Sunday, February 27, 2011

School and the Bucket List

University of the South Pacific has several different campuses throughout the islands in the South Pacific, but the one here in Fiji, called the Laucala Campus is the biggest and most prestigious. What it is most known for is its programs in Marine biology, which makes sense I suppose. A few of the international students came here for just that reason. The campus is really nice, even though the facilities are not quite what I am used to. In most of the classes there is no air conditioning, just fans. The boards are mostly chalk boards, and if you want to go to the bathroom you have to bring your own toilet paper. But in all honesty, I really do love the campus, and even though I have a class that I have to get to early or else I won't have a seat or a desk, I think they have a pretty good system.

The first class I am taking is Literature of the South Pacific, which is basically an introductory class to literary theory, but it examines it in terms of local literature. So far I have read some short stories and excerpts and one long novel called Kisses in the Nederends, which is about a man with a pain in his "arsehole". It's pretty funny, I'll bring it home and all the people with bowel problems in our family can read the different ways he tried to cure himself of said pain.

My second class is taught by an Australian man and it is a special topic history class about USA involvement in the Pacific Islands. It's an interesting class to be in because as my teacher said, for the US, the Pacific Islands are hardly even an issue, but for the Pacific Islands, the US has had at times a monumental impact on their way of life. I'm already learning some pretty interesting things, some of which are sad, such as the fact that the US has used several islands in the Pacific as nuclear testing grounds or dump sites (however it hasn't been just the US to do this). At first I was nervous that it would just be a US bashing class, but really it's extremely factual and has been pretty impartial.

My final class is the only one that I am not quite sure about. It is Politics of Human Rights, and the only reason I am hesitant is that it is not being taught by the regular teacher. He is on maternity leave, and his replacement openly admitted to not knowing much about the subject. I've only had one class of that so far, so it might get better though.

The work load for them is pretty decent, and I'm going to have to try and really stay on top of everything if I want to be able to leave on the weekends to go do fun stuff.

Along with school, I have been working on a bucket list of the things I want to do while I'm here. There is a lot on it, but not all of it is too crazy. Hopefully I will be able to afford most of it. I think I should be able to as long as I plan things out well. But here is the short version of the list:

1. Get Scuba License
2. Go on a Shark Dive
3. Meet a professional rugby player
4. Island hop in the Yasawas
5. Go on a "trek" (basically a backpacking trip)
6. Join the paddling club
7. See a Rugby game
8. Go to the hot springs and mud pools
9. Hot air balloon or skydive
10. Ride a horse on the beach (for free)
11. Go to the sand dunes
12. Take the Natadola train
13. Go on the Zip Line
14. Go cave exploring
15. Go white water rafting

Yea, I know, it's a lot, but I think all of it is doable if I really plan out my weekends. Oh, and I also get double points if I do any of those things with an attractive Fijian man or if I do it for free, triple points for all three.

1 comment:

  1. Pretty cool bucket list. I suppose I should say be careful, but what the heck. Go for it and have a great time. Love you lots, mom.

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