Fiji - what to expect?

Hi, I am an 18 year old girl and I am going to be living in Fiji for four months from September to August. I will be going with an volunteer organization and don't yet know where I will be placed, but I know it will be in a rural area. What I really want to know is what to bring and what to expect about the culture!
The dress code there is something I've been worried about. I consider myself pretty conservative for a teenaged girl in Canada but I know conservative here won't be conservative there. I just want to be respectful, any remarks or helpful comments?

I'd also appreciate any and all comments on what to expect as a teenaged girl and on what items are important to bring and not important to bring.

Thanks

I spent one year there and loved it.

You will have a great time jsarge.
Village dress code means covered shoulders and below the knees. No hats or sunglasses.
Depending on where you are you may need to bring medical and sanitation requirements. Don't drink the local water, so a hiking style water purifier may be a good idea. And a mozzie net for sleeping and some insect repellant.
A torch and spare batteries, a digital camera and BIG SD cards.

If you can let us know where you will be as soon as you can we could offer more specific information.

If a local Fijian bloke offers to "tell stories" it really means ...........well I think an 18 year old girl should be able to work that out......if not, I will get Margaret to talk to you... :-)

Cheers,
Peter

One more thought.
If you are here for 4 months you will be on an exemption visa of some sort.
That will be sufficient to get a local driving licence (bring some spare passport pics and a birth cirtificate).
Having a local licence is your ticket to local rates on the ferries to the islands and local prices in some resorts.
You WILL want to do some exploring while you are here.

Cheers,
Peter

Thanks Peter, thats really helpful! I've just found out I'm going to be in Moturiki, if theres more specific information you could give me I'd love it!

Not been there (yet) jsarge, but it is not too far south of Viti Levu and there are some resorts there, and there will be regular transport available from Pacific Harbour. Pretty nice area from all reports.

Cheers,
Peter

Hi

Sounds like a nice opportunity.

Yes, agree with the previous poster, when in rural areas/villages, its really important to show respect by dressing appropriately. Best to wear long skirts or sulus, and non revealing tops.

Also, you may want to stock up on hygiene products, ( feminine products, soaps etc....and I would probably take those little hand sanitizer things too lol ) especially as you say you will be sent to a rural place.

The culture is a very respectful one. There is a lot of respect shown for elders, and also strong Christian beliefs. If you go into more populated areas, such as Suva ( the capital ), Nadu, or even small towns like Pacific Harbour, you will find that teenages there act and probably share a lot of the same interests as you and your friends in Canada, like going to the movies etc.

Anyway, message me on here if you like, as I'm just a few years older than you, and I grew up there, so will be happy to give you any advice and tips : )