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Schedule a meeting now! Get advice from our admission expert Katharina. Request a spot in our meeting hub and we will call you back!
Refer a friend - Save 100€! Refer a friend, enroll together for this summer school, and save both 100 Euro! Refer a friend!
Study in Bali ! See our latest Sport Short Courses Programs
Schedule a meeting now! Get advice from our admission expert Katharina. Request a spot in our meeting hub and we will call you back!
Refer a friend - Save 100€! Refer a friend, enroll together for this summer school, and save both 100 Euro! Refer a friend!
Study in Bali ! See our latest Sport Short Courses Programs
Upskill Study Abroad in Bali
Marijke’s Semester Program at Udayana University, Indonesia
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Photo: Mangrove Center with Prof Astarini and upskill students
When Marijke, a 23-year-old student from Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Science-Velp, The Netherlands, was looking for a way to broaden her horizons and deepen her studies in International Development Management and Disaster Risk Management, she knew she wanted to go beyond the classroom. Her search led her to Bali, Indonesia, where she joined the Tropical Coastal Ecology & Community-Based Management Semester Program at Udayana University.
For Marijke, this experience became more than just an academic minor abroad, it was a journey of discovery into ecosystems she had never seen before, a new culture she had never lived in, and a community of people she will never forget.
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Photo: Field lecture visit to Jungutan Village Samsara Living Museum
Why Choose to Study Abroad in Bali?
Like many Dutch students, Marijke had the option to do her minor at another university in the Netherlands or abroad. But she felt called to something different.
“I chose this program to deepen my knowledge about coastal communities and ecosystems. It was recommended by a friend, and we actually decided to join together. For me, it was the perfect fit: a totally new culture combined with ecosystems we don’t have back home in the Netherlands.”
The decision to study abroad in Indonesia was not just about academics. For her, it was about experiencing Southeast Asia firsthand. The island of Bali offered her a unique combination of tropical biology, marine ecology, and community-based resource management, areas directly connected to her major in Disaster Risk Management.
This was more than a classroom exchange it was an opportunity to connect her studies to real-world ecosystems and communities.
Academic and Field Experiences at Udayana University
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Photo: Pratical and Field Lecture Seagrass module with Abdi at Sanur beach
Over the course of four months, Marijke immersed herself in lectures, discussions, and extensive field excursions that brought theory to life. The upskill program at Udayana University is designed to give students both academic grounding and practical engagement with the natural and cultural landscapes of Bali.
“The past four months have been very inspiring. We had so many field excursions that helped us see the theory from class in practice. We met inspiring people all over the island, and besides gaining academic knowledge, we also gained insight into Balinese culture.”
From mangrove ecosystems to coral reefs, from rice terraces to community-based tourism projects, Marijke and her peers traveled across Bali to see how ecological systems interact with human society. These hands-on experiences made the Semester Program in Bali unique it was not just about studying Southeast Asian environments, but also about learning directly from local communities and stakeholders.
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Photo: Pratical and Field Lecture visit at LINI Aquaculture Training Center at Les Village
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Photo: upskill Welcome week Standup Paddle Sunset at Kelan Beach
For international students, one of the most exciting parts of studying abroad in Bali is adapting to a new daily rhythm. For Marijke, that meant scooter rides, island exploration, and moments of reflection by the sea.
“On a typical day, I would wake up around 7:30, get ready, have breakfast, and then jump on my scooter to campus for classes until the afternoon. Afterward, I would either call my family back home or spend time in places like Sanur getting a coffee, working, or just looking at the beach. On some mornings we went running before class because it was still cool outside. And during weekends, we often took trips around Bali or even to nearby islands.”
This balance of structured academic life and spontaneous exploration gave Marijke both the rigor of a university program and the freedom to experience Bali as an international student.
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Photo: upskill Welcome Week visit to Pemulan Organic farm, Taro Village Bali, Indonesia
Program Highlights: Excursions, People, and Culture
Academic and Personal Growth
One of the strengths of studying abroad is the personal growth it fosters alongside academic progress. For Marijke, her semester in Bali gave her new insights across multiple dimensions.
Ecological Systems: Firsthand exposure to tropical ecosystems, coral reefs, mangroves, and rice terraces.
Community-Based Management: Understanding how Balinese communities organize natural resource management.
Cultural Insight: Gaining perspective on religious practices, traditions, and everyday life in Bali.
Connections: Forming friendships and professional contacts that will last beyond the semester.
“From this program, I gained insights into the culture, academic practices, and ecological systems of the island. I also had inspiring conversations with people from many backgrounds, and I built friendships that I’ll carry forward.”
For someone majoring in Disaster Risk Management, the lessons of resilience, adaptation, and community organization in Bali were especially meaningful.
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Photo: upskill Semester Closing Ceremony at Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia with Lecturers and students
Funding a Semester Abroad in Indonesia
Financing an international semester can be a challenge, but Marijke found a way to make it possible through a scholarship from her home country.
“I was very lucky. I applied for a scholarship back home, and it made a big difference in financing this program. I had to submit documents like a budget plan and a motivation letter. I would definitely recommend students check their university or government websites to see if funding opportunities are available.”
This is an important message for students and professionals alike: opportunities for a funded semester abroad in Indonesia do exist, and with preparation, the experience can be made more accessible.
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Photo: During upskill field Site visit Selonding Festival at Samsara Living Museum, Karangasem Bali, Indonesia
Why Choose a Semester Program in Bali?
Marijke’s story illustrates the value of studying abroad in Southeast Asia. For undergraduates, postgraduates, professionals, and researchers alike, the upskill Semester Program in Bali at Udayana University, Indonesiaoffers:
Interdisciplinary learning in biology, marine studies, ecology, and community development.
Immersive fieldwork across ecosystems and cultural landscapes.
A chance to live and learn in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Opportunities for funding and scholarships to make study abroad accessible.
Whether your background is biology, disaster risk management, marine ecology, or international development, the program provides an introduction to Southeast Asian perspectives and the ecological and cultural richness of Bali.
Marijke’s semester abroad is just one of many stories of international students who have found inspiration, knowledge, and friendship in Bali. By joining the Upskill Semester Program at Udayana University, she was able to connect her European academic background with the realities of tropical ecosystems and Southeast Asian communities.
Interested in following Marijke’s path?
Applications for the next Semester Program in Bali, Indonesia are now open. Learn more at upskill.study and take the first step toward your own transformative journey at Udayana University.
By LK
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