Think Pacific Avis 

I joined Think Pacific’s Bali Conservation Programme expecting a genuinely conservation-focused experience involving coral work, outdoor activities, meaningful engagement with environmental organisations and an immersive host-family stay. These expectations were based on Think Pacific’s website, webinars and pre-departure information.

In my experience, the programme delivered was materially different. Most of it consisted of cultural activities, some of which were repeated, while the coral element was limited to one day near the end. The advertised opportunity to present ideas, apply our knowledge and work meaningfully with partner organisations did not happen.

This was particularly important to me as an Environmental Law student and was one of the main reasons I chose the programme. During the trip, we were told that the partner-presentation element had been removed months earlier, yet participants had not been informed before booking, paying or travelling.

The advertised host-family immersion was also very different from what I experienced. Interaction with the family was limited, we did not meaningfully take part in their daily routines, and the accommodation felt more like guest rooms than living as part of a family. There were also issues with basic provisions, privacy, accommodation information and restrictions that had not been clearly explained before departure.

The Bali GTI included some great activities and the staff were complimentary. However, the intense, long day and then the sharing of rooms/homestays with people you barely know just isn't the safest environment. Especially once you are out there all alone abroad. Unless you get lucky with who is onboard it can end very badly, considering the lack of surveillance. Support once you are completing GTI is also not consistent with the support you receive initially while planning to head abroad.

The activities were fun, but internship quality was bad along with students(they just take anyone)

One in a life time opportunity, made so many friends, memories and learnt so much! An amazing way to spend a summer, all the leaders and people in charge were incredible, would definitely recommend it!

On behalf of Go Overseas, it is consistently a pleasure to work with the team at Think Pacific! So appreciative of their energy, collaboration, responsiveness, and professionalism. On top of that, Think Pacific received a 2025 Community Choice Award on Go Overseas this year!

If you're in doubt of doing a Think Pacific project - just do it!
I can hand on heart say it was the best experience of my life, from start to finish.
Firstly, Fiji is the most beautiful country, with the most beautiful people and culture. Being able to live in a Fijian village with a Fijian family for 3 weeks was a real privilege, and an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. As much as my team and I were delivering workshops to the village youth, we learned just as much from them as they did from us through the villagers teaching us about their culture.
Our weekend activities were exceptional, such being able to explore the surrounding areas, hikes and swimming in waterfalls. This is perfect for anybody who has an adventurous nature!
We also did regular sports activities and night time activities, such as games, talent shows and going to watch the horse racing in another village. Our days were packed full of fun and laughter!
You make friends for life and grow so much from the experience, both professionally and personally.
I am so lucky to have a second home and family in Fiji and I cannot wait to return one day!

I had to opportunity to be a part of the Youth Empowerment project in Korolevu, Fiji. The love you get shown coming into the village is incomparable to any other experience - the connections that you build within the community become so strong that you will definitely be gutted to leave. In the morning we lead workshops and in the afternoon we had a culture course where we learned traditional Fijian crafts such as weaving, cooking, and meke!

On the excursions we went swimming in a waterfall, hiking, and attend cava ceremonies. During the week we would play lots of sports, swim in the river, and eat a lot!!

The friends you’ll make lifelong. I promise it’ll be an unforgettable experience.

Wow. What a trip. This was honestly a life changing trip for me. Being able to embrace Fijian culture whilst residing in a remote village for 3.5 weeks allowed us as volunteers to connect with villagers through our passion of sport. Our core goal was to educate the youth in the village on the benefits of sport on the wider community as well as themselves whilst furthering our coaching abilities through a range of sports. We truly lucked out with the best village as well as volunteers and that made leaving the village one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

ThinkPacific are accommodating and helpful and really set the experience apart from any holiday. The immersion into Fijian culture whilst staying with a Fijian family is a unique experience you can only get through ThinkPacific.

Being part of a Youth Empowerment program with Think Pacific, I had the privilege of getting to stay with a Fijian family in a rural village for a month, mimicking their way of life by living in their house, eating their food and being a part of their family. Whilst on project, our days would be split into two main parts. Workshops, in which we would collaborate in groups with youth from the village to discuss differing topics such as climate change, mental health, and leadership. By prioritising teamwork to find issues and solutions to whatever challenges we were tasked with, I learnt more about the topics we were discussing as well as several skills relating to group work. On certain days we also ran our own workshops which greatly improved my confidence, both in public speaking and being able to create and run a session. In the afternoons we would do an extremely insightful culture course, in which we got to understand different aspects of Fijian culture. From how they cook their traditional dish, Lovo, to how they weave beautiful Fijian carpets and bracelets out of grass. However, my favourite days were Saturdays when we would have trips outside our village. My highlight being the Nabalasere waterfall, at 230ft it's the tallest in Fiji! Even though I got to see so many amazing things, my favourite part of the whole experience was meeting friends for life, both other volunteers and villagers. So if you're considering doing a Summer school then get out of your comfort zone and do it! If it's anything like my experience you'll have the time of your life!

This project was such an incredible experience- genuinely the summer of a lifetime. The sense of community in the village is something I feel so grateful to have had the privilege of seeing first hand and moreover being welcomed into. The workshops resulted in a visible impact within the youth in terms of their confidence and understanding of certain topics which was such a lovely thing to witness and to have felt in some way responsible for. There’s no culutural immersion opportunities like it!

Had such an amazing time. During the trip we lived with a traditional Fijian family who cooked and provided a house for us and who ended up like a second family. We coached a variety of sport to the youth in our village (aged 18-35). Played netball matches against other villages. Took part in a culture course which included learning Fijian, making traditional Fijian foods and making tradition Fijian items such as kava bowls, weaving fans and weaving kava bowl holders. Also went to another village to coach which was so fun. Leaders were amazing and so so supportive. Can’t wait to go back to Fiji and see all my family again!

Think pacific did an amazing job. I don’t know of any other non profit that quite does what they do.

My favorite part was how immersive it was. I loved being in there with the community. I was able to learn and grow so much and I know they were impacted much more because of that. I felt the topics we taught and discuss we really beneficial to the youth in Fiji and impacted them for the better. I was able to see many improvements in the month we were there because of the things think pacific taught.

Thank pacific changed my life and perspective for the better. This is something I would definitely encourage others to do as well.

This has truly been a once in a lifetime experience and something I will remember for the rest of my life. It’s an amazing opportunity to meet like minded people and immerse yourself in the Fijian culture. The Think Pacific team makes the entire experience seamless from pre-departure checklists to once we arrive in Fiji. Being able to facilitate the workshops and work with local youths was so rewarding and being able to appreciate their way of life helps to put things into perspective when you start to slow down

I recently completed the Think Pacific Youth Empowerment project and I can honestly say it was the best thing I’ve ever done. A truly life changing experience! I have made so many memories and learnt so many lessons, about my self and the Fijian culture, that I will forever carry with me. Living in a village was really daunting, but the love and openness of Fijians is next to nothing, you truly arrive a stranger and leave as family, creating a second home. I couldn’t recommend it enough! Vinaka Think Pacific :)

The most amazing thing I have done in my life!! So rewarding, if you get the chance please do it!!

I did the community build in Nasibitu in August 24. The experience was amazing, living with the locals, learning all about their way of living, culture and making friends for life with them. The build itself was amazing - seeing it come together in just 3 weeks, painting was the most fun part. The excursions on the weekends with the youths were also so much fun - we went to caves, other villages and did bili bili racing which was the highlight of my month away!

This volunteer trip with Think Pacific allows you to truly immerse yourself into Fijian life; giving you the opportunity to live and create bonds with families and villagers in the most incredible way. You will learn all about Fijian culture, enjoy Fijian cuisine and meet other volunteers with similar interests making friends for life. If you are one for scenic views and nature, the villages are in remote areas amongst the mountains with some of best views you will ever see!
I couldn't recommend this trip enough.

Think Pacific has changed my life and literally made my life better. I am so grateful and thankful for all the people that i met and all the memories that i have created.

I took part in the one month mental health project in Fiji. This month was by far the best month I ever lived. I met people that I will never forget and will cherish forever. I’ve never experienced such a welcoming community and such love in my life. As much as we raised awareness about mental health within the Fijian village, us volunteers definitely learnt more from our village than they learnt from us. This project was soul healing and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I wish I could do it again.