Most Amazing Experience of My Life

Think Pacific has provided me with an incredible, once in a lifetime experience that will stay with me forever.
If you are thinking you want to go volunteer in another country, I can't recommend Think Pacific enough! It may be expensive compared to some programmes but it is worth every penny and you can see where you money goes (something I have seen doesn't happen with other organisations).
From the moment I booked, Tom and the UK team were incredibly helpful at answering all of my questions and queries.
I hadn't done anything like it before I went and was quite nervous, but I was looked after from the moment I landed by my team leader and taken to meet the rest of my team. This seemed quite nerve wracking as I only knew one girl with me but everyone was in the same boat and after playing volleyball and tag we all soon became friends. Whilst we were at the resort, we were also given help with how to plan lessons and teach sport (something that I was apprehensive about before I went). This was a great couple of days and prepared us for going into the village.
When you are in the village you are in pairs and live with a family so you have a Fijian mum and dad and brothers and sisters. I was nervous about this, but my family was unbelievably welcoming and kind. It is a bond that will stay with me forever. My 'sister' who was on the project with me became my best friend and we bonded insanely fast. The experience wouldn't have been the same if I wasn't staying in a family with my 'sister'.
After settling in, we went for our first day at the school. The day is set up so that you have briefing in the morning by your leaders and then head into school. On the Sunday before, you will have decided which class you are going into. At the school you normally do 1 to 1 teaching with the pupils who are struggling. This was incredibly rewarding watching them grow with just a little help. Watching the kids develop was my most valued memory of the project.
In the afternoons you do House Cup which is art, dance, public speaking, singing etc. and is a lot of fun but quite competitive! It was great seeing the kids thrive in activities they hadn't done before.
After you teach sport. This was part of the reason I chose to came so it was really great watching the kids get excited about different sports. I chose to teach netball whilst I was out there as it is a sport, I loved as a kid and knew the most about. It was amazing how much the girls improved in just a few weeks from some simple drills such as footwork or passing drills. We were lucky enough to have a competition in our last week so we got to watch the girls win games at the end which was amazing!
I was unfortunate enough to break my foot on my first day in the village! However, with the help of my team I was able to continue the project and do almost everything they did. At the weekends you go on day trips. My team went hiking, caving, swimming in the river etc. and we also got a family weekend. This was really good fun as my family took my sister and I to the farm and showed us where they grew cassava, paw-paw (papaya) and bananas. The fruit their was so delicious and seeing how long it took for a cassava to grow was amazing!
At the end of your project you get a few days of rest and relaxation at a resort. This was a time to chill out and have a few drinks with your team. I loved this time as it gave us a chance to relax before we all headed home. It also gave us a chance to thank our leaders, who were incredible through every step of the way.
Since coming back from Fiji, I have set up a society at my university for people to book expeditions and help fundraise for the trips and I am also going back out this summer as a leader!
I cannot recommend both Fiji or Think Pacific enough. If you want a truly eye-opening experience with the best people, then book a trip with them.