A semester abroad in Bali: for me, this meant above all getting out of my comfort zone and into the Southeast Asian region that I had previously only known from the map!Due to the strongly international orientation of my "International Tourism Management" course, a stay abroad is compulsory for all students as part of their studies. But where should I go? As I had never left the borders of Europe before my semester abroad, I was drawn to "faraway places". In view of numerous positive testimonials from fellow students, I finally decided on the International Business Studies Network study programme and thus for a semester abroad in Bali, but before you actually get on the plane and set off for Indonesia, 10,000 kilometers away, there are a few organizational things to take care of: First of all, of course, you need to apply for a place on the IBSN study program and once you have this in your pocket, you need to apply for various documents at the Indonesian embassy. You should also find out in good time which vaccinations are recommended for a longer stay in Southeast Asia. In addition to taking out a degree of international health insurance, it is also advisable to obtain an international driving license - this will allow you to drive your scooter independently on the island later on. Furthermore, it is advisable to look for accommodation for the first few days from Germany and then look for a permanent place to stay on site.after a preparation period of around six months, I and three other fellow students set off for the vacation paradise of Bali at the beginning of September with student visas, lots of anticipation and a bit of nervousness in our luggage.with the help of a real estate agent, we found nice accommodation near our university for around €400 per person in the first week. Depending on your preference, you can stay in hotels, shared accommodation or villas in Bali. Whether with a pool, in-house staff or laundry service - the options are many and varied: On the one hand, of course, the sandy beaches predestined for Bali, green rice terraces and numerous temples. On the other hand, however, it quickly became clear that all that glitters is not gold. In many corners of Bali, you come across heavy littering, sick street dogs, poor people, etc. The chaotic traffic on the island also takes some getting used to. But after a while this hustle and bustle almost becomes a habit and with a bit of practice I even discovered a kind of "system" in the way the Balinese drive.The studies at Udayana University take place on a separate campus for foreign students, so unfortunately you hardly come into contact with local students. Lectures are held in English three days a week. The module plan includes various management and economics lectures, for which some presentations and papers have to be prepared. I found "Bahasa Indonesia" to be the most challenging subject on our course. In this lecture, we learned the basics of the Indonesian language, which was very helpful in everyday life. Even though the level of teaching at Udayana University cannot be compared with that of a German university, the professors always made an effort to convey the subject matter to the students in an understandable way and to encourage discussion. As the lectures only took place three days a week, we had enough time to get to know the country and its people, and the Balinese are generally very hospitable people who are always happy to see tourists interested in their culture. 90 percent of the Balinese profess Hinduism. Religious rites and numerous ceremonies accompany people from birth to death and beyond. Sacrificial bowls and shrines are present everywhere on the island, as the Balinese believe that the visible material world is always permeated by an invisible, spiritual world. For this reason, Bali is also known as the "island of gods and demons". The very specific Balinese "attitude to life" based on their religion is a completely new experience for us rushed Europeans. It can happen that a lecture is spontaneously canceled or the water in the accommodation does not flow for days. Despite my initial skepticism about a semester abroad in Bali, I have never regretted my decision. The island's unique culture, nature and way of life promise an unforgettable experience. Leaving your comfort zone during a four-month stay, getting to know yourself better and gaining new perspectives is a rare opportunity, and I was particularly impressed by Bali's unique, dreamlike tropical nature. There are numerous dream beaches, mountains, volcanoes and rice fields to discover. I will always remember snorkeling in the north of Bali and watching the sunrise over the island after a strenuous climb up the Batur volcano.I associate the semester abroad in Bali with all its ups and downs (scooter accidents, illnesses, cockroaches etc.) with immeasurable experience value for my future personal and professional life. I will always remember the semester abroad as one of the most formative and beautiful times of my life and I am sure that this will not be my last trip to Asia.a report by Anthea Fiedler