After a fantastic first month settling into the Boundless Life Trailblazers program in Bali (check out our first blog post here), October brought even more memorable experiences, educational highlights, and community connections. From meaningful projects with the local community to festive birthday celebrations, our second month on this 9-month Trailblazer journey was packed with new adventures!

What Happened in the Classroom and Beyond

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Meaningful Field Trips and Environmental Impact

Continuing their focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) “Life Below Water,” the Trailblazers dove deeper into understanding environmental impact and how to give back to the local community.

One of the highlights this month was a field trip with Sungai Watch, where Yuna, Hanne, and their classmates participated in a river cleanup, collecting plastic waste to be repurposed for new projects. This hands-on experience taught them about environmental challenges and gave them a chance to make a positive impact.

Back in class, they took part in a ceramic workshop with Kevala Studio, creating coral propagation devices as part of the “Crafting Coral” initiative. These handmade ceramic pieces will eventually be placed in the ocean to aid in coral reef restoration, raising awareness about the threats facing these vital ecosystems. Yuna and Hanne loved contributing to such a meaningful cause, and the workshop was a hands-on way to connect their learning to real-world conservation.

Building on last month’s interviews with local business owners, the Trailblazers began designing products to support selected businesses using recycled materials. Together with R-Plastics, they’ll be creating items from recycled bottle caps and flip-flops. Martijn, the founder of R-Plastics, visited the education center to discuss design options, and next month, the students will head to the R-Plastics workshop to bring their designs to life.

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Inside the Classroom: Projects and Presentations

In October, the Trailblazers also dove deeper into subjects like English, history, and social-emotional learning, while exploring Balinese culture and local origin stories. They learned from guest speakers, engaged in creative projects, and developed critical thinking skills in a hands-on way.

One unique Boundless Life activity that’s consistent across all locations is the student-led conference. Yuna and Hanne each presented to us what they’ve learned, what they’re proud of, and which skills they want to work on. They completely customized their 15-minute meetings, each taking a different approach. It was inspiring to see their confidence and individuality shine through!

Two other highlights this month included PE on the beach and working on their personal Boundless Time projects. Yuna is developing a babysitting website with a classmate, while Hanne is creating a cookbook with five local recipes from each destination, drawing her own illustrations.

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Community Highlights and Connections

Birthday Celebrations

October was a festive month for our family! We kicked it off with Heleen’s birthday, celebrating with a family day and a cozy dinner.

A few days later, it was Hanne’s turn. We invited all the Trailblazers over for games and laughter, filling the house with joy and a strong sense of community. It’s amazing to think that just over a month ago, none of these kids knew each other, and now they’re creating lifelong memories together.

To wrap up the month, another Trailblazer celebrated her birthday with a sleepover for all the girls—another highlight for Yuna and Hanne!

Soccer with the Locals

Yuna and Hanne have both joined a local soccer school, where they play every Thursday alongside local kids and their Trailblazer friends. It’s become a weekly event they look forward to, offering a chance to connect with other kids through a sport they love. The first few sessions were challenging due to the warm, humid weather, but they quickly adapted.

Halloween, Bali Style 🎃

October wrapped up with two Halloween celebrations! The Trailblazers hosted a Halloween party, and Boundless Life organized another at the education center. Both events were filled with costumes, games, and Halloween spirit. It might not have looked exactly like Halloween back home, but the kids’ excitement was just the same!

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Exploring Bali: Family Adventures and Weekend Getaways

While we’re excited that next year’s Trailblazers will experience different locations, we’ve loved exploring Bali during our time here. On weekends, we’ve been venturing out to discover more of the island as a family.

Our first trip this month was to Ubud, where we met up with two other Trailblazer families, enjoyed a delicious meal at a vegan restaurant, and relaxed by the pool. Even though it’s a popular destination, Ubud still offers beautiful, quiet spots to enjoy Bali’s lush landscapes.

Another memorable trip was to Sidemen, a peaceful region known for its breathtaking rice terraces and natural beauty. We visited the Gembleng Waterfall and took in what we think is one of the best views in Bali. This peaceful escape from busier areas was a family favorite, giving us a chance to unwind and connect with nature.

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Reflecting on an Incredible Month

As October comes to a close, we feel incredibly grateful for the meaningful moments, friendships, and experiences we’ve shared as a family and with our new community. Bali has proven to be a wonderful place to call home for a while, and we’re excited for the next chapter of our Trailblazer adventure.

Thank you for following our journey! We can’t wait to see what November brings and to share more of this experience with you.