Learning Abroad Center
A group of students and Balinese smile and wave for the camera

Happiness & Globalization in Bali

Asia & Oceania
LAC Program

Explore globalization, leadership, and happiness in Bali and learn how local communities are responding to globalization.

Program Details

Location
Location
Bali, Indonesia
Term
Term
May Session
Housing
Housing
Homestay
Hotel
Languages Taught In
Languages Taught In
English

Program Eligibility

Student Type
Student Type
UofM Students
Non UofM Students
Student Year
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
Graduate Students
GPA
GPA
2.5

About

While in Bali, you will explore globalization, leadership, and happiness in a different cultural context. How does globalization influence local culture? How does culture inform leadership and our understanding of happiness? Utilizing excursions and immersive activities that explore the history, sites, and people of Tabanan, Ubud, Sanur, Lembongan, and Denpasar in Bali, you will learn how local communities are responding to the challenges and opportunities of globalization.

This program is based in the town of Bedulu in the Ubud district. Nestled between vibrant terraced rice fields, mist-laden mountains and streams, and the more bustling city of Ubud, you will truly be immersed in a space between tradition and modernity. The location perfectly reflects the balance of rich culture and contemporary influence that Bali experiences, benefits from, and is challenged by.

Program Model

Instructor-Led

Housing & Meals

The program is designed to be essentially all inclusive. You will stay with a Balinese family for most of your time in Bali and meals will be prepared by the family and the program center. In addition, you will enjoy local Balinese hotels and local food at restaurants.

Excursions

Excursions in Bali may include:

  • visiting an environmental sanctuary
  • snorkeling in gorgeous waters
  • visiting Balinese temples
  • participating in cultural ceremonies and meditation
  • learning about Balinese art, social change, economy, and health practices

Flight

Group flights are typically used for this program, but are subject to availability. You will receive information from the Learning Abroad Center about the flight options for this program once they are confirmed.

The cost of the flight will be estimated in the cost of participation fee.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
  • Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
  • Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches

Faculty & Staff

Maggie Harris is the Capstone Course & Global Programs Coordinator as well as a Teaching Specialist in the Leadership Minor. She joined the Leadership Minor in 2010. Maggie holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership and teaches all core courses across the Minor, and has lead multiple programs abroad to Ireland and Bali.

Program Structure

Program Level
4000-level coursework
Courseload

One 3-credit course

Global Seminars are 3-week study abroad programs led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:

  • Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
  • Small groups of 15–25 students
  • No prerequisites or language requirements
  • Included excursions and cultural activities
  • Instruction in English

Coursework

Learn about historical and contemporary approaches to leadership in Bali through assigned texts and lectures and gain knowledge about globalization and global issues in Bali in a variety of contexts and, more specifically, how different individuals can use their experiences, knowledge, and practice to make a difference. This program explores leadership topics of happiness, culture, and globalization against the setting of ancient, sacred, and authentic Balinese culture.

Receive Credit for: LEAD 4484

Liberal Education Fulfillments: Global Perspectives

Approved for a Leadership Minor Elective.

Coursework includes journaling, quizzes, and reflection-based assignments. You will also write several papers in which you reflect on and research a cultural topic observed in Bali. 

Sustainability

The Learning Abroad Center is committed to sustainability and incorporating this into its programs. This course can be tied to Sustainable Development Goals through course content and program activities including:

SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being—Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development. This program has traditionally explored the high rate of happiness index for Balinese and what factors contribute to that, as well as the positive and negative impacts globalization has on happiness. Wellness is also deeply explored.

SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation—Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in. With globalization has come an impact on Bali's waterways and oceans. This has been, and will continue to be, explored and connected to the other SDGs, as well as it impacts health, agriculture, and environment.

SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth—Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs. Bali's tourism and globalization has shaped this issue tremendously, and we will meet with several community experts on this topic.

SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption—Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere. This is a crucial topic in Bali, as globalization's impact is severe. Connecting with NGOs, communities, and government officials to explore this topic, along with exploring additional SDGs (#14: Life Below Water, and #15: Life on Land) will all help paint a holistic and interconnected picture of the impact of globalization and how the SDGs translate and must be applied.

Academic Registration

If confirmed, you will be registered for your course by the Learning Abroad Center once registration opens for your term abroad. Make sure you have no holds that would prevent registration.

If you haven't already, communicate with your academic adviser(s) as applicable to review the course for your major, minor, or college requirements. University of Minnesota students should use the Academic Planning Form (PDF), located on your confirmation checklist.

Dates Details

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

Program TermProgram DatesPriority Application DeadlineFinal Application Deadline
May Session 2025May 30–June 21, 2025 (tentative)February 1, 2025March 1, 2025

Program dates are subject to change.

If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.

Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.

Information Sessions

Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.

DateTimeLocation
Thursday, Dec. 12th12:00 p.m.

Hybrid

Zoom & Heller Hall 230C

Monday, Dec. 16th12:00 p.m.Zoom only

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

  • Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. 
  • LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
  • LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
  • Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**

The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:

Priority Deadline

If you apply by the priority deadline and confirm within the allotted time you will receive the published program fee. Applying after the priority deadline and/or not confirming within the allotted time means you may be subject to an airfare increase.

Fees

May term 2025 Cost of Participation forthcoming

The cost of participation includes educational costs, group flight airfare, program administration, housing, some meals, international health insurance, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, and local transportation. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. Generally, program fees range between $7,500–$8,500. You must also budget for visa, passport and passport photos, meals not included, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.

Recent increases in international airfare and accommodation costs have impacted all instructor-led program fees. The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.

If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

This program is considered part of spring enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.

If you are a Leadership minor student, you may be eligible for funds from the Leadership Minor. Once you are confirmed, you will receive information directly from the minor as to how to apply. Reach out to [email protected] for more information.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

Prepare

Be aware: Learning Abroad Center programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.

Apply

The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

  • Application Essay

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Next Steps

  1. After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
  2. Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
  3. If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
  4. Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
    • Passport Information
    • Emergency Contacts
    • Health Information Form
    • Online Health & Safety Orientation
    • Release & Waiver
  5. You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.

After You Apply

Before your program begins, review these resources.

Health & Safety

Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.

Power of Attorney

Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.

Student Identity

Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.

Travel Resources

Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Anna DeWitt at [email protected], or call at 612.626.2234