Projects Abroad Volunteer Programs in Fiji

I was a volunteer on the Shark Conservation Program in Fiji for six weeks during summer 2019. It was something I had been looking forward to for a very long time. I hoped it would be as great as I pictured it in my mind, I can tell you now... it was even better.
First, the program itself: you have a fun filled week with loads of different activities that help the environment. You work in mangroves, go on shark tagging trips, process data, have cultural experiences and of course you go diving in one of the most beautiful locations you will ever see.
Second, the staff: the project's staff is amazing. Every one of them is not only very skilled at what they do, but also extremely kind. They listen to your needs and you can always come to them when you have a question.
Third, the other volunteers: these people will become like your family. Because you spend so much time together, it only takes a little while for you to become very close. There are a lot of activities that you can do together in the weekend and nights.
Fiji is an amazing place to be and this project is absolutely amazing. I would recommend it to everyone with an interest in diving and conservation.

In the beginning i was kind of anxious traveling alone to the other side of the world for three weeks to do a project working in a holiday school.

But when i got there and met my host family every anxious thought went away. They were so nice and so where the staff members. I cant describe who much fun i had during the workshop hours with the staff and during the weekend with friends.

One of the main thing i liked was that the projects i worked on where in a school where other volunteers were as well. As well as that my project was only from 9 am to 2 pm and after that we had loads of free time.

Teaching in the holiday school did have a big impact on me, i was teaching children from the age of 10 and 11 but you can see how undereducated they are where you compare it to my country.

I travelled to Fiji for two weeks and lived and volunteered in a local village there. I was 16 years old at the time and so for me to travel overseas by myself, live with another family and being immersed in a new culture was overwhelming and equally exciting. Projects Abroad were absolutely incredible with making me feel at home, answering any questions I had before and during my trip and making me feel safe and secure. My experience in the village was (as cheesy as it sounds) completely life-changing. I came away with so much perspective on different cultures and people, I built my own confidence and independence, met some amazing people, challenged myself and was able to help people and make a difference. Projects abroad were really good at providing lots of information before I left and made me feel reassured. I would definitely recommend everyone to complete a volunteer experience like mine at some point in your life. I was amazed at what it can teach and show you.

I spent four weeks in a Pacific Harbour, Fiji as part of a small volunteer group focusing on the conservations of sharks and marine life in the area. Through this program, I got my PADI open water scuba diving license and was able to take part in survey dives, where we would go down as a team with slates and write down all the fish, sharks, rays, and any other interesting creatures we saw. The water was so clear that you could see divers 10 m under water from the deck of the dive boat. It was incredible to get so close to sharks and feel completly safe, the whole diving experience was very surreal to me as a first time diver.
Diving was not the only thing we did in this program however, we would work in the mangrove nursery, learning about the enviroment and the role we play in helping it, we would help out in the community by building public gardens and painting community centers. We also had some free time to ourselves in which we would explore the island. My favourite things I did on weekends included hiking up Mt. Koribaba, exploring the produce markets in Suva, and hosting dinner parties with my friends in the kitchen of our apartment.
This project was really the right amount of work and play. I made lifelong friends from all around the world and got to do amazing things like cliff jumping, rope swinging, and swimming in the sureal, clear ocean, but I also worked hard and felt like my work made a difference. I can honestly say I wouldn't trade this experience for the world and I hope to return to Fiji again someday soon.

The program in Fiji was one of the best things I have ever done. The staff were so supportive right from the start!
The program itself is not as shark based as I would have hoped but the studies that get conducted there are very beneficial to the community and future of Fiji oceans. A lot of work is done with the mangroves which makes a huge difference with the protection of the shores of Fiji and providing a nursery habitat for juvenile shark and fish species.
I would recommend staying for about 6 weeks - I stayed 3 weeks and found it was not enough to get a true taste of all parts of the program as getting my advanced open water and learning species etc so I could collect data took up a lot of time. I believe the price plateaus out accordingly anyway so it doesn't cost that much extra :)
I am vegan and the food they provided was awesome and there was always enough! At the beginning they weren't making enough as there were a fair few vegans and vegos but once we mentioned it they made more instantly!
The shark dive I had was absolutely amazing and considered in the top 5 best shark dives in the world!
I loved my experience and cannot wait to go back for longer!

This past May I was given the opportunity to travel to Fiji for 3 weeks. On this trip I was place in a care project in Lautoka, Fiji. I worked in a kindergarten where I helped the teachers teach the alphabet, numbers, and English. The teachers welcomed me with open arms and the students were excited to learn! There were also other volunteers at the same school as me. This was comforting because they were in a new environment just like me and had to adjust too. All the volunteers get very close and become your best friends while on your trip! You walk to school together, hang out after school together, and get to travel the country together. To this day I still talk to the volunteers that came to be my friends while on this trip.
While on this trip, I was also place with a host family. My host family were the nicest people I have ever met. They welcomed me and treated me like one of their own. I now consider them my family across the Pacific.
Fiji is a beautiful country with wonderful people. I wish I could have stayed longer because I only got to experience a fraction of what Fiji has to offer. During the week I was able to experience Fiji through the eyes of a local, and on the weekends through the eyes of a tourist. Not many people can say they have done that. The friends I made and the people I encountered while on my trip have a special place in my heart forever. If I was ever given an opportunity like this again I would do it in a heartbeat!

I had never volunteered (except an overseas mission trip) abroad or visited the beautiful land of Fiji before my experience last month. I had visited over 12 countries, but it's a completely different experience than being a tourist. Volunteering with Projects Abroad gave me the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the Fijian culture. My host family always went above and beyond to make sure I was well fed, safe, comfortable, and happy. Projects Abroad connected me with a special education school in Nadi that welcomed me with open arms. As a speech therapy student getting my Master's degree, I was able to have hands-on experience working with the precious kids at the school while simultaneously conducting research for my thesis. I made amazing friendships and I've loved staying connected with everyone through Facebook. The Projects Abroad staff in Fiji, especially the country director, will amaze you with their support!

I began this project with an open-mind because I was new to traveling independently and I had no idea what to expect or what I would get out of this new experience. Right away, I came into the project feeling so comfortable with the older volunteers welcoming me in. The first day that I arrived was on the weekend so I was incredibly lucky to see Finding Dory in theaters with my new friends. The staff members were great too in a way that I felt very comfortable and safe with them throughout my whole trip. They were very intelligent, relatable, and humble so it was easy to become friends with them too. The project itself was incredible with survey dives two days a week and then having the ability to go into villages and talk to the locals. The shark dives were incredible and a once-in-a-life time experience. I whole-heartedly recommend this project to everyone even if you may have to step out of your comfort zone. During the project I felt 100% safe and the staff at the dive shop made me feel especially safe during the shark dive surrounded by 50 bull sharks which may seen pretty ironic to some.