Doing an internship in Bali allows you to live your dream island life while gaining valuable work experience! Taking advantage of your studies or free time to travel the world and experience new places and cultures is a win win situation.
An internship in Bali Indonesia will open new roads for you, both professionally, mentally and culturally.
Let’s get real. Who never dreamed of siping a cocktail on a tropical beach while answering work emails? Going for a surf session right after your day at work? Or even going waterfall chasing during the weekends?
Is a trip to Bali on a budget worth it? Well, your dreams can become a reality almost overnight if you choose to do a Bali internship program.
- Benefits of working abroad : are international internships worth it?
- Internship Bali : why should you choose Bali for your internship abroad?
- Are internships in Bali paid?
- Bali Visa : what kind of visa to do an internship in Bali?
- Where to stay in Bali during your internship?
- Internship Bali Indonesia : what’s the best season?
- How to find an internship in Bali?
- What to do in Bali in your free time?
Benefits of working abroad : are international internships worth it?
They are many working abroad opportunities, you can take your chance no matter your current situation : student, professional, unemployed…
The benefits of overseas internships or jobs are countless. Living in another country for some time is the best way to evolve as a person, by rubbing shoulders with new cultures, traditions, people and places.
It will open your eyes on a brand new lifestyle, where you might feel even better! As we say, travel shapes the young and an internship abroad experience will change your life forever.
It’s also one the 34 best ways to travel with no money.
Professionally, an internship in Bali or in any other place is an incredible thing to add to your resume and to highlight during job interviews. You’ll gain experience in new workplaces and even develop an international network, which could help you in your future working relationships!
Internship Bali : why should you choose Bali for your internship abroad?
Which country is best for internship? Definitely Bali! The laid back atmosphere of this island is like no other place. The Bali weather is so nice all year long and it’s scientifically proven that living barefoot significantly improve the mood.
The Balinese people are so welcoming, and the travelers and expats community is huge, so you can easily find compatriots if that’s what you want.
Last but not least, the nature is lush, diverse and endless, just like the road trips opportunities. You can literally visit a new place every weekend for 6 months without getting bored.
For instance, you can hike the Mount Batur at sunrise during your North of Bali tour, see the famous T-rex cliff during your Nusa Penida tour or dive with ray mantas when in Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan.
And that’s just a small glimpse of all the opportunities you’ll have during your internship in Bali! In addition to the indonesian islands, you can also visit nearby countries. I spent four days in the Philippines to see Apo Whang-Od, the oldest tattoo artist in the world, and one day in Singapore for a layover.
Are internships in Bali paid?
You won’t be able to find paid internships in Bali because that’s simply not legal there. Indonesia has strict immigrations laws and you’ll need to be invited by a company under a social culture visa, which doesn’t allow remuneration.
If you found a paid internship Bali, you should be very careful because that’s either a scam or an illegal internship, for which you could face serious trouble.
The country is welcoming you, so go for a legal internship Bali. Furthermore, most companies offer amenities to their internships, such as free accommodation, free visa extension, scooter or meals.
Bali Visa : what kind of visa to do an internship in Bali?
Do I need a visa for Bali? It depends on how long you want to stay and what you plan to do there. Most nationalities don’t need a Bali visa if they are here for a trip and have no plans to stay longer than 30 days.
Regardless of the type of visa you’ll get, there are some basic requirements : own a passport valid for the next 6 to 12 months after your arrival, have a return plane ticket, enough funds for your trips and cash for your visa.
Visa on arrival : tourist stays under 30 days
They’ll automatically get a Visa on Arrival stamped in their passeport at the airport and it’s not renewable. But as you plan to do an internship in Bali, there’s a huge chance you will stay longer and need a visa.
Visa on arrival extension : up to 60 days
If you stay up to 60 days, you will need to get a Visa on Arrival Extension right away. It’s different from the automatic Visa on Arrival because this one can get renewed once.
To get it, you’ll need to go straight to the immigration office when you arrive at Denpasar Airport and buy it for around $35 USD. You’ll need to answer a few general questions about your trip and you shouldn’t mention that you’re here for an internship. You have to pay in cash, in either EUR, IDR, USD or AUD.
Social and Business Visa : up to 180 days with an agent
If you would like to stay 6 months, which is the maximum period of an internship, you’ll need a Social and Business Visa. This one allows you to stay 60 days and then to renew it 3 times for 30 days each time. You’ll need a sponsor letter and must use the help of a reliable agent.
If you can’t do this option, I know some people book a trip to a nearby country such as Singapore or Australia, to get a new visa on arrival when they come back. For longer work stays, you’ll need a KITA.
Where to stay in Bali during your internship?
Where is the best city to live the Bali internship experience? That is the best question because each city won’t offer you the same possibilities.
That’s something you can’t know if you’ve never been to Bali so it’s an important topic to cover.
The main Balinese cities where you can find internships are, from north to south : Lovina, Ubud, Amed, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu.
According to my personal experience, I would say the best place to stay is Seminyak, which is also near Legian and Kuta. That’s where you can find the most friends and vibrant nightlife.
Most internships are located in Seminyak ; there are loads of companies, expats and tourists, which creates a cool melting pot of chill people living their best lives on the paradise island.
There are nice animated beaches, loads of restaurants and everything you’ll need. If you don’t rent a scooter, you can find gojek drivers (main bike transportation) everywhere. That’s also a good departure point for road trips.
If you’re looking for more laid back options which are still animated, I would recommend Uluwatu and Ubud. Uluwatu is the paradise for surfers with its powerful waves and incredible cliffs. It has a great nightlife too, however it’s quite far from the other places of interest of the island.
On the other side, Ubud’s location is perfect as it’s at the exact center of the island. It is a nice place for a nature and yoga retreat, or a yoga internship Bali. However, my friend who lived in Ubud always had to come in the Seminyak area to party. It can also get more difficult to get a gojek there!
Internship Bali Indonesia : what’s the best season?
Bali has two seasons : the wet season from November to March and dry season from April to October. Overall, temperates are ranging from 26 to 29°C all year long but it can get very rainy at some point. As you’re also here to visit the country, it’s better to do an internship during the dry season, when most attractions are open.
Even if you’re not paid, going for a Bali summer internship instead of a summer job in your city is a nice opportunity to live the perfect island life with a free accommodation as well as cheap and delicious food.
How to find an internship in Bali?
What jobs can you get in Bali?
You won’t be able to find internships in all sectors in Bali. For instance, a marketing internship in Bali is much easier to find than a finance internship.
The sectors that are welcoming the most international interns are travel agencies, surf camps, yoga camps, hotels, guesthouses and tourism structures. So the sectors you have to look for are marketing, communication, digital, writing and social media management.
Where to look for an internship in Bali?
Facebook groups are the way to go, both for finding internships and friends! For french people, there are two important groups you should join : Bali Francophone Stagiaire à Bali and Les Français à Bali.
Many employers or former interns post offers there. If you’re not french, find the groups of your country and at least a group speaking your language. You can also contact people who did internships in the company you’d like to apply for and ask for the number or email address of the recruiter.
What to do in Bali in your free time?
Cities to visit in Bali
There are endless once-in-a-lifetime activities to do in your free time in Bali, and you must take all the days off you have to visit this insane island.
The north of the country has the most unreal Bali waterfalls and nature resorts, the East of Bali is home to the Mount Agung, the biggest volcano of the island, and nice diving spots.
Ubud is the best place to find peace with your inner self through yoga and mediation, Uluwatu is for experienced surfers…
I can’t even name all the activities, you’ll have to see for yourself. There are loads of weekend getaways itineraries from Bali, specially curated for interns who only have two days off but want to get the most of their Bali stay.
Nightlife in Bali
Bali nightlife can delight all musical appetites and one thing is for sure, Balinese knows how to party! One thing is different though : the parties start when the sun sets, at around 6pm, so you can party a lot without getting too tired because you still sleep a lot!
Most of the nightlife happen in the south of Bali, around Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta and Uluwatu. You can find luxurious pool clubs, but also nice cheap places with good vibes for international backpackers.
In Seminyak, I would recommend La Plancha, a colorful beach front bar with live music for a ‘party appetizer’, and the indoor and outdoor jungle club La Favela, which broadcasts eclectic but mainstream music. In Uluwatu, you can party on the multi-levels Single Fin and even enjoy the sunset of a lifetime.
Canggu is where it all happens. The Pretty Poison Bali is an industrial bar with strong California 70s’ vibes. It has good live DJ sessions almost every night and a huge skateboard bowl where everyone is gathering to see skaters delivering their best moves.
Last but not least, one of the most famous Canggu club is Old Man’s. You can go there 3 times a week without getting bored because the music is good, it’s near the beach and you met so many world travelers!
Internship in Bali : Live the island life
Overall, you also live in Bali for the laid back atmosphere, the sun and the people. I love capitals, I’m currently living in Paris, but the vibe in Bali is nothing like european capitals.
People are so nice and welcoming, you basically live barefoot and in flip flops, and even if you’re working, it doesn’t feel like working in this place because you have a true life after your work day!
The nature is as incredible as the culture, you will learn so much on Balinese traditions, such as the offerings or the Kecak dance.
I hope this internship Bali guide helps you get through your internship researches, preparation and installation on this phenomenal island.
Once there and well installed in the swimming pool of your villa with a balinese cocktail, check out those 2 days Indonesia road trips guides so you don’t miss a thing!
