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!
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!
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!
Why Daily Offerings Matter in Bali: Cultural Insights for Study Abroad Students
For anyone preparing to study abroad in Bali, one of the most enriching aspects of the experience will be getting to know the island’s unique spiritual and cultural identity. Indonesia is one of the most diverse nations in the world with over 17,000 islands, hundreds of ethnic groups, and more than 700 spoken languages. Yet even within this incredible diversity, Bali stands out.
Bali is not only known for its stunning landscapes and warm hospitality it is a place where spirituality is part of daily life. As an international student participating in one of our Upskill Summer Courses, you’ll soon notice how deeply embedded ritual, symbolism, and gratitude are in everyday Balinese life. One of the most visible examples of this is the canang sari small daily offerings you’ll encounter everywhere.
Why Understanding Balinese Offerings Matters
Whether you choose to study tropical ecology, biology, sustainability, sport and environment, or intercultural communication, understanding local culture is essential. In Bali, offerings like canang sari are not just religious traditions they are acts of maintaining cosmic balance, rooted in the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana: harmony with God, with people, and with nature.
As a student, learning about these rituals can give you deeper insight into how Balinese society approaches life, relationships, and the environment all of which tie directly into the themes explored in our academic and field-based programs.
About Canang Sari?
A canang sari is a daily offering made from natural materials like palm or coconut leaves, arranged into a small tray and filled with symbolic items:
White flowers in the east for Iswara (purity)
Red in the south for Brahma (energy)
Yellow in the west for Mahadeva (protection)
Blue or green in the north for Vishnu (harmony)
Rice, snacks, or coins to represent giving
Sampian, or decorative palm leaves
A lit incense stick, sending prayers into the spiritual realm
The act of offering is not just about the materials it’s about intention. It’s a moment of reflection, gratitude, and grounding that begins each day.
Beyond daily offerings, Bali’s cultural calendar is filled with spiritual ceremonies that students often witness during our study programs. Highlights include:
Purnama and Tilem (full moon and new moon rituals)
Galungan and Kuningan, which mark the return of ancestral spirits, read about Galungan and Kuningan.
Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence: a profound island-wide reset, read about Nyepi in Bali
Students in our intercultural communication and sustainability & ecotourism programs often explore how these rituals reflect sustainable relationships with land, time, and community. Likewise, students studying sport and environment or biology and tropical ecology may observe how cultural traditions influence the way people interact with nature and manage local ecosystems.
The Philosophy of Take and Give
Central to Balinese life is the concept of sekehe, a system of cooperation rooted in mutual respect. This “take and give” philosophy is reflected not only in offerings but in social customs, environmental practices, and communal living.
This principle becomes especially relevant in our programs where studying sustainability isn’t just about green technology but about culturally embedded systems that maintain balance across generations.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Participating in an Upskill study program in Bali means more than just gaining academic credit. It’s about learning to observe, respect, and engage with a different worldview. Understanding rituals like canang sari gives students the chance to reflect on their own values and how they relate to ideas of balance, gratitude, and coexistence.
Whether you're planning to study a semester with our tropical ecology program, or explore sustainability and tourism, or in Balinese intercultural practices, these offerings are a daily reminder of the island’s deeper rhythms and your invitation to tune in. Before arriving in Bali, take time to learn. Understanding the meaning behind small gestures like offerings will help you navigate respectfully and enrich your experience as an international student.
Being informed is more than preparation it’s participation. It’s how you connect, learn, and grow during your time abroad. See you in Bali!
by Komang Trisa