Location:

Denpasar, Indonesia

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Winter Semester

Program Overview

Program Description:

This Jan term immersion, experiential and academic course is a collaborative program between Austin College and the School for International Training (SIT) which will expose students to Bali through the dynamic relationships between religion, the healing arts and the environment. Bali is a province of Indonesia with a diversity of religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and local animistic beliefs. Local religions are closely connected with the natural environment and interact with healing traditions and medical systems. The course will explore how environmental concerns are interwoven with religion, art, ritual and traditional healing by engaging students in the history of Javanese and Balinese culture, theoretical and ethical concerns, and the practices of medical and local healers, artists and conservation experts. This course will also immerse students in Balinese culture through homestays and hands-on activities such as conservation work with training in fieldwork methods, and engaging in yoga and local healing traditions. Lecturers are drawn from Austin College and Grayson College (USA), the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Universitas Sanata Darma (Sadar) in Central Java, the Faculty of Letters of Udayana University in Bali, the Institute of Arts of Indonesia (ISI) in Bali, and other institutions as well as local practitioners and conservation experts. SIT Study Abroad, a pioneer in experiential, field-based study abroad, has offered an undergraduate study abroad program in Bali since 1985, hosting more than 600 students. Staff: Dr. Ivette Vargas-O’Bryan (director), Eric O’Bryan, SIT Staff and local experts

The content of the Bali program will be shared between the Austin College faculty leader, Grayson College, and the SIT Study Abroad program staff and local instructors. The Austin College faculty will teach coursework modules on religion, medicine and the environment; guest lectures focus on biodiversity, soil conservation and environmental issues which will be supplemented by workshops on medicine and healing traditions, conservation, language learning, and fieldwork methods. Students will engage in conservation work, diverse religious and healing rituals, and yoga. Writing assignments, presentations and digital storytelling will be required. Other highlights may include: Homestays Traditional Healing Workshop: This is a full day workshop on traditional healing traditions with local Balinese healers. Fieldwork Study Workshop: This session covers some of the basic methods and theories in fieldwork to prepare students for final projects and conservation work Conservation Work: Students will engage in volunteer conservation work experiences in Bali dealing with three topics: •Conservation of coral reef •Conservation of Mangroves •Conservation of baby turtles Site Visits of major areas in Bali Hindu Temple Visits (2) (SIT with Ivette) Yoga Session: students engage in yoga practice on a regular basis in different areas Purification ceremony at a Hindu Temple Snorkling trip & biodiversity: This trip will link to the lecture on biodiversity while students engage in snorkeling Site visit connected with soil conservation Volcanic Site Visit (Mount Batur) Ayurvedic medical clinic visit Traditional Theater Performance Bahasa Language learning

This J-term 2014 course will enhance any curriculum particularly students interested in religion, Asian Studies, environmental studies, medicine, and anthropology. Students engage with local culture and bring back great skills that are transferable.

Setting Description:

Bali is one of the most beautiful of the 34 provinces in the country of Indonesia. The province covers a few small islands as well as the isle of Bali. The main island is located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. The island is home to the majority of Indonesia’s Hindu tradition with some Buddhist and local animistic influences while most of the remainder of Indonesia follows Islam. Bali has many kinds of places to visit like rice paddies, beautiful panoramas, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungles, long sandy beaches, Balinese Hindu temples with healing festivals, palaces, and major conservation sites. Local religions are closely connected with the natural environment and interact with healing traditions and medical systems.

Cost:

Approximately $4950-5000 includes airfare, food and accommodations for about 3.5 weeks in January. Dates: Jan. 1-23