Projects Abroad Volunteer Programs in Fiji

This was the experience of a lifetime. I came in not expecting anything and left with incredible memories that I will never forget. Diving with the bull sharks was amazing and the diving team, Beqa Adventure Divers, knew exactly what they were doing. You always felt safe and each staff member truly cared about you. The people of Fiji were so kind and friendly. The staff members at Projects Abroad were very knowledgeable and helpful when it came to everyday work. They truly cared for every volunteer and were passionate about the project which made you love it that much more. The cook, Uni, was incredible and would be sure to meet everyones dietary needs whether they be vegan or vegetarian. All of the staff members were amazing and I have built relationships with them and the volunteers that will last a life time. They make sure to immerse you well into the Fijian culture which is a very important part in volunteering abroad. This project is highly respected by the locals because of this. You had 2-day weekends to do whatever you wanted, traveling around Fiji which was also very nice. Even on days were there was no diving, they always kept you occupied in doing your part in marine conservation.

Il y aurait beaucoup de choses à dire sur cette mission qui au travers de sa présentation semble des plus excitantes. Pour ceux qui seraient tentés par l’aventure, il me semble important de vous préciser quelques détails, ayant moi-même été tenté par cette regrettable expérience.
Tout d’abord les requins (puisqu’il s’agit bien là de notre préoccupation), pour faire court, ils seront rares. Une seule plongée sera réalisée pour les voir de près, sans qu’hélas, cela n’ait quoi que ce soit de scientifique, dans la mesure où il ne s’agit que de shark feeding… Aie… Généralement cela se fait sous l’encadrement d’un groupe touristique local spécialisée dans l’accompagnement de touristes sans expériences plongeant comme des casseroles. Pour ce qui est du reste, le marquage des bébés se fait par rotation ( chacun ne passant en moyenne qu’une fois durant son séjour), l’identification des requins se fait malheureusement sur papier ou devant un documentaire National geographic, l’installation des caméras en profondeur ne fait aucunement partie des prérogatives des volontaires…, la collecte des signaux acoustiques reste un grand mystère, le comptage des pêches accidentelles (en 1 mois n’eut jamais lieu, autre mystère…), quand aux travaux de lutte contre le trafic d’ailerons, ne vous imaginez pas faire une mission du niveau du sea sheperd.
Les travaux de reforestation de la mangrove occuperont 80% de votre temps, à savoir planter des graines dans des pots. Le bilan est triste et maigre. Au final, Project abroad ayant son siège en Angleterre, toute réclamation finira oubliée à travers de longs échanges de mails restés sans suite.. Ce projet est, d’avis modeste de plongeur professionnel, très fortement déconseillé.
Enfin pour ce qui est du reste, à savoir la nourriture, l’hébergement et autres activités, les mots n’ont pas encore été inventés pour pouvoir le définir comme il se devrait. A bon entendeur…

I had a fantastic time in Fiji! Swimming with Sharks is even more amazing than I thought it would be. I was very satisfied with Projects Abroad. The staff was well organized, intelligent, and very helpful. I learned so much on this trip and had so many great experiences. The other volunteers were fun and friendly. I really feel that the work Projects Abroad is doing in Fiji is making a difference. The data we collected on dives and while tagging is actually being used, and the nursery is growing hundreds and hundreds of mangroves to be planted. They plan to make it the biggest mangrove nursery in the world. Volunteering while you travel is an awesome experience because you get to have all kinds of amazing experiences while making a difference in the world. Projects Abroad is also involved in the community which gives you the unique opportunity to experience the local culture first-hand. Not something normal tourists get to experience. I highly recommend Projects Abroad for your next adventure, or even your first!

The Projects Abroad Fiji Shark Conservation Program was the best experience i've ever had. Right when I got off the plane the staff was there to great me and continue with a town introduction and lunch. The staff were incredibly interested and knowledgeable in the field, and supportive throughout every part of the program. The staff planned our everyday activities very well and was with us at all times and was there if we had any problems. The dive shop we went through were some of the best around. The equipment was sound and the place wasn't sketchy at all. You quickly become close with the other volunteers and have a great time with your new friends.
I absolutely loved and will always remember experience and plan to go back soon.

The Projects Abroad Fiji Shark Conservation Program was an amazing experience from start to finish. The staff were supportive and helpful before, during, and after my journey.
Each day I was greeted with the warm faces of other passionate volunteers and friendly staff all ready for a day of hard but fun work. We were either preparing for dives, community outreach, or other activities such as planting mangroves that all contribute to shark conservation. Dive days were always my favorite because people would wake up energized and excited for the day. The atmosphere was always cheery and bright because everyone was so excited to get in the water. The staff were always supportive and encouraging but also effective in teaching us necessary work methods and techniques. Diving was new to me but I was trained well by the dive center in Pacific Harbour and my training continued each day in the water with the other volunteers and Projects Abroad staff.
I would recommend this project to anyone passionate about conservation and saving our marine habitat.

A spur of the moment decision to volunteer led me to find Projects Abroad and a nutrition project in Fiji. I spent a few days researching different organizations. Many were appealing, however, Projects Abroad seemed to be a very reputable organization that had nearly everything that I was looking for.
From my initial submission of the application I was receiving emails and assistance on how to efficiently finish the other requirements. With the guidance of a volunteer advisor I was assisted on the application process, all of the required documentation, flights and itinerary, visa questions, travel insurance, as well as, general advise for travel.
I spent 4 weeks on the nutrition project. I took part in the early stages of the projects and was given the opportunity to experiments and implement programs. Although I was unable to make any major contributions to the project in terms of new ideas, I played a role in the existing program. Much of my time was spent going into the public schools around Nadi and providing free health checks to the teachers. This included taking and recording their name, age, height, weight, waist and hip measurements, blood pressure, and blood sugar readings. From there we would consult with them on their lifestyle and health and introduce them to the "kana vin aka/healthy eating challenge" and exercise programs.
My experience volunteering was so much more than just the project itself. There 4 weeks would not have been the same without the influence of my host family, the other volunteers, and the PA staff. I was so welcomed by my host family and was grateful for the experience and opportunity to learn about their culture. I was also glad to have met the other volunteers and I can now say that I have many new friends (from all over the world!). Vinaka vakalevu to the Projects Abroad organization and more importantly to the wonderful PA staff and host families of Nadi, Fiji.

From the moment I stepped foot on the majestic island of Fiji, I knew I was going to have the most wonderful experience of my life!

While I was in Fiji, not only was I able to experience a new and exciting country and meet some incredible people, I was able to make an impact on a developing country. During my stay, Projects Abroad was very good about giving the volunteers plenty of time to explore Fiji. In the evenings and on weekends we were able to go to different islands, scuba dive, snorkel and even sky dive. The best part was, even when we were working, it was the time of our lives.

Seeing the locals during our health screenings, you could see the genuine appreciation. It was an amazing experience and I would do it again in a heart beat!!

The best decision of my life was my semester off volunteering, and Projects Abroad made it so amazing. The staff in my country took me and all the other volunteers in and we felt like one big family. We have weekly meetings and dinners all together, then usually would go out after, and once a month we would do a Community Day and go out to a village or shelter or anywhere that needed help and just helped out... In my three months, I painted kennels at SPCA, went to a women and children's village on a holiday called Diwali, and built a fence in a village's farm to keep the pigs out. The best part was the people you got to meet while helping. They also place you in a school or whichever program you applied for (mine was a special needs school) and are there every step along the way, from meeting the other staff, to complains or concerns, or in some people's cases, a placement change. You're also placed in a host family, which I believe was the highlight of my whole placement. The families you get to meet and live with take you in and you really become a family member while you're there, and even still after you're gone! Another relationship you hold onto after you leave are the friends you make in other volunteers and natives of your country. Everyone has Facebook nowadays, so it's not hard to stay connected. One of my closest friends now, who I met in Fiji, is from Denmark, and we still talk every week, if not more! Volunteering really helped me grow and find myself while making life long friends in my staff, natives, and other volunteers! Really a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it's a easy one to get to with all the help you receive from Projects Abroad!