Why did you decide to study abroad with AustraLearn in Suva, Fiji?
Rosie: People always ask me why I chose to study abroad in Fiji of all places. I wanted to go somewhere totally different then anything I was used to. I also wanted to go somewhere that was not a common place to go for the general student who studies abroad.
It is such a small country, not many people have even heard of it – aside from the water bottles and the gorgeous beaches. I think this intrigued me more than anything. I wanted to learn what the real Fiji was like, not just the resorts and beaches. I wanted to learn about the culture and the people more than anything, and completely immerse myself in a totally different country.
AustraLearn had a great program for studying at the University of The South Pacific. They helped with everything along the way, and we had a great two-week adventure and cultural program before starting our studies. We got to experience traditional Fijian culture, settle into our flats, and we were able to explore the city as well and learn about what we would be doing and encountering in our next four months abroad.
What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Rosie: Going to Fiji as an American is typically for tourism purposes. But to go there and live there for four months, you become a local. That is what really made this experience unique and different from other study abroad programs. When I first walked through the streets of Suva, I was undoubtedly considered a tourist, but by the end of my time in Fiji I was not and did not consider myself a tourist.
Fiji is such a small island but it has a huge heart and the people there are also what really impacted me. The friends I met there were the nicest people I have ever met. They are so kindhearted and willing to do anything for someone else. That stuck out to me more than anything. Many of the people I met were so incredibly selfless and it was so rewarding to be able to be around so many people like that, it made me reflect on how I treat people and how I can better myself.
I also loved how culturally diverse Fiji was. On campus you would walk around and here all sorts of different languages and island dialects. It was really cool to be a part of the University and not just a tourist.
Has this experience impacted your future?
Rosie: YES. Going to Fiji taught me so much about myself and about other people. I have traveled before but nothing like this. This experience really taught me about how little I need in life to be happy. I have learned to appreciate the little things more in life and I cannot be more grateful for that.
Now traveling to less developed countries is constantly on my mind. I want to see and experience other cultures and I have a serious case of wanderlust. I also want to be able to help people and to volunteer in less developed countries. My future plans have changed drastically, and definitely for the better.
I love Fiji with all my heart and I know one day that I will definitely return to Suva City.