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Introduction
Think Pacific’s Mental Health Project in Bali offers a four-week placement focused on promoting individual and community well-being through psycho-social group activities and cultural exchange.
Participants work alongside local professionals and trusted partners, gaining hands-on experience in mental health support while learning about Balinese culture and traditions.
The project emphasizes sustainable, community-led initiatives and cultural immersion, combining global learning with meaningful local impact.
Promote Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing in Bali, Indonesia.
Programme Description
On Think Pacific's Mental Health project in Bali, you will work as part of a team to deliver psycho-social group activities at a selection of our trusted partner projects and local initiatives. You will have the chance to learn from local professionals to develop your understanding of mental health in a global context. The project integrates mental health settings that value cross-cultural collaboration with students who bring relevant skills, experience, and a learning mindset, fostering a global understanding and advocacy for mental health and wellbeing.
This project is ideal for individuals passionate about mental health and eager to gain hands-on experience in a cross-cultural setting. It is perfect for students of psychology, social work, counselling, or related fields who are keen to expand their global perspective. Participants should be open-minded, adaptable, and committed to learning from local professionals while contributing their skills to support community wellbeing.
Due to this placement being in professional capacity and in direct contact with service users, we ask that participants have the following:
- A passion for promoting mental health and wellbeing in the community.
- An open mind towards pathways that support an individual’s mental health (in the diversity of a psychosocial support session and how it can aid an individual’s mental health, in non-clinical settings).
- Before joining us in Bali we ask that you have 3 months of work or volunteer experience, working with children or vulnerable people/groups (to ensure you are prepared for service user engagement and activity support session delivery).
During the project, you will have the incredible opportunity to live in home-stay accommodation in a traditional Balinese village, work alongside Think Pacific's local and international staff team, and develop your understanding of the Balinese culture. Think Pacific are proud to be the only organisation that can promise such a huge amount of professional and cross-cultural experience in such a remarkably beautiful place.
Before applying, it’s important to understand that we are committed to respecting local communities and traditions. Each student is given time to learn from local people about Balinese culture, perspectives, and approaches to supporting community initiatives. Our participants contribute to initiatives that align with their experience and skill levels, like what they would do in their home country, but with the added benefit of learning in a global context.
Find out more about the project on Think Pacific's Ulster-only webpage
Key Information
Programme Provider
Dates
Dates to be confirmed for Summer 2026 (allow for a day or two either side for travel).
Eligibility
Additionally a minimum of 3 months work experience or volunteering experience in a relevant setting will be required. This experience can be in the form of part time work or volunteering, or a combination of different relevant experiences that make up the hours. Some example settings:
Accepted course disciplines are as follows:
- Mental Health Hospital
- University Support Service
- Medical Clinic/outpatient service
- Befriender/Peer Support role for a mental health charity
- Respite Centre for adults with disabilities
- Phone Line metal health support service (Eg. Nightline)
- School or preschool
- Care home for the elderly
- General Physical Health Hospital
- Support service for homeless people
- Refugee support service
- LGBTQ+ support service
- Personal experience – E.g. Carer for family member with a disability
Please note: you must ensure that you have achieved the relevant 3 month experience by the Project start date.
Programme Cost
Turing funding is available for eligible students to assist towards the project cost.
Students will be expected to contribute the following amounts towards the project cost:
£415 for most students
or
£0 if your household income is less than £25,000*
*you can check the full criteria for this higher Turing rate in the 'Widening Access and Participation' section below.
Flights
An additional scholarship of up to £1000 is available towards the cost of your return flights. This will be paid to students once flights are confirmed, and evidence (receipts) is provided.
You must ensure you have the funds to pay for your flights as you do not receive this scholarship in advance.
Programme Cost Includes
- Pre arrival support
- 24/7 in-country support
- Team building camp
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Domestic Travel
- Training and workshops
- Cultural experiences and tours
Additional Costs
- £220 for visa costs
- £50 for vaccinations (however, vaccines are free from the NHS for most students)
- £100 for equipment. Comprehensive kit list and pre-departure advice provided, including specific items of clothing, footwear and first aid resources
- £400 for spending money
Application Information
| Application | Submit your application |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 12 December 2025 |
| Interview | You will be invited to an online group interview if you are shortlisted at application stage. Interview Dates: to be updated soon. |
| Interview Guidance | If you require support and guidance to help you prepare for interview reach out to your Employability & Graduate Futures Team. You can request a 1:1 appointment via Handshake or contact the team via e-mail: graduatefutures@ulster.ac.uk |
Widening Access and Participation
You will be eligible for a higher rate of Turing Scheme funding if you meet one of the criteria below:
- You are in receipt of an Ulster University Access Bursary
- You are from an area of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status (including those with an annual household income of £25,000 or less)
- You receive Income Support or Universal Credit and are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and living with them, such as a child or partner
- You are from a background of care
- You have caring responsibilities
- You have no living parents
- Your parents cannot be found, or it is not reasonably practicable to get in touch with either of them (estranged students)
- You are a refugee or asylum seeker
Proof of the above criteria will be required as part of your application.
Pre-Departure Information
If you are selected for this opportunity following successful application and interview, the following details will help you prepare for pre-departure:
You are responsible for ensuring that you meet the host country's immigration requirements. This will vary depending on the type of passport you hold. Further advice on the visa application will be provided as part of the pre-departure process, but it is your responsibility to ensure your familiarity with this.
Please note, if travelling out of Dublin airport, students without a British or Irish passport may also need an additional Irish visa.
Ensure you read through the Government Travel Guidance Advice for Indonesia.
You will automatically be covered for emergency travel insurance and medical emergency cover through Ulster University’s Group Personal Accident and Travel insurance policy for the duration of this programme.
Review the cover thoroughly to check it's sufficient for your needs; if it does not cover everything, you will need to take out additional cover.
Ensure you read through the recommended vaccine requirements for the country you are travelling to.
There’s lots to think about before, during and after your programme. Read the Pre-departure Guide thoroughly for advice on to how to prepare and what to expect from your experience abroad.
Once final candidates have been selected you will be invited to a number of mandatory pre-departure sessions to help you prepare for your programme. This will be an opportunity for you to meet other students who will be joining you and it is a requirement of the programme that you attend.
As part of the pre-departure preparation, you will be asked to submit a mandatory travel preparation form and a medical disclosure form. Both forms are required so we can assess that you are fully prepared for the programme and can provide you with additional support if required.
