University Partnerships
In Partnership with Government Ministries & 70+ Inspiring Local Partners across the Asia-Pacific Region
Are you a university staff member exploring global mobility opportunities for your students?
Think Pacific works in collaboration with universities across the world to offer short-term outbound mobility projects to the Fiji Islands & Bali, Indonesia.
All of our programmes align with specific work experience and employability outcomes for students, whilst making a positive and responsible contribution to local initiatives through our unique model of registered in-country organisations that exist to support existing government and community aims.
- Culturally Immersive In-Country and Remote programs
- Registered Fijian, Indonesian & UK organisation with staff in Suva, Bali & the UK.
- MOU agreements and long term partnerships with over 100 charities, NGOs and businesses
- 10+ years partnerships with Fijian Government Ministries
- Formal partners with The University of the South Pacific and Fiji National University
- Projects aligned with UK Turing Scheme, Canadian Global Skills Opportunities & Australian OS-Help funding.
- Gold standards of health and safety to BS8848, H&S Executive and DFAT guidelines
- 24/7 project guidance and expert pastoral care
- All projects support local & global aims such as the Fiji National Development Plan & UN SDG’s
- We have provided global mobility to 8000+ Students
- Over $15m invested into sustainable development
Since 2009, Think Pacific has built a reputation as an expert provider of global mobility for the higher education sector, creating close working relationships with Study Abroad Teams, Careers Centres and International Mobility Departments.
We’re passionate about providing transformational experiences for students that bridge the gap between education and work, whilst supporting higher education institutions to achieve outbound mobility aims within their international strategy.
“Think Pacific are a formally registered third party provider under Western Sydney University Go Global Office for their virtual and mobility programmes. I would encourage more university staff to discuss their programming needs with Think Pacific.” Steven McDonald, Manager, Learning Abroad Short Programs, Western Sydney University
- Think Pacific has an MOU with Swansea University to deliver short term mobility
- The programme is part-funded by the university for between 15-40 undergraduates annually
- Students develop leadership, transferable skills and cultural intelligence.
- Students work with rural communities and gain practical experience across a range of themes.
- Students live in rural communities and immerse into Fijian life.
- Achieves aims of The Fiji National Development Plan and Ministry of Health specific initiatives.
“I’ve received in excess of fifteen case studies and pictures from our students so far – every single one has said the programme was an amazing experience” Lucy Wiliams, Study Abroad Manager, Swansea University, August 2019.
Widening Access & Inclusion
Think Pacific is proud to have worked with numerous universities over the past ten years to provide life-changing experiences via internal widening access programmes and government schemes, to provide unique opportunities that would otherwise not be possible for students from a range of socio-economic backgrounds.
One example of this is having the privilege to with the University of the West of England’s Go Global team, since 2017. In collaboration with university staff we provide undergraduate students that are eligible for additional support, due to their personal circumstance, the chance to join a 1-month project in Fiji during the summer period.
“The organisation of the projects is always second to none”. Chris Gale, Program Manager, Global Opportunities. Our 5-year partnership has seen over 250 Cardiff students volunteer in Fiji
“Think Pacific is so easy to work with and really understand the needs of students”. Cara McCosh, Program Manager, Leeds Beckett Study Abroad. Think Pacific designed its first bespoke student project for the Carnegie Faculty.
Request a Meeting 
Arrange a Zoom call to discuss our programs with a Partnership Manager.
Cultural Immersion + Group Challenge + Contribution = Huge Personal Growth
Our aim is for every student to complete their project with a set of experiences, personal attributes and transferable skills, which can positively impact their future education, career ambitions and transition to life beyond study.
Our projects require students to leave their comfort zone, challenge themselves, adopt a new culture and form new friendships as they become a member of a traditional village. We support and train students to make a positive contribution as we guide them through a personal journey of self-development.
Students consistently return home with a fresh perspective and heightened appreciation for education, community and the opportunities that have been afforded to them because they see first-hand the challenges facing people in Fiji & Bali. Students also celebrate and learn from the remarkable mentality, happiness and unique values of the local people and communal way of life.
Whether students join us for a meaningful project during their university holiday, or as part of a credit-bearing course placement, we provide opportunities that expand student’s learning and development. Inclusive of:
- Communication & Team Work
- Cultural Intelligence & Global Awareness
- Resilience & Emotional intelligence
- Leadership & Integrity
- Confidence & Adaptability
Core Learning Objectives
- Students demonstrate 12 examples of Work-Ready skills developed from participation in the programme through a reflective journal.
- Students demonstrate an understanding of sustainability, global citizenship and civic responsibility by delivering group presentations.
We guide 16-day, 1-month or 2-month projects that offer students in groups of students from across the world, the chance to live at the heart of a traditional village, whilst working alongside local people on inspiring initiatives which support local and Government aims.
Our Remote Internship is a culturally immersive programme which promotes an understanding of global development initiatives and challenges within the context of Fiji and the Pacific, delivered under partnership with the Fijian Government and a range of innovative local Fijian organisations.
Through the internship, students create tangible outcomes implemented at the local level in Fiji. Interns projects are presented to Government officials, heads of international NGOs and local charities so they can use the content to contribute to their ongoing aims and initiatives or develop new programmes.
Every year, we offer 150 fully-funded scholarships for this programme, feel free to contact the team if you would like to secure spaces for your students.
The health and safety of our volunteers is our first priority. Students are under our care and guidance throughout and we take this responsibility seriously, providing exceptional support.
Students from all disciplines join our teams and gain huge value from our programmes. However, our placements are very popular for students who have a specialist interest in Business, Psychology, Sports, Education, Geography, Health and International Development – sometimes as a course-related or work-experience placement. Our projects run across the whole year with our most popular periods being during the university summer holidays. It’s the chance for students to have a meaningful summer break and gain unique global experience, personal attributes and soft skills, which are transferable to all education and career goals.
During a 3-day induction, we cover health, safety, cultural awareness and local language as well as engage and instruct students in the specific skills needed to deliver their projects to the standards expected by our partners. Training is delivered through team-based tasks, presentations and group seminars. Throughout the project, students have briefings with our leaders and management staff to progress their understanding and skill development. Students demonstrate learning outcomes through presentations, journals and observations.
Students sample a way of life that few people will ever be fortunate enough to see as they live at the heart of a traditional Fijian or Balinese village. This experience consistently has a profound impact on students as they are adopted into the community. The villages are incredibly safe, friendly and hospitable places and the local people treat our participants as family. Students immerse themselves fully into daily life, from learning to farm or fish to exploring local customs, language and history.
Students must complete an application form and have an interview (which can be made by phone or Zoom) or attend one of our university selection days. Throughout the project, students will need to challenge themselves, embrace a new culture and throw themselves into our project aims and daily Fijian life. We work hard to achieve important government directives and provide real support for rural communities. For these reasons, it’s important we set expectations fully, get to know students and find out what skills and enthusiasm each person shall bring.
Think Pacific is a social enterprise registered in the UK, Bali & Fiji with ethical and transparent project fees, 30% of our costs directly fund the communities we work with through resources, training and long-term support. Over 70% of our students raise their entire project costs through university funding or charity fundraising. Project fees start from £1,895 for a 1-month placement and include the majority of food, accommodation, in-country travel, resort briefings, training, weekend adventure activities, emergency support and team leaders team living alongside the students 24/7.
We work with universities in various ways to enhance the student experience and increase employability outcomes. We can support you with bids for government funding to provide summer mobility opportunities or design-specific placements for academic courses. When working with our team, we are proud to offer plenty of support to university staff. Our staff members in the UK, Bali and Fiji can handle all presentations, application interviews and pre-departure support, to remove the added workloads from you and your colleagues.
As a registered charity in Fiji and an Indonesian social enterprise, we invest in locally-led initiatives and the capacity building of local people. Our sustainability measures include using only local suppliers, investing in our local staff team, providing local job creation and training; adding capacity to local organisations and expanding the professional skills and global understanding of students and youths in rural communities. Through our Foundation, we support local charities and community groups in our network with resources, donations and support. Areas we support include public health promotion, mental health services, youth training and education, community cyclone preparedness, environmental protection and enterprise creation.
