy Water Temple. I spent free time in Ubud and took private tours to temples, waterfalls, rice terraces, and snorkeling excursions. Everyone is approachable, friendly , helpful , and spoke fair to very good English. A Very productive, adventurous, and memorable 2 weeks. I highly recommend the Bali Ubud program!

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These three weeks have been the best part of my summer. I feel like I've grown a lot as a person. I've learned a lot about a culture completely different from my own, and that has also opened my eyes in many ways. If I had to give any advice, it would be: don't be afraid to go alone. There are many people just like you, and it's a way to open up more. Of course, you'll make many more friends, and the connection you'll have with them will be very strong and unforgettable.

This journey has been so much more than I expected, not only was it deeply educational and eye-opening, but it also allowed me to meet incredible people from all over the world, exchange cultures, and grow personally and professionally. Every day spent teaching, learning, and connecting with the local community reminded me how powerful education and kindness can be.

Going into this volunteering project I didn’t know what to expect of it. I was exposed to a new culture, a new way of life and there wasn’t a better way to do so. I now look at the world from a different perspective since the locals are the sweetest and kindest people and the local team was ever so helpful. With such an amazing group of people by my side, i am so grateful to have experienced such an amazing trip.

Volunteering with ivhq was the best decision I ever made in my life. First off ivhq makes it very clear on what to expect when in Bali when it comes to the housing and living situations. Everything about my accommodation was great and exceeded expectations. Honestly I have never been more pleased with a. Travel experience then this one. Not only did I see the most amazing and beautiful things, do the coolest activity’s, and get Immersed into the local culture, I was able to make friends all around the world that will last for the rest of my life. The people I met wether that be the locals, coordinators , or other participants were the best and I’m so grateful. I was so sad when I had to say goodbye to everyone.

The night before leaving, I was adamant I had made a massive mistake; I was 'too old' to be doing something this, and other 'helpful' thoughts like that. But I can say wholeheartedly, that this experience was life-changing for me. Alongside working with the amazing coordinators, I made friends with people from all over the world, had experiences that I never thought would be possible. If you have doubts about doing this, ignore them! It will be the best decision you will ever make!

This experience has highlighted the privilege I have in my own life and how simply being born in a different geographical location can completely change your chances of receiving a good education without intervention. It has given me more confidence in my abilities and I sincerely enjoyed meeting so many different people from all walks of life! I have definitely gained life-long friends from this experience. I would tell someone who is hesitant about joining this program that stepping outside your comfort zone is necessary for growth and that I wouldn't have traded these past few weeks for anything. There's beauty in immersing yourself in a completely different culture and opening your heart and time to others who need it.

It was a great experience and it was very fulfilling and met many great people. The local team was very helpful and supportive throughout the stay and bonding with them and teaching the kids was great. IVHQ was great in coordinating the experience and made the whole process very smooth.

Volunteering in Lovina, Bali to teach English to children was truly a life-changing experience. The children were full of curiosity, warmth and joy, and being part of their learning journey was incredibly rewarding. I gained a deep sense of connection, cultural appreciation and personal growth. The local community was welcoming, and every day felt meaningful. For anyone unsure about joining, they should know it’s an experience that will stay with them forever , in the best way.

Volunteering in Ubud with IVHQ was one of the most powerful and rewarding experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I felt supported by the Local Team and welcomed into a warm and inclusive environment. I had the chance to connect with people from all over the world, share stories, learn from each other, and grow both personally and emotionally. The daily work was meaningful and gave me a real sense of purpose. It helped me gain new perspectives, appreciate different cultures, and feel like I was truly making a difference. Everything was organized thoughtfully, and our coordinator was always available when needed. There are a few things that could be improved for better clarity during orientation, but these did not take away from the overall amazing experience. If you're looking for a way to explore the world, meet inspiring people, and give something back — this is it. I highly recommend this program to anyone with an open heart and a desire to grow.

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This experience was honestly the best decision I ever made. It allowed me to grow as a person, pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to genuinely 'give back'. I had the most amazing time as the teaching hours were short so I had the chance to experience the culture and travel around Bali during mornings and the weekends. On my last week I combined kindergarten with the teaching programme and the connection I built with the children was so special and I feel I was able to teach them a lot as they were so eager to learn. The friends I made with the other volunteers will last me a lifetime and I couldn't recommend this enough.

The most unexpected part of my trip was the people I met - other volunteers, drivers, masseuses, the hosts at Green Lion Bali and the local people. I didn't expect to connect so wonderfully. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was how our financial contribution to the project paid for the kindergarten that we helped to build. Knowing that the community benefited from that gave me the feels. If you are going solo, it's a great way to travel as you have an in-built team of travel and adventure buddies in the other volunteers. It was rewarding in every, single way. Just say yes to every opportunity which comes your way - except drugs, that's no good!!

Bali is an amazing place. The local people are very friendly, attentive and very community orientated. The culture there was so much more than I expected. The kids I taught were energetic and very enthusiastic. What an amazing experience I had there. I will go back to spend time with the Balinese people again. Bali has helped me focus on my inner self and teaching the kids was a very rewarding experience. My favorite moment was when I was invited to participate in preparing the meal for the full moon festival. I woke a 5am and helped prepare the food for the village with the men. The program gave me the opportunity to live and learn in another culture amongst other people trying to also give like you to make a difference, many of them will become lifetime friends, is an experience you will never forget. In addition, the chance to see so many cultural places, taste new foods and have good times with new friends.

It was a moment that repeated every single day. When I arrived to the class and greeted the kids, all of them at the same time would scream "HELLO MISTER" which was all I needed to give my 110% in every lesson. Living inside the balinese culture was something that taught me so much about how different but also similar other cultures are. I learned about respect and how to be happy with small things in life. What I would you say to someone still hesitant about volunteering abroad is to drop their expectations, put their fears away and remember that life is only once. Traveling with a purpose will be an experience to remember.

Bali is a popular tourist destination, and many people visit Bali every year to experience the beautiful culture and natural resources. However, I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in going to Bali to experience it the way I did, and that is through IVHQ, a voluntourism/eco travel agency. Your experience will be different: more meaningful, more impactful, and much more special, something you will remember and cherish for the rest of your life. In terms of day to day experience, you have a nice balance of both 'work' and 'play.' An hour or two is spent on lesson planning and the actual teaching is about 2 hours and you have the rest of the day to do whatever you want (often times you're going to want to nap because the teaching leaves you quite exhausted!) You also have the weekends to yourself so you can visit neighboring islands or visit the more touristy/sceney areas of Bali. The accommodations are clean, there's hot water (most times), weather is great, everything is pretty cheap (relatively speaking)- what more do you need? The most difficult part of this whole experience is having to say goodbye- to the volunteers who quickly became your best friends, the locals (which included taxi drivers, coordinators, bar owners, tour guides, cooks, housekeeping, etc.) who helped you, guided you, mentored you and treated you as if you were a family member, the children at the school, who were all so eager to see you every day and would run up and greet you with a big smile and a wave, and finally, to Bali itself. It's an experience you won't regret!

I've been volunteering with IVHQ program three weeks in Bali. I taught there English to kids from eight to nine years old and they were the cutest! At first is hard for us not to speak the local language so they can't understand all we are saying, but once they gain confidence to you they start participating on the class activities and always want to join the new games you prepare for them. It was really hard for me leaving them on my last day of the program. The place you stay there (Green Lion) is really amazing, is on the middle of many local rice fields (what provides the residence an amazing landscapes) but, at the same time, only at twenty minutes from the amazing cultural capital, Ubud. The staff always look after you with a huge smile and tries to make you feel Green Lion as home. Food is really yum! It is cooked as the traditional Indonesian food based specially on vegetables, tempeh, tofu, chicken, rice, noodles and many fruit and every Thursday it is hold the special dinner to say goodbye to the volunteers that are leaving that week. My experience with the people I met there was really amazing, I knew people from many countries and they made my trip being even better. We shared every moment together: from the activities on the introduction week, the classes, the activities we organized by ourselves or the weekend trips. I really recommend Bali as a place to live the volunteering experience, and don't be afraid to exit your confort zone, it's worth it.

I have done the teaching project for two weeks and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I came without expectations and everything was so much better than what I could have imagined. The volunteer house in Ubud was just perfect, all the staff acted like family from the first minute. I came alone but I didn’t felt lonely because everyone is incredibly nice to you. Bali is such a magical place, you will feel a different energy. Regarding the program, was the best one in my opinion. I had the opportunity of dealing directly with locals, the kids. They are such an inspiration because of the effort they put on learning. They will love you from the start and be thankful for the rest of their lives. I can’t describe the feeling of helping and learning at the same time with those pure souls. Everything was amazing.

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My time with IVHQ was really meaningful and I am so glad I experienced this kind of travel to give back to the country I'm visiting. It was really special connecting with local kids and their community. I felt we really made a difference and the last day was so sad saying goodbye! I also met some amazing fellow volunteer travellers!

Hi everyone! I am Michela, I am 20 years old and I live in Italy. I study management engineering in Milan and my dream job is to become the Italian minister of education. I have always dreamt of volunteering abroad, but every time I tried to apply the prices were very high and I couldn’t afford it. I found IVHQ right before giving up my dream, and they helped me realizing it. They supported me in every step of the project: from the application process to the end of my amazing two weeks. I choose to Volunteer in Bali as an English teacher. Why Bali? I don’t know. They had so many different destinations and choosing one was very difficult, so I just followed my instinct and picked Bali and, believe me, it was the perfect place. I am one of those people who get bored very easily, but Bali always offers so many different activities and experiences that you could stay here for a year and still have new things to try. Their culture is inspiring, the people are as nice and happy to help as you can’t even imagine. Why did I choose to be an English teacher? To answer this question, I have to tell you a little bit about myself. My life changed completely when I was given a scholarship by one of the most prestigious schools of Milan. While I was growing I realized that the difference between my friends who lived in Pero (the small town I live in) and me was that I was actually learning what there was outside the box. I started middle school without knowing a word of English and I finished high school considering myself almost a mother tongue. I've made friends all over the world, I traveled, I studied, I learnt how to interact with cultures that were completely different from mine. And none of this would have been possible if I hadn't been taught English. This language represents a chance for everyone to be understood and considered in a world governed by people who have no interest in growing critical thinking in poor and non-developed populations. I believe in the power of instruction more than in anything else. I am firmly convinced that the only way humanity is going to improve and empower itself is by extending education in the entire planet. By teaching kids English we can not only give them the possibility to interact with the rest of the world population, but we can also give them a chance to think critically and become citizens of our world. My first day teaching I was amazed by the curiosity of my kids (yes, I consider them a little bit mine too). They had so many questions, if they finished an exercise they wanted another one immediately, if I taught them how to introduce themselves on Monday, on Tuesday they would come to me the moment I walked into class to let me see that they remembered everything. On my last day I wanted to try something different: I wanted to teach the verb “to be”. Everybody told me that would have been too hard for them, but I thought they were worth a shot. So, I asked if a member of IVHQ could help me translating what I was saying in Indonesian. After one hour my kids were screaming the verb “to be” as loud as they could. They were happy, they knew they had learnt something new, and they were proud of themselves. And I was proud of them too. My last day was also the day before Independence Day, a very important holiday here in Bali. I could hear other children playing outside our class, so I asked my students if they wanted to end the class earlier and go play with their friends. What they answered made me cry of joy and think a lot: “No miss, we’d rather stay here and learn with you”. We went on learning that day, and as soon as the class was over, we ate chocolate laughing for another hour. When I got home I thought about the difference between us, citizens of developed countries with very good education systems and them. And the more I thought about it the more it was clear: we study because our parents, the society, the job market, want us to study. They study because they are passionate, because they are willing to communicate with the world, because they know how important it is. They don’t have marks. They don’t want to copy. They want to learn. I came here thinking I would have taught something, but at the end I was the who learnt the most. Thank you IVHQ for giving me the opportunity to grow and for giving them opportunity to learn and have a voice in this world.

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