When my family first made the leap to move to Bali, we were filled with excitement and a fair share of nerves. Transitioning to life in a new country, with a different culture, language, and pace, was no small feat. But among all the adjustments, finding the right school for our son was the biggest challenge. Enter Pelangi School Bali—a place that not only educated our child but also made us feel like we truly belonged in this beautiful island community. Here are five ways Pelangi School Bali helped us find our place in Bali.
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1. A Warm Welcome: Feeling at Home from Day One
From the moment we stepped onto the Pelangi School Bali campus, we were greeted with warm smiles and open arms. The staff, teachers, and even the other parents made us feel like we were part of a big, extended family. Moving to a new country can be daunting, especially when you don’t know anyone, but Pelangi’s community spirit quickly erased those fears. The school’s approach to inclusion and connection made it easy for us to settle in and start building relationships that have lasted far beyond the school gates.
2. A Sense of Stability in a Transient World
One of the challenges of living abroad is the constant coming and going of people—families moving in and out, friendships that form and fade. But Pelangi School Bali offered something different: a sense of continuity and stability that we hadn’t expected to find in an international school. Many of the students had been at the school for years, creating a tight-knit community that our son, Jake, quickly became a part of. Watching him form strong, lasting friendships with kids who weren’t just passing through made us feel more grounded and secure in our new life here.
3. Connecting Through Culture: Embracing Bali’s Rich Traditions
Pelangi School Bali does an incredible job of integrating Bali’s rich cultural heritage into its curriculum and daily activities. Whether it was through traditional dance lessons, celebrating local holidays, or learning the basics of Bahasa Indonesia, the school made sure that our son wasn’t just learning in Bali—he was learning about Bali. This cultural immersion didn’t just enrich Jake’s education; it also helped us, as a family, to connect more deeply with our new surroundings. We found ourselves participating in local ceremonies and understanding more about the Balinese way of life, which made us feel more like true residents rather than just visitors.
4. A Community Beyond the Classroom: Building Lasting Friendships
One of the unexpected joys of sending Jake to Pelangi School Bali was the friendships we, as parents, formed with other families. The school’s regular events—be it a school fair, a sports day, or a parent-teacher gathering—provided plenty of opportunities to meet and bond with other parents. These connections have been invaluable, offering support, advice, and companionship in a new environment. It’s comforting to know that we’re all in this together, navigating the highs and lows of life in Bali with a supportive network around us.
5. Nurturing a Love for Learning—and for Bali
Finally, one of the greatest gifts Pelangi School Bali gave us was fostering a genuine love of learning in our son. Jake’s enthusiasm for school has been contagious; he comes home excited to share what he’s learned, whether it’s a new science fact, a creative project, or a snippet of local history. But it’s not just his academic growth that’s been rewarding to watch—it’s his growing love and appreciation for Bali itself. Through his experiences at Pelangi, Jake has developed a connection to this island that goes beyond the classroom, and it’s a connection that has spread to the whole family.
In the end, Pelangi School Bali was more than just a school for us—it was the key to feeling like we truly belonged in Bali. It provided a sense of community, stability, and cultural connection that turned a foreign place into a home. If you’re considering a move to Bali and are searching for a school that offers more than just education, I can’t recommend Pelangi School Bali enough. It’s a place where your child will learn and grow, and where your whole family will find a sense of belonging.
