For students currently in grades 9–12
Baja & the Gulf of California
Belize
Canadian Arctic
Chile
Iceland
Namibia
You may also like
Columbia Climate School Collaboration
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
Australia & Fiji
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Croatia & Slovenia
Iceland
Italy & Greece
Japan
Kilimanjaro
Norway
Patagonia: Skiing
Switzerland, France, & Holland
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
France
China
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Spain
Valencia & the Pyrenees
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
Morocco
Nepal
Peru
Tanzania
Thailand
Vietnam
Barcelona
Tokyo
Tuscany
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For students currently in grades 6–8
France & Holland
Iceland
Ireland
Italy & Greece
France
Spain
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
Columbia Climate School Collaboration
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
*These programs are typically for students in grades 9–12, however motivated rising 9th graders will be considered
Special programs & collaborations
Custom Programs

Looking to create a custom program or collaboration?

Travel programs with the Smithsonian Institution for grades 8–12

Challenge yourself academically at the world's most prestigious universities

Non-profit organization offering student travel scholarships

High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity

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Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12

Village Life: Notes from Fiji

Our Exploration Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji group leaders provide insights into the lifestyle of communities in Fiji, highlighting their warmth, hospitality, and strong sense of community.

Bula!

Today we got to spend the entire day in a local Fijian village. We were driven over by Nafeez, the coolest driver in Fiji, early in the morning and were welcomed into the village by the whole community singing a beautiful song of welcome. We then went into the large community hall where we sat together in a big circle and introduced ourselves. We then got to participate in a Kava ceremony which is a traditional way to welcome visitors into the village. The kava tasted like nothing we’ve ever had before and left our mouth feeling tingly and slightly numb.

After the ceremony, we had tea and treats that the women of the community made for us. Some of us continued to hang out with the men while they continued to drink kava and make music, while the rest of us played with some of the younger kids from the village.

We then went on a tour of the village which was very interesting. We got to see all of the the houses that make up the village and began to get a sense of what life in the village is like. After the tour, we had an amazing traditional Fijian lunch, which was probably the best meal we’ve had our entire time here. All of us were pretty sleepy after lunch and spent some time resting in the community center building and listening to the music of the men who continued their kava ceremony.

After our impromptu siesta, we learned how to weave traditional Fijian mats, construct palm frond fans, and Fijian brooms. The day went by really quickly and before we knew it, we were on our way home to change, grab some dinner at a local restaurant, have our nightly meeting and head to bed.

The next day we headed back to the village where we had our morning tea with the “mamas” and then went on a river boat up a mangrove river into the jungle. We then hiked up the Fijian hillside through dense bush. The plants were diverse and vibrant. We came down the other side and were back in the village. We then walked out to the outer reef and went swimming and body surfing where the waves were breaking. After the swim, we headed back into the village where we washed off and had another lovely Fijian lunch. After lunch we danced and sang farewell with our lovely hosts.

We then mounted up into our vans and headed back to our resort to grab our bags before beginning the journey to Nadi where we will be snorkeling and scuba diving tomorrow!

Fiji just keeps on getting better!

-Neal and Devon

To learn more about Exploration Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji, click here.

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College Essays

View alumni college essays about their transformative summers with Putney.

Stay up to date on the latest happenings!

Baja & the Gulf of California
Belize
Canadian Arctic
Chile
Iceland
Namibia
Australia & Fiji
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Croatia & Slovenia
Iceland
Italy & Greece
Japan
Kilimanjaro
Norway
Patagonia: Skiing
Switzerland, France, & Holland
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
France
China
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Spain
Valencia & the Pyrenees
You may also like
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
Morocco
Nepal
Peru
Tanzania
Thailand
Vietnam
Barcelona
Tokyo
Tuscany
You may also like
Ireland
Iceland
France & Holland
Italy & Greece
France
Spain
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
Eligible for 8th grade*​
Columbia Climate School Collaboration
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
*These programs are typically for students in grades 9–12, however motivated rising 9th graders will be considered

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