Community Education & Social Impact Internship in Bali

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The Suwandi Foundation is a nonprofit that does things differently – we focus on making an impact in one community, build genuine friendships with Balinese partners, and are a small team of young people who are agile and passion-driven.

The organization is a California-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves communities in the Karangasem region of Bali, Indonesia.The mission of the organization is to use the power of education to help children in Bali break out of the cycle of poverty and achieve their dreams. To do this, we supplement Balinese public school education by developing community learning centers that provide essential skills for children to achieve big dreams. At these centers, students engage in English language education, computer literacy classes, extracurricular activities, and community/relationship building skills. 

This internship will focus on three key areas: education development projects, English language teaching, and personal growth. Each day, you will collaborate on your personalized internship project, participate in cultural immersion activities, and volunteer as an after school English co-teacher, immersing yourself in a community-driven social impact experience. This is a hands-on, non-traditional internship experience; you will be joining a small grassroots team that will support your project development and guide your daily work.

INTERNSHIP DETAILS:

• Location: Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
• Duration: 8 weeks - 2 weeks remote pre-departure training, 4 weeks on the ground, 2 weeks remote post-program wrap up
• January 10 - March 06 on the ground (contact us for other program date options)
• $3,800 USD all-inclusive program price, excluding flights. Scholarships available.
• Personalized daily guidance and mentorship from our team of experts.
• CLICK HERE to read more details about the program.

OBJECTIVES:

Community Education

Qualifications/Skills: Experience in creating and implementing lesson plans and/or curriculum development, teaching experience at any educational level, knowledge of effective pedagogical techniques and instructional strategies, proficiency in Google Suite applications, and excellent organizational and time management skills.

1. Develop a series of 16 one-hour lessons that form a cohesive, thematic curriculum. Collaborate with the local education team to select a theme that reflects your expertise and interests while addressing identified local needs. Lesson plans will align with the learning center’s pedagogical framework, which prioritizes project-based, discussion-based, and student-driven learning methods.
2. Evaluate and reflect on the strengths and areas for improvement after teaching each lesson, refining the curriculum to enhance its effectiveness for future instructors.
3. Monitor and assess student progress throughout your time at the learning center, and compile a comprehensive teacher report analyzing the overall performance and growth of your class.
4. Develop and implement a school-wide event such as but not limited to a play, art fair, talent show, or awareness/advocacy week that is accessible for learning center students and families to attend, promoting a sense of belonging, fun learning, and spirit.

Social Impact

Qualifications/Skills: Open-mindedness with strong desire for personal growth, adaptability and flexibility in new settings, excellent listening and communication abilities, and willingness to cultivate empathy and learn from diverse perspectives.

1. Complete our intercultural competency module before arrival to establish a foundational understanding of Balinese culture and ethical practices for thoughtfully and respectfully engaging with the community, helping to minimize unintended harm.
2. Collaborate with local partners, prioritizing their needs and perspectives and remaining open to learning from their viewpoints. Foster a spirit of reciprocity and respect, contributing meaningfully to the community’s educational endeavors.
3. Engage in self reflection and group reflective discussions, exploring complex topics such as self-awareness, cultural diversity, privilege, and power dynamics in open-ended, critical ways. Cultivate an appreciation for the diverse ways people understand and interact with the world. 
4. Participate in group activities designed for interns to gain a deep, authentic understanding of Balinese culture and norms through directly learning from local community members. While interns support English language education in Bali, they will also participate in weekly Indonesian language classes during the program to foster reciprocity and deeper cultural connection.

DELIVERABLES:

The internship has 4 primary deliverables, in addition to other routine tasks.

1. Thematic curriculum consisting of 16 one-hour lesson plans
2. End of term teacher’s assessment report of student progress
3. Development and implementation of a school-wide event
4. A written reflection on your internship experience

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

This internship is open to enthusiastic individuals from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about intercultural learning, community engagement, ethical volunteer work, and transformative education. Applicants should be adaptable, open-minded, empathetic, and eager to embrace new perspectives and challenges. Prior experience teaching in educational settings is required. Prior experience in community service or intercultural environments is preferred.

Note: As this is a highly immersive and culturally sensitive program, participants are expected to approach the experience with openness and respect for local culture and traditions. Be ready to expand your perspectives, challenge personal assumptions, and grow as a more globally aware and socially conscious individual.

CLICK HERE to schedule a call with a team member to learn more.