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OSC Students and Staff prepare for return from Bali

On Tuesday 25 February Students and staff packed their bags and prepared for their return to the UK after their amazing two-week excursion to Bali with Think Pacific. 

The Think Pacific project combined a unique blend of cultural learning and impactful work, providing an enlightening and jam-packed itinerary for our students and staff. It’s fair to say the project immersed our travellers into the rich culture and way of life of Balinese people, trying local foods, exploring the landscape and learning about the agricultural and production methods of the region. 

A large part of the Think Pacific programme taught students about the unique agricultural practice of Indonesia, a sector that employs nearly 30% of the population. On a visit to the UNESCO recognised Tegalalang Rice Terrace, the Project Bail team hiked through the hills with the brave among them taking a zipline over the fields and others getting photos on the giant jungle swings.  

Other visits included a trip to Nadis Herbal Farm, where students learned about medicinal and cosmetic production, visiting fragrant fields of lemongrass, turmeric and ginger and a visit to Magi Farm, where they innovatively use the larvae of a Fly to produce rich fertiliser from food waste. As part of their Action Plan, learners were tasked with coming up with solutions for their marketing and sustainable, cost-effective solutions for their packaging to present back to the group.

Across the trip the students' put their artistic skills to the test, firstly with a Batik Class, a local practice where hot wax and dye are used to decorate cloth and later a pottery workshop, where they crafted bowls and vases. On a visit to Penglipuran, a village nestled in a Bamboo Forest, they also produced traditional Balinese rice baskets, a craft the team admitted was much harder than it looked!  

Beyond the wealth of modern Indonesian culture, students had the chance to take in Bali’s picturesque landscapes and sacred sites. A highlight of the trip was visiting the the Besakih Mother Temple, the largest and holiest temple of Balinese Hinduism, perched 1,000 meters up the side on Gunung Agung, an active volcano. 

On their final full day, the students had some time to recuperate in preparation for their travels home, visiting the Tengenugan Waterfall and Sanur Beach. At Sunar Beach students got the chance to swim, cycle and explore, some of our eagled-eyed team were even lucky enough to spot some turtles!  

Whilst the trip may be over for our students and staff, a lifetime of memories and hopefully lifelong friends have been made in the process. Thank you to Think Pacific and our partners at SurreyFE for the incredible work that you have done to make the Bali trip one to remember.