Fiji

ACCOMIDATION

Very good, any issues/problems I had with the homestay were dealt with professionally. Sarah was a great help in supporting everyone with any queries. Location was great, could walk to work (if the sun wasn't trying to melt me that day) and was even walking distance to the city centre - but again i'm lazy and relied on Taxis. Kava Ceremonies at the homestay made the place very special, and the family was wonderful. Really appreciated the cold shower. Bring extra money for your own meals though, breakfast is very basic - toast. Dinner is interesting, a bit different but any future volunteers should push themself to try it all! Nothing ever tasted bad and even meat eaters were asked if they wanted seafood or not which was greatly appreciated - i feared id be eating fish with heads the whole time i was here but it was largely vegetarian meals.

WORK
I worked with Cover Story Ltd writing for Mai Life magazine and Fiji Time magazine. The organisation is a little all over the place, but you get used to it and settle into fiji time - aka, slow paced life. The opportunities they do give you are amazing, so glad to have worked with them. I've built a lot of confidence having to do so many interviews.

SUPPORT
10++ for this one, Sarah kept an eye on any illness or injury i had, from the tiniest little scrape to a suspected case of strep throat. My health seemed so important here and had a high priority as did my safety.

OVERALL

Amazing experience. So much free time and flexibility for you to go and explore the island of fiji. You learn so much about the culture here, especially as a journalism volunteer. I'd recommend it to all, just be prepared for a difference in setting as it is a low-income nation. This was my first ever time in a low-income (developing) country and it has really opened my eyes but in a positive way.

My time in Fiji was an absolute blast, and something that I will always cherish and remember! Taking part in the road trip was a fantastic program as I got to experience a lot; living like the locals in different villages, volunteering, going on adventures with new friends on the weekends, playing rugby, hanging with the locals and drinking kava, and soo much more!

Having the opportunity to experience true Fijian culture by living in the villages with several families was something that I will never forget. It is such a rare experience, and I recommend anyone travelling to Fiji to take on this opportunity. The Chief and family were very welcoming and friendly and took great care of me. Seeing such a community way of life was really great to see, with everyone getting along and taking care of one another, the kids playing outside running amuck or exploring the beaches – you just had to join in!

Being able to take part and lead kids club in Suva and helping out at a school in Levuka was just an amazing and humbling experience for me. Seeing the kid’s smiles and just how happy and grateful they are for what they have is definitely eye-opening. I have learnt so much personally, that has changed the way I think and see life. Back home we have so many great opportunities and material goods that we simply just take for granted. Whereas they are over the moon to simply go to school and have a pencil and book to write in.

A big Vinaka vakelevu to IVI, and everyone I met in Fiji whether locals or other volunteers for making my time and stay in Fiji a definite one to remember. I had an amazing trip and I will definitely be back to see my friends and “family” in the villages.

Georgia Lang (Australia)

Volunteering for Projects Abroad - Fiji Shark Conservation was one of the best decisions of my life. As a student studying Bachelor of Environmental Science & Management (Marine Major), I found the project perfect for what I was after. It was a real conservation project ACTIVELY doing conservation and making a real difference in the local community at the same time.

From the very start, as soon as I submitted my volunteer application there was a strong support network of people, contacting me to help me understand everything I had to do and guide me in my next step. The service was incredible with their calls and emails based around my hectic work schedule with Chelsea (my supervisor) being warm, helpful and understanding the entire way through. This was continued all the way until I got off the bus at my accomodation where a staff member was there to pick us up and show us around!

The project has so many different areas of focus that everyone can find a niche that they love. IT is suited for everyone - people that are still in high school and don't know a a lot about the ocean, all the way up to university students and adults looking to gain some valuable experience.

I am so grateful for projects abroad as it has given me experiences and skills that I can take with me into the workplace. I cannot wait to go back and do it again.

I participated in the Projects Abroad Fiji Shark Conservation project during the summer of 2017. The experience is better then I can even put into words.
From the moment you send in your application the support staff in your country and project advisor are there to help you. They are quick to answer any questions you have and to calm any nervousness you may feel. As your departure date and project start date draws closer your advisor calls you a few times to reiterate important details regarding travels and visas and checks in to go over any last minute questions you may have. I thought this was so above and beyond and so helpful.
The shark conservation project has unique accommodation in that all of the volunteers live together in complex called Ventura apartments. I loved this aspect of the project because I made all of the volunteers extremely close and created long lasting friendships. Essentially, the lower level consists of four apartments with two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen in each apartment (though no one uses the kitchen because the cooks make amazing meals!). The apartment can hold up to eight volunteers (though capacity is dependent of the season and amount of volunteers on the project at that time). The upper level of Ventura has the kitchen, computer lab, and common area where volunteers gather, eat, and where a lot of work gets done. Next door on the upper level is the staff offices and staff bedrooms. It is great to have staff on site at all times in case you need them.
The volunteers on the project are nothing short of incredible. Everyone has a common love sharks and a passion for helping them. Because of this, the teamwork is fantastic and everyone is motivated to work their hardest at all times. The volunteers come from all over the world, and it’s so cool to have such a melting pot of cultures together in one group. During my time on the project, we had volunteers range in age from fifteen to sixty-four years old and come from counties like The United States, Netherlands, Germany, England, Scotland, Italy, Costa Rica, Mexico, France, Chile, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, and so many more. And the best part was everyone was so welcoming and friendly to one another.
The work on the project is fun, education, and effective, and there is no “typical day”. As a research assistant volunteer you go on survey dives to collect data on indicator fish species, sharks, rays, and turtles, you watch BRUV’s, create presentations, input data into the system, tag sharks, collect and plant mangroves, survey the community, and so much more. And I could never forget Kava on Thursday nights. This is one of the most fun things on the project as it a traditional Fijian drink and social activity. It is great to have all of the volunteers and staff in one room drinking Kava and having a chat.
There really are so many amazing things to say about the Projects Abroad Fiji Shark Conservation project. I could go on for hours talking about every amazing detail of the project. I’ll just put it this way, if your looking at this signing onto this project, just go for it, I promise you won’t regret it. In fact, when it’s time for you to head home you’ll wish you had signed on for longer.

This past May I was given the amazing opportunity to volunteer in Fiji. I was placed in a care project at a kindergarten school in Lautoka, Fiji. My job at this project was to assist the teachers in teaching the students the alphabet, numbers, and English. The students were adorable and excited to learn! The teachers were so kind and welcomed me with open arms. There were also other volunteers at the school. Having other people working with you that are new to the situation just like you makes you feel very comfortable. These people also become your best friends while on this trip! To this day I still talk to my friends that I made while on my trip.
While I was there I was placed with a host family. The family I was placed with were the nicest people I have ever met! They welcomed me with open arms and treated me like one of their own. It was hard for me to leave because it felt like I was leaving my own family all over again.
Fiji is a beautiful country with wonderful people. During the week I saw the country through the eyes of a local and on the weekends I saw it through the eyes of a tourist. It was an experience of a lifetime, and I would do it again in a heart beat!

Now that my volunteering program has ended, I find myself nine weeks later, with a dizzying array of thoughts running through my head – foremost, did I actually help?

Sarah, a friend and fellow volunteer I met during my experience in Fiji, recently wrote a fantastic blog post on her website, Enrichmentality (please go check it out!), discussing questions all volunteers really should ask themselves, prior to and during their service.

How can I help? Why I am I doing this? Am I really helping?

In truth, my past two months involved a variety of situations – from enriching, memorable, and deeply moving to just plain unpleasant. I’ll admit, there were moments I weeped for the pleasant chill of an air conditioner, consistent internet access, hot showers, and many other mundane first-world luxuries I’d taken for granted. There were numerous occasions I had to question my own integrity; times I had to let go of all conceit and give selflessly; other times I had to walk away from a despairing circumstance, escorted by the pain realising there was nothing I could do.

Did I help? Am I at all a better person than I was nine weeks ago?

Did I develop more contempt for the ants scurrying across the table than integrity for others, simply based on my longing for the world I came from?

I like to think my head’s in a significantly healthier place now than it was before travelling here, but this experience wasn’t entirely about me.

Elisabeth (USA)

This is from Brian and I as we both have very similar thoughts on our experience

Highlights of the trip:

The highlights of our trip was getting to know the workers and the children at the orphanage, we both felt privileged to be welcomed into their home and learn about their lives. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, which is such a change from Sydney. We loved the fact that this trip allowed us to experience Fiji and disconnect from our lives back home. We both miss Fiji and look forward to coming back in the near future for sure and volunteering more!

Comments on the team, food and accommodation:

Food and accommodation was great! We both were so grateful to be looked after so well and felt like we were extremely welcome. Brian especially loved the food and culture of the family, as being born and raised in Kenya; it felt a lot like home for him. Accommodation was super clean and tidy as well which we appreciated!

Any improvements to help us be better:

Nope – we are thankful for the experience. Thank you!

VOLUNTEER NUTRITION AND PUBLIC HEALTH, FIJI

“From the moment you arrive in Fiji you will be struck by the natural beauty of the islands but equally moved by the genuine and kind-hearted Fijian people”…. these were the first couple of lines in my tourist guide and before landing I didn’t fully understand the meaning of these words.

Today, after the weeks spent with my host family and at the Health Centre, I realized that what makes this place so special are the people who live here. The Health Team was very welcoming and the way they take care of patients and volunteers made me feel like at home.

I didn`t have any expectation from this experience because it was my first time as a volunteer involved in a nutrition, dietetic and public health programme. I can definitely say it was a great experience, both culturally and professionally, and It has been incredibly exciting to help the local team to make a difference in the Fijian community.

I had different work experiences, but this was the most challenging one because I was not used to the environment and the different people`s mindset. Nevertheless, I helped with dietetic one on one consultations during the NCD`s and the Maternal Child Health clinics and I felt like I really could make a difference at the grass root level with the locals, many of whom struggle with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. I also had a lot of fun delivering health talks in schools and helping the CCOHSI team during their interesting activities for the community.

Vinaka to everyone, for this amazing work experience and for making me more conscious of what I want to do in the future.

Veronica, March 2017

I found the program by searching nutrition programs in google https://www.volunteering.org.au/volunteer-abroad/nutrition-programs/

I have had the best four weeks of my life. The Frontier staff made me feel so welcome from the start. I enjoyed staying in the homestay and felt like part of the family. On my project I got to meet some inspirational people, travel to an island and improve my journalism skills. I would recommend Frontier to all my friends and am thinking of doing another project next year. I have not got a negative thing to say about my experience and I am sad to be leaving. The project exceeded all my expectations. At the weekends we got to travel to many different places and I have made memories I will never forget.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my project and would volunteer with Frontier again in a heartbeat. I was on the teaching project which was as challenging as it was rewarding (be prepared to be thrown in at the deep end). The project felt well organised but also was relaxed and enjoyable. The other volunteers and staff were all wonderful and were the highlight of my time in Fiji, The homestay was a fantastic experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. Although there was an issue of bed bugs, Sarah dealt with the issue to the best of her ability and was extremely understanding (I cannot praise her highly enough). The food was lovely and all medical issues were dealt with extremely well. Every member of staff was absolutely excellent in every way, they made the whole experience wonderful and should be highly praised. The staff in London could have been more knowledgeable about the homestay, however this was a minor issue.