University of Wisconsin - Stout

A study abroad experience in Suva, Fiji

Coursework in Applied Science; Education; and Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management

Estimated Cost: $9,444 (includes housing)
Spring Dates: January – June, 2009
Fall Dates: July – November, 2009
Deadline for Spring: October 1, 2008
Deadline for Fall: February 15, 2009
Updated: June 10, 2008

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Program Description

The Fiji Study Center program at the University of the South Pacific is designed to provide students with a unique living and learning experience. The Center is the premier institution of higher education in the Pacific Region and an international center of excellence for teaching, research, and consulting on all aspects of Pacific life. It is comprised of a vibrant and culturally diverse community of staff and students from its 12 Member Countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Island, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tubalu, and Vanuatu, as well as many other countries worldwide. The Center offers internationally recognized undergraduate and postgraduate study programs in a wide variety of disciplines. An on-site program coordinator arranges excursions and provides academic advising to program participants.
The semester begins with a three to five day orientation outside of Suva and ends with a “farewell reception” for students, their host families, and the USP faculty and staff. Educational excursions are an integral part of the pacific Islands Studies Program. Possible excursions include: Fijian village stay, Abaca, Indo-Fijian settlement, Fiji Museum, Suva, Visit to Oceania Fine Arts Centre, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Tavuni Hill Fort and Sigatoka Sand Dunes, Tuvata (gold mine): development sites, Hikes to Savuione Waterfall, Mt. Batilamu, and Koroyanitu National Heritage Park, Vatukoula “rock of gold” gold mine, Colo-I-Suva park and reserve, Nakavu, and a selective logging site near Navua.

Suva, Fiji

map of GermanyThis South Pacific Island nation, rich in history and traditions, provides an exceptional setting for the study of a multicultural society. Although the official language is English, most citizens also speak Fiji, Hindi, Urdu, or one of the many Fijian dialects. The island’s cultural diversity is also reflected in the variety of Christian churches, Hindu temples, Islamic mosques, traditional Fijian houses, and modern buildings that make up the physical environment. Suva, the capital of Fiji, is a beautiful harbor city built on a peninsula reaching out into the sea. Its tall, modern buildings are beautifully balanced by rich traditional colonial architecture. The mountains north and west catch the southeast trade winds, producing moist air year round and cooling sea breezes. Suva, an exciting multi-racial city, began as a late Victorian village with frame houses and stores along the beachfront. Much of the city still survives, for there are many small, quaint wooden bungalows in the old section which stand in contrast to the modern offices and shopping plazas. Suva has a rich and vibrant cultural life that students are encouraged to experience, with plays, concerts, exhibits, folk festivals, and performances that go on throughout the year.

Courses

Students majoring in Applied Science, Education, and Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management will be able to find courses in their area.

In addition, all students will enroll in two required courses: Pacific Island Worlds: An Introduction to Pacific Studies (4 credits) and Cross-Cultural Understanding (1 credit). Students will choose an additional 2-3 courses (8-12 credits) from a pre-selected list of courses. The Office of International Education recommends students take 12 credits. All instruction is in English. Participants will be enrolled with Fijian students in all courses with the exception of the Cross-Cultural Understanding course. Please visit this website for directions of how to view available courses at USP-Fiji: http://www.uwplatt.edu/studyabroad/fiji/courses/index.html

Estimated Costs

Students will pay a program fee to UW-Stout to cover the cost of tuition and fees, housing with most meals, visa processing fees, cultural visits, health insurance, and the International Student ID Card. Airfare, passport fees, and personal expenses are paid directly by the students. Eligible students can use their financial aid to help pay these expenses. Need based scholarships are available to eligible Wisconsin residents. Actual costs may necessitate an increase depending on changes in currency exchange rate, tuition increases, airfare and personal spending habits.

Estimated Program Cost: $9,444

Estimated Housing Costs: (included in program cost)

Estimated Personal Expenses: $3,100

Total Estimated Costs: $12,544

For further breakdown of all estimated costs, please contact the Office of International Education (below).

Eligibility

Student must be at least sophomore status; have a GPA of 2.5, and be in good academic standing at the time of participation.

Housing and Meals

Students will live in on-campus housing. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided Monday - Friday. Students will also experience 2-3 day stays in Fijian villages and Indian settlements.

Throughout the semester, weekend and/or evening stays will be arranged with local families interested in hosting U.S. students and sharing their culture.

Passport/Visa

All students must have a valid US passport and student visa for entrance into Fiji. UW-Platteville will assist students with the visa process. A passport is needed to apply for the visa. Therefore, it is imperative to apply for your passport promptly. The current passport fee is $100. If students already have a US passport, be sure to check the dates of validity. It must be valid for six months beyond the return date to the US.

Application Procedures

Please make an appointment with the Office of International Education (OIE), 400 Bowman Hall, to review and receive the application materials. Completed forms are returned to OIE. A $100 nonrefundable application fee is paid to the Student Business Services Office located in the Administration Building at time of application. Once accepted by UW-Stout, a $200 nonrefundable service fee will be required to hold a place in the program.

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