In April, eight students from East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) had the opportunity of a lifetime to spend 10 days in Bali, Indonesia. They immersed themselves in Balinese culture to learn how to become better leaders and implement sustainability practices.
The trip was organised by Jo Brown, Assistant Principal of EKC Ashford College and Luke Underdown Uni Connect Project Officer for the EKC Group, with the help of the company Think Pacific. The funding was made available by the Department of Education through the Turing Scheme.
The learners stayed in Bali for 10 days; they lived with a Balinese family in a Homestay. This is a form of accommodation similar to a bed and breakfast in the UK. The students recalled being treated like family by the Homestay owners.
The trip kept our students very busy, providing them with many opportunities to learn about traditional Balinese culture. From exploring a traditional Balinese village to taking in the breath-taking Tegalalang Rice Terraces.
A standout moment was the collaboration with local business Made Tea. At the Made Tea site, students enjoyed a guided tour of the site, where herbal blends are made using indigenous Balinese plants. They spoke to the founder Made, learning about her journey and her passion for natural wellness. She told students about her dedication to sustainability, community engagement, and women’s empowerment.
Inspired by her mission, students teamed up to think of fresh ideas to help elevate the brand. Their group proposals focused on marketing, new products, and social impact strategies. When presenting their concepts to Made, they gained valuable feedback and explored how their ideas could contribute to the growth and future direction of her business.
Throughout their trip, students immersed themselves in Balinese culture by attending a traditional dance performance, visiting various regions to deepen their cultural understanding, as well as touring a tea plantation.
They also created their own pottery at Membumi, learned about Galungan – a significant Hindu festival, took part in a cookery class in Ubud, visited Tegenungan Waterfall, and watched the sunrise over the breathtaking landscape of Kintamani.
The students fully immersed themselves in the activities allowing the calm and beautiful environment to help them develop a growth mindset and reflect on themselves at leaders.
When asked about the trip, Creative Media student, Zach commented: “The trip was truly amazing.
“My favourite day was when we went to the coffee plantation and rice terrace. We ate lunch in this restaurant, and it was suspended really high, if you went down to one of the lower levels, you could go out onto the patio and you could look out at the terrace without a fence blocking the view. It was so like panoramic and scenic.
“Since the trip I’ve decided to try to live in the moment more. I think everyone struggles to do this because you’re always on social media. But you go to somewhere like Bali and there was just so many things to see, it’s just so stunning. So, I just
tried to take it all in as much as I could.”
The students left the trip feeling refreshed and with a positive outlook on how to improve their leadership skills in their roles within the Students’ Union, during group projects at College and beyond into their careers after College.
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