Cultural Anthropology Research & Social Impact Internship in Bali

Cultural Anthropology Research & 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: anthropology research 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:

• Internship Dates (On-Site in Tulamben, Bali):
  Applicants may choose one of the following cohorts:
  • May 23 - June 19, 2026
  • July 1 - July 31, 2026
  (Please contact us if you are interested in alternative dates.)
• Program Duration:
  8 weeks total:
  • 2 weeks remote pre-departure training
  • 4 weeks on-site in Bali
  • 2 weeks remote post-program wrap-up
• $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:

Cultural Anthropology Research

Qualifications/Skills: Prior experience conducting digital research is mandatory, prior experience or coursework in qualitative research methodology is preferred, strong critical thinking and analysis skills transferable to verbal communication and writing, proficiency in Google Suite applications, and excellent organizational and time management skills.

1. Conduct digital research on 3-4 key components of Balinese history relevant to the local community, the program’s mission, and service work, identifying academic articles and credible videos on these topics.
2. Write a document summarizing key concepts including key learnings with citations, the relevance to program participants and local community members, connections between concepts and real-life applications, and further research questions and goals for continued exploration.
3. Create an outline to a 10-20 learning module on key research findings for future participants to learn about your research.

Service Learning 

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. Co-teach English lessons at a local community learning center four days a week. Engage and 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. Actively 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. Conduct digital research on Balinese history, writing document summarizing key concepts and relevance to the program
2. Create 10-20 learning module on key research findings for future participants to learn about your research
3. 16 one-hour lesson plans taught at the learning center
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 in educational settings, 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.