GVI: Internships in Fiji

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Environmental sustainability in Dawasamu

Sea life in crystal clear Caqalai waters

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About

Join a marine conservation or community development internship in Fiji, an archipelago of over 300 islands. Did you know that a large percent of the world's coral species are based in Fiji, totalling over 43 percent? Despite the country’s vast number of coral reef ecosystems and incredible diversity, Fiji’s marine life is threatened by climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

Be part of the GVI journey to make a sustainable impact and contribute to the preservation and research of these vulnerable ecosystems in Caqalai. Or focus on community development initiatives and travel to a GVI base in Dawasamu, a remote district. There you will contribute to improving the quality of resources for education by supporting local teachers as they conduct environmental workshops, and assist with agricultural and women’s empowerment projects.

Your contributions align with the UN Sustainable development goals (UN SDGs) and adhere to a strict Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy.

Highlights

Earn an ILM Leadership Certification, or gain a PADI dive qualification to add to your CV.
Make measurable sustainable impacts in marine conservation and community development in the Caqalai and Dawasamu districts.
Learn about different cultures, and taste traditional ethnic cuisines.
Meet people from around the world who share similar passions.
Contribute directly to the 17 UN SDGs.

GVI global programs are open!

We're thrilled to announce that nine of our global locations are now open, including Greece, Thailand, Nepal, Seychelles, South Africa, Costa Rica and Mexico. We're also taking bookings for our Thailand, Chiang Mai, Lao and Peru locations for 2021. Stay tuned for more locations coming your way soon, including a new location addition in the Canary Islands.

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Popular Programs

Volunteer working with community members in Fiji

Short Community Development Internships in Fiji

This multifaceted program provides you with the opportunity to get involved in a number of community development initiatives. Support health awareness practices, such as WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene), assist with education workshops, work alongside community members to encourage income generation, and contribute to environmental preservation and sustainable agricultural practices. When you aren’t working, explore the mountainous surroundings of Dawasamu.

Interns diving and conducting research in Fiji

Marine Conservation and PADI Divemaster Internship

Join an extensive training program to earn your PADI Divemaster, and expand your knowledge of marine species, ecosystems, and coral reefs in Caqalai – a palm-lined island with blue warm waters. You will spend the majority of time on dive expeditions, and assist with day-to-day operations at a local dive center. Add to your CV with practical experience, developed skills and qualifications, to improve your career pursuits in marine conservation.

Short Term Teaching Internship in Fiji

Gain TEFL experience in Fiji, Dawasamu, teaching local youth, and earn an ILM Leadership Certificate. Improve your lesson planning, classroom management, and facilitation skills while also supporting local teachers to provide higher quality education to local children. You will work alongside GVI partners to teach literacy, phonics, and plan physical education, art, and music classes. You could also get involved in workshops, sustainable gardening, and facility renovation projects.

Questions & Answers

Reviews

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I did a health internship in Dawasamu, Fiji for ten weeks. The ten weeks went in a flash and I couldn't believe I was suddenly standing under the village mango tree, listening to the farewell song instead of badly singing it!

I had a blast living in Silana, working on health projects and with the community team, hanging out with other volunteers, and getting to know the locals. Part of my internship was helping develop and present materials for health promotion in Dawasamu District. I was lucky enough to have the District Nurse as the person approving my materials and I loved working with her. Not many people can say they taught adults to sing Row Row Row Your Boat so that they could do CPR at the right speed. I also got to work with the rest of the community team on some building and community events.

Living on a base in the village you work with is pretty special. You make friends with the other volunteers, end up singing and dancing badly in the kitchen while baking cakes, and you get to become part of the village. My Fijian family is pretty big, spans three generations and quite a few houses, I have sisters my age, nieces and nephews under five who are hysterical, a mum, a dad, a lot of aunties and cousins. There's always someone there for in you Fiji, even when all you need is a cup of tea. I also learnt to weave, which was a lot of fun and I was always excited for Wednesdays to come so we could get to weaving class.

I would absolutely go back in a heartbeat because leaving was so hard. I didn't realise just how special that litttle village, nursing station, and project base had become to me, or how important the people were to me. Seriously, what more do you need to hear, check it out.

What was your funniest moment?

I was supporting the District Nurse in teaching a family planning class to high schoolers in the next village over. An other volunteer had come with us to provide moral support, and help if there was a big group. She decided the best way to demonstrate the use of a condom was to pull it over her hand like a glove, causing amazement in the teens. We then handed a few around in packets, low and behold, we never got them back, and there were a few sheepish looking teens on the way out.

Zoe is sitting with 3 Community Health Workers on a mat, they are doing an activity that matches up cards

Zoe is sitting with Anna (small girl in the front), both are smiling. In the background Tutubai (small boy) looks unimpressed, while Ima laughs.

Zoe is weaving a traditional Fijian mat while Mere supervises

When I first signed up for this trip I had no clue what to expect or what I would be doing. I arrived in a small village called Silana and were instantly welcomed into the community with open arms and a friendly Bula (hello). The people in the village are the kindest and most genuine people I have ever met. We were welcomed into many of their homes where they would cook meals for us or just enjoy our company by telling stories and learning about their culture. I worked with the community development program where we worked closely with members of the community, helping them build recycling points, start up school gardens, and talk about health and preventative care. It was an amazing opportunity to get close with the members of the community as well as make an impact on their village. I was only there for 2 short weeks but I’ve learned more from them about happiness, life, and family than I have in my entire life. It was truly a humbling experience and tears were shed when it was time to leave. I would highly recommend this program because you get a first hand experience on the culture and lifestyle of the community as well as get to experience all the beauty the island has to offer!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice to you is to take in every second and appreciate everything the island has to offer! Talk to the people in the village, get to know them and their culture. Try a coconut, swim in the ocean, take lots of pictures, make friends with the other volunteers, learn as much of their language as you can, and most importantly- Have Fun!! (Also bring a mosquito net!!)

Sleeping a few meters from the sea, watching beautiful sunrises over distant islands through coconut trees, my two adoptive village families, laughter, music, singing and dancing in the village hall will forever be my memories of Fiji and my six month internship there…..but there was so much more.
As a mature intern heading off for new experiences, Fiji was a perfect place to start. A newly acquired TEFL qualification gave a little confidence, but the reality of holding the interest of a lively, challenging group of youngsters for the full length of lessons in PE, Art and Music required a new set of skills, patience and enthusiasm. One to one teaching, helping those struggling in Maths and English was a quieter affair and definitely rewarding seeing progress made and the delight students showed as they achieved each small step.
Three months living and working with other volunteers and project staff, learning all I could from them, was followed by 3 months in a different school and group of villages as the only volunteer, where no-one had preceded me. It was nerve wracking going to live with a Fijian family away from the support and companionship of the other volunteers, but I needn’t have worried, the Headmaster, his wife (Deputy Head Teacher) and their two children were so lovely and my time with them was filled with laughter and fun. The school was well run and the children had all the right building blocks to speak English but lacked the courage to start; reassurance that mistakes didn’t matter was all that was needed for the flood gates to open. Thus followed much laughter, noisy classrooms playing charades and other games to encourage speaking English, quieter one to one sessions, plus the massive task of sorting through boxes of old books, setting up a library and initiating weekly library sessions for all the children.
All too soon my six months was over. The thing I was least prepared for was how hard it would be to leave, to say goodbye to two schools, my two adopted families, the staff and other interns and of course all the villagers - a massive emotional wrench but so worth it for the joy and memories which will last forever.

What would you improve about this program?

Many improvements and changes have already occurred since my internship.

Read my full story

On the first day we were met by the GVI staff members and treated to a delicious breakfast of local fruits. Before long, we were on our way across the lush, green island to the small village of Silana. Our arrival was eagerly anticipated by the other GVI volunteers, who welcomed us with smiles and lunch!
Our first Sunday was spent in church and getting to know our Fijian families. A traditional Fijian meal was prepared and we were supplied with pillows and told to ‘take a nap’ for the afternoon, happily following the local custom that no work can be done on a Sunday.
The following weeks involved getting to know our class at school. The level of spoken and written English varied dramatically throughout the class but all the children were keen to learn and practice, particularly if that involved gossiping about other class members or volunteers! I was struck by the enthusiasm of the children in my class – something that I never experienced whilst I was at school. They had dreams of being doctors or teachers in order to help out their community, but most of all, they wanted to travel.
My experience in Silana was one of the most treasured moments of my life. The village was so welcoming, always ready to teach you Fijian or inviting you into their house for dinner. The evenings were spent drinking kava in the community hall or watching exceptional performances of the Meke – a traditional Fijian dance.
Almost as soon as we arrived it was time to leave. The morning came for us to leave and the women of the village came to say goodbye in the traditional way – through song. By the time the stunning harmonies of Isa Lei had come to an end there wasn’t a dry eye getting in the van to leave.
I know I speak for all the volunteers when I say that being in Silana was a truly special experience and that we would all do anything to go back. Four weeks was definitely not long enough and I would thoroughly recommend this program to anyone and everyone!

What would you improve about this program?

We could have been provided with slightly more accurate, up-to-date information about the program before we arrived.

The two months I spent on the Education Project in 2011 were undoubtedly the best of my life!! I feel like not only wasI able to make everlasting, positive change in the lives of many deserving children and families, but also got to do so in one of the most beautiful places in the world with some of the most amazing people in the world. I helped to establish the first kindergarten at Ratu Meli Memorial School, and was able to use all of my teaching experience in doing so. To see it continue to grow and develop today is absolutely amazing! The other volunteers I met are still my friends to this day, and are actually my forever Fiji family. This experience is NOT a vacation however--it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and yes, there is definitely a lot of fun that goes on as well, but its not just a kick-back holiday.The only word that comes even close to describing my experience is incredible, and that is still lightyears away from doing it justice. It made me grow as a professional and a person, and I would definitely recommend it!

What would you improve about this program?

I do not recall having any access to any program Ambassadors, and feel like if I had it definitely would have been helpful. I think that potential volunteers should be given an updated list of program ambassadors so they can talk to them before they decide to go and then if they do, while they are preparing for it. I know I would have taken advantage of it!

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

volunteering in rural fiji

When browsing the many volunteering opportunities available, I noticed that most included a variation on the phrase ‘you will also spend some time teaching English in the local schools’. The idea filled me with dread as I knew, despite English being my only spoken language, I would struggle to teach it. I enrolled for an online TEFL course and decided that I needed to experience teaching immediately or I would forget all that I had learned…. but where to do this?

Many placements tempted me, but ultimately the images conjured by the name ‘Fiji’ – white sand, turquoise seas, palm trees, sunshine, sealed my decision. I wanted to choose a project on which I could spend a long period of time, really experience the culture and get to know the people; GVI offered a six month internship, fully supported by their staff and best of all didn’t consider me too old to be an intern.

So I signed up, told my family and friends I was going away for 6 months to probably the furthest place it was possible to go, and watched their faces turn green with envy when I told them it was to Fiji.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

GVI provided information about the project, a suggested kit, and medications list and had a travel insurance scheme you could join if you wanted though you were free to find another provider if one suited you better.

They also gave you advice about visas - how to obtain an initial tourist visa on entry to the country, then as soon as you arrived they did the necessary applications and work to upgrade it to a volunteers visa. It was up to the volunteer to ensure necessary vaccinations were obtained before travel, book flights, etc.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Go with a completely open mind, living in rural Fiji is slightly like stepping back in time and living there will be so totally different to your own home life. Obviously you will be sharing all living areas with other volunteers and you will be part of a rota and have to do chores. The Fijian’s knowledge about things such as health and hygiene is far behind that of the western world (one of the reasons the community project exists) so it is important you do take medications for upset tummies with you – the majority of volunteers needed this at some time during their stay.

But don’t let this put you off as it is just a small negative amongst such a wealth of positive experiences that you will have and,..

no matter what you think, you will not be prepared for the parting at the end of your visit, leaving your new family and friends in paradise is so hard and as the villagers gather and sing Isa Lei, the Fijian song of parting, you will be a very rare volunteer if you are NOT in tears (yes even the guys, and even if you have only been there for two weeks).

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

If it is your day for kitchen duty you will be up at 6am preparing breakfast and packed lunches for all the volunteers, if not you get to lie in a little longer and join in the later battle for the showers. After breakfast you will gather your drinks and other essentials, grab your group’s lunch box and head off to your school.

After the children have had their teeth cleaning session you will join them in their classroom and either help the students with the lesson the teacher is taking, or take struggling students out for 1:1 sessions of English or Math. Depending on your timetable you will at some time during the week take the whole class for a lesson in Art and Craft, Music, and PE. The students love these lessons as they are subjects that they do not experience in their normal curriculum and you will find the children await them eagerly.

Back in the village at the end of the school day you might cool off in another shower or head off to the beach for a swim in the sea. Chores need to be completed, either cooking the evening meal for the volunteers or various cleaning duties of the communal areas. After this you might be running an after school kids club or youth club, otherwise you will be free to visit your Fijian family or join the adults in the community hall or their houses for singing and Kava or religious evenings, or simply chilling out with other volunteers in the GVI common room.

If you are on the project as an intern, the second half of your time in Fiji will probably be spent living with a Fijian family and working as the only volunteer in a different school. Then you can plan your own days in conjunction with the school staff in order to meet the schools needs as well maximize use of your own strengths and interests.

On my placement I worked mainly 1:1 with the class for years 3 and 4 but also spent some time doing fun class sessions with the older years as well as setting up a library for the school and initiating regular class library times where I read to the young children, middle ages were allowed to come and read the books themselves and the oldest years were allowed to take books home with them for a week at a time.

This may sound routine, the books were mostly really old – many even older than I was - but for the children it was wonderful, most would have no books other than a bible in their homes so this really was their first opportunity to choose something they might be interested in for themselves; just touching and looking at the pictures was really special for them.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?

I was looking forward to most of the ‘adventure’ but was nervous about living with a family rather than the other volunteers. Being in someone else’s home full time might be very stressful if you had little in common or were unable to successfully communicate; the difference in cultures might prove challenging and it might be very easy to offend your hosts.

However living the previous 3 months in the first village with volunteers and my adoptive village family gave me plenty of time to learn and understand Fijian values and customs, and hard though it was to say goodbye to them all, my new family were lovely, welcoming and did everything they could to make me feel at home. I was very lucky as being teachers they spoke excellent English and we shared a sense of humour, consequently we laughed and joked constantly and my time with them flew by.

The experience hasn’t necessarily removed that fear should I do the same again, I do realize how lucky I was to found such a wonderful family. Sadly no intern followed me to their school and I worried that the progress I had made would not be carried on, but I kept in touch with them and they assured me that having gained their confidence, the children all carried on speaking English.

Is there one experience or memory that stands out above all others?

beaches in Fiji

I really can’t even begin to say what a wonderful experience this was, so many amazing memories. Speaking to other volunteers we all agree that generally it is the people who make your travels memorable; I can honestly say I found the Fijians to be the most joyful people I have had the pleasure to meet. The welcome they give everyone, their open doors and open hearts - they have so little but what they do have is willingly shared with everyone along with a smile and a laugh. Add to that:

Bus journeys with music playing, babies, animals, and luggage being passed in through windows, and the person in the seat next to you offering to share their food and drink with you.
Snorkeling over tropical reefs whilst staying on tiny almost deserted islands.
Watching the local pod of spinner dolphins leaping.
Swinging into the pool by a waterfall on a vine.
Watching children shinning up palm trees to pluck you a coconut for your evening meal.
Watching the sunrise over the ocean and distant islands from your bed every morning.
Not only being allowed to attend the wedding of someone you had never met, but being given a place of honor - front row seats during the ceremony.

I could go on as the memories are endless and all of them wonderful. All I can say is go! Meet the people and have the adventures for yourself, I am confident you will be glad you did.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

guy smiling on a mountain

Whilst spear fishing sitting on a small village boat just off the coast of Moturiki, Fiji during the dead of night watching a thunderstorm off on the horizon light up the clouds in unique ways with each flash.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Too early to say as of yet, as I've only been here a week!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would have to choose the Volunteer and Adventure in Nepal.

This is because it has both an trekking/adventure aspect whilst also allowing time to focus on helping the communities that you pass through.

The choice of Nepal specifically is a personal one, as it's a place I have long wanted to visit nt just for culture but also the natural beauty.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

In my opinion it's the fact that it is still a very close tight knit company that still manages to have a very focused and well run global reach.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

This passion and work ethic help inspire the people around them and shows they're not just there for a pay check and will drive the company forward.

Jenny Clark

U.S. Content Officer

Location

Location:

Fiji

Currency:

Fijian Dollar

Weather:

Jan-Mar

88 F / 73 F

Apr-Jun

88 F / 68 F

Jul-Sep

86 F / 75 F

Oct-Dec

88 F / 70 F

Airports:

Nadi International Airport

( NAN )

Nausori International

( SUV )

If you love being outdoors and in the water, Fiji will be your new favorite place. Whether you are an adrenaline junky and want parasailing or shark feeding; or you just want to relax and snorkel in the pristine water, Fiji caters all travel styles.

About GVI

Founded in 1998, GVI runs online courses, virtual programs and travel-based education and training programs in various countries around the world. Each program is manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) – as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around...

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GVI: Internships in Fiji

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