This post features student writing.
For my passion project, I interviewed everyone in our group about their final thoughts and reflections from our program. We all had an amazing experience, grew, and learned so much. Based on the six questions I asked, below are a compilation of thoughts and answers.
– Rowan
The six questions were…
What was your favorite moment?
What was your favorite place?
What was your favorite country?
What was your favorite activity?
What was your favorite cultural moment?
What is the biggest thing you will take away from this trip?
What was your favorite moment?
Discovering Cadbury-covered Oreos
Dancing with the children in the Fijian village — Rararua
Seeing Nemo while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef
Trying traditional Fijian food while in the Rararua Village
Getting to the top of Whitsunday Island Peak after an hour of climbing to the top
Walking through the theater of the Sydney Opera House
Stargazing on the deck of our sailboat in the Whitsundays
Exploring Sydney
Waking up to the sunrise in the Whitsundays
Scuba diving in Fiji
Meeting everyone for the first time in LA
What was your favorite place?
Whitsundays
Steampunk museum
Treble Cone Ski Resort
Homestay houses in Oamaru
Sydney
Caves of Uluru
Queenstown
Fijian village — Rararua
What was your favorite country?
13/17 people said Australia
3/17 people said New Zealand
1/17 people said Fiji
What was your favorite activity?
Visiting Rararua Village in Fiji
Hiking to Whitsunday Island Peak
Snorkeling in both Fiji and Australia
Skiing at Treble Cone Mountain
Hiking to the sand dunes in Fiji
Relaxing and soaking up the sun
Riding the luge in Queenstown
Sailing in the Whitsundays
Scuba diving in Fiji
Spending time with the homestay families
Walking around Sydney
What was your favorite cultural moment?
Learning about the Maori people
Discussing about the differences between Kiwi and American slang and lifestyle
Singing songs in Rararua
Experiencing life in Rararua
Talking to homestay sister and her friends about their lives
Learning about Fijian culture at Gecko’s Resort
Fijian kava ceremonies
Walking around Uluru and learning about the paintings in the caves
What is the biggest thing you will take away from this trip?
“The world is much more beautiful than I thought it was.”
Personal space and privacy
Going with the flow
Importance of travel
How easy it is to make connections, importance of responsibility, learning about cultures with an open mind
Pack light, accept other people, enjoy the moment
Appreciating the little things and what is important to others, live in the moment
Independence
How to pack like a traveler
Difference between tourist and traveler
You can make a home anywhere
A greater understanding of Fijian culture and a love for the warmth of the people there
Appreciating time without phones or WiFi
The importance of time alone and how to pack efficiently
To be thankful and not to take things for granted