Service Learning

INDONESIA

8 days/7 nights | Full Board | Up to 24 participants | From $1325 pp

Travel to the enchanting island of Sumatra in Indonesia and immerse yourself in the remote community of Kuta Buluh. Contribute to uplifting local initiatives that support education and community development, building meaningful relationships through hands-on engagement. Discover the rich cultural traditions of the region while exploring the nearby Gunung Leuser ecosystem, home to orangutans, elephants, and vibrant birdlife.

Itinerary

A group of people in a river, sitting on a large rock, smiling and enjoying a sunny day in a lush, green forested area.

Day 1

After arriving at Kuala Namu International Airport, enjoy a traditional Sumatran lunch, followed by a scenic transfer to your hotel in Kuta Buluh. Settle in and refresh before an orientation with the ISP Program Manager, where you'll receive key insights for your trip. End the day with a group dinner and leisure time to relax.

Scenic view of a rural landscape with houses, lush green fields, and tall trees in the foreground, surrounded by mountains partially covered by clouds in the background.

Day 2

Begin the day by meeting local volunteers for an engaging icebreaker session. Immerse yourself in the Kuta Buluh community, learning about local culture and upcoming initiatives. Explore a traditional market, interacting with vendors and experiencing local life. In the afternoon, receive your team assignments and project-specific briefings.

A classroom with students seated at wooden desks, a teacher standing near the blackboard, and another woman interacting with students. The walls are decorated with posters and framed pictures, and blue curtains cover the windows.

Day 3

Depart for project site tours to gain insight into your upcoming work. In the afternoon, engage in community orientation and mapping, meeting locals and partner organizations to enhance collaborative efforts.

A small, dilapidated house with a rusted, damaged roof and crumbling walls, next to a larger, more modern building with a porch and blue windows, under a partly cloudy sky.

Day 4

Start with an invigorating group aerobics session to boost energy and camaraderie. Gather with your team for meetings and service activities, outlining roles and objectives before initiating hands-on project work. End the day with team reflection sessions, sharing insights and strategizing for continued success in Sumatra.

An adult orangutan with reddish-brown fur holding a baby orangutan in a tree branch surrounded by green leaves.

Day 5

Start with a scenic hike to Buah Raya, enjoying the natural beauty and participating in team-building activities. After lunch, engage in a tree-planting session, contributing to reforestation efforts in Karo Regency. Alternatively, participants can opt for an exhilarating orangutan trekking experience in Gunung Leuser National Park (additional fee).

An old, weathered building with yellow walls, blue window frames, and a blue door. The building has a red and blue metal roof, and there are painted birds above the windows. The front porch has two concrete pillars that are worn and stained.

Day 6

Dedicate the day to completing your service work, collaborating closely with your team to ensure project completion. Enjoy the satisfaction of contributing to positive, lasting transformations in Sumatra's communities.

Group of students outdoors making heart shapes with their hands, standing in front of a building with sunflowers and trees under a blue sky.

Day 7

Celebrate the unveiling of your project with community leaders, school staff, and residents. Enjoy lively discussions and connections during this event. In the afternoon, bid farewell to the communities and local volunteers, acknowledging the valuable connections formed. Later, transfer to Berastagi, check in at the hotel, and end the day with a final group dinner.

Group of nine people standing on grass in front of green hillside with volcanic mountain in background, making heart shapes with their hands.

Day 8

Check out from the hotel and travel to Sibayak Volcano. Hike to the summit, traversing diverse landscapes and volcanic terrain, with spectacular views at the top. Enjoy a celebratory group lunch with panoramic vistas. In the afternoon, descend the volcano and transfer to the airport.

Meals & Accommodation

Hostels | Twin rooms for students | Single rooms for staff | Full board

A modern residential building with hanging plants on the balcony and potted plants at the ground level.
Bathroom with patterned hexagon tiles, a toilet, a small sink, and a showerhead on the wall.
Nighttime view of a building with a glass-walled interior restaurant, a person walking in, surrounded by potted plants and greenery on the balconies.
Hotel room with two single beds, a brown and black sofa, and a window with a view of trees outside.
Hotel room with a neatly made bed, white linens, pillows, towel, a window, armchair, and a desk area.
Hotel room with two neatly made beds with white linens, a rolled towel on each bed, a wooden nightstand between the beds, a floral wall with a botanical print, and striped wallpaper on the adjacent wall.
A courtyard in a multi-story apartment complex with parked cars, potted plants, and hanging greenery on the balconies.
Hotel room with a bed view through a mirror, a wall-mounted TV, a dark wooden desk with a white chair, and a pile of folded white towels on a dark wooden shelf.
Interior of a modern cafe with wooden tables, white chairs, and large windows with patterned frosted glass, plants inside, and a partially open door leading outside.
A black wall with a mounted flat-screen TV above a wooden shelf. On the counter below, there is a wooden tray holding an electric kettle, cups, and a spoon. There are bottles and glasses in the background, with two electrical outlets on the wall.
A hotel room with a black and white shoji sliding door, a flat-screen TV mounted on a wooden panel, a small desk with two bottles of water and some tissue boxes, a white chair with a black and white cushion, and part of a bed with a white towel on it.
Exterior view of a modern house with a white facade, dark gray accents, a door with glass panels, a white garage door, and green plants in front.

Locations

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation

  • All meals and soft drinks

  • Transportation

  • All activities

  • Park fees

  • Certificate of completion

  • Program management

Not included

  • International flights

  • Visas

  • Tips/gratuities

  • Laundry service

  • Alcohol

  • Travel insurance

  • Items of a personal nature

Partner

Logo with two green human figures reaching upward, surrounded by green leaves, and the text 'ATOVA' underneath.

Atova is a volunteer organization dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable development. It offers immersive experiences in North Sumatra, Indonesia, where volunteers contribute to reforestation, education, and community development. Atova empowers individuals to make a meaningful impact while fostering leadership and environmental stewardship. Through flexible volunteer placements and cultural exchange, Atova promotes global citizenship and sustainable solutions for the future.

Which courses can our Indonesia Service-Learning Trip be tailored to?

Global Studies, International Relations, International Development, Political Science, Peace/Conflict & Justice, Human Rights, Geography, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Behavioural Science, Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Social Work, Education, Public & Community Health, Risk & Disaster Management, Social Entrepreneurship, Environmental Science, Conservation Studies, Environmental Engineering, Computer Science.

Reach out to learn more…