Language
There are three official languages spoken in Bali: Bahasa Indonesia, Balinese, and English. Click each tab to learn more and/or visit this webpage!
Bahasa Indonesia
Bahasa Indonesia is the national language of Indonesia. Indonesian is a standardized version of Malay, which encompasses a range of languages and dialects that exist throughout Southeast Asia. In Bali, Bahasa Indonesia is the language of government, education, and the media in Indonesia.
Bahasa Bali (Balinese)
Balinese is the native language of the Balinese people, spoken by over 4 million people in Bali. It is used by locals at home, in community settings, and in everyday interactions. It is an Austronesian language that is closely related to Javanese.
English
English is widely spoken in Bali, especially in tourist areas (though to various degrees), as it is often used as a lingua franca to communicate between tourists and locals. It is the “money language”.
Throughout your training and time in Bali, we expect you to make an effort to learn some of the basics of Bahasa Indonesia. This will be very helpful for your service and learning purposes, allowing you to form more authentic connections. Learning some Balinese while you are here is also a great challenge, since some people you may encounter (especially older folks or young children) may only know the local language (not Indonesian).
Foods
You will have the opportunity to try many new foods and dishes while in Bali from suckling pig to fried banana!
Reflection 14: Do your own research to find 2 commonly used/eaten ingredients in Bali that are new or rare to you!