KDI School has welcomed two new students from the Republic of the Fiji Islands; it is the very first time students from Fiji have joined the KDI School community. Viniana Namosimalua, who works as an officer in the Prime Minister Office in Fiji, claims, “We must be responsible for setting a very good example for more Fiji students to come to KDI School in the future.” Albert Soderberg from the Ministry of Education laughed as he added, “If additional Fijians are not accepted to KDI School next year, we will probably know why! But we did have an extremely tough spring semester. Now we are slowly getting used to the program and enjoying it very much.”

Despite the academic burden on their shoulders, both Viniana and Albert very much enjoyed their first few months in Korea. “Koreans are very friendly once I approach them. There is probably a language barrier that makes it difficult for Koreans, but everyone has been very kind so far,” Albert explained. Viniana agreed saying, “The entire Korean population seems to be an extremely generous and caring people. Whenever I greet them in Korean by saying 안녕하세요, I see their faces light up with a big smile.”

However, being so far away from their home country, it was inevitable they would have to make adjustments upon arrival in Seoul. As they arrived at the Incheon International Airport, they were first greeted with the cold winter of Korea. They explained that the lowest temperatures in Fiji are in the mid-20s and that they did not even have much winter clothing because, obviously, they are unnecessary in Fiji. ”I almost died when I arrived because it was too cold, but we woke up the next morning to find out that our entire surroundings were covered in white. It was the very first snow we had ever experienced, and that got us really excited like little kids. We felt like Kai Colo (Fijian term for Bushman), and we just wanted to run outside to grab and throw snow at each other.”

Not only was it the weather that stunned them but it was also the overall appearance of the city. “The buildings, transportation, and infrastructure are just incredible in Korea. How is it possible that you guys developed so swiftly even after the war? Everyone is just so hard working, but this ppali ppali culture is just way too fast for me. In Fiji, we are all about being relaxed and being laid-back. We just sit under the palm trees sipping coconut juice and feel our feet under the waves. This Korean attitude came to me as somewhat of a culture shock,” Viniana confessed. “In Fiji, we have this “Fiji time,” where if we plan to meet at 9am in the morning, we would actually expect the meeting to begin at 10am. We are not too time-conscious but everyone in Korea is so prompt in general.”

In spite of these differences, they did experience some similarities as well. “To my surprise, we do share some similar traditional cultural traits such as showing respect to elders by giving things with two hands and not talking back at them, for example. We also take off our shoes once we go into our homes and even sit on the floor cross-legged when eating.” They also explained that most indigenous Fijians are overwhelmingly Christian and both of them claimed, “It felt so much like home to see so many churches in Korea. The redlighted crosses made us feel good and safe.”

Both Albert and Viniana were truly enthusiastic to share their experiences and hot spots in the Fiji Islands. “If you want to forget about everything and just want to enjoy the natural environment, there is no place on earth like Fiji. We’ve got the world’s best cruise trips, hiking sites, golf courses, fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling spots, and most importantly, the warmth of its people. The weather is great all year long, but my favorite time of the year is during the festive season in December. Fijians celebrate a unique Christmas as families all get together as a whole in the village. Any foreigners nearby are also invited and it is really our pleasure to host strangers to our homes.” Albert also added, “There is also the first underwater hotel, which will open by the beginning of 2010. And don’t forget that Fiji is an exotic destination for honeymooners, with numerous romantic places and pure natural scenery.” In fact, everyone would agree that it would really be a dream come true to go on a honeymoon trip where romance wraps around you with breathe-taking expanses of beauty and nature, walking hand-in-hand along the coastline of crystal-clear blue waters and lush greenery.

Regardless of all the beauty back home, the foremost thing Albert and Viniana missed in common were their families. But as long as they are at KDI School, they were both willing to put in their maximum efforts. Viniana commented, “The professors are greatly helpful, not only academically, but also through their personal human touch. As all professors experienced studying abroad, they know exactly how it feels to put themselves in our shoes as international students. Even the little things they do or say really means a lot to us. I would like to thank them for that.” Albert elaborated, “It is really a chance of a life time to be in Seoul and learn how things are done here in Asia and in Korea in particular. There are a lot of Fijian students abroad in Australia, Europe, and the US but I am experiencing the Asian way of doing things which gives me a different perspective.”

Source: Department of State Web Site, available on the Internet at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/FJ.html

By Jun Hyun PARK (MPP 2009, Korea)