Program Reviews

My virtual internship with Think Pacific has given me a wider view of the world around me, and it has been a beneficial experience to have during the Summer of 2020. I am really passionate about the environment and ecology, so learning about environmental issues and concerns in Fiji has been really interesting. I have found it rewarding to produce a strategy document and prospectus for Nature Fiji, a major NGO in Fiji who work towards a sustainable future. Hopefully the work I have done will go towards them securing funding for future projects to achieve their vision of a Fiji where diversity of species and habitats are sustained for future generations and empower the local communities to care for and live in harmony with their natural heritage.

Being involved within the Think Pacific internship was an amazing experience and what better way would you want to spend lockdown! As my plans like many others were cancelled so I couldn’t volunteer in Fiji this year, I saw the internship as a way to still get involved. From being fully immersed within the culture and then branching off to the sports sector was so captivating. With knowing that my project efforts will be aiding a worthy cause makes it even more worthwhile. See you soon Fiji! 🇫🇯☺️

Not only was the virtual internship a great way to help Fijian organisations work towards achieving their development goals, but it was a challenging and insightful opportunity for personal growth and experience in the NGO/international development sectors. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Fijian culture and tradition, and getting to explore how these intersect with development issues. I also learnt a lot from the process of researching and discussing my ideas with my mentor. Finally, designing and delivering my action project for the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre was incredibly rewarding, particularly as I was able to choose a project and development issue that I felt passionate about to work on!

I found Think Pacific through my university and when the opportunity came up to do this internship I jumped straight on it. (my expectations were, at the very least I get to keep my brain ticking over working on mental heath ready for uni next year) however I did not expect to have a new passion for a country and a people I have not yet visited, this passion and knowledge mostly bouncing off the people who work here. Genuine, well organised, honest passionate people. All round, great to work with. (and I've previously had a bad time volunteering for different organisations, it's a big relief when you find a good one). The only thing I slightly marked down on this was the easy of accessing information. But hey, its partly cos there's A LOT of it and you just get lost in it and partly cos I was part of the first group to do this. Things will get polished more and more but that was not a problem for me, I found everything I needed. Overall great experience and I'd do it again if I could!

It was a fantastic Opportunity that I had the chance to participate in. I learnt new skills such as effective time management as well as public speaking as I had to have video calls. The help and support you receive throughout the internship is incredible. You make so many connections and meet so many new people and together you’re able to make changes. Being able to help others whilst being at home and still making a difference is the most rewarding aspect of it all. If this opportunity ever comes up again I will definitely participate and encourage others to do the same!

I really enjoyed my 8 week program on the virtual internship. There was so much content produced on the easy to navigate facebook page which I think will really help me in future job applications and interviews. I felt the facebook group was invaluable and an important tool to keep everyone motivated and on track. Having a few more sessions in contact with my mentor would've been great but overall I enjoyed it so much partaking in independent research and producing a report I was really proud of.

I joined a one month expedition to Fiji straight after leaving school. The experience was challenging, exciting and rewarding. I am so so glad I went. A huge adventure that will allow you to really get beneath the culture of Fiji in a sustainable and responsible way. The pre departure team was amazing and provided helpful and in depth detail that really lets you prepare fully for the experience. Once you get out there your whole project will be guided by the team leaders who have previously volunteered and so know all the highs and lows of village life. The only frustrating thing is that you do only see a small part of Fiji - your village - so I would recommend leaving some time before your flight back to explore some of Fiji’s beautiful coast.

This was genuinely one of the best experiences I’ll ever have! It’s so different from anything you’ll ever experience in the UK, seeing the impact you make on even one child makes it all worth it. It is hard and not for everyone but if you power through the rough times the outcome is always worth it. You 100% get out what you put in. We were in the highlands and it was different to the videos but still amazing. Just being a part of a community where everyone is so welcoming and warm makes you feel so at home from day one. If you like your privacy you might struggle more than some because it’s rare to get a minute alone. The kids are amazing and seeing the change in a child’s behaviour towards you from beginning to end is so lovely, especially with the shy kids who might not even speak to you on your first day but by the finally week they’re running into your arms is amazing in itself. Overall this experience is tough but it is so rewarding and worth every penny.

I would like to thank Think Pacific for the best experience of my life. Living in Namuka village for one month, staying with a wonderful family that I can now call my own and working at the local school alongside an amazing team have given me memories that I will never forget. This experience has been a true privilege. From being welcomed to the village on the first day and experiencing Fijian culture in depth to working with kids at the local school in maths, English, sports and other extracurricular activities. From having dinner with my family and going from house to house to drink tea to jumping in the river with friends from the village and watching the night sky in awe. Even more, it has been in Fiji where I have discovered that my passion is working with children. I can only encourage everyone to take part in this rewarding life-changing experience. I can't wait for my next time in Fiji!

I did a two month project in January and truly had the most incredible time, the people I spent my time there with made it such a memorable experience. What I loved is not only how impactful it has been on my life but also the difference you make in the villages! I really feel as though I have a whole family and village on the other side of the world who made me feel so immensely welcome and loved which was made better with the knowledge that what I was doing was helping them and that ThinkPacific were involved in maintaining these changes through their work with the government. I was in a house with three other girls and the four of us became incredibly close to our Fijian brother and sister and to our grandma. The cultural difference took some getting used to but everything was so simple and joyful! Can’t recommend this experience enough and can’t wait to go back to the village to see my Fijian family again!