Emma had just finished her two-year BTS in management and business in France when she started wondering what came next. She was not in a rush, but she knew she did not want to start something new that did not feel right. She wanted her next chapter to genuinely mean something, to make her grow and come back changed.
She had already visited Bali once, the summer before, and honestly never really gotten over it. So when she came across our Asia Exchange gap year program at Udayana University, she knew immediately that was where she was headed. Eight months later, she has explored Indonesia from top to bottom, made friends that feel like family from all over the world, and come back a genuinely different person. We sat down with her to hear all about it.
Why Bali, and why a gap year
Emma was not looking for a gap year to escape anything or delay her plans. She genuinely wanted one that would push her to grow, and she was crystal clear about that from the start.
"I knew I wanted to do a gap year, but more importantly, I wanted it to be meaningful and I wanted it to be something that could make me learn and grow as a person. Then I stumbled across Asia Exchange gap year program in Bali at Udayana University and I knew that's where I wanted to go."
And Bali was absolutely not a random choice either! She had visited the island a year before and fallen completely in love with it, always knowing she would find a way back. When the gap year gave her that reason, everything just clicked into place.
"I had already visited the island back in summer 2024 and absolutely fell in love with it. When I came back home, I knew I would be back in Bali someday. And I feel like all the stars aligned when I got the chance to study abroad there."
Arriving on the island
Emma arrived in Bali at the end of August 2025 with a friend from France who was doing the same program at Udayana, and she already had a genuinely useful piece of advice for anyone considering the same thing.
"I think one of the best tips I could give you is to travel to your study abroad destination a week or so before the start of the semester. It allowed me to find my feet in this totally new environment."
And settling into island life turned out to be a lot easier than she had imagined.
"Living on an island is definitely very different from what I was used to back in France. Although I have to be honest with you, I got used to it very quickly. At first you may feel overwhelmed by the traffic and the constant movement on the streets, but you'll quickly see that everything works perfectly. Somehow, I found the atmosphere peaceful and restful. No one is in a rush, everyone takes their time, making commute and everyday life so easy to navigate."
But what genuinely surprised her most in those first days was not the beauty of the island or the stunning campus. It was the warmth of the Balinese people, and she felt it from the very first moment she arrived.
"One of the first things that stayed with me when I first arrived was how kind, helpful and caring the Balinese are. Everyone is always welcoming you with a smile, making sure you feel like you're at home. It's definitely a perk to arrive in a country far from your hometown where you already feel at home."
What daily life actually looked like
By month eight, Emma had built a weekly routine that she absolutely loved, and it is honestly the kind of schedule that makes you want to pack your bags immediately.
"After almost 8 months here in Bali I can confidently say that I've found my perfect weekly routine. When I am not on holidays or on little weekend getaways, my week all kinda looks the same and I absolutely love my little life here."
Classes ran Monday to Wednesday and wrapped up at midday, which left her afternoons and long weekends completely free to do as she pleased. Mornings at the gym, afternoons at a coffee shop or on the beach, evenings at a warung with friends, and whenever a university break came around she was straight onto a plane or a boat heading somewhere new.
"If there's a university break, you'll find me exploring Indonesia or other countries in Asia. For example, during the break between the autumn semester and spring one, I visited Thailand and Japan. But during smaller breaks I also visited Malaysia, Lombok, Nusa Penida, The Gilis, The Komodo Islands, and some parts of Bali."
The people who made it home
And when we asked Emma what surprised her most about Bali, the answer was not the landscapes or the food or the campus. It was the kindness of the people around her in everyday life, and two people in particular stood out.
"There's Andy, the guy I'm renting my scooter from. Anytime I see him he always takes time to talk to me and always reminds me that if I need anything, if I'm sick or if I have a problem with my scooter, I can always text him and he'll be happy to help. But there's also Putu, the woman taking care of my accommodation. She always asks about my day or takes news from me anytime I see her on the streets. It's always reassuring when you're in another country far from home and you know you have someone if you need it."
Those are the kinds of connections that no brochure can prepare you for, and they are exactly what made Bali feel like home.
A moment she will never forget
"My favourite memory from my year abroad was definitely the trip to the Komodo Islands with my university friends. It was a truly surreal experience. We spent four days on a boat, stopping at various islands, and had an incredible time together. Every moment felt like we were on another planet. We saw beautiful landscapes and snorkelled in pristine waters. We also sailed around incredibly picturesque islands. The kind crew made the whole experience even better. It's a moment I'll never forget."
How a year abroad changed her
After a full year in Bali, Emma came back with a lot more than great memories and a camera roll full of sunsets. She came back genuinely changed, and she talked about it with a clarity that is hard not to find inspiring.
"A year abroad has undoubtedly transformed me. Living in a foreign country amidst a vibrant yet unique culture has deepened my self-awareness and broadened my perspective on the world, a truly beautiful one. I was so surprised to see that I could acclimate myself so easily in such a different country from my own. People there made it so easy for us to feel at home."
And when we asked if she would do anything differently, she answered without a second thought.
"If I could go back and start again, I'd do nothing differently and have no regrets. However, if there's one thing I'd definitely re-experience it's all the travels and visiting I did during my year abroad. Visit the islands, fly to other countries during your university breaks and try that place you've been eyeing. Immerse yourself as much as possible so you return home with a wealth of knowledge and the ability to share it with others. Experiencing another culture is truly a blessing."
What she will miss most
"The one thing I'll miss the most from Bali is definitely its people. Balinese are such kind and good people, always smiling, always welcoming you like you're part of their family, always here to help you if you need. They are truly a blessing."
Her message to anyone who is hesitating
"We all experience doubts before leaving or even at the outset, and some of us feel fear and stress, trust me I did, especially because it was the first time I was leaving home. However, truly leaving home to immerse myself in another culture and build a life of my own for a few months abroad has been the best thing I could have done for myself. It's an unexpected yet amazing way to grow. You'll meet people from all over the world and quickly become friends. They'll become like family and you'll create wonderful memories together. So if you're currently hesitant about going abroad, whether it's taking the first step out of your house or fearing loneliness, trust me it's all just in your head. Once you've set foot in the country, you won't regret your choice."
Does Emma’s story sound like something you’ve been thinking about? The Beyond Abroad gap year program in Bali is waiting for you.