It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the end of our time together in Fiji! Many work days, bucket showers, dalo leaves, dance parties, and coconuts later, the group has begun to feel like family.

After we left Navakawau village with an emotional send-off from the school, we wrapped up our time on Taveuni Island with one last snorkel/dive on the Rainbow Reef and a dip in a waterfall. Then we flew to the bustling city of Nadi on the big island for our final few days of the program, where we’ve had a chance to experience a very different side of Fiji. Because of Fiji’s colonial history, cities on the big island have a very rich Indian influence. Today we’ll be spending our last day in Fiji immersing ourselves in aspects of the city’s Indian culture with a Bollywood movie and a final meal together at a popular Indian restaurant. Then it’s off to some shopping in Nadi Town before heading to the airport tonight for our flight home!

As we write this, students are enjoying a last breakfast on the deck at our hotel overlooking the ocean as the sun comes up over the coconut trees. Here in Nadi the group has had a chance to reflect on our time in the village and talk about how our perspectives have shifted since we first came to Fiji. This trip has been life-changing for many of us, and the relationships we’ve built will leave a lasting impression. We may not be able to take the coconut trees and the ocean views with us, but as we head back to our lives in the states to be reunited with the people we love there we know that we all carry a little piece of Fiji with us.

Vinaka vaka levu and moce,

Jolene, Andrew, and the Group