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Volunteering in Bali with Friends: A Journey from France to Kuta Vocational High School
When five young engineers from Saint-Étienne, France, Thomas, Clement, Clement, Alexander and Anthony decided to spend their summer abroad, they weren’t just looking for a holiday. They wanted an experience with purpose. Six months before their departure, they began searching for opportunities that would allow them to discover a new country, connect with people, and make a difference. Their search led them to Bali Internships, and soon enough, they were on their way to volunteer at, a vocational school in Kuta. We sat down with the three of them to hear more about their experience volunteering as a group in Bali with their best friends
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A Dream Made Easy
From the moment they applied, the process was simple. Visas, accommodation, and placements were all organized ahead of time. “We didn’t have to worry about anything,” they explained. “Bali Internships set everything up for us all we had to do was apply and show up.” For a group of friends traveling abroad for the first time outside Europe, that kind of support made the adventure feel safe and effortless.
Living and Volunteering Together
“Living in Bali at first felt like a dream,” Thomas shared. “The island is beautiful, the people are very kind, and living here with our friends reminded us that life is more than just work.” Their mornings were spent teaching English, reviewing CVs, and practicing interviews with students. For them, it was striking to see how confident Balinese students were in speaking English compared to their peers back home. The school itself impressed them with its facilities from culinary classrooms to sports courts giving them a firsthand look at how education in Bali is shaped by culture and community.
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Exploring Bali as a Group
The afternoons and weekends brought a different kind of learning. Together, the group ventured to Bali’s tropical islands, went snorkeling with manta rays and turtles, tried surfing for the first time, and wandered through temples. “There is no end to what you can see or do,” Alexander said. “It’s easy to travel around, food is delicious and affordable, and transportation is simple even for a group. We booked trips together and just enjoyed Bali as friends.”
Two weeks into their stay, they joined a group dinner organized by Bali Internships with other volunteers from across the world. “It was a night of laughter, games, and meeting people from Germany, Wales, England… we became friends,” Alexander recalled. Experiences like this reminded them that Bali wasn’t just about the island, but also about the community of people they were able to share it with.
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Lessons Beyond the Classroom
What stood out most for them was how open and friendly Balinese people are. “Even if you don’t know each other, it’s easy to start a conversation in the street,” Thomas explained. “People are genuinely helpful. We even became friends with a Grab driver who later invited us to meet his family.” For the French trio, these encounters turned Bali from a place they visited into a place they belonged.
Why Bali Feels Different
When asked to sum up their impressions, the three friends agreed that Bali felt unlike anywhere else in Europe. “In Europe, countries feel similar to one another. But Bali has a completely different rhythm of life. It’s hard to describe you just feel happy here.”
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A Meaningful Journey, Made Simple
For Thomas, Clement, and Alexander, the decision to volunteer abroad with their friends turned into more than just a summer trip. It was an experience of growth, discovery, and connection. With the support of Bali Internships, the logistics were simple, the placement was legitimate, and the opportunities for both volunteering and adventure were endless.
Their advice for future groups of friends? Don’t overthink it. Apply, pack your bags, and let Bali Internships take care of the rest.
By LK
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