Everyday life
🌴Life in Bali — everyday life away from uni
What you need in everyday life
A semester abroad in Bali is more than just studying. From riding a scooter to the tropical climate and the international community – here you’ll find the key information you need for your day-to-day life on the island.
Climate & Clothing
Bali enjoys tropical temperatures all year round, ranging from around 25 to 32 degrees. Light, airy clothing is therefore ideal. During the rainy season, which lasts from around November to March, there may be short but heavy showers. When visiting temples, shoulders and knees should be covered out of respect for the local culture.
A scooter instead of a car
Scooters are the main mode of transport in Bali and often the quickest way to get from A to B. You’ll need a valid international driving licence to ride one. Monthly hire usually starts at around €50. In Bali, they drive on the left and the traffic can seem chaotic at first. However, with a bit of getting used to it, most students manage just fine. Of course, you should always wear a helmet. Many accommodation providers offer scooters directly or can put you in touch with reliable suppliers. We’ll also be offering a scooter hire service soon.
Food & Drink
In Bali, you’ll find everything from affordable local warungs to modern cafés and international restaurants. A full meal at a warung often costs just a few euros. There’s a great selection of healthy cafés, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. Bali also offers great restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world at affordable prices. In all my travels, I’ve never eaten better anywhere than here. Tap water shouldn’t be drunk straight from the tap – use filtered water or bottled water instead. Most accommodation providers have drinking water dispensers available.
Internet & Coworking
Internet access in Bali is very good in most student accommodation and villas. Wi-Fi is practically standard in all of them. There are also plenty of co-working spaces with fast internet, workspaces and networking opportunities.
Language
The official language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia. However, English is widely spoken in tourist areas and at universities, so you’ll usually have no trouble communicating. At university, you’ll generally have Indonesian language classes. Learning a few basic Indonesian words is greatly appreciated by locals and makes everyday life even easier.
Culture & Respect
Bali is predominantly Hindu and has a unique culture. Temples, ceremonies and religious festivals are part of everyday life. Treating locals with respect, wearing appropriate clothing in temple complexes and behaving politely are highly valued. Anyone who embraces Balinese culture with an open mind is usually given a very warm welcome.
Health
Medical care in Bali is very good in most cases. International hospitals such as BIMC or Siloam Hospitals have modern facilities and English-speaking staff. Overseas health insurance is strongly recommended and is practically essential for longer stays. A small first-aid kit for the first few days can be useful, but many items are also available locally.
Vaccinations
There are no compulsory vaccinations for Bali (except for travellers arriving from certain yellow fever areas). However, it is recommended that you top up your standard vaccinations, such as tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio and measles. In addition, travel medicine specialists often recommend the hepatitis A vaccine for Bali, and for longer stays, sometimes also the hepatitis B and typhoid vaccines. Depending on the duration of your trip, your activities and your destination, vaccinations against rabies or Japanese encephalitis may also be advisable.It is best to book an appointment with your GP, a tropical medicine institute or a travel medicine centre around 2–3 months before departure. There, you will receive personalised advice and, if necessary, be able to have any required vaccinations administered in good time.
Everyday costs
The cost of living is usually significantly lower than in Germany. Leisure activities are also affordable. However, beach clubs and Western products can be just as expensive as in Europe. How much you spend depends largely on your lifestyle. Experience shows that most students spend around €750–€1,500 a month, including rent, a scooter, leisure activities and so on.
Community & Leisure
Every year, Bali attracts thousands of international students, digital nomads and travellers. So making new friends is usually very easy. As well as your studies, you can enjoy surfing, diving, yoga, hiking, island trips and countless other excursions. There’s also a very lively nightlife in practically every region, with bars, clubs, live music and beach parties.
Money & Payments
The currency in Bali is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). €1 = approx. 20,000 IDR. You can usually pay by card in most cafés, restaurants and supermarkets, but you should always carry some cash with you. Cash machines are widely available across the island. For longer stays, we recommend a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. For example, use the credit card guide at https://www.finanzfluss.de/vergleich/kreditkarte/ to apply for a free credit card.
SIM card & mobile data
A local SIM card is cheap to buy and makes everyday life much easier. Providers such as Telkomsel offer good network coverage across the whole island. Mobile data is significantly cheaper than in Germany and is usually more than enough for navigation, communication and streaming. Many students get a local SIM card as soon as they arrive; these are available practically on every corner. It’s best to head a little way out of the airport to get better prices. E-SIMs are available, but they’re considerably more expensive.
Laundry & Household
Laundretts are part of everyday life in Bali and can be found almost everywhere. For just a few euros, your clothes will be washed, dried and folded. Many students therefore regularly use laundry services instead of doing their own washing. It saves time and is good value. Some villas have a washing machine.
Security
Bali is generally considered a safe travel destination and attracts thousands of international students every year. As with any destination, however, you should keep an eye on your valuables and be particularly careful on the roads. Most incidents involve scooter accidents rather than general crime. With a bit of common sense and caution, there’s nothing to stop you having a safe stay.