We have outlined here TEAN’s six easy steps to studying abroad. Your TEAN Program Manager guides you through the entire process, reminding you when and what we need from you as you traverse along the journey to studying abroad. These six steps also include all the vital information you need to know as you prepare for your time abroad. If you can’t find the answers to your questions here, then don’t hesitate to call or email us.
Congratulations! You have applied to the TEAN Fiji semester program, so you are already one step toward the best semester of your college life! This section walks you through how to complete your Fiji application including paying your deposit, how to obtain a passport and check that yours will be valid for the duration you need, the best ways to contact TEAN, and all the important dates to mark down on your calendar now. As usual, if your questions are not answered here, then don’t hesitate to contact us! Step 1: Get Started explained in 60 seconds.
As we move through the application process more forms and items will be added to your checklist by your Program Manager. So continue to check back for updates!
Submit your most recent transcripts. In order for us to fully accept you into the program, we will need to review your official transcripts. For students studying in the Spring semester, we will need transcripts including grades from the previous Spring semester. For Fall students, we require transcripts including grades from the previous Fall semester.
There are two ways you can submit your official transcripts:
The EDUCATION ABROAD Network
5301 Southwest Parkway, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78735
Once you complete the required forms in your TEAN application portal, your Program Manager will let you know that you are accepted to the program! Once accepted, we will provide information on how you will pay for your program. If we do not have a billing agreement with your home institution, you will receive your program invoice at this time. Payment is due by your program’s payment deadline. We’ll send you more information on how to make payment, using financial aid, and the option of a payment plan. Please be prepared to make payment by your payment deadline in order to move forward with the program. You can review more information regarding finances here.
Your TEAN Program Contract will be available in your TEAN application portal once you apply. You must sign and upload your completed Program Contract by your program’s payment deadline. Please familiarize yourself with the cancellation policy below prior to signing your contract.
The below cancellation policy applies if a student chooses to withdraw. For our policy covering TEAN cancelling the program, please see here.
This policy applies to all cancellations, regardless of the reason. Your request to withdraw and receive a refund must be made in writing to TEAN. The $95 application deposit is non-refundable. If your application is denied due to eligibility requirements, your deposit will be fully refunded. Alternative payment arrangements (financial aid, payment plans, etc.) do not exempt you from this policy. Payment deadlines can be found on our Dates & Fees page.
If you withdraw…
The final deadline to withdraw from any TEAN program is 14 days prior to the start date of the program. If you withdraw after this deadline, regardless of the reason for withdrawal, you are not eligible for any refund from TEAN.
Signing and returning all documents in your student portal is your responsibility. If you fail to return the documents after repeated notification (email or call), you will be deemed withdrawn and will not be eligible for any refund.
Housing confirmation fees are non-refundable after the TEAN original payment due date. If you change or defer to another TEAN program after your TEAN original payment due date, but prior to the final deadline to withdraw, TEAN will assess a $500 change fee plus costs incurred. Program changes are not permitted 1-14 days prior to the start of the program. Prior to your official acceptance, please refrain from booking flights for your program. TEAN reserves the right to adjust program dates to accommodate host university calendar changes and is not responsible for airline fare or ticket change fees incurred by program participants.
Prices and dates are subject to change without notice.
Obtaining a passport for international travel may take a considerable period of time as the State Department can often have a backlog of applications to work through. Therefore, it is crucial that you apply for your passport as early as possible to avoid any last minute complications. You can apply for your passport at your local U.S. Post Office.
You can obtain necessary information regarding passports from the U.S. Department of State: Passport Services Department, download passport applications, find a nationwide list of passport agencies, etc. here.
As a condition of your student visa, your passport must be valid a minimum of six months beyond your anticipated return date. If your current passport is set to expire before then, you will need to apply for a renewal.
Email is the primary form of communication during the application and enrollment period. Please provide us with an email address you use regularly, as important program announcements and instructions will be sent via email. Also, please check your email on a regular basis and make sure to update your online application if you change your email address. Please also periodically check your junk mail to ensure that messages from TEAN are not being filtered into “spam”. If messages are being filtered into spam, please add the TEAN email address to your contacts.
In addition, please be sure to include your full name on all correspondence (including emails). We work with many students so providing your full name will ensure timely responses to questions and inquiries.
The Education Abroad Network
5301 Southwest Parkway, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78735
Toll Free: 1-800-585-9658 (from within U.S.)
Local Number: 1-312-239-3710 (from outside of U.S.)
Fax: 1-312-239-3713
TEAN is open Monday – Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Central Standard Time and observes all major holidays. If these hours are not convenient, you may schedule a time outside of our normal business hours to speak with us. If you are currently international, it is possible to set up a time to Zoom and get to know your Program Managers.
We finalize our program calendar several months before each semester abroad. During that time, we work with our overseas partner universities in order to determine our orientation schedule. We will provide updated information pertaining to orientation, key semester dates, flights and excursions once our program calendar has been finalized. We will send you an email notification once the updated calendar information has been posted on the website so you can plan accordingly.
Once the program calendar has been finalized, we will post this information on our website and you’ll be notified by your Program Manager. Once the calendar has been released, all dates are still subject to change. While we do not anticipate any date changes once the calendar has been finalized, we reserve the right to make changes, particularly if one of our partner universities institutes their own date modification. All program participants will be contacted in the event of a date change
If you haven’t already, please start your TEAN application prior to your program’s application deadline. Your payment for the program (unless we have a billing agreement with your home institution) and Program Contract are due by your program’s payment deadline. You can find both deadlines on our Dates & Fees page. You must also reach out to your home institution’s study abroad office to ensure you meet any of their deadlines to study abroad.
Please review the cancellation policy in the ‘Program Acceptance’ section above for important dates should you choose to withdraw your application.
Housing is provided until one day after the final day of university exams. Study abroad students generally finish their exams before the last scheduled exam date so students should have plenty of time to prepare for their departure. Please also pay particular attention to the housing move-in dates.
The program officially begins at the start of our TEAN Orientation in Pacific Harbor. Students arriving in advance of our orientation will be responsible for their own transportation from the airport and any necessary accommodations prior to the orientation start date.
One of our main goals at TEAN is to make sure all of our students are thoroughly supported from day one of the study abroad process. Embracing diversity in all its forms is very important to us. We’re dedicated to providing the most information and resources possible so students can make an informed decision on what program will best suit them, both academically and personally. We encourage all students to read through our Diversity and Identity page of our website to find resources useful for you directly and learn more about the students you will be studying abroad with.
This section contains information on how to select your University of the South Pacific courses and ensure you get credit for them, financial aid and how to navigate the system to ensure your aid transfers, details of the TEAN and other scholarships you may want to apply for. Step 2: Get Schooled explained in 60 seconds.
As you’re looking at the USP Course Handbook, you will need to be aware of the various initials used:
Mode of Study – There are a variety of course delivery modes for USP courses including:
If you plan to take any Blended, Print or Online courses, please ensure that delivery mode is approved by your home university.
Campuses – You are only able to take classes at the Laucala campus which can be designated with the following initials:
For example, when looking at BI305: Marine Biology (found on Page 423 of the Handbook) you can see the prerequisites and semesters listed just above the course description and for the semesters, the campus and delivery mode are listed as:
This would mean that it’s offered during Semester 1 (Feb-June) Face to Face at the Laucala campus. For Semester 2, it lists Not Offered meaning it isn’t available during Semester 2 (July-November).
Business – AF, EC, FM, MG, TS
Environment – ES, EV, GE, MS
Humanities & Social Sciences – FJ, HY, LT, PA, PL, PS
Science – BI, CH, PH
| Semester I (February-June) | Semester II (July-November) |
| EC101 Principles of Macroeconomics | EC101 Principles of Macroeconomics |
| EC102 Principles of Microeconomics | EC102 Principles of Microeconomics |
| MG201 Organisational Behaviour | MG201 Organisational Behaviour |
| TS207 Marketing for Tourism and Hospitality | MG303 International Marketing |
| FM201 Financial Institutions and Markets | TS207 Marketing for Tourism and Hospitality |
| Semester I (February-June) | Semester II (July-November) |
| JN201 Print and Online Journalism | JN203 Television Journalism |
| Semester I (February-June) | Semester II (July-November) |
| MM301 Renewable Energy Systems | CS140 Introduction to Software Engineering |
| Semester I (February-June) | Semester II (July-November) |
| EV201 Environment & Society in the South Pacific | ES203 Physical Geology |
| GE101 Physical Geography: Global Biophysical Environments | EV302 Sustainable Development |
| GE205 Physical Environments of the Wet Tropics | GE201 Biogeography: Plants, Animals and the Human Environment |
| MS204 Tropical Seafood | MS301 Ocean Resources Management in the Pacific Islands |
| MS305: Marine Biology | MS307: Fish & Fisheries Biology |
| Semester I (February-June) | Semester II (July-November) |
| FJ101 Fijian for Beginners | FJ101 Fijian for Beginners |
| HY201 Pacific History: Colonial Worlds to Independence | HY101 Pacific Islands Prehistory |
| LT204 Islands 2: Myths and Metaphors | LT104 Islands 1: Real and Imaginary |
| PL200 Pacific in a Changing World Order | PL302 International Politics of Asia-Pacific |
| Semester I (February-June) | Semester II (July-November) |
| BI201 General Ecology | BI205 Genetics and Evolution |
| BI305 Marine Biology | BI207 Tropical Plant Biology |
| CH201 Organic Chemistry | CH203 Physical Chemistry |
| PH204 Modern Physics | CH312 Environmental Chemistry |
| CH202 Environmental Physics |
When will I enroll in my classes?
Timetables are USP are not finalized until right before the semester begins so you will finalize your enrollment and timetable once you are on-campus during the university orientation.
How many classes do I need to take to be considered full time?
USP requires that you enroll in 4 classes in order to maintain full time enrollment. This typically transfers back as 12-16 US credits. Credit transfer is at the discretion of your home university.
What is the typical course format?
Courses are typically held twice a week, approximately 4 hours per week Monday-Friday. These 4 hours may be lecture, tutorial or a combination. Some lab and/or language courses may meet more often. You will be in class with other study abroad students, international students and Fijian students.
Are classes taught in English?
Yes, classes at USP are taught in English.
It is highly recommended that you have your academic advisor approve your classes before leaving if you wish to ensure you receive transfer credit. If you do not wish to receive any credit when you return home you may be able to forego the approval process. Some students tackle the credit transfer issues when they return from their program, but at the very minimum you should at least meet with your academic advisor/dean before departure so they are fully aware you will be studying abroad. They will be able to help you select courses that will count toward your major and that will be easily transferable for credit when you return. You will want to ensure all courses that are on pre-existing list of approved courses at your home university are up-to-date and offered for your study abroad term.
Contact your study abroad office at your home university to discuss study abroad credit approval and other specific procedures to be completed for your program overseas. This is an important step as it may reveal crucial details about avoiding complications and making your transition abroad seamless. Additionally, your study abroad advisor will need to sign our “Statement from University” form. You can send this to them from your online application.
While we strive to keep our programs affordable, we recognize that many students need financial help. The good news is that most financial aid you are currently receiving is applicable toward study abroad. Generally, you can transfer federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants and Stafford Loans, that do not need to be repaid until after graduation.
See the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 102-325, 106 Stat.448): The act was re-authorized in the summer of 1992 to include a number of provisions to facilitate the use of federal financial aid for study abroad. (NAFSA: Association of International Educators Newsletter, Volume 44, No 3/Dec-Jan 1993).
The U.S. Department of Education advised that the Perkins Loans, SSIG Grant Program, Pell Grants, FSEOG Grants, Stafford Loans, SLS loans, PLUS Loans and Consolidation loans can now be used for study abroad. Your study abroad experience does not have to be compulsory for your degree program in order to apply your aid. Please contact your home institution financial aid office to discuss your financial aid options for study abroad.
The Financial Aid Agreement form (FAA) is completed by you and your home university. The FAA acts as proof of incoming funds and allows you to defer a portion of your payment until your financial aid awards are released, even if that is after your program start date. Note: If your entire program is covered by aid, a down payment is still required to confirm your participation in the program. More information will be available via a link in your TEAN portal.
2. Read the information carefully and sign and date the student portion at the bottom
For example: If your financial aid covers all but $700 of your balance and your program down payment is $1000, you would pay $1,000 by the payment deadline. This $1,000 would go towards your total program balance.
If your financial aid only covers $5,000 of your $12,000 program balance, you would pay the difference ($7,000) at the payment deadline and then pay the remaining $5,000 once your aid is disbursed.
Your FAA is due by your program’s payment deadline. You can read more about financial aid and payment options here.
If you are currently receiving financial aid (federal loans, grants, scholarships, etc.) from your home institution please follow these steps. The financial aid you currently receive may not be processed in the same manner and the same amounts may not be awarded to you.
Step 1: Visit your home university’s financial aid office and inform them you will be studying abroad through The Education Abroad Network. Ask them how much of your current aid will transfer for a study abroad experience. You will also need to check if there is additional paperwork specific to your home university.
Step 2: Ask your financial aid office if they have a “consortium agreement” (do not worry if this is a foreign term to you, they will know what it is!) which essentially means they will complete all paperwork regarding your existing financial aid while you are studying abroad. This is the ideal arrangement as it makes the whole process easier for everyone. You will also need to have a TEAN Financial Aid Agreement form filled out that will be provided to you by your Program Manager.
Step 3: If they have a consortium agreement, most likely they will have an existing agreement that is university specific. TEAN will likely have to sign this for you and send it back to them. It will not go to your overseas institution. The TEAN Financial Aid Agreement form should then be faxed or emailed to us.
Unfortunately, not all universities will have a consortium agreement nor sign a TEAN Financial Aid Agreement form. If this applies to your school please consult us immediately for further guidance.
Please note: The financial aid process is very complex and adequate planning is necessary. You should contact your home institution’s financial aid office if you will, or think you may need to, apply loans or aid to your study abroad program. TEAN is not a lending institution so unfortunately, all financial aid and loan discussions will need to be made within your home university’s financial aid office.
In addition to the current financial aid you receive, you may want to consider one of our many scholarships. Each year TEAN awards thousands of scholarship dollars to qualified program participants. Awards range from $1,000 – $5,000, and we have a range of categories that students may qualify for. In addition, there are scholarship opportunities available through several external organizations. Review details of the available study abroad scholarships. If you are a returning TEAN student, review the option to apply for our TEAN Repeat Grant as well.
TEAN makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations abroad. The level of accommodations varies by country and by university, thus TEAN cannot guarantee that all services offered at your home university can be matched in your program location. We will try to accommodate you as much as possible through coordination with the resident staff, the host university abroad and others in charge of student services overseas.
The host university and TEAN facilities and sites may not be equipped to handle special physical or other requirements as stipulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Office of Civil Rights, United States Department of Education has opined that ADA and Section 504 do not apply extraterritorially. Accordingly, please understand that our asking you for further information does not imply what, if any, accommodation may be provided to you by TEAN or the host university.
Students will live in student apartment style accommodation located on the edge of the USP campus. Students will have a private bedroom within a shared apartment and will live with other TEAN and study abroad students. Step 3: Get a Room explained in 60 seconds.
TEAN students on the Semester in Fiji program live in shared flats managed by the University of the South Pacific. The flats are simple, on-campus apartments designed into clusters of air-conditioned, fully furnished units. They are made up of two to four single bedrooms with common living spaces, kitchens, and shared bathrooms within the flat. Students will live with other study abroad or international students.
These flats are on the edge of the USP campus and within a 10-minute walk to the middle of campus.
Your flat includes:
Near campus, you will have access to a canteen, coffee shop and supermarket. At the bottom of the page, you can find example photos of your possible accommodation.
Linens and towels are included in your TEAN program fee and will be provided at your accommodation.
WiFi is included in the accommodations. Please keep in mind that the internet can be slower than you may be used to in the US.
Water and electricity within your flat are included. It is worth noting that occasionally there may be water and/or power outages for routine maintenance by the relevant utility companies. If this is the case, Suva residents are typically notified of outages. Though some outages may be unplanned and therefore notifications may not be possible.
Note that your actual flat may vary.
USP requires students to complete two additional housing forms which will be sent to you by your Program Manager. These are required to be completed and returned to your Program Manager to secure your housing with USP. Please pay attention to the deadline listed in the email from your Program Manager.
It’s time to book your flights! It’s really happening – get excited! This section details information regarding booking flights for Fiji. Step 4: Get Booked explained in 60 seconds.
Each semester TEAN offers suggested flight itineraries with a partner travel agent in order to provide an easier booking process. We recommend booking through Google Flights, Kayak, Scholartrip, or Expedia. If you’re looking for flights on a budget, you should look into Kiwi or SkyScanner. Please review all the information on this page before booking your flight.
Important: Do not book your flights until you have received instructions to do so by email from TEAN and you have completed all steps in the TEAN application portal.
TEAN strongly recommends that you purchase refundable, insured or flexible airfare.
Once you have booked your flights, please upload your full flight itinerary under “Upload Copy of Flight Itinerary”, found in your TEAN Application. Note that your itinerary must include your full name and all legs of your flight journey, including the return flight at the end of your semester.
If you have any questions regarding booking your flights, please contact the Fiji Program Manager.
This section is very important. Before you jet off for the time of your life, you’ll need to apply for a student visa for your program. Please read this section carefully, and when the time comes, your Program Manager will guide you through the visa application process.
All students will be required to apply for a study permit (student visa) to study abroad in Fiji. Your Program Manager will supply you with specific, step-by-step instructions when you are eligible to apply, but it is important to understand the process and what you can expect.
The application process is facilitated by TEAN and the University of the South Pacific. Please do not apply directly with Fiji Immigration.
In addition to the Study Permit Application form, you will also be required to provide the following documentation:
If you don’t currently have a passport, you should apply for your passport as soon as possible once you apply for your study abroad experience in Fiji, as this process can take approximately 4-8 weeks and will be required for your study permit application as well.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after the conclusion of your semester to satisfy Fiji’s entry requirements. All countries have different requirements for passport validity so be sure to check details for any other countries you plan to visit before your final return home.
The cost of the Fiji Study Permit is included in your TEAN Program Fees.
Once all your documents are complete and sent to TEAN, they will be sent to USP and Immigration Fiji for processing. It can take up to two months to receive your study permit approval.
It’s almost time! Now you just need to review some final pre-departure information including the below quick tips, insurance while abroad, our packing tips, planning how you will manage your money while abroad, reviewing cell phone arrangements, and reading up on details regarding your arrival and Orientation in Fiji. Our Fiji-based staff are looking forward to meeting you when you get off that plane! Step 6: Get Going explained in 60 seconds.
TEAN requires that all international students possess health insurance coverage for the duration of their studies in Fiji. Enrollment is automatic, and the cost of this insurance is included in your program fee.
TEAN is proud to partner with Chubb, an established worldwide leader in the educational travel and cultural exchange insurance market. Chubb is committed to providing comprehensive insurance coverage to international students and cultural exchange participants worldwide. Coverage provided through health insurance typically includes:
There are limitations to this medical insurance, including dental and optical services. If you have any existing health concerns, contact your current insurance provider before you leave.
We recommend students put anything of value i.e., digital cameras, jewelry, musical instruments, cell phones, laptops, etc. on a Personal Articles Policy (many homeowners already have this policy so students most likely can add their items onto their parents’ Personal Article Policy). This insurance often covers the full value of the items worldwide, with no deductible. Typically, items valued up to $3,000 can be covered for an approximately $30 premium. We encourage students to take pictures of item(s) and note their model, make and serial number, as well as save receipts when possible. Purchase of this insurance is left to the discretion of the student and his/her parents.
Trip insurance is highly recommended and is NOT included in TEAN program fees. We recommend considering supplemental trip insurance to protect against unexpected mishaps (i.e. lost luggage) that can occur while traveling. Plans range from $100–$350 and can be purchased through various insurance carriers.
TEAN is committed to the health and safety of every participant. It is very important that students make informed decisions about their study and travel destinations. TEAN continually monitors the safety and security of our study abroad program locations as well as popular student travel destinations. We continue to advise students of the safety and health risks associated with studying and traveling abroad based on the information from the U.S. Department of State travel warnings, local law enforcement, the Fiji government, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and the World Health Organization.
TEAN has created an Emergency Response Plan for our study abroad locations that will be implemented by both our staff in the South Pacific, and our U.S.-based staff in Austin. TEAN staff will work with students, parents, and study abroad staff at both the student’s home and host institution to provide the most up-to-date information regarding situations that may arise while studying abroad.
Emergency Contacts: Be sure to designate a parent or guardian as your Emergency Contact. This way, information regarding an emergency situation will automatically be passed on to your parents. Also make sure to provide TEAN your Emergency Contact’s most up-to-date contact information.
Communication Information: Provide TEAN with accurate and up-to-date contact information regarding your mobile phone number, WhatsApp details and email address. Be sure to notify your parents and Resident Director in case of an emergency.
Keep Others Informed: Tell others (your roommates, your parents, your Resident Director) your travel plans. Keeping others informed will make it easier to locate you in case of an emergency.
Stay Informed: Research the political, cultural, and social climate of your study and travel abroad destination before heading overseas. While abroad, whenever possible, read local newspapers and watch local news broadcasts for developments that may affect your health and safety. If you have questions, please contact a TEAN staff member either in the U.S. or abroad.
What about anti-foreign sentiment? Although individuals are generally well-liked abroad, host nationals will often question the activities of foreign governments and may hold anti-foreign views. This has occurred for some time, in periods of both peace and crisis. Participants in the past have found these tips useful: use common sense, dress to blend in, speak softly, avoid overt displays of home country patriotism, and stay away from known established locations frequented by foreigners. TEAN also advises that students avoid all public demonstrations.
It is recommended to have general vaccinations up-to-date including tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, measles, etc.
TEAN encourages all students to be up to date with their vaccinations against COVID-19 prior to the program, but no longer require vaccination to participate. If you have any questions, please contact your Program Manager.
If you have any health conditions that may cause issues, please make sure to consult a doctor before departing.
US Department of State Travel Warnings
Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization
US Embassy
If you are arriving on the specified flight or arrival window provided in the TEAN Flight Booking Instructions, you will be met by TEAN staff in the Suva Airport near baggage claim and will be transported to your accommodation. Specific arrival details will be provided to you by your Program Manager prior to your departure.
It is your responsibility to notify TEAN in a timely manner if you experience flight delays and/or itinerary changes.
Prior to your departure, your Program Manager will provide you with contact details for all key TEAN personnel (including your Resident staff), as well as information on your local embassy and emergency contacts.
Upon arrival in Fiji, our in-country staff will host you for a two-day Bridging Cultures Orientation to life in Fiji. You’ll be introduced to Fijian history and culture, and you’ll also receive tips to help you adjust to life as a university student in Fiji. Your TEAN Program Manager will send you further details about the Orientation program for your semester abroad approximately 2 weeks prior to your departure.
Your host university will hold a formal orientation lasting from one day to one week. This orientation is mandatory. Topics discussed may include health insurance enrollment, medical facilities, security, university-sponsored trips and activities, academic enrollment/expectations, and Fiji media and culture. Although there may be some overlap, your university orientation will touch on specific details for your campus. During this orientation most students will also finalize course registration and receive information on how to receive an official insurance card.
Photocopy all important documents – Leave one set of photocopies with your parent/guardian and keep one set with you (on your person) as you travel. Important documents to copy include, but are not limited to: passport, airline tickets, medical insurance details, visa confirmation, inoculation details, etc.
Bring copies of important numbers/contact details – Details include, but are not limited to: emergency contact details (ie: parents/guardians), TEAN contact details (to be provided), arrival details (to be provided).
Exchange money in advance of your arrival – If possible, it is advisable to exchange some funds prior to your arrival. You can request from your local bank, but note this may take some time for them to order. Most international airports have currency exchange kiosks where you can exchange funds for a small fee. You may also choose to withdraw local currency at an ATM in the airport – just remember that your bank most likely charges an ATM fee for withdrawals! It is recommended that students have enough funds to get them from the airport to the accommodations (if necessary) and cover any initial expenses – the equivalent of $200 is enough to get you started for the first week.
Follow Arrival Instructions – Be sure to carry all airport arrival instructions, which will be sent to you prior to your departure by your Program Managers. This will be extremely helpful in the event you are unable to locate your guide at the airport.
Be Flexible – Students are encouraged to be flexible at all times. You will experience things that are done differently in Fiji, than in the U.S. – embrace the differences and you will have an amazing time!
Bring a positive attitude and a willingness to experience new people and surroundings!
For exact baggage restrictions (including dimensions and weight) check your airline’s website. You’ll want to be sure you check the luggage allowances for all the airlines you’ll be flying. If you will exceed one checked item it is generally more economical, safer, and easier to pay the airlines for additional checked baggage versus shipping items to Fiji. It’s typically cheaper to pay any additional baggage fees prior to arriving at the airport so we recommend contacting your airline to add any additional bags prior to travel.
Please Note: The packing list provided is a suggested list. Triple check to ensure you have everything necessary! TEAN is not responsible for forgotten items.
Necessary Items:
Unnecessary Items
Clothing Tips
In Fiji, people will dress like most young people would in a hot climate with plenty of sleeveless tops, shorts, dresses, etc. You’ll find this type of attire will typically be fine however if you’re going on a village visit, it is expected that you will dress modestly with loose fitting clothing that will cover shoulders and knees. If in doubt of the protocol, it’s always best to err on the side of modesty. Students may want to keep a sarong handy to use to cover knees or shoulders.
Take care not to offend local sensibilities – this is really important, and while it’s fine to wear swimsuits when out on excursions and trips, it’s not ok to wear your swimsuit when visiting villages or shopping in town.
Carry On
While there is little chance of this happening, if you plan on the airline losing your baggage for at least 24 – 48 hours you will be prepared and avoid extra inconvenience. Pack travel–sized toiletries, medication and change of clothes in your carry-on. This will more than likely not happen, but if it does you will be ready.
Below are some suggested ways that you can easily stay in touch with your family and friends while studying abroad.
We recommend setting up a contact plan before you depart, deciding how and when you’ll be available while abroad. Whether that looks like daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly check-ins, it’s good to have a consistent way to get in touch, as well as back up alternatives in case of an emergency. While studying abroad can be a time to spread your wings and become more independent, it’s important to regularly touch base with your loved ones so they don’t worry while you’re away.
No matter which method you choose, we recommend downloading your preferred applications before leaving home and testing them out to make sure any accounts and contacts are set up properly.
Students may opt for a local SIM card that can be used for calls, texting and data. Phone plans vary depending on the SIM card provider in Fiji and you can discuss this with your Resident Director once you’re in Fiji. It is recommended to only use your local phone number to call home in cases of emergency since long distance calls can be expensive but there are plenty of ways to call internationally for free or very cheap (keep reading!).
In order to use a local SIM card, you need to make sure your phone is unlocked and able to accept SIM cards from other mobile carriers. “Unlocking” your phone means that your phone is not locked to one specific carrier. If your phone is unlocked you will be able to use a foreign SIM card while you are abroad. If you’re unsure if your phone is unlocked, it’s important to call your current service provider to check. If you cannot get your current phone unlocked and you want to use a local SIM card, you will need to bring a different unlocked phone from home or plan to purchase a phone while in your host country.
While some students may opt for a local SIM card, some may decide to keep their US number and opt for an international phone plan. In most cases, this allows students to utilize their phone domestically in their host country and internationally. The cost of this can vary based on service provider. If you are interested in this option, you should get in touch with your current mobile phone service provider to get the relevant fees and service options. Be sure to consider costs for dialing local numbers as it can sometimes make an international plan undesirable for calls within your host country.
This would only be a viable option if you do not want to or cannot use your current U.S. phone. Reasonably inexpensive phones can be purchased in all locations for costs anywhere from $50-$150 depending on quality This may be a good option for a student who is looking to use a phone for just texting and calling while in country, as non-smart phones can be purchased cheaply in most countries. If you are worried about losing your U.S. smartphone, you may want to consider purchasing an inexpensive phone in your host country.
The Wifi in Fiji will likely be slower than what you are used to and you may run into connectivity issues around Suva and even on-campus at times. Once you’re in Suva, you may wish to purchase a pocket Wifi device to keep with you. By purchasing the pocket Wifi, it means you will be able to connect to your pocket Wifi device if the mobile phone service or other Wifi network is slow or having connectivity issues. The cost of a pocket Wifi device is around FJD $100 (approx. USD $50) with a monthly top up of around FJD $25 (approx. USD $12).
While all students will have access to a local number, there are free ways to get in touch with people across the world while connected to the internet or data.
Allows free chat, audio calling and video calling between users while using WiFi or data. This allows for calls between two parties both using the Skype app downloaded. The Skype app can be downloaded onto you phone, tablet and computer. You can also purchase Skype credit which allows you to call international landline and mobile phone numbers directly (so both parties don’t have to have a Skype account). These calls typically cost around $.05 for the connection and $.03 per minute, making it an affordable option.
Facebook’s Messenger app allows free chat, audio calling and video calling between users while on WiFi or data.
Using social media applications like Facebook Messenger, Instagram, SnapChat, etc. is a free way to chat and video call/message between users while on WiFi or data.
While we don’t suggest going out of your way to purchase an iPhone for this option, it is a great feature for any students who have these phones already. iPhones use iMessage and FaceTime while on WiFi or data.
You probably already know or use WhatsApp, which allows free chat, audio calling and video calling between users while on WiFi or data. WhatsApp is popular outside of the US as well. If you plan to use WhatsApp, be sure to download and verify your number before you leave the US.
It may seem obvious, but email is a great way to continue to stay in touch with people back home regardless of the time differences. If your host institution gives you a new school email, but sure to update friends and family with the email address you will be checking most frequently throughout your program.
Internet services will vary for those students living in university managed accommodation, but all students will have access to Internet services in their accommodation and on campus at their host universities though it may be slower than what you are used to on your US campus.
Like the currency of the United States, Fijian currency comes in the form of coins and notes. The basic unit of currency is the Fijian Dollar (FJD). Fiji doesn’t have pennies, and everything is rounded to the nearest five cents when paying in cash. Taxes are also included in labeled prices.
We do not recommend bringing large amounts of cash with you for security and safety reasons. However, you may wish to bring a small amount of Fijian currency for any initial personal expense needs. Most major banks in large U.S. cities have foreign currency in stock, but smaller, regional banks may have to order the currency. Therefore, do not wait until the last minute to place your order. Alternatively, you can exchange money at the airport before you depart for the overseas flight. This is slightly more expensive than using a local bank (1%-2% higher fees), but much more convenient. Generally, currency exchanges are not open 24 hours in Fiji so you should obtain the foreign currency before you depart. Students can also use their U.S. debit/credit cards in many places throughout Fiji (grocery stores, cafes, etc.).
Cash (ATMs):The use of an American ATM card is a convenient and fast method to withdraw money in Fiji. Most of these transactions are assessed the wholesale exchange rate that applies to large foreign currency transactions, which ultimately means savings for students. Please check with your bank to ensure your PIN number and ATM card will work abroad. Most Fijian banks currently charge a withdrawal fee for using ATMs, so it’s recommended that when you do pull funds out of your account using a Fijian bank, that you get enough to last for about a week or two. Your TEAN Resident Director will provide more information during your onsite orientation and can answer any questions about this. You should also see if your home bank will assess fees for foreign withdrawals.
TIP: Before departing the U.S., determine if your current ATM/bank card is readily accepted at foreign ATM machines. Check if your U.S. bank has an affiliation with a bank in Fiji, by contacting your current U.S. bank.
Upon arrival overseas, you can also survey ATMs near your residence and university in order to get a good representative sample.
Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are most commonly accepted in Fiji. Visa and MasterCard are accepted more regularly than American Express. In the past, students have had issues using Discover cards. Please keep in mind there must be someone readily available to pay your credit card bill or your finance charges will quickly add up. Most credit card bills can be paid online so you likely will be able to pay from within Fiji without involving a third party.
Our recommendation is to use a combination of the methods listed above. Check with your family and review all your options. Just keep in mind the following:
For day-to-day spending, excluding any major travel plans, students should budget approximately the same as they would for a semester at their current U.S. institution plus an additional 10-20% to factor in variances of cost of living and extra activities. General day-to-day living expenses are comparable in Fiji to that of major cities in the US, however students tend to spend more on weekend travel and entertainment when abroad.
