Staying for two weeks in a small Fijian village is no easy task. It’s hot, it’s different, it’s remote.
Despite the elements, living and working in Nananu alongside it’s beautiful people was truly a gift. It was a challenging experience, but a necessary one, and we have walked away more enlightened and self-aware as ever.
Though we have no regrets, here are a few things we decided as a group we might do differently if we were ever afforded the privilege to do a homestay in Fiji (or anywhere in this big world!) again. Read on for our list of 21 pieces of advice for future Carpe students.
– Ask more questions.
– Push harder than you ever have before – step more out of your comfort zone than you want to.
– As a woman, take control when volunteering. Don’t let the locals make you feel like you can’t. This goes for the manual labor and the projects in the kitchen you rock that sarong and hammer look!!
– Enjoy your alone time, you will have a lot of it and it’s important and keeps you sane. Bring books!
– Spend as much time with your homestay families as possible; at the end of the trip you will appreciate it more than you thought you would. Their tears of goodbye reiterate how meaningful our time their is to them.
– Don’t freak out about cleanliness.
– Drink water until you can’t and then keep drinking. It’s better than the bottled Fiji water stuff.
– If you have diarrhea pills, use them.
– Acknowledge that your body is not used to the sharp change, so be patient with how it reacts.
– Being awkward is ok. In fact, it’s probably only you who feels awkward. Why does sitting quietly together have to be avoided at all times? Find comfort in these moments and your company.
– Some things get easier as the weeks go by. Some things get harder.
– Push yourself to befriend the locals instead of hanging out only with other Carpe students. You’ll have ample free time and the Fijians love card games (hint hint). Try to genuinely get to know everyone in the village, and develop some type of relationship with each.
– Buy hand soap.
– Embrace everything, even the hard stuff. It is all an opportunity for learning, growth, and introspection.
– Study the language a little before arrival. The communication barriers are tough to get used to, and making the effort prior to memorize key terms is highly recommended. As peaceful travelers, it is our duty to enter the village giving due respect – starting with our greetings.
– The food isn’t bad, despite everyone’s complaints. Reflect on how you mentally and physically respond to eating the same types of food for 14 days straight. Is this another lesson in western privilege in disguise?
– When you are feeling frustrated or homesick, remind yourself that you are only here temporarily. Instead of freaking out and moping, make the most of your time. Soak it up. Attitude is everything.
– Try your best to get involved in the service projects. It’s easy to feel inadequate because we aren’t as skilled, but remember: we aren’t here to be master builders. We are here to work together and contribute in a small way to their home. Don’t be intimidated by the locals and their burly muscles. You are just as capable as they are; act like it.
– Ask your homestay parents about past students that have stayed there. You’ll hear hilarious stories. Maybe even about the chicken laying an egg in Ben’s bed??
– Share more about yourself each day. Bring photos of the most mundane parts of your life back home. Your family will love it and find it fascinating, and it’ll renew your appreciation for your hometown.
– Hug your Nau every morning.
– Play with the kids more.
The homestay on our gap year down under was an incredible experience. We are grateful for the lessons learned and will carry them with us back to our communities in the US!
Peace, love, Hongi.