Our very last group excursion has come and gone, and with only one month left in the program, I really don’t know where the time has gone. This last Sunday, we boarded Fiji Airways, ready to take on Fiji with the very few words we knew. “Bula” “Vinaka” “Moce” were as far as my vocabulary got me, but it didn’t matter because the people were as welcoming and kind as most Pacific Islanders I have met. Our first stop was Suva, the new capital, and a bustling city at that. I was overwhelmed at the thought that this must be what my fellow study abroad students feel daily, while I’ve found a home in my little Pacific Island country and on my campus of only 90 students. There was an overwhelming amount of shops (and thank goodness because there was an overwhelming amount of gifts still needed to be bought). After Suva, we quite literally saw almost all of Fiji, stopping at five different hotels/hostels/places to call home for a night or two. Next was the little town of Levuka, which was a quaint little town with one road right across from the waters edge and a whopping 3 whole restaurants to choose from in the town. Next up was my favorite stop of the entire trip. We visited an organization for less than 24 hours but learned so much about religion in the Pacific and the good that can result. One grandfather decided to build this organization, Compassion for Children, which is what resembles a camp ground with multiple little homes for people in need to come stay. This grandfather adopted 5 little boys from different unfortunate situations, all in need of a home. The boys were more willing to help around their lot and do their chores, more so than I can say of any child in America. We all ate dinner together, had a devotional, and sat for hours playing games with the kids. Moments that I will carry with me all the way back home. Tomorrow marks our last day of formal sessions and the start of our independent projects for the last month we are here. Wish us luck!
