Must Ask Questions – IDC Internships Bali

Choosing the right scuba diving internship is an important decision. Our Course Directors and Master Instructors here at Blue Season Bali understand the decision you are facing. Why? Well, we have each been in your exact position at some point. Everyone has to start somewhere and we try to remember that.

This section features a list of questions you should ask any PADI Instructor Development Center you are considering. Our answers are included for your convenience. Please feel free to cut and paste these questions (without our answer) into your enquiry to any training center you are contacting. This will help you compare apples to apples. When the smoke clears, you will see why Blue Season Bali is a very attractive option for quality instructor internship training.

Section One: Costs And Considerations

What’s included in your PADI Divemaster Internship?

BSB: For the 2 and 4 month Divemaster internships – Everything! All materials, divemaster application fee, lunches when diving, accommodation, etc. are all included in our divemaster internships. You’ll get yourself to and from Bali. When needed, we can help arrange a visa, but your initial cost for a two-month visa is around IDR 650.000. One-month programs can avail of the 30-day Visa on arrival for IDR 470.000

What’s included in your PADI Instructor Internship?

BSB: It depends on the package you choose - have a look at our handy comparison tool here! Lunches when diving, accommodation, visa assistance and unlimited diving are all included in our IDC internship packages. You will need to pay for your own flight to and from Bali. We can help arrange a visa, but your initial cost for a two-month visa is around IDR 1.000.000. One-month programs can avail of the 30-day Visa on arrival for IDR 650.000.

DO YOU INCLUDE ALL PADI MANUALS FOR EVERY RECREATIONAL COURSE I WILL TAKE?

BSB: Yes, we will provide you with all the necessary PADI material for your courses. We pride ourselves in following PADI standards and making sure you get the best training possible, we are not cutting corners with your courses!

How much does it cost to live in Bali?

BSB: Not much. A good western-standard meal is around IDR 39.000-65.000. You can get Nasi Goreng (fried rice), a local favorite, for about IDR 13.000. A film at the local cinema is IDR 26.000. Ice-cold Bintang beer is available everywhere for about IDR19.500. You may also wish to get some transportation – to hire a moped or bush bike costs around IDR 650.000 per month. Some of the accommodation that we use is around 10 – 30 minutes walk. A local bemo (taxi) costs around IDR 7.500 for a one way trip to the dive shop. As a guide, our intern candidates normally spend between IDR 6.500.000 – 9.100.000 per month on their living expenses.

When can I start?

BSB: MSD and Divemaster Internships have a very flexible start date so you can almost start any day you like. The starting date for your PADI Instructor internship will depend on which PADI Instructor Development Course you would like to take. We conduct 10 each year.

CAN I CUSTOMISE MY INTERNSHIP?

BSB: For sure! If you tell us what you are looking for then we can make specific internship packages to meet your requirements.

How do I get to Blue Season Bali?

BSB: You will need to fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, Bali. Upon arrival, we’ll pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation. When you finish your internship we will ensure that you also get away smoothly.

What about the Visa for Bali?

BSB: When you arrive at the airport you can get a 30 day Visa On Arrival for IDR 470.000. The Visa On Arrival is now extendable for another 30 days once you are in Bali. This process costs approximately IDR 1.000.000 if you ask us to do it for you, or it costs around IDR 650.000 to do it by yourself although you may lose up to 3 days of your internship for the process. If your internship is more than 60 days we will provide you with a sponsor letter so that you can apply for a longer visa allowing you to stay in Indonesia for up to 6 months, depending on your program. The initial cost for this visa will be around IDR 650.000 which gives you 60 days. The cost for renewing the visa in Bali is approximately IDR 1.000.000 for a further 30 days. Initial payment is for two month, then you can extend each month for an additional IDR 1.000.000. You can extend four times to make up the six month total allowed by the visa. Please note that visa extensions are included in most of our packages - just get in touch with to check what is included in yours!

What should I bring with me?

BSB: First of all, bring a good attitude and an open mind. You’re going to be learning a lot during your internship with us! As far as physical posessions, just remember that Bali is warm. Most interns bring shorts, swimwear, sandals, t-shirts, sunblock and sunglasses. While it is generally warm and sunny, you may want to bring a light waterproof jacket, especially as it tends to rain a bit from December – February. You can find pretty much anything you may need here at our location in South Bali, so don’t pack too heavily. Plus, that’ll help you save room for some fantastic souvenirs for your friends and family.

Section Two: Quality Of Training

How many of your PADI IDC interns do not become PADI Instructors?

BSB: Not many. Surprisingly, our teaching focus is NOT on passing the PADI IE. We simply teach instructors how to work in the real world. Consequently, this places them well above the minimum requirements to pass the exam. If we feel that you are not ready to sit the PADI IE - we will work with you to establish a way forward so that you can meet your training goals.

How many of your interns have gotten decompression sickness and gone into a recompression chamber?

BSB: Zero. As opposed to some of the “instructor factories” out there, our small course ratios and respect for safe diving procedures make our commitment to safety impossible to surpass.

How accessible are your course directors and master instructors to help me before my IDC?

BSB: Always. We feature more than one full-time Course Director as well as team of Master Instructors and IDC Staff Instructors. They are available on a daily basis, year round. Don’t be fooled by the part-timers marketing IDC’s all over the planet. We’re always right here where you can find us; working hard to produce the best dive professionals possible.

Do you provide other industry-related training?

BSB: Yes. We include important workshops in our internship programs. Depending on the scuba diving internship program you choose, your workshops may include: Professional CV Development, Dive Center Management, Equipment Maintenance, Compressor Use and Maintenance, Project AWARE programs, and many others..

Section Three: Quality of Life

What’s it like to live there?

BSB: The Hindu people of Bali are possibly the most friendly and accommodating in the world. We are located in the city of Sanur, a suburb of Denpasar, the capital of Bali. Sanur offers a peaceful yet conveniently-located place to do your scuba diving internship. There are gyms, water parks, malls, cinemas, nightclubs, and surfing beaches either right here in Sanur or only a short ride away.

How is the food?

BSB: Stunning! Balinese food blends some of the finest cultural influences in Asia into a very delicious and eclectic offering. Within walking distance of our shop there are traditional Balinese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Italian, German and Dutch restaurants. The standard western offerings are also available at every turn. If you desperately need McDonalds or KFC after a hard night out, we’ve got them locally too.

Is there anything to do at night?

BSB: Naturally. Sanur has heaps of high-quality and affordable restaurants, pubs and sports bars. For a great local experience, try the Sanur Night Market. If you want to shake your money maker, the world-famous nightclubs of Kuta are only a short taxi ride away! We also host frequent socials for the interns to mix and get to know one another - our PADI IE parties are note worthy!

How is the accommodation?

BSB: The normal accommodation included in the internship packages are what we call “losmen” rooms. This is a Balinese term for a room with ensuite toilet opening in to a central, private courtyard. The rooms are cleaned daily, have fans, western toilet and the normal amenities you would expect from a budget room. They are budget rooms so you are welcome to upgrade to better rooms, with air conditioning for example. Rooms are normally twin share; for IDR 2.500.000 per month you can upgrade to a single room.

What are the other candidates like on the internship?

BSB: We have a real variety of candidates that come from all over the globe. For instance, last year we had candidates from the USA, UK, Australia, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Poland, France, Belgium, Italy, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, China, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia. The age of the interns also varies greatly although most generally tend to be in their 20’s or 30’s although we have had people in their 60’s taking our scuba diving internships! You will be training with exciting people just like you- lovers of diving!

Section Four: Quality Of Diving

How’s the diving there?

BSB: Awesome! Well, it’s only awesome if you like things like cuttlefish, octopi, nudibranches, great barracuda, schooling jacks, mantas, sunfish, reef sharks and giant cod. Our permanent instructor development staff members have dived all over the world. We each originally came here for one reason- the diving. Have a look at Bali’s dive sites.

Is there any of the “big stuff”?

BSB: Yep. We have schooling Manta Rays year-round, and seasonal Oceanic Sunfish (Mola-Mola). While these pelagic species have been nearly wiped out in places like the Bay of Thailand and the East Coast of Australia, they are still thriving in Indonesia.

What about the “small stuff"?

BSB: The Indonesian Archipelago is considered to be the global cradle of marine diversity. Thousands of species of nudibranches, crabs and shrimp inhabit the region, making Bali a world-renowned macro photography destination.

Is there wreck diving?

BSB: Yep! The wreck of the USAT Liberty is nearby and we had trips going there more than 280 days last year. This huge ship was beached after being rendered inoperable by a Japanese torpedo impact in 1945. 22 years later, the tremors from the eruption of Mt. Agung in 1967 pushed her into the water, making it a surprisingly well-preserved WWII era wreck. Ranging from 5m-30m in depth, this is an excellent dive site and offers perfect conditions for wreck training!

How diverse are your dive sites?

BSB: Very diverse. We have walls, reefs and wrecks. We have drift sites, deep sites, shallow sites, easy sites, challenging sites- just about anything you can imagine! Part of being a competent dive professional is having experience in a wide variety of diving sites and conditions. The natural diversity of Bali offers the opportunity to gain this valuable experience in one location.

So, here’s a simple cut-and-paste question list that you can feel free to send to any of our competitors. You can even use the google search links provided below to find them. You already have our answers, listed above. We provide this information knowing full well that Blue Season Bali is the most cost effective all-inclusive professional training available world wide. We’re simply trying to help you discover that for yourself.

GOOGLE LINKS FOR SEARCHES:

“PADI IDC Asia”
“PADI Instructor Internship”
“PADI Internship Asia”
“Diving Instructor Training“