Description

Reef Study & Cultural Immersion

DATES: JUNE 27 - AUGUST 8 (2-7 participants)
or individual placements year-round / any date

The Project

Travel to the islands of Fiji to learn about coral reefs, island customs, and the cultural ecology that links them together. This six-week program provides interns an up close and personal immersion into the Fijian life-way and marine ecosystems.

Location

Training for the project takes place in the capital city of Suva on Viti Levu. Here you will meet with world-renowned reef ecologist Helen Sykes to complete your training. Specifically, Helen will teach you how to lay transects and how to observe and record key indicator species that you will encounter on the reefs. You will stay at the South Seas Hostel and commute a short distance to your training site. This is also a great time to explore the Capital City and visit botanical gardens and cultural museums.

Once you have been through training, you will depart for one of our chosen research locations. Currently we are conducting surveys on the island of Taveuni and the island of Beqa.
Course Description

Interns will live one or two per Fijian family but will have their own private room. Several of the following may be program highlights. The time of year you travel will determine which options are available:

VILLAGE HOMESTAY

Perhaps the highlight of your stay will be the opportunity to live with a Fijian family. Regarded by many as a "transformative experience," the homestay provides insight into Fijian culture in a way that books cannot render. What makes the immersion special is that the villagers retain a uniquely Fijian perspective and practice many of the subsistence patterns of their ancestors. As English language is the primary language of instruction used in the schools (a "gift" of British colonization) most villagers can converse to you in your native tongue. The result is an unparralleled opportunity to discuss cultural practices with your hosts without relying on an interpreter.

The villagers live in primarily cement-walled houses with metal roofs. They are not luxurious by any means. So, you should expect to live as the majority of Fijians do. This may be a challenge depending on your experience in Third World countries. But, it will hopefully be worthwhile and eye opening.

Testimonials

MPA's

The locale is unique for a number of reasons. Most importantly, you have the opportunity to contribute data to Fijian villagers and the government about the current MPA (Marine Protected Area). Marine Protected Areas are a modern form of a "no fishing or gathering zone." These "taboo" areas were commonplace in ancient Fiji but that tradition has been compromised in modern times. The government and local villages are implementing MPA's to encourage reef growth and the return of reef fishes.

You have the wonderful opportunity to stay amidst the Fijian people and conduct reef surveys both in and outside of the MPA's. By comparing the data you gather, you will be able to help villagers and government officials alike make better decisions on how to best utilize their resources. If your data demonstrates that fish populations are noticeably greater within MPA's, then villagers may decide to designate more protected areas. This is an unknown. We need to find out for ourselves whether the hypothsesis that MPA's result in greater diversity is in fact true.

CORAL REEF SURVEY

Interns will snap on snorkels and masks to conduct an underwater survey of a nearby reef ecosystem. Your research will allow for comparative data analysis, and will contribute to a database on the status of Fiji's reefs, and how they experience different levels of human contact. While mapping the reef, interns will collect data on coral species abundance, diversity, and richness. Interns will obtain baseline data which will contribute to establishing a long-term coral reef monitoring program at these sites. The village's livelihood and sustainability could be affected by changes to reef health. As such, your research is timely and important to the long-term survival of the very people you will stay with. You will be taught coral species identification, quadrant surveying techniques for coral reef environments, and data analysis.

FISH IDENTIFICATION & FISH COUNT

Interns will contribute to a long-term project assessing the fish populations off the coast of the village. The coastal villages rely heavily on subsistence offshore reef fishing. As reef fish is a staple of the traditional Fijian diet significant decrease in various reef fish populations have triggered concern in the community. Consequentially, various research projects are taking place to investigate the most sustainable way to approach coastal reef fishing. Interns will learn fish species identification, data collection and analysis.

ECO-TRIPS

Throughout your stay you have the opportunity to go on fieldtrips to locations of ecological or cultural significance. Interns can learn fishing, cooking skills, as well as participate in reforestation projects, rainforest trekking, and cultural lessons.

Under the guidance of reef ecologist Helen Sykes, students learn how to build and lay transects to measure fish and coral diversity.

Fish houses are constructed by students out of dead coral reef. They are cemented together and then planted with corals.

Completed fish houses encourage reef growth and provide new habitat for fish. On damaged reefs, they help to bring back biodiversity. I.C.E. students hitting the books to learn the indicator species in Fijian reef environments. Usually 3-5 students are present during the ongoing study.

Students have the opprotunity to live with a Fijian family. Close contact with the Fijian community is essential.

More Information

Locations have changed from previous classes. Currently we are doing the training in Suva and village stays on Taveuni and Beqa Islands. Some of the below reports may be from different sites.

Highlights

* Work one on one with Dr. David Adams, a cultural anthropologist and respected author
* Academic credit available
* Letter of Recommendation on completion
* Career and academic advising available

Qualifications

* Applicants must be 18 years old or older.
* We accept GAP YEAR students through college graduates
* Positive attitude
* 20 - 40 hours per week

Intern Types

• Accounting

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1,895.00 and up

Program Fees Include:

Housing, Internship setup, Airport pickup, Pre-trip reader, Office support

Salary/Pay

Unpaid positions. We charge a fee to set up the internship and provide housing.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

7 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Institute for Cultural Ecology's Mission Statement

The Institute for Cultural Ecology was founded on the conviction that visits to exotic destinations imply a commitment to cultural sensitivity and environmental stewardship. Our programs match the interests, academic goals, and passions of the participant to premier host organizations and researchers. Once you connect with a place and its people, they become a part of you. Forever.

Year Founded

1999