UGA - Warnell - Discover Abroad: Fiji: Ecotourism and Sustainability : Viti Levu)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by UGA StudyAway
Final Reflection Questions
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I really enjoyed the home stay because I learned a lot of Fijian culture first hand
— Caroline Beldon, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Spending a week in a country as foreign and obscure as Fiji was an extremely humbling experience, it taught me the value of being in an impoverished country and seeing how people from different cultures live.
— Alexander Sztejnberg, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I loved getting to experience the Fijian village and being able to snorkel right on the shore of our beach
— Makenna Gray, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I learned that there is a difference between authenticity of culture and tourists' perception and expectations of that culture. Additionally, I learned that there are many sustainable practices that can be put in place to ensure that ecotourist resorts are actually living up to their name.
— Emily Gronlund, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Gave me priceless perspective on the world and an entirely new appreciation for little things in life like clean drinking water and hygiene
— Caroline Hurst, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The Fiji program gave me insight into how little we really NEED and how much we waste in our daily lives. We always have so much food in our pantries, air conditioning on, and a hot shower waiting for us; All of which were no where to be found in Fiji.
— Cara Steinocher, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Do not take for granted the little things in life that make our lives so much easier than they could be.
— Ana Abramson, Summer 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I learned so much about how our actions effect the environment, and how to conserve resources and energy.
— Hannah Shumate, Summer 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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It was a great once in a lifetime experience being able to live in a native Fijian village.
— Chloe Uli, Summer 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Fiji is not just a beautiful place filled with tourists and resorts, but it is a place filled with different culture and heritage. The best part was having the opportunity to learn more about the people in village by staying with them and participating in their different events.
— Ann Joseph, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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From this program, I got to see and experience the affects of tourism on a tourism dependent nation. This opportunity allowed me the privilege to meet native Fijian people and see their way of life. Though it was not apart of the program content, I think the biggest thing I will take-away from the experience is how beneficial community style living can be. People living in villages by no means have easy lives and I am not trying to imply that. However, they rely on the community that surrounds them at all points of their life, not just when they are in need. Beyond this life lesson, another take-away will be tourism and it's affects. I have never considered the impact that island resorts take on the people around it. From this experience, I know the significance of staying in places owned by the native people so support that local economy. I will be sure to research where I stay and not just stay where it looks the nicest or most convinent.
— Jacqueline Miner, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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My most significant take away was probably not sustainability since I already had a sustainability class for the month of May and had already broadened my understanding. For Fiji my most significant take away was from the village, we have so much more than they can even dream of having yet they think they're lucky in what they have in their homes. It was incredible to see their everyday lives and how happily they could give up their beds and sleep in the floor to accommodate us and make sure we were happy.
— Jessica Sallah, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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My most significant take-away was that other people around the world are living very different lifestyles than we do in the US, and most importantly, those lifestyles have the ability to make people feel just as happy. Despite a lack of westernized developments in Fiji, its people were the most happy, kind, and sincere people I know. This experience really made me re-think how we do things in America, and it showed me the importance of family, friends, and community.
— Emily Thomann, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Be prepared to live rustically and differently than you ever had before. But the projects and people you meet are all worth tin the end.
— Ana Abramson, Summer 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Students who want to do this program should be aware of how different the experience will be from their daily lives, and how you learn valuable information to take home and use for the future.
— Hannah Shumate, Summer 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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If you want to discover the true culture of a place then go with an open mind and be ready to mingle with everyone in the community. I would choose Fiji trip, as you will learn way more than just the course materials, you will learn how to manage time, mingle with people and also take care of yourself.
— Ann Joseph, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Embrace anything. You are about to be thrown into one of the best experiences of your life but if you hold anything back, then you won't get that full experience. Also, make sure that your filtering water bottles actually filters! Mine didn't and I got a bug from it.
— Jacqueline Miner, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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For students considering this program, I would say to take the plunge. The homestay feels intimidating, and it can be nerve-wracking to put yourself in a situation that is entirely new to you. However, being in this environment allows you to learn and grow as a person. This experience is so incredibly unique, and it truly gives you a fresh perspective on the world.
— Emily Thomann, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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It made me appreciate what I have in my life, and it made me more conscious as a global citizen.
— Alexander Sztejnberg, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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The experienced impacted the things that I will consider in the future as I travel such as ensuring the preservation of the area's culture as well as its natural environment.
— Emily Gronlund, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I definitely feel more humble and appreciative of everything in my life. I also love thinking "what is my honestly family doing right now in Soso village?" And it makes me appreciate my current life even more.
— Caroline Hurst, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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It has driven me even more to achieve my goals and realize what is most important in my life in order for me to get there.
— Ana Abramson, Summer 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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My experience helped me better understand the cultures of other areas, giving me a leg up on my career with such experiences, while also encouraging me to expand my horizons.
— Grace Cherrey, Summer 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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This experience definitely changed my personal goals. I am more aware of how my actions effect the environment, and will use the new ideas I've learned to conserve energy and resources.
— Hannah Shumate, Summer 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I will definitely go to villages and such rural places inorder to learn more about the actual culture, rather than the fake culture people show us just because they believe that is what we want to see. Also, now I know that I need to be more open minded and outgoing when I go to a new place, in this way I was able to learn more about the people and the place.
— Ann Joseph, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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This experience has shown me how big of an impact one person has on the world. In my future career, I want to pursue sustainability practices in my field. I want to see what that will look like. I will take this experience and allow it to shape my outlook on my career and how that impacts the world, even if it is a small way. I want to pursue sustainable practices in my own life and also make sure to consider where I am staying when I travel.
— Jacqueline Miner, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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Along with the maymester in Australia and New Zealand, this program impacted my decision to pursue the sustainability certificate. The opportunity to see the impacts of climate change on Fiji's villages, coral reefs, and more inspired me to take action.
— Emily Thomann, Summer 2019 |