MUSIC 355: Music & Culture travel course - Bali, Indonesia

From traditional to contemporary performing and visual arts, handicrafts and piquant cuisine, immerse your senses in a plethora of sounds, sights, fragrances, and tastes unique to the island of Bali. Join the Music and Culture Travel Course and interact with distinguished scholars and master artists, attend concerts, play an array of instruments, engage in the daily life of local Balinese families, and visit spaces of historical, cultural significance.

The program aims to provide an international, transformative educational experience, grounded in the study of music and culture in Bali. It offers a global experience relevant to a wide range of interests, disciplines, and career trajectories.

Among thousands of islands that comprise the expansive Indonesian archipelago, Bali is known for its performing arts music, dance, musical theatre, and shadow puppetry; visual arts (painting, sculpture, mask carving); and handicrafts. During this course, you will have the opportunity to experience and explore these in context. For more information, consult the books below:

• Dibia, I Wayan and Rucina Ballinger. 2004. Balinese Dance, Drama & Music: A Guide to the Performing Arts of Bali. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing.
• Gold, Lisa. Music in Bali: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Tenzer. Michael. 2011 [1998]. Balinese Gamelan Music, 3rd Edition (with companion CD). Vermont: Tuttle Publishing.

This course may be taken for credit or interest. Students taking the course may receive 0.75 units. Enroll in MUSIC 355 – Music and Culture in Bali, Indonesia AND MUSIC x16 or x17 (Music Ensemble Course).

Students may enroll for either Winter 2025 as part of their full-time enrolment or in Spring 2026.

NOTE: Tuition fee per course for a fifth 0.5-unit course is reduced, and a sixth course is $0. Consult https://uwaterloo.ca/finance/student-financial-services/tuition-fee-schedules

Students on co-op in the Spring term may consider unrolling in the Winter. Being a 2-week long course at the start of Spring term, co-op students still have ample time for a work term.  

If you are a student at a different University, transfer credit to your home university is usually possible, and should be arranged through your home university.

• Open to all majors 3A and above (no prerequisites!)
• Departmental consent required.
• Students are encouraged to take Music 232, 233, or the music ensemble course: Balinese Percussion ensemble in fall 2025 or winter 2026.

All participants are expected to attend pre-departure workshops, follow the program schedule, participate in group discussions, and complete the required coursework, in addition to completing the University of Waterloo International Travel form months prior to departure. (link coming).

• Participants are responsible for their airfare and travel arrangements to Bali, Indonesia. It is highly recommended that you coordinate with others. 
• Participants must arrive in Bali by Saturday, May 9 (Day 1 of the course). 

Please note: If departing from Toronto’s Pearson Airport (airport code YYZ), plan to travel one or two days before in order to arrive in Bali (airport code DPS) by May 9. If travelling from another starting point, please verify the arrival time and date is on Day 1 of the program (May 9). For a May 23 return date to Toronto, plan an evening departure from Bali on May 22, the final day of the course. In both directions, when flying over the Pacific Ocean there may be one or two layovers in a major Asian hub (depending on the airline), and sometimes in Vancouver. 

Information about airport transfer will be provided in the course syllabus. 

Within and throughout Bali, we will travel primarily by local transportation in a van. 

Note: Participants should be prepared for a considerable amount of walking, hill climbing, and stairs. Elevators are not usually available.

Visa Information

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia grants visa exemptions to citizens from several countries, including Canada, to visit Indonesia with a maximum stay of 30 days. If you wish to stay longer or you do not hold a Canadian passport, please verify the visa requirements.

Stay 10 nights in Pengosekan Village, Ubud – famous for its performing and visual arts, temples, and more; observe rehearsals and artists at work. 

Stay 3 nights in Singaraja – the old colonial capital in North Bali. Meet and interact and rehearse with local master musicians. 

Estimated Costs:

• Program Fee: $1550
• Accommodations (13 nights): $350 (based on 2-person per room)
• Ground transportation (14 days): $200
• Total Program Fee: Approx $2,100 includes hotels (approx. $300, ground transportation concerts, workshops, excursions, some meals)
• Financial aid (travel awards) available to full-time students taking the course for credit.   Submit a written request to Maisie Sum

Total Estimated fee includes: accommodations and breakfast, local transportation, admissions to concerts, museums, cultural sites, guided tours, lectures, workshops, special excursions, and six communal meals.

Not included: airfare, travel visa, vaccinations, medical insurance, travel insurance, SIM card, most meals, tuition fee (if taken for credit), personal expenses, optional ‘bonus’ activities.

As of September 2025, economy airfare ranges from approximately $900 to $2500 departing from Toronto. The travel visa-on-arrival (VOA) is about $50 (wait times may be long). An e-visa is approximately $100 CAD and can be easily obtained online in advance of arrival. The cost of local cuisine ranges widely from approximately $3 to $10 per meal while higher end restaurants that serve international cuisine will cost upward of $10–20 per meal. An additional $300 to 500 in spending money is suggested.

NOTE: Bali is a cash-based society, which means international debit cards and credit cards may not be widely accepted. Be prepared to bring some cash on hand and to withdraw cash from a local bank machine.

*NOTE: Fees subject to change.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations may be required for travel to Bali, Indonesia. Please book an appointment with the UWaterloo Travel Clinic.

Insurance - Medical (mandatory) and Travel (highly recommended)

The program is committed to safeguarding student health, safety and security while travelling to/from and studying in the field.

Students should be aware that the University of Waterloo does not carry any insurance coverage that would be available in the event of student illness, death, injury or other losses. Students are responsible for ensuring that he/she has adequate health and travel coverage.

Students are responsible for keeping a printed copy of their insurance coverage and emergency contact information with an emergency contact in Canada, and with them at all times from pre-departure until return to Canada; for knowing how to contact the insurance provider in the event of emergency; and how to submit claims. NOTE: Insurance requirements are subject to change without notice.

Suggestions: International SOS is one of the largest/oldest companies that provide evacuation coordination if you buy their coverage:https://www.internationalsos.com/needs/manage-evacuations. A story about a Bali evacuation can be found at https://www.internationalsos.com/case-studies/evacuation-from-bali

For some related information, go to https://uwaterloo.ca/school-environment-enterprise-development/undergraduate/international-development/field-placements/field-placement-policies#health-and-safety.

Safety Abroad Travel App

Download the Anvil Group App to your devices. For more information go to  https://uwaterloo.ca/international/travel-safety-and-security/anvil-group

Registration is limited to 12 participants. Priority will be given to participants enrolling for credit.

All participants must complete and submit an online Registration Form

• Deposit of $500 is due at the time of registration.
• Balance is due February 15, 2026 (Firm prices to be set January 15, 2026)

No refunds after February 15, 2026.

Note: Late registration may be possible after February 15, 2026; however prices may increase.