Fiji Teaching Placement Review

It was a really eye-opening experience. Hard at times but genuinely rewarding.

The kids i taught made me feel so welcome and appreciated, and the other teachers put on a leaving party for me the day before i left. It's very easy to see how my time on the project has had a positive impact on the school, and i would love to go back.

James, the project manager in Fiji, was there to welcome me off the plane and available to help with any issues while i was there. He's also great fun to socialise with.

I taught two 2-hour lessons per day, 5 days a week. Including preparatory work i was probably working 6 hours in a day. This felt about right as i was also there to see Fiji and have a break, so i had plenty of time in the evenings and at weekends to do this.

After initial training i was free to make up my own lesson plans, with help if required. I was also taking a BTEC TEFL qualification during my placement so i had someextra structure provided by that.

I do not plan to become a teacher. I took this placement because i wanted to get some volunteering experience and see a completely different part of the world. It was great for my confidence though, and i feel that the placement and the TEFL qualification i gained while on it have been a great addition for my CV, and give me something memorable and interesting to talk about in job interviews.

In the school, it was mainly kids between 6 and 12. They were lively but really wanted to learn, and it felt like because i was from a different part of the world they were really interested in what i had to say. At the homestay the conditions were basic but the family were probably the most friendly and welcoming people i have ever met.

I had as much support as i needed before i left and while omn the project. It was very well organised.

This was a volunteer placement so it's more a case of being part of on ongoing project. You can get as much out of it as you put in.

It's a volunteer placement, not a job. I would love to go away with Frontier again.

The other volunteers were of a similar age and outlook, and it was great fun socialising with them and the project staff.

Living costs were included in the placement fee. Suvs (the capital of Fiji) is very cheap. For example a bottle of beer would be less than 50p and a meal out would cost one or two pounds per person.

There's no club scene as such, but there are plenty of bars, and the beach is not far away.

There are a range of things you can do in and around Suva, from scuba diving and snorkelling to jungle trekking.