The visit was part of the SMU-X Overseas: Sustainable Practices in Asia program—an 11-day immersive course that equips students with problem-solving skills to tackle complex sustainability challenges in Indonesia.
SMU-X Overseas is a unique experiential learning program that pairs students with real-world clients and challenges, encouraging them to apply academic knowledge to practical problems. This particular course emphasizes balancing economic growth with environmental protection while fostering inclusivity and collaboration across different sectors to enable innovative sustainability transitions in the Global South.
The program opened with a warm welcome to Earth Company and Mana Earthly Paradise, where students participated in a guided tour of Mana, learning about its eco-technologies and the unique challenges of running an eco-hotel. Tomo, Earth Company’s co-founder, then led a powerful sharing session that posed the key challenge:
"How might Mana Earthly Paradise enhance its business activities
while promoting long-term sustainability?"
This question sparked lively discussion, inspiring students to think critically about the intersection of tourism, business, and sustainability throughout the remainder of the program.
Students also experienced the Amazing Impact Race, an engaging activity originally designed by Earth Company for both a public event and a customized program for clients like SMU-X. The race challenged students to explore Ubud’s scenery, sustainability brands, and eco-shops while completing various challenges that test problem-solving skills and teamwork. Divided into teams, students raced to visit four inspiring partners:
- Rumah Kompos – a community-owned enterprise in Padang Tegal, Ubud, that provides waste management and pick-up services.
- Meguna – a culinary destination that celebrates farm-to-table dining, offering dishes crafted from fresh, locally grown ingredients harvested from their own garden.
- Utama Spice – a natural skincare company dedicated to preserving and applying traditional herbal knowledge in their products.
- Indosole – a sustainable footwear brand known for its thoughtful design and responsible production using recycled materials.
This adrenaline-pumping activity challenged students to strategize, solve clues, and earn points, all while learning directly from businesses striving to make sustainability the norm. Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many citing the race as a highlight of their Bali experience.
Beyond Ubud, one particularly impactful visit was to the Suwung Landfill hosted by the Bali Life Foundation, where students confronted the stark realities of waste management in Bali. These experiences underscored the importance of innovative solutions that align both economic and environmental goals.
On the final day, students returned to Mana Earthly Paradise to present their group projects—strategies designed to help Mana enhance its sustainable development initiatives. Divided into four groups, each team tackled the challenge from a unique angle, offering innovative ideas that enriched the discussion and provided new avenues for Mana to consider.
Their insights aimed to address sustainability within Mana’s operations while exploring ways to inspire and educate future visitors, ensuring that the ripple effects of responsible tourism extend far beyond the program itself.