Introduction
GLA’s Global Health Initiative program is a primer for studying medicine or public health in the developing world. A university-level program, it’s designed to give a progressive experience— challenging preconceptions of health with new experiences, and guidance from attending medical and public health professionals working in the field.
Global Health Initiative Itinerary
Please note: Activities may happen on different days due to weather or community needs. This is a tentative itinerary.
| Day | Program Activities |
| 1 | Arrival Day – GLA Students Arrive in Bali |
| 2 | * |
| 3 | * |
| 4 | * |
| 5 | * |
| 6 | * |
| 7 | * |
| 8 | * |
| 9 | * |
| 10 | * |
| 11 | * |
| 12 | * |
| 13 | * |
| 14 | Departure Day – GLA Students Depart from Bali |
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Blog Updates
All students made it safely and excited for the journey ahead! About to embark on their first village walk and discover the sights and sounds of Bali by doing a fun scavenger hunt. And they are off!
What a great first day in Bali! Today was a day of adjustment (from 20+ hours of traveling) and bonding. Everyone bonded over a delicious meal and morning activities of name games and orientation. During the afternoon we separated into groups and started to explore the village of Ubud. We saw all different forms of culture ranging from wood carving to playing soccer with the locals! Of course all of the adorable Bali dogs grabbed everyone’s attention as well. Everyone here looks forward to the adventures to come, and we are all beyond grateful to have been given this opportunity.
Much love!
(written and photographed-Ally A.)
Wednesday August 9th
Today we did our third day of service! Our service for today was working at an open clinic for the elders of the village at the local banjar; the elders chose to come to get these health check ups. We tested blood pressure, height, weight, blood glucose, and more. The STIKA students taught us how to work everything, so we were able to do lots of it ourselves—then the students would tell the elders what was good/bad about their results, and what they could do to be healthier. After lunch, we continued doing the same thing. Personally, this was my favorite day of service by far! I loved practicing my Bahasa with the elders, and learning from the STIKA students. I spent an hour talking to one of the students and learned so incredibly much about Balinese culture, and told her about the US.
After a well deserved break, we all glammed up and put on our sarongs to meet the prince. Our palace visit started with a tour. At every corner there was another beautiful sculpture or piece of artwork. Everything was so intricate and clean compared to the other homes we had seen. After the tour, we finally got to meet the prince. For someone with so much power, he was incredibly humble. So full of knowledge, we had discussions over dinner about anything from motorcycles to the value of life experience vs money. He even gave us his restaurant’s Instagram page! The evening closed with a private showing of a traditional Balinese dance. The performance was full of beautifully dressed woman, intricate costumes, and live music. So much color and movement, it was truly magical. A perfect end to a perfect day.
– Sammy, Maya L.
August 10
