University of Essex
With Funding Available from the University of Essex
Are you looking to make the most of your university summer? Join a team, live at the heart of a traditional village and work on projects that will leave a lasting impact on your future.
Challenge yourself with a team of like-minded students, whilst gaining extraordinary international experience, developing unique skills and making a real contribution to initiatives that are achieving ground-breaking results through inspiring partnerships.
Whether you are looking to enhance your university degree or embark on a meaningful adventure – our projects are ideal for students looking to expand their horizons and bridge the gap between university and graduate employment.
- Award-winning volunteering and internships, since 2009.
- 1-Month or 16-Day Projects in Fiji & Bali
- Support the achievement of the UN SDGs
- Work on behalf of exclusive partners, such as the Fijian Government
- Complete cultural immersion in a traditional village.
- Work on Business, Youth, Build, Mental Health or Sport initiatives.
- Develop employability skills, meet like-minded people and contribution to sustainable development.
- Project includes; food, accommodation, 24/7 in-country support, weekend adventures, domestic travel, and charity donation. (Flights not included).
- Project costs from £1,895. Apply for university funding up to £3,000 per person (See details below)
Join a Discovery Session 
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University of Essex, TBC
Open Online Session, Every Monday at 5pm, (Register Here)
There are grants available from the Essex Abroad team at the University of Essex, via internal department funding & the UK Government’s Turing Scheme.
- Up to ten students can access financial support of £2,000 per person for our projects in Fiji or Bali. The amount depends on the participant’s circumstances, including household income.
- International Experience bursaries of up to £1,000 per person are also available.
- The University of Essex provides comprehensive travel and medical insurance cover for your time abroad.
- Check out the Essex Abroad summer funding pages for everything you need to know about the eligibility and funding information.
- There is also an additional £2,000 scholarship available for a student within the Psychoanalytic and Psychosocial Department, to join a mental health project in Bali. if you wish to apply or find out more regards the scholarship, please contact stpabroad@essex.ac.uk
- Applications for the scholarship close on Sunday 26 November 2023 at midnight. Applications will be shortlisted during the week commencing Monday 27 November 2023 with outcomes to all applicants by Friday 01 December 2023 at 5pm. Successful applicants will be invited to a very informal and relaxed panel interview on Tuesday 05 December which will include Tom from Think Pacific, Rosie from Essex Abroad and staff from the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies.
Application Process
- Apply online with Think Pacific and complete an interview with a member of the team to reserve a space on a project.
- Apply to the University of Essex for funding here. Contact the university via eagrants@essex.ac.uk for any questions.
- Confirm your place with Think Pacific.
If you have any questions regarding, please contact Tom from Think Pacific via: projects@thinkpacific.com.
In today’s multicultural society, it’s hugely beneficial to travel and experience life in another country and culture before settling into a career. No amount of time in the classroom can replace hands-on, active learning. Our aim is for every student to complete their project with a set of experiences and transferable skills, which can profoundly improve their future:
- Gain 100 + hours of international work experience.
- Boost cultural IQ & enhance global perspectives.
- Activate global citizenship & broaden horizons.
- Contribute towards sustainable development, on behalf of our partners.
- Increase your leadership skills through collaborative work.
- Job references, certificate of completion, and LinkedIn endorsement.
- Potential employment opportunities via Think Pacific graduate scheme.
Collaboration + Culture + Challenge = Extraordinary Personal Development
Become a member of a Fijian family and work within a team whilst contributing to sustainable development initiatives that support the achievement of the Fiji National Development Plan.
Our projects in Fiji are truly unique. They take place in rural communities which are a world away from the usual crowds and the average volunteer projects. The villages in Fiji are only accessible upon invitation by the chief only, which means you can sample a way of life that few people will ever be fortunate enough to see.
Our projects in Bali offer you the opportunity to supercharge your CV by completing a professional internship or placement for our inspiring partners, which includes a collection of hand-picked local NGOs, businesses and social enterprises.
Whilst living in a traditional Balinese village and immersing into the local culture, you can promote positive Mental Health or complete an internship for partners across a range of sectors.
