For Jinaraja, moving to Bali was about creating space for something different, a year dedicated to rest, growth, and new experiences for both herself and her daughter.
Originally from Suriname in South America, Jinaraja’s life had already taken her across the world. After studying in the Netherlands and Singapore and working in Zambia, she built a career in the corporate world while also exploring wellbeing practices. When her work assignment in Zambia ended, she returned to Suriname, so her daughter could spend time close to family and nature in the Amazon region.
In June 2025, Jinaraja and her daughter decided to take a bold step and relocate to Bali for a one-year sabbatical. For Jinaraja, it was an opportunity to recharge and explore a more balanced way of living, while giving her daughter the chance to experience a more holistic approach to education and life.
Where are you originally from, and what’s your background, life before your Bali adventure?
We are from Suriname, South America. I was born and raised in Suriname, went to the Netherlands and Singapore for my university education and lived in Zambia, East Africa, for work. After my work assignments finished in Zambia, I decided to go back to Suriname for my early motherhood, where my daughter was able to grow up in the Amazon near her grandparents. I come from a corporate career background, which I eventually combined with wellbeing practices for a balance that suits me.
When did you move to Bali?
I moved to Bali with my daughter in June 2025. Bali is the 5th country I am residing in, and for my daughter, the second one. We will stay up till June 2026.
What inspired your move?
The key reasons that led me to relocate to Bali were for me to recharge and take a 1-year sabbatical, and for my daughter to step outside of the academic box of education and step into holistic education. For us both, the journey in Bali is to grow through adaptation. And, growth on an emotional and spiritual level. Relocating (not for a short holiday) removes you from the environment that programmed you.
The autopilot environment is left, and you enter a world in which presence is forced! You talk to strangers, try new food, take risks, not because you have changed, but because no one in Bali expects the old version of you. This creates an experience with a huge sense of freedom. Back home, identity is social, and people mirror who you used to be. And you automatically shrink to match their expectations. Whilst in the new environment, novelty is the catalyst for transformation. This is also another reason why we came to Bali. Novelty helps you to evolve in new ways. You can view old habit patterns from afar, and based on this reflection, you have the space to redesign your life.
How did you come across Our Year in Bali, and why was the service valuable to you?
Working with Simone was professional and sincere. Without her advice, I would not have made the move, and this journey is life-changing for me, for my daughter, and for us both! Simone is like an angel who is with you throughout the preparations for the relocation. I am very grateful for Our Year in Bali!
Where do you live in Bali?
We live near the school my daughter attends, as that is the main reason why we came to Bali. The parent community that lives near the school is lovely, and I think it is the best location we could have chosen. It helped us create friendships with the parent community of the school, which has been a huge support.
Being part of a community is such a beautiful experience in a world of mostly novelty. It kind of balances the mix between autonomy and safety by adding that layer of safety and connection you need as a family. Being able to count on neighbours gives peace of mind.
What does a typical day look like for you and the family in Bali?
A typical day in Bali looks like waking up at 5 am, taking care of our rescued dog. Preparing breakfast for my daughter and me. Then I walk to school to give my daughter a hug and a goodbye kiss before she enters the classroom. She cycles as it is very safe to cycle from our house to school.
After that, I exercise, cook myself a healthy meal, and then work on a creative hobby, writing children’s stories. Sometimes I have a coffee with a friend before I pick my daughter up from school. When we are home after the school day, we rest and spend quality time. On the weekends, we sometimes take a trip, like visiting a beach or a waterfall, depending on what we feel like!
What are some common misconceptions about Bali, and what would you say to set the record straight?
I think a misconception about Bali is that it is an island where you can be free of stress and visit spas every day. You can escape your reality for a bit, and Bali can help you with that very well. As Bali offers many spiritual healing tools. But that only will not help you grow, I believe.
You can get help, but you also need to be accountable for evolving yourself.
Also, some people come here to feel superior to local people because they can afford a more luxurious lifestyle. However, I think it is unfair to design this type of hierarchy when you come to Bali. Many local people hustle to make a living, and it is important to remain respectful towards the Balinese people and their culture.
How have you immersed yourself and the family in the local culture? What have you learned from the Balinese?
What we have learned from the Balinese is the practice of ethical living. These actions help you grow spiritually. The actions exist across almost all major religions, cultivating a good heart, performing good deeds, and practicing gratitude and kindness. On a practical level, my daughter and I view this every single day, with the Balinese doing their morning offerings with their daily colourful handmade palm leaf trays.
These offerings are part of the principle of Tri Hita Karana. Tri Hita Karana is a fundamental Balinese Hindu philosophy, meaning the 3 causes of well-being: Harmony with God, Harmony among people, and harmony with nature. This is amazingly beautiful and will remind us of the importance of this principle, also when we leave Bali, so we can apply this wherever we live.
Also, experiencing a year without predominantly seeing Christian Holidays was a completely new experience for us both. It made us realise that all religions are equally important and at the core have many similarities.
From a cultural point of view, we are used to a combination of collectivist cultures (Indigenous, Maroon, Indian, Chinese and Javanese) back home, combined with the individualistic western culture. We are mixed ourselves, and associate mostly with the individualistic culture. Experiencing the collectivist culture here in Bali, reminded us of the power of a community, a village. In the Balinese culture, there is a strong sense of belonging and a lot of collaboration in support of the Balinese community.
What should other families think about before making the move?
I think that it is important why you are relocating. It is beautiful to follow your heart, but always remain balanced with your mind as well! The alignment of mind and heart will help you on your journey. Our year in Bali will help you a great deal with the rational part of the relocation: the cost of living, the neighbourhoods, schools, etc!
Final thoughts
Bali has transformed me in a way I never imagined possible. I came here without expectations for myself. I came for the school of my daughter and to rest. It took some time to give myself permission to rest, as I am someone who needs to be slowed down! I realise that I also came here to have beautiful encounters with friends and healers. I will miss the helpful and kind hearts of the Balinese people. The people I have met here on the Island of Gods, have touched my heart deeply.
I also see a beautiful transformation in my daughter, which goes far beyond classrooms and books. She has learned to adapt to changes more quickly and by trying out different foods, speaking a different language at school, as English is not our native language. Also, she is more resilient, and she can put information in a broader context than before. To us, our year in Bali has been life-changing in the best way possible. Thank you so much, Simone & Kiyomi, my daughter who motivated me to take a leap of faith!
