Nicole Owens - Naitasiri, Fiji

Think Pacific - Fiji, 2019

"Village life was challenging as well, sometimes we would have days with no electricity or running water. This gave us a true understanding of what true Fijian life is like."

Where I went

This summer I spent six weeks exploring and volunteering in Fiji with the charity Think Pacific.

I travelled with 20 other students from Ulster University. For three and a half weeks I lived in a Fijian village called Wainawaqa with a Fijian family who welcomed me into their home and treated me as their own.

Teaching English and Maths

While staying in Wainawaqa we taught English, Maths and Sports in the local primary school. Although teaching was difficult at times it was the most rewarding experience working with the children.

A challenging experience

Village life was challenging as well, sometimes we would have days with no electricity or running water. This gave us a true understanding of what true Fijian life is like.

As a team and with support from each other, Think Pacific and the community we learnt very quickly to love the whole experience and I would go back in a heartbeat!

My volunteering experience taught me to appreciate everything I have in life and that situations that seem like a big deal really aren’t that bad.

I now have many valuable skills such as working in and supporting a team and being more determined. I have also developed a deeper understanding of other cultures and have improved my social skills which will benefit me in the future.