Our faculty includes a Nobel recipient, 2 NAS members + 11 AAAS fellows.
Fiji
Adventures in Culture, Environment, History and Health
June 17–June 24, 2012
Check out Global Health students Tabarik Ahmad's and Marie Manning's Fiji Study Abroad blogs!
Fiji is a beautiful and fascinating island country in the central South Pacific with a diverse population, unique ecologies and wonderfully rich cultural traditions. Focusing on the intersection of culture, health and environment, we head off on our eight-day program by traveling down the beautiful southern coastline where we will meet local villagers and learn about how Fijians are balancing concerns of tradition and demands of modern life. The exact itinerary changes year to year, but often involves traveling by boat and/or sailing to Fiji's beautiful offshore islands in the Yasawa chain and a visit to the city of Siva to find out more about Fijian urban life and politics. We always spend a chunk of our time in research, service and experiential activities related to developing sustainable health and environmental solutions in indigenous Fijian communities. These also change each year based on what the village needs, but we have previously helped with building water tank systems and planting mangroves or seeding coral colonies to deal with local effects of climate change. Getting involved in everyday life and helping in a Fijian village is the highlight for many students. During our time in Fiji there will also be opportunities for such other activities as hiking, bird watching, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and participation in traditional Fijian celebrations with food and dancing. Because we only have eight days in Fiji, this is a very busy, action-packed program.
The program is suitable for students from a wide variety of backgrounds, and no prior knowledge in the topic areas is assumed. Most students who participate in the Fiji program also participate in the Australia or New Zealand programs that run in the three weeks prior, because Fiji is an easy stopover between New Zealand/Australia and the U.S. Fiji is a rustic destination, and a sense of adventure is a prerequisite. Note for Global Health majors: Fiji alone will NOT count as fulfilling the study abroad requirement. Check with your advisor for more information.
The 2012 program fee for the Fiji option is $2,795, covering 3 credits of coursework, in-country transportation, activities and most meals. Airfare is around $150 additional if traveling from the New Zealand or Australia program, or about $1,000 otherwise.
Courses are all designed to be suitable for non-majors and students from a wide range of backgrounds or with no prior health or environment experience, and prerequisites are waived for students going on the Australia or New Zealand program prior. Course options include:
- ASB 443/SSH 403 Cross-Cultural Studies in Global Health (3)
Fulfills CLAS Science & Society; and/or fulfills General Studies (L or SB) & G
(This course is repeatable for credit.)
- ASB 452/SSH 402 Community Partnerships for Global Health (3)
Fulfills General Studies SB
- ASB 512/SSH 512 Social Science Applications in Community Health (3)
Apply Now (Applications for 2013 will open in the fall.)
For more information, e-mail or call the School of Human Evolution and Social Change's study abroad program assistant at (480) 965-1366.
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