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Experience Bali. Shape Your Future.
Explore spectacular landscapes, experience Balinese culture and community life, and learn from local organisations addressing real social and environmental challenges. Along the way, you’ll work with your team on a Global Futures Action Project designed to develop your ideas, confidence and skills.
This is learning through experience: asking thoughtful questions, challenging assumptions and collaborating with people from different backgrounds. It’s not simply a holiday in Bali, it’s an opportunity to understand the island from a local perspective and return home with new friendships, meaningful experiences and greater confidence for your future.
Find out more from Think Pacific.
Hear more about Bali!
Bali at a Glance...
- Duration: 18 days
- Location: Ubud & Central Bali
- Accommodation: Hotels, team-building base & community accommodation
- Team Size: Typically 15–30 students
- Suitable For: Students from all academic backgrounds
- Key Themes: Culture, sustainability, social enterprise & global learning
- Includes: Accommodation, two meals per day as standard, all programme activities and excursions, in-country transport, Programme Leaders & 24/7 support
An Experience That Stays With You
Global Futures is about more than the itinerary. It’s the people you meet, the friendships you build, the moments that challenge you and the perspectives that stay with you long after Bali.
Every programme allows you to..
- Join a Team - Share the journey and make lasting friendships along the way.
- Challenge Yourself - Try new things and step outside your comfort zone.
- Be Inspired - Meet people doing fascinating things across Bali.
- Explore Further - Experience Bali on a deeper cultural level.
- Grow in Confidence - Navigate new places, people and experiences.
- Surprise Yourself - Discover what you’re capable of.
- Create Stories - Come home with memories that stay with you and stories to tell.
Learn From Local Changemakers
Connect with locally based organisations working to create positive change across Bali.
Your Action Project could explore themes such as sustainable tourism, environmental conservation, community development, culture or ethical enterprise.
Through partner workshops, group discussions and independent reflection, you’ll investigate a real-world question, consider the opportunities and challenges involved, and develop a thoughtful team response. You’ll then share your ideas with the partner, creating an opportunity for feedback, discussion and shared learning. You’re not expected to arrive with all the answers, the value lies in listening carefully, asking better questions and developing a deeper understanding of Bali from a local perspective.
What You’ll Gain
Throw yourself into each day, embrace the challenges and make the most of every experience. Along the way, you’ll naturally develop:
- Global Perspective - Immerse yourself in another culture and see global issues through a local lens.
- Intercultural Skills - Build confidence in communicating and connecting across cultures.
- Real Project Experience - Tackle an organisational challenge and share ideas with a local partner.
- Adaptability & Problem-Solving - Navigate uncertainty, think critically and explore different perspectives.
- Employability - Gain experience working with others in a professional, global context.
- Connections - Build friendships and meaningful connections with your group and the people you meet.
Most importantly, you’ll return with real experiences you can draw on in future study, applications, interviews and your career.
Key Information
Programme Provider
Think Pacific
Dates
14 June - 1 July 2027 (allow for a day or two either side for travel).
Eligibility
Programme Cost
£1895 including a £195 registration fee.
Funding is available for eligible students to assist towards the above project cost.
Students from a *Widening Access and Participation Background will receive a higher rate of funding.
Your contribution will be:
£550 for most students
or
£250 if your household income is less than £25,000* (receipted expenditure will be required to cover travel costs up to a max. £905)
*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 Includes
Welcome & Orientation
- Airport pickup when arriving within our recommended arrival times
- Two-day briefing and orientation
- Two nights at a rural team-building camp, including structured activities and all meals
Accommodation
- Comfortable hotels for briefing and debrief, usually twin-share
- Rustic team-building camp with shared accommodation
- Community accommodation within a traditional Balinese village, with rooms of up to six participants
Meals
- Two meals per day as standard, usually breakfast plus lunch or dinner
- Please budget around £2–£5 for meals not included
Culture, Adventure & Wellbeing
- White-water rafting
- Kintamani sunrise experience
- Rice terraces and coffee plantation
- Natural hot springs
- Yoga and wellbeing activities
- Ubud markets, cafés and independent exploration
- Sanur beach time
- Cultural performances and workshops
- Team challenges and outdoor activities
Learning & Development
- Visits and experiences with local partner organisations
- Global Futures Sprint
- Global Futures Action Project
Support & Safety
- 24/7 support from Think Pacific Programme Leaders
- Local guides and Bali-based staff
- In-country management and pastoral support
- Risk assessments, briefings, debriefs and regular check-ins
In-Country Travel
- Private air-conditioned transport throughout
- Airport pickup at scheduled times
- Transfers between accommodation, activities and programme locations
Pre-Departure Support
- Email and telephone support
- Dedicated UK Programme Coordinator
- Comprehensive online preparation portal
- Live pre-departure webinars
- Cultural and programme preparation
- Certificate of Completion
Not Included
The following items are not included in your programme fee, but our team will provide guidance and support before you travel:
- Travel Insurance - typically around £50–£100. We’ll provide guidance on the level of cover required.
- Tourist Visa - Approximately £30 (requirements vary by nationality; please check with the Indonesian Embassy).
- Vaccinations – Recommended Typhoid and Hepatitis A (budget £50; often free via NHS in the UK).
- Meals Not Included - two meals per day are provided as standard. You’ll need to budget for one additional meal on most days.
- Personal Expenses - including drinks, snacks, laundry, a local SIM or eSIM, souvenirs and optional activities.
- Independent Travel - any accommodation, transport or activities arranged before or after the programme are not included.
- Spending Money - Budget £200–£300 for lunches, drinks, souvenirs, and personal items. You may wish to bring more if you plan to shop, join optional activities or continue travelling in Thailand after the programme.
| Application | Submit your Application |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 13 December 2026 |
| Interview | You will be invited to an online group interview if you are shortlisted at application stage. |
| 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
A higher rate of Turing Scheme funding will be available to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
- In receipt of an Ulster University Access Bursary
- From an area of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status (including an annual household income of £35,000 or less)
- Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit while financially supporting themselves, or themselves and a dependent living with them, such as a child or partner
- From a background of care
- Have caring responsibilities
- Have no living parents
- Have parents who cannot be found, or where it is not reasonably practicable to contact either parent (estranged students)
- 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.
Managing Dietary Requirements
During your Go Global programme, students are responsible for managing their own dietary needs/food intolerences. Your host provider and the Global Opportunities Team cannot guarantee meals will meet individual requirements.
Make sure you:
- Check ingredients
- Communicate with food providers and your host provider
- Inform your designated airline of any dietary needs
- Carry necessary medication at all times
