Endings and Beginnings #HogsAbroad in Bali

The last few days of my program in Indonesia were bitter sweet. In between writing my final exams and papers, I got to see my homestay family several times. I really enjoyed spending time with them, and I’m hoping to visit them again someday. :)

We also had a few final excursion- a retreat, of sorts, if you will. We spent a few hours and had a nice dinner in Ubud before going to Mount Batur. I did attempt to bring back a piece of chocolate cake from this little bakery we found but it ended up melting in my lap, almost falling through the bottom of the carry away box and leaving an interesting stain on my pants… Lesson learned- eat when you buy in a tropical country.

don’t trust the cake

We spent the night in some pretty swish* digs (which had hot water!). The other students got up at 3:30 in the morning for a hike timed just so they could see the sunrise over the peak at the top. I had to sit it out due to the difficulty of the trail and my bad ankle, but the pictures were fantastic. I didn’t mind the extra sleep, though.

Our flash digs

The next day we went to Seminyak where we had rented an airbnb villa (which was the most luxurious place I have ever stayed in), very flash*. Our very last excursion was a surprise visit to a turtle conservation organization, where we each “adopted” a baby turtle and then released them.

So many turtles- I may have died of happiness

We also had a great dinner (basically all the food there was awesome (as long as it wasn’t too spicy for me)) and enjoyed spending one last night together. The first departure was at midnight, followed slowly by the rest of us. We are all going different places and continuing our journeys in different ways. I was very impressed with my peers on this program and can’t wait to see what all they do next.

Our professors were also great. I learned so much on the program and wish I could have spent more time out in the field. I have done quite a bit with my research- but have so much more that I want to do. Realistically, it probably won’t see much progress until I’m back in the states. But that’s only a week away. I can’t believe that I’ve been gone almost eleven weeks now!

I am currently on the last leg of my trip, and have spent my first day in Australia. Stopping off here is definitely worth the shorter flight back to the states. I am going to be spending the week in Melbourne, which is currently freezing. Literally. I may be going to the beach but I doubt I will get in. I hope to get out and do some exploring in the next few days. I will keep it posted!

Ta
*Australian slang taught to us by our program coordinator. Equivalencies: cool, nice, awesome, luxurious, expensive.
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Claire Beach will be traveling to several countries during her International Service Learning Program this summer. Her ultimate destination will be a seven-week stay in Indonesia where she will be observing and conducting research for her project, Community Nature and Conservation, through the Honors College.

Beach is studying economics and international business in Walton College. She is observing and conducting research on the profitability of ecotourism business and environmental preservation in other parts of the globe, particularly developing countries. She will be attending the School of International Training. You can read more from Claire at hogtrailsandtales.wordpress.com.

Find out more about the SIT Indonesia: Community Nature Conservation in Bali (Summer) program at http://studyabroad.sit.edu/programs/summer/summer-2016/abe/