Explore Australia & Fiji: Culture & Coastlines

There are no words to describe how amazing this program was. To any who are considering it, go for it you will gain a new appreciation for everything around you, make friendships that will last a lifetime and discover a whole new world at the same time.

I purposely set my expectations low for the trip as it would allow what would occur to blow me away. Yet, I have never been so blown away as the trip exceeded my most perfect dreams. My greatest sense of accomplishment was seeing the villagers cry during the groups final goodbye. It felt so warming to know that the work we did and the friendships that we made would stick with them and they appreciated it. Personally, I was able to check off my dream and along the way I made friends, family, and left an everlasting mark on a community for one in return. The highlights of my experience was every single day in the village. There was not a moment where I second guessed my choice to attend the trip or felt down in the slightest manner. I felt like as if there was a perfect balance between time spent on projects, cultural activities, and adventure.

My expectations for my program was to have a lot of high school students in my group. I thought we would primarily focus more on service work while we were there. When I arrived at the airport there were only 9 students including me. We became a very tight nit group towards the end of the program. I really loved how small the group was because I got to make connections with every single person there. My program was for community service in Fiji and I really loved the work we did there. We would spend four to five hours a day working on the footpath. I thought that was the only thing we were doing, but instead we also focused two hours each day to experience the village life in Navakawau. I really appreciated that time to explore the culture of the villagers because I got to learn a lot about their lifestyle and On the second to last day before leaving the village, I helped build a wooden bench on top of the hill. The next day when I was walking around to say my goodbyes to the kids I saw a little kid crying because I told her I was leaving soon. I sat down with the kids on the bench that outlooks the whole island in silence. It was not awkward silence, but comfortable silence. It then hit me - where I was and what I was doing. I helped build a footpath up the hill for children to go to school. I built a bench for children to have a place to sit. It has been a privilege to have the opportunity through the Putney scholarship to experience what it feels like to have a role, a place, a duty in their village. I would have never had an opportunity like this if I did not have found this program. During my trip there were many highlights, but the moment that stood out to me the most was the first few days I was in the village. We were driving up the hill and children were running out of their houses to greet us. The children and adults did not know who we were but they were so happy to see us. Everyone welcomed us into their village with open arms during the welcoming ceremony. I was so happy to be able to interact with so many young children and adults who always put our safety and health before anything else. Villagers would always check up on us every hour to see if we were doing okay. Imagine tens of children coming up to you every hour to check up on you. I have never felt so important in my life. Living in the United States you never see such hospitality and happiness for each and every person. Hearing the word "Bula' every morning was the highlight of my experience. I wish we had more time adventuring the village. I felt that we should have walked around the village more to learn more about the structure of the village. We stayed in one specific spot when working on our service project and we went to certain houses to engage ourselves in cultural activities but did not have much time to learn about the basic function of the village. Besides that I thought everything we did was the perfect amount. I loved how we did service in the morning and cultural activities after lunch.

I was hoping for some sightseeing, water sports, interactions with the locals and we were able to do all of that very thoroughly, which I was very happy about. My greatest sense of accomplishment was being able to fit into, if only temporarily, not just one foreign culture, but two. Everyone in my group except me was from North America, and for the first week and a half, there was a huge cultural disconnect between us. I felt like I wasn't a part of the group for a long time. So, I'm incredibly proud of the fact that despite it getting very tough at times, I held on and grew from it. Similarly, I was also fitting into the Fijian culture, making friends with the locals, and just living in a completely new atmosphere. I think I gained a lot of self confidence in this trip, and I've learned about two new cultures in one go. Interacting with the locals was a huge part of my experience. Also the beauty of the Fijian islands. Coming from Delhi, where nature is practically nonexistent, it was really breathtaking to see the oceans and islands and beaches and waterfalls. Additionally, I think I got an amazing group and the best leaders one could ask for, which just enhanced my experience. I feel like due to some technical issues, we weren't able to spend as much time on community service as was specified, and so I wish we did more of that. AS for everything else., it was perfectly balanced. I do wish we got some more time for snorkeling.

My expectations for the program exceeded anything I could've asked for. I did not understand to the full extent the strong bonds I would form and the amazing people I would meet. I expected to make some friends and help others in order to better improve their lives. I did not understand the service I would be receiving in return which is the amazing culture I'd be immersed into and bonds I'd create. At the end of the last day of community service, when all the work was finally done and we were moving on and leaving Tongo forever, I felt extremely accomplished in the work we had completed knowing I put my all into it. I personally gained a sense of community and an understanding of how different the world is in different places. The highlights of my experience included a combination of playing with the children in the village and getting to know them and learn about their lives, along with being in Nadi after the community service and seeing the different sides of Fijian life.

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