This year I was fortunate enough to travel around Southeast Asia, and with the help of the Robert Hicks Travel award, I spent a month volunteering in Tabanan, Bali. I had the most amazing experience in which we worked in a rotation of primary schools in the local area, and also day care groups. Tabanan is a small village an hour out of Canguu, one of the infamous tourist areas of Bali, but in the village of Tabanan we were still fully emerged in the local culture and scenery. This allowed us to volunteer weekdays, and then explore the idyllic landscape of Bali where we climbed Mount Batur, visited several waterfalls, marvelled over the expanses of rice fields, and engrossed ourselves in the cultural elements too.

The group I volunteered for was run by a family, making us feel even more involved and connected to the village community. This family aether was one of the main reasons why I chose to volunteer here, as it proposed an experience of full emersion into a totally new sphere of life. We had people from the village share their stories, teach us Balinese traditions, and lead us to the hidden gems surrounding Tabanan.

I had previously worked in various types of childcare, but working so close to the children at the school was such an eye-opening experience. The aim of the programme was to help the children learn English. Tourism is responsible for 60-70% of Bali’s job market and therefore learning English is a hugely beneficial skill to them. It was so inspiring and rewarding knowing that we were a part of their education and laying the foundations for their futures.

An even more rewarding and emotional experience was the day care, which was run by a lady in the town to help orphans, and single parents. We were really thrown in the deep end on day one: you walked through the gates and in the outdoor space you were met with 20 children, and 5 babies on a mattress on the corner. The youngest child there was only a month old… who I was put in charge of him on my first day. From this, I certainly developed an even greater appreciation for my parents and having to deal with my 3 siblings and me, and for all the facilities and support I had growing up. After an incredible month, I not only became close with other volunteers, but the teaching staff and children. Seeing some of the children all day, 3 days a week for a month, I certainly grew a bond and think of them often now. I’ll never forget the rather emotional goodbye where the children all gave us drawings and sang for us!

I did manage to make it through my trip without Bali belly… but I have to admit, I’ve caught the travelling bug and will definitely be going back, hopefully also to visit the school and volunteer family. It was of course, a trip to remember… as everyone says after travelling, but I am truly grateful for receiving the Robert Hicks award as without it, I don’t think I would have volunteered this year. To anyone reading this, specifically those thinking about travelling, I really recommend volunteering as I feel it offers a more profound experience, and shows your appreciation and intrigue for the country far further than just being a tourist.

Leavers and Young Alumni have the opportunity to apply for The Bradfield Society Travel Awards each May. If you left Bradfield in the last couple of years and are planning to do some adventure travel or to work for a charity whilst travelling abroad put the date in your diary and get in touch with the Bradfield Society with your proposed travel plans on bradfieldsociety@bradfieldcollege.org.uk or call 0118 964 4840.