The Educational Immersion Package is a 7-night opportunity for small groups of university/college students. Sufficient content can be built in to award course credits with the focus on service-learning and cultural immersion. Two nights will be spent at Lawaki Beach House (with a coral reef on its doorstep) and five nights in an adjacent village (refer to the itinerary below).
Day 1: Arrival day – Boat travel from Pacific Harbor to Lawaki Beach House. Learn about, and visit, the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) containing an impressive diversity of soft and hard corals and fish diversity. Understand the importance of LMMAs throughout Fiji, how they are managed to maintain coral health and fish diversity, and the role of sustainable eco-tourism practices.
Day 2: Lawaki Beach House – Engage in a citizen science project to analyze, measure and develop your own picture of the health and sustainability of the Lawaki’s LMMA reef. Lawaki will also assist you in preparing for your village stay.
Day 3: Boat or hike from Lawaki Beach House to your village homestay (either Naiseuseu or Naceva). On arrival you will be greeted by your homestay host and then invited to participate in a Sevusevu. Modules conducted in the afternoon run by course coordinator.
Day 4: Village stay – Participate in an ethnographic study to learn more about the Fijian Way of Life. Daily personal reflection and group meeting.
Day 5: Village stay – select from an array of service-learning activities which include water treatment, sustainable farming and/or fishing, primary school teaching, etc. Daily personal reflection and group meeting.
Day 6: Village stay – A series of seminars and group meetings will examine the future of the traditional Fijian village in the 21st Century, with a critical lens for diversity and social entrepreneurship. Daily personal reflection and group meeting.
Day 7: Village stay – Continue your service-learning activity, help prepare the Lovo (traditional Fijian feast) and develop a student-led presentation about life in the village (from an outsiders perspective). The evening lovo will be followed by the presentation.
Day 8: Departure Day – Boat travel from the village to Pacific Harbor (mid-morning). The concluding stages of your stay will highly likely be an emotional departure from village friends and family.
Service-learning and Educational Learning Outcomes
Service-learning provides the opportunity for students to learn and develop through active participation in service activities in collaboration with communities. Students will be immersed in a hands-on cultural learning experience, have opportunities for reflection and foster civic responsibility.
Learning outcomes involved in this service learning experience include:
LO1: Linking theory to practice through the integration of real-world skills with experiential learning, supported by appropriate readings.
LO2: Students will be guided to achieve high standards of global citizenship and stewardship.
LO3: Demonstrate skills required in the workplace.
LO4: Students will not only benefit academically, but also in the development of their personal philosophy and values through this international experience.
LO5: Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of community eco-tourism and sustainable practices.
Moreover, each students’ learning experience will be enhanced by facilitating the following skills:
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Civic responsibility
- Global understanding and citizenship
Please contact Lawaki Beach House for the cost of this package.
- Package includes accommodation, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner including morning and afternoon tea), boat charter to and from Pearl Resort to Lawaki, contribution to the Beqa Island Locally Managed Marine Area fund, service-learning activities, and the marine citizen-science exercise.
- Bring 1kg of kava per large group for Sevusevu.
Contact:
Christine Tawake
Lawaki Beach House
Mobile: +679 992 1621
Email: info@lawakibeachhousefiji.com
Fiji Homestays 