Cultural Immersion Week in Fiji, Coral Coast
Take part in our coral coast culture week in beautiful Fiji’s most famous stretch of golden sand-lined countryside. Immerse yourself in a week of culture, travel and exploring the wonderful Island country of Fiji. Fiji is famed for its tranquil beaches, botanical gardens, tropical wildlife and welcoming culture. Embrace all that the beautiful region has to offer on this cultural immersion week designed to familiarise participants with the majestical country of Fiji. These tropical islands are home to some of the happiest people on Earth. The unique blend of culture and nature can be seen throughout Fiji and in virtually every aspect of your stay – from the food, festivals, rituals and the arts.
- Explore the beautiful island of Fiji
- Immerse yourself in the culture of the island
- Experience a traditional Fijian welcome ceremony called “Kava Ceremony”
- Attend a weaving class
- Join a class to learn Fijian language and Fijian cooking
We highly recommend you start your trip with a comprehensive cultural immersion week followed by one of our community projects. It will help you settle in by meeting new people and understanding great aspects about the country you are visiting. Search other activities for week two onward in the ‘Related trips‘ section.
Note that the culture week happens during the first and third week of every month, so if you want to start your trip with it then factor this in, otherwise you can do it in and around other activities.
Cultural Immersion Week in Fiji
The best way to embrace Fiji is in Sigatoka, where you will get familiar with the culture and people of Fiji. During this week we will explain the do’s and don’ts regarding safety and transport. Various crafts give Fiji a unique identity that along with traditional etiquette and local architecture tells a story of culture and its evolution over time. You will be invited to join a kava ceremony during your stay. After the formalities, this is a wonderful way to make new friends and learn a little more about their countries. Dig a little deeper and see what you can discover! Visit the Fijian markets, attend a weaving class, learn Fijian language and cooking and get to know about your projects. The week consists of three days of activities to introduce you to the Fijian culture and surroundings and also for you to interact with the fellow participants. During the last two days of the week, you will be visiting your project and commence your work.
Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.
Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.
2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.
3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.
4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.
Start dates are every first and third week of the month with your activities starting on a Monday. We therefore request you arrive on Sunday between 06:00 – 18:00 where we will meet you. Early or late arrivals will incur an additional charge for the transfer and/or accommodation.
Your trip will finish on the Saturday morning when you will need to vacate the accommodation or continue with another trip of ours.
Aims & Objectives
Introduce you to Fiji’s diverse geographical and cultural environment by fostering a deeper understanding of cultural similarities and differences through experiential learning in Fiji and to help you develop awareness and deeper understanding of culture.
Schedule
Monday to Friday
Highlights:
- Introduction regarding the culture and people of Fiji
- Sessions on safety, transport and do’s and dont’s
- Sigatoka town and the village
- Attend a weaving class
- Attend a class to learn Fijian language and Fijian cooking
- Experience a traditional Fijian welcome ceremony called “Kava Ceremony”
- Make friends around the world! – take part in our cultural exchange session where you share your culture with the fellow participants
- Visit your project placement sites and get to know the projects you will be working upon
This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Additional Requirements
Participants above 16 and below 18 are required to present a parental consent letter and participants below 16 are required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Additional Equipment
- Personal Medicines
- Hat
- Small padlock to secure valuables
- Tidy clean clothes for formal occasions
Location
Coral Coast is the coastline connecting Suva and Sigatoka stretching over a large area along the Southeast coast of Fiji. The location is perfect, sitting along a beautiful stretch of coastline, and has the best beaches on the island with a chilled out atmosphere. The area lives up to its reputation as a spot for adrenaline junkies, offering a wide variety of activities to get your heart racing, from surfing and shark feeding to four-wheel-drive tours. For a more laid-back experience try a round of golf on the championship course, or enjoy a spot of fishing. Offering lush rainforests, rivers and waterfalls at your back door and a beach looking across to Beqa Island which is world-famous for fire walking.
Accommodation & Food
About the Accommodation
Participants will stay at our beachfront centre which is located in the Sigatoka area, yet it can vary depending on the project you are enrolled with. The accommodation is dorm style with a private bathroom. There are refrigerators at the accommodation for the participant’s convenience. The house has a garden as well as a volleyball court.
Available Room Types
|
|
Standard Room |
|
All meals included |
Yes * |
|
Free beverages |
Yes ** |
|
Persons per room |
4-6 |
|
Wifi in public areas |
Yes |
|
Laundry facilities |
Yes *** |
|
Safety box |
Yes |
|
Lockable rooms |
Yes |
|
Hot shower |
Yes |
|
Private bathroom |
Yes |
|
Bed linen |
Yes |
|
Towels |
No |
|
Air conditioning |
No |
|
Fan |
Yes |
|
Mosquito protection |
Yes |
* Three meals per day during weekdays and two per day on weekends and public holidays
** Water, tea, coffee and milk
*** At an additional fee
Food Arrangements
We serve breakfast and dinner at a normal time during the weekend. Breakfast is western style and lunch and dinner are typical Fijian style.
Facilities
- ATM’s: There are many ATM’s near the Centre which is about a 5 to 10 minutes from the house
- The local supermarket is a 5-minute walk from the centre
- Personal SIM card for your mobile: You can buy at the local shop
- The closest City is Nadi about one and a half ride by car/bus from our Centre
- The closest town is Sigatoka town which is 10 mins away
- About 10 mins to Medical Centre
Mandatory Orientation Day
On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.
Schedule
- Welcome, introduction to Fiji and projects, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
- Sigatoka City Tour
- Kava Ceremony – The Traditional Fijian Welcome Ceremony
Activities & Events
No scheduled activities outside the program
Sights & Surroundings
- Sigatoka sand dunes
- Kila Eco Adventure Park: enjoy high rope course, a leap of faith and a giant swing
- Scuba and snorkelling
- Tavuni Hill Fort
- Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course
- Sigatoka Market
- Arts Village at Pacific Harbour: Enjoy the footbridges, the water-lily ponds, the pathways, the Fijian bure and experience how life was in the olden days which is one and hour drive
Transportation
From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations
Accommodation
Participants will stay at our beachfront centre which is located in the Sigatoka area. Accommodation is dorm style with a private bathroom. Shared rooms (4-6 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation designed with an authentic Fijian style; garden; volleyball court; internet access in communal areas.
Food
3 meals a day are provided on weekdays, and then 2 meals per day on weekends; breakfast is western style and lunch and dinner are typical Fijian style.
Airport Transfer
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early/late. Accommodation surcharges apply for those arriving on Saturday. From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.
Training
A full orientation and project induction takes place.
Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.
Donation
Part of your fee is donated to help the community where you will be based.
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visas; Vaccinations (please read our FAQs for more information)
- Spending money
- In-country travel
- Laundry service
- Extra activities not on itinerary
- Departure transfer (but we will advice on how to get to your next destination)
Preferred Duration
The maximum time for this programme is 1 week.
Pre-requisites
No prior experience or qualifications are required. It is important that you can speak basic English. All participants require a CRB check to take part in the project activities and will need to provide a copy of their passport on sign up.
Ideal for
Cultural Immersion Week in Fiji; Activity Breaks in Fiji; Volunteer Gap Years and Career Breaks in Fiji; and Student Summer Holidays in Oceania.
Suitable for ages 18 to 80
Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.
Most nationalities visiting for 14 days or less will enter on a Business Permit, given the nature of our activities being classed as ‘Volunteering’ and not a Tourist Permit. This can be done on entering the country.
However, if you are visiting for 15 days of more then you will need to apply for a Short-Term Work Permit. This costs USD $300 and is something our local team will process for you. Once you have booked your trip, all details and the process for this will be explained to you in our Travel Centre. Ideally, we require 6 weeks before arrival to process this but we can still do it with less time as it takes approximately 21 days for us to process the admin and get an outcome from Fiji Immigration.
Yes, you will receive pre-departure information on how to plan including the arrival and meet procedure.
As part of our in-country service we provide an airport pick-up for all participants. You should aim to arrive between 6:00 and 18:00 on either a Saturday or Sunday. Please note there will be an additional charge for arriving on the Saturday (please contact us for more details). It’s best you arrive at Nadi International Airport (NAN) otherwise there will be an additional charge if you arrive at Nausori International Airport (SUV).
Accommodation is provided in our comfortable volunteer houses (shared rooms of 2-4 people) or at a local home-stay and in some cases at the project site. You will be provided with a 24/7 emergency number on arrival, and you will have the dedicated support from English speaking staff on site. Our in-country team also operates a formal helpdesk during working hours for any feedback and questions from our participants.
On the whole, the accommodation we provide is twin or four shared. However, we do offer those looking for a bit more privacy the opportunity to book their own single room for an extra fee per week (dependant on availability – ask us for details).
We recommend that those taking part in this trip should be 18 years or older. We accept participants under 18 so long as they travel with a parent or legal guardian.
Yes we include meals for the duration of this trip. On weekdays our team will provide 3 meals per day and on weekends 2 meals per day (brunch and dinner) as many people like to go off site and travel over the weekend.
The general schedules for this trip runs from Monday to Friday (unless otherwise stated that some weekend work is available) with evenings during the week and weekends free for travel, excursions and activities.
You should expect to be transferred from the airport to the accommodation by public transport (taxi or coach). Project related transport can vary between minibus, open air cars, boats, and even bicycles.
No, you will be required to hand wash your clothes. However, we do have laundry services available where you can pay and get the service.
We require our participants to be socially active whilst taking part. This trip incorporates lots of inter-action with the local people and culture, involves some local travel, and our volunteer projects will need you to use initiative and the ability to think on your feet. In all cases, our in-country coordinators will be there to guide you and provide 24hr support to ensure everything is running smoothly.
It depends on which project you have chosen. Some projects require formal dress. Therefore, packing a few formal clothes won’t hurt. The Fijian tradition is such that in villages they do not wear revealing clothes.
This can be possible, depending on the availability of accommodation and the project that you have chosen. We will try our best to accommodate your request.
We provide emergency contacts once you have booked and we also have in-house coordinators available who can assist you.
It entirely depends on you. You can come as a group, with your friends or family. If you are traveling alone, this is not a problem, as you will meet a lot of other participants at the centre.
It is advisable to see your doctor and carry the recommended medications with you. You will also need a medical clearance report for the Short-Term Work Permit if you are with us for 15 or more days.
All our accommodations have limited internet connections available for you to keep in touch with your friends and family. We recommend that you purchase a local SIM (traveller’s SIM) from the airport upon arrival for your personal internet connection. We also show you where the Post Office is and guide you if you need to send or receive packages or mail.
Please be aware that the Saturday morning 11:00 return transfers we offer at the end of the participant’s programme are to the local bus station, where participants can continue their traveling. Due to the many different personal plans and return flight times people have, we have found it logistically simpler to send participants to the nearest bus station and allow them to make their own way, whether it is to do more traveling, continue onto nearby islands, or return to the airport. If leaving at a different time, please confirm the leaving procedure with your coordinator once in-country.
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