Brady Scott is a former Asia Exchange student and a current Online Ambassador, available to answer questions from prospective students about what studying abroad in Bali is really like. Read Brady’s interview to find out more about life in Bali!
What’s your name and where do you come from?
My name is Brady Scott and I come from Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States.
Where did you spend your exchange semester?
I spent fall 2018 inBali, Indonesiaat theUdayana University.
Why did you choose to study in Asia, and your destination in particular?
Asia has always been a place to come back to for me – so many new things to try, people to meet, and a very different culture to experience! I feel like I am always learning something new when spending time in Asia. I chose Bali specifically because I love the beach and wanted to try surfing!
Tell us a little more about your study destination, what was it like to live and study there?
Studying was a really good experience for me. My major is Anthropology, so it is important for me to spend time learning in different cultural contexts. For anyone studying in Bali, learning can take place outside the classroom just as much as inside the classroom if you have an open mind and you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone a little bit!
Did the experience meet your expectations?
Absolutely! It exceeded my expectations because I met really cool friends and had the time of my life. There were many things I did – like hiking a volcano – that I never expected in the first place.
What were the highlights of your exchange?
Above all, I enjoyed meeting so many new friends. I never thought I would be so close to people from all over the world. It was easy to bond with new people because we were all in the same boat, especially at the start of the semester.
How did you get the study place? What was the application procedure like?
As an American, I applied through Asia Exchange as well as ISEP, so I had 2 application processes to go through. Asia Exchange made everything rather straightforward and easy for me.
Which were the most interesting topics in your studies?
I enjoyed my history class the most. My professor was invested in his class, and I learned history from an entirely different perspective. It was cool to know more about the place I was living in. The professor was able to answer a lot of the questions I had about living in Bali through a historical lens.
What kind of accommodation did you have and how much was the monthly cost?
I lived in a villa with four roommates and I paid $280
What were your average days like while living in Asia?
My favorite days, of course, were my days off! If I wasn’t planning on travelling anywhere, I would chill out with my friends on the beach, and then go surfing in the evening. After the sunset, I’d go home and make a delicious meal to end the day with.
Did you have a chance to travel during your stay?
Indeed! I got the chance to visit many different places in Bali, as well as a neighboring island; Java.
What kind of things did you learn about Asia and your destination?
I learned about culture above all. The staff at Udayana University in Bali made it easy for students to engage in local ways of life.
What kind of things did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I do my best when I am surrounded by a group of like – minded individuals. It was really special to me to meet new friends in Bali. I also learned that I am more confident than I previously thought, and I learned how to take risks responsibly.
In your opinion, why should people go to study in Asia?
I think that anyone from a Western society especially would benefit because Asia is a complete turnaround in terms of culture! When you live in a place and have affiliations, like studying, it will widen your perspective in a way that travelling wouldn’t be able to do. There are infinitely more opportunities to experience culture when studying abroad.
Would you recommend this study program to other students?
Yes! I would recommend this to anyone who is ready to get out of their comfort zone just a little bit and meet interesting people from all around the world!
What are your greetings to Asia Exchange?
I am endlessly grateful for Asia Exchange. This experience was truly a blast and now I can’t wait to go back to Bali one day!
A free word for any student considering going abroad?
Go for it! It is such an enriching experience and will set you far ahead of the rest of your class in countless ways.
Find out more about studying in Bali
Asia Exchange is a Finnish company providing study abroad opportunities inAsia Pacific for students from all around the world. Want to get travel tipsand new blog posts straight to your inbox? Subscribe to ourmonthly newsletter!If you have any questions about studyingabroad, feel free tocontact us! We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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