Travel For Teens: Fiji

Visiting Fiji was something I never thought I would be able to do without Travel for Teens, especially at only 15 years old! The counselors felt like close friends, which made our group even more special and close. I was able to not only see the extraordinary islands of Fiji and do thrilling and fun activities, I was also able to go good for the community while I was there as well. Interacting with the amazing students and natives of Fiji was truly my favorite part and I will remember those moments forever! I left the trip with multiple things checked off my bucket list, new lasting friendships, cherished memories and an even better version of myself! I had such an amazing time!

I was able to spend two weeks in a country that I never thought I would go! I went on so many adventures and create so many memories that will stick with me forever! I loved learning about a new culture taking in all of the beautiful views. The bonds created with the other teens and counselors made me feel safe and took away the homesickness daily. I woke up everyday looking forward to to the new activities and was so sad to leave what felt like home. TFT truly did create a life changing experience for me! I cannot wait for my next trip with them!

Many people consider Fiji to simply be an island paradise – that’s it. Now, don’t get me wrong: Fiji is indeed a beautiful, relaxing country; however, so much more is offered throughout this remote chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean. When I signed up for the Travel for Teens Fiji Service & Adventure trip, my parents were quite skeptical of the trip, bombarding me with questions: “what are you going to do for 13 days on a small island??” Truthfully, I didn’t know, but once I got to the islands, I was so thankful I signed up. While it is true you will always feel the ocean breeze and warm temperatures across the island, I never once thought the trip wasn’t worth it. I live in Florida, and I could just as easily travel to The Bahamas, Dominican Republic or Jamaica; however, Fiji is entirely different. Everything from the community service aspect of the trip to the great personalities of my peers throughout the duration of my stay made Travel for Teens’ Fiji Service & Adventure trip unforgettable. Right from the very beginning, people tried bonding. It worked. It is true we traveled across the entire world to a remote island unlike anything we’ve experienced before, and this unfamiliarity created a bond far quicker and stronger than one that would be formed in a more familiar setting. A good chunk of the trip was spent in a small island chain called the Yasawa Islands a few hours from the largest Fijian island where we helped a local school for a community service project. It was a wonderful experience. We could play and interact with the kids at the school, all between ages 5 and 15, and all these kids spoke English – certainly a nice benefit. They absolutely loved us. They had so much energy, running alongside us around their soccer field and dirt track, making days felt like minutes, and minutes feel like seconds. They taught us Fijian songs and games, and I still remember how to count from one to ten in one of the native Fijian languages all thanks to two kids by the name of Bill and Abel. Now, I am not someone who is the best with kids (I feel rather awkward in those sorts of situations), but I didn’t feel any amount of discomfort with these. I was very happy in this regard. We built an incinerator for the school so they could burn their trash (small islands like this cannot have landfills; therefore, burning trash is their best option) and the neat thing about this was the fact that we could see each and every Fiji service trip’s work before us while we were there. Each Fiji Service & Adventure trip contributes a bit more to the school, and we could ask kids that went to the school what last year’s group accomplished. Upon leaving, some of the kids presented a few of their favorite travelers some gifts, and I was one to receive a handmade bracelet from Abel. It had a Fijian symbol that supposedly brings good luck to its wearer and I still wear it every single day as it helps remind me of my wonderful experiences I had in Fiji. Once we finished our community service project, we engaged in other extraordinary activities across multiple islands, and some highlights included scuba diving in what I consider one of the most beautiful reefs in the entire world (and I have been to the Great Barrier Reef previously – Fiji tops it), a zipline adventure in the hills overlooking local villages, farms and beaches, and my personal favorite: an early-morning hike to the top of a mountain to see the sunrise. We were doubtful about getting up very early, but it was entirely worth it. Eventually, a few minutes after reaching the top, the reds and pinks began to show, and we saw that big, bright red ball rise up from the perfectly calm sea one thousand feet below. That was likely the most spectacular sunrise I had ever seen (quite possibly the most spectacular one I will ever see, unless I have the fortune to travel back to Fiji once again). As I said in the beginning, “they thought I would get bored for 13 days on an island. They were wrong.” Fiji is entirely worth putting on your bucket list, and not only that – Fiji should be at the very top of your bucket list. Travel for Teens is able to check off that list for you, and the 13-day Fiji Service & Adventure is your perfect choice to experience a group of islands unlike any other. Fiji is far more incredible than any island you can experience in the Caribbean, far more incredible than Hawaii, and far more incredible than nearly anywhere else on the planet. I only hope one day I can return.

This summer I had a great time in Fiji. We stayed in several resorts that all had such friendly staff members. I spent my birthday at my favorite resort, and it was one of my favorite parts of the trip. TFT has an amazing staff that makes you feel safe and welcome the entire time. I made some of my best friends through this trip, and I am so thankful for that. I even got to go scuba diving, which I probably would not be able to do in the United States without a license. The service aspect of my trip was especially rewarding. We built a trash incinerator at a local school and we got to play with the children afterwards. I would totally recommend this trip to anyone who is looking to experience another culture, help benefit our world, and make new friends!! :)

Bula everyone! This past 2017 summer I had the privilege of attending the adventures and service work in Fiji ! It was the most incredible thing I have even done !! The highlight for me would definitely be working and playing with the children there! I cannot say one bad thing about the locals as well, they were so inclusive to us we played volleyball with them and did lots of java ceremonies. Every night at one of the resorts we had a super fun dance party with my group, song and dance around the bonfire and live on Fiji time. The community service portion was also one of the best things about the trip, we got to sing and dance with the kids at the school, on our lunch break play soccer and get fresh coconuts off the trees. I will never forget the breath taking scenery of Fiji. It was truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever gone too. The part I miss most about this trip would be the people I met on it. We FaceTime weekly and can’t wait to meet up again somewhere! The hardest part about travel for teens is picking the destenation, I right now cannot figure out what trip I am going on for the 2018 summer! I just hope it will be as spectacular as Fiji !

Last summer presented itself with a unique opportunity to go to Fiji. Fiji highlighted its massive coconut trees, marine life diversity (manta rays, sharks, vibrant coral!) and most importantly its warmhearted people. I loved immersing myself in a culturally diverse environment and interacting with the locals. We participated in kava ceremonies and talked about everything from rugby to our personal lives.
The community service took place on Nacula Island. Our group worked to complete the painting and beautification of two school buildings. While working, we peaked through the classroom windows to see eager children learning and absorbing information like a sponge. And at that moment I felt a deep responsibility to create a sound environment for them so that nothing impedes their learning.
Overall, this trip definitely shaped me and I can't wait for more opportunities like this!

My second trip with TFT did not disappoint. Going into the trip, I had extremely high expectations from my previous Thailand Elephant Service and Adventure trip, and TFT continues to blow me away. From the packed itinerary to the gorgeous accommodations and unique cultural immersion, I always felt that I had something to be grateful for. I truly experienced Fijian culture with a trip to the nearby island village that included a traditional church service and a home cooked lunch by a local family. Fijian people are some of the friendliest and kind-hearted individuals I have ever met. Helping out at the local primary school by building an incinerator and playing with the kids during recess was a fulfilling experience. I loved diving into the crystal blue waters to swim, scuba dive, and snorkel with sharks! I was continuously pushed out of my comfort zone by foreign cuisine and sunrise mountain hikes, which provided some of the most rewarding views of my life. My trip leaders and counselors were friendly, fun, and responsible. I cannot wait to travel with TFT again this summer!

I absolutely loved this trip! It was my first time traveling with TFT and it definitely lived up to my expectations. We had so many amazing community service opportunities: working in schools with kids, cleaning up trash off local beaches, renovating building and even building the foundation for a waste management system. On top of that, we did several scenic hikes, went kayaking and snorkeling and even went to secret caves. Overall, this trip is truly one of a kind. I highly recommend this once in a life time experience to anyone who is looking to improve the world and take on an adventure!