Best experience

I completed the Sports Development Program with Think Pacific from June 19th to July 16th in Naboutolu, Fiji. As part of this experience, I lived in a rural Fijian village with a host family for three weeks.

During these three weeks, I collaborated with Fijian youth (18-35 year olds) to deliver sporting workshops to rural village youth and planned and delivered a sports coaching session to a local demographic. This project also involved learning about Fijian culture through courses, including weaving, making bilos, and performing the traditional Fijian dance, the meke. Additionally, I taught the village a variety of sports and helped them create structure within their games.

I have learned to be more culturally aware and understanding of others. I immersed myself in a new culture and loved learning about a different way of life. Seeing people happy with what they have is inspiring, and I aim to continue embracing this perspective now that I am back home. I highly recommend volunteering to anyone, as it opens your mind and helps you discover new things about yourself and the world. This project taught me that I am more resilient than I thought, and I am a better person because of it.

My highlights included:
1. Leading the first sports workshop in the village alongside another volunteer and two Fijian youth.
2. Playing and winning netball matches with my village against other local teams at the county sports ground.
3. Leading a Zumba workshop for women over 35 in the village to encourage the elders to be more active.
4. Climbing a mountain despite being incredibly ill.
5. Getting to know everyone in my village.