Short-Term Marine Conservation Internship in Fiji

My time in Fiji has been one of the top experiences of my life to date.  The diving through the marine programme has been amazing, but what really made the program was the boat crew. Vessi, Balu, Cama, Manu, Weis, Tai and Bull have such an infectious humour and made me feel very comfortable whilst diving. The design to train the locals in diving is a part of the program which I really admire (both the guys who help with surveys and the recent edition of women taught by Feli).  On that note Feli and Noah have a great balance of authority and friendliness which makes the marine crew such a pleasant environment for new and anxious volunteers. They are both fantastic teachers and people with an understanding attitude regards to illness/days off of diving.  The project work can become tiring, but does feel useful, my favourite activities were dolphin watch and crown of thorn starfish collection which was more hands on. Learning our data areas was very straightforward with the help of Tai and his pointouts, and survey's become second nature. My time on base has been made by Abi, she is the perfect person to bridge the gap between the village and the volunteers and is remarkably reassuring with everyone who is going through a hard time. She's always dedicated to listening to what the group needs and the recent restart of AA (problem sharing time) on Tuesday's I feel has really helped people to address issues without causing conflict.  One part of my experience which I found particularly hard was the lack of privacy on base, there is essentially one common area, communal toilets and communal rooms. The Wifi only really works in the main area and any data gets no reception unless you leave base. This is only really an issue for phone calls or if you need some time to recover your social battery. And can become a recurring issue if you're staying for an extended period.  But don't get me wrong I'm grateful for any Wifi whatsoever.  Kava Nights and Church are great cultural experiences, but the idea of having Fijian families is by far highlight. My family, the Sobatabua's made be feel so welcome in the village (and events scubas easter) as well as their home and I will truly miss them. The food on base while limited in selection is still good and the idea of volunteer cooking and cleaning teams really creates group bond. The ladies who cook throughout the week are also so incredibly lovely (especially Joanna) and Ima is one of the most caring women I have ever met.  Thank you so much Sota Tale!

I will look back on my time in Silana with very fond memories. With a wide range of welcoming and interesting people my only regret is not staying a month longer. Coming into a completely new environment, part of the experience is accepting that you will be uncomfortable, but the team at GVI do everything in their power to make you instantly feel at home. Amelia and Bull are a constant source of joy in the base, never failing to raise the mood of a room when they walk in. Amelia's warm greetings always made me feel welcome, and Bulls friendly attitude and eagerness to include me in the touch rugby games up at the school were crucial to my quick integration into the Village culture. Abi manages to perfectly pull off the difficult role of connecting the new volunteer to the complexity of Fijian culture - providing a bridge between base and village. Whether it's teaching you Fijian, providing tips on how to connect with your village family, or sorting out any organisational problem you may have with efficiency and precision, she is someone you can feel comfortable turning to in any circumstance. There is no volunteer in Silana that hasn't been immensely helped by Abi's secure presence, she was integral to my time there and a much loved member of base. I feel truly blessed to have had such an incredible experience with the Marine team. The teaching from Feli and Noah is exemplary and I now feel far more confident as a diver. The two instructors clearly appreciate the dangers of diving and how to mitigate them, while also understanding that it's also important to have fun in order to learn effectively.  Some of my favourite memories were made during the dive interval with Tai, Vessi, Balu, bull and Manu - they take the boats cleanliness very seriously and are eager to help you with any dive gear issues. Having to wait an hour to dive again could not have been made easier - as members such as Tai would ensure that you were well fed, fit to dive, and happy. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of Silana is the village family program. Sepho and Samu were such welcoming parents and the food they prepared was always amazing. Sepho was deeply caring and kind to me, always making sure I was comfortable. Samu was always eager to share insider knowledge on Fijian culture, and it was clear that he has a true passion for teaching members what it means to be a Fijian - 'eat like a Fijian!'. I could mention many people who make Silana such a special place, as it is really a collective effort to create such a holistic experience - one that I will never forget.

I worked on marine conservation in Fiji and it was an amazing experience. I got to dive everyday and explore the reefs while collecting valuable data that will be used to assess the health of the marine ecosystem here. The community is extremely welcoming and it was a great experience.