Program Overview
A country comprised of over 300 islands, Fiji is a tropical paradise of jarring contrasts. Remote villages nestled along white-sand beaches where native Fijians catch fish from the blue water; tense ethnic rivalries brought about by British colonialism and labor recruitment from India; high-hoped, high-cost, and sometimes highly-damaging development schemes designed to attract tourists—and commerce--from around the world: these are the realities.
Fiji: A Geographical Expedition is not your typical study abroad session. Only 12 students will be selected for this rigorous program of field-study mixed with service-learning. While there will be some course readings and lectures, students will be expected to learn via the development of their own skills and resourcefulness. Detailed observations of landscapes and livelihoods, in-depth conversations with local peoples, and active participation in a service-learning project are the heart of this program.
First we will spend 4-6 days on the the remote island of Kadavu to study traditional village life and learn from the native Fijians who will host us in their homes. UD graduate student Lusi Browning, who grew up in this village, will be on site to act as our guide/interpreter. Students will have a chance to fish, swim, snorkel, or learn to dive in the coral reefs. Next we will spend almost two weeks in and around the capital city of Suva, likely housed in University of the South Pacific dorms. Guest speakers will discuss the impact of colonialism, resource exploitation, tourism, and global climate change. We will meet and work with our service-learning partners on a project about self-built housing. Local excursions to the Fiji Museum, Coli-i-Suva Forest Park, as well as island-hopping flights to the former colonial capital of Levuka, the largely Indian city of Labasa, and the beautiful island of Taveuni, will fill out our knowledge of the people and places of Fiji. Before heading home, students will have 2-3 days in Nadi to finish up course assignments, shop, swim, and sight-see.
UD students pay all program fee deposits by direct bank transfer via this website: http://www.udel.edu/studyabroadpayments. Non-UD students should send a check, payable to the University of Delaware, to CFIS, Elliott Hall, 26 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19716. Credit card payments are not accepted.
