Am I eligible to go on the First Nations study tour?
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to go on the First Nations study tour?
Students at UniSA, including UniSA College and UniSA Online, who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander are encouraged to apply!
You must have completed at least nine units (usually two courses) of study in your UniSA or UniSA College program and must be at least 18 years old.
Final participants will be chosen based on your personal statement and academic merit (GPA).
Unfortunately research degree students are unable to participate at this time.
Final participants will be chosen based on your personal statement and academic merit (GPA).
Unfortunately research degree students are unable to participate at this time.
I’m studying in the Aboriginal Pathway Program, can I apply?
Yes! You just need to have completed at least two courses in the pathway program (and be at least 18 years of age).
When is the study tour?
The study tour will leave from Adelaide on Monday the 22nd of September 2025, and return to Adelaide on Thursday 2nd of October 2025.
There will also be some sessions in Adelaide (or online) before and after the tour which you will need to attend.
There will also be some sessions in Adelaide (or online) before and after the tour which you will need to attend.
- Acceptance Workshop: 2 hours on Saturday 20th July (time TBC)
- Pre-departure Workshop 1: 2 hours, sometime week starting 12th August (TBC)
- Pre-departure Workshop 2: 2 hours, sometime week starting 2nd September (TBC)
- Return Workshop: 2-3 hours, sometime week starting 30th September (TBC)
More information will be provided on these sessions when confirmed.
How much does it cost?
The University will cover all major costs for the study tour, meaning it is free for you. There is also no course enrolment, meaning there are no tuition costs.
The University will pay for all program and travel costs, including:
The University will pay for all program and travel costs, including:
- Return flights from Adelaide to Fiji
- All accommodation in Fiji
- All breakfast and lunch
- Most dinners (students will have 3 ‘free nights’)
- All activities in Fiji
- Pre-departure and return workshops in Adelaide (or online)
- Travel insurance
- Transport to/from Adelaide airport (from Adelaide suburbs)
You will also receive a $1500 travel bursary from the University to support you with any extra costs, such as:
- Obtaining a passport
- Vaccinations or health checks
- Travel costs to Adelaide Airport from regional or interstate
- Personal travel items, e.g. luggage
- Extra dinners in Fiji (students will have 3 ‘free nights’)
- Refreshments/snacks in Fiji
- Other costs incurred as a result of participating in the tour, such as lost income or extra care arrangements
If you are located interstate or regionally you can apply for funding via the Vice Chancellor’s Development Fund to cover your costs getting to and from Adelaide. We will help you with applying for this.
What will I be doing on the study tour?
The program includes lectures at the University of the South Pacific, cultural activities in Suva, and a four-night immersion experience in a local Fijian village. You can see the full study tour program here.
Where will I be staying? What’s the accommodation like?
For the first part of the study tour you will be staying in basic hotel type accommodation. You will have your own room.
However, towards the end of the study tour we will be moving to stay with a local village community. For four nights you will stay with a local Fijian family and share a room with another UniSA student. The village stay part of the program can be tough! The amenities are basic, with cold bucket showers and very basic toilet facilities. You may also be sleeping on a thin mattress on the floor. Whilst this can be quite challenging, it is also an amazing and rewarding experience! UniSA staff and program leaders will also be there to support you.
However, towards the end of the study tour we will be moving to stay with a local village community. For four nights you will stay with a local Fijian family and share a room with another UniSA student. The village stay part of the program can be tough! The amenities are basic, with cold bucket showers and very basic toilet facilities. You may also be sleeping on a thin mattress on the floor. Whilst this can be quite challenging, it is also an amazing and rewarding experience! UniSA staff and program leaders will also be there to support you.
What will I learn on the study tour?
You will develop a better understanding of Fijian history and culture, as well as develop your own personal skills and attributes, such as communication, teamwork, and resilience. You can see a summary of the intended learning outcomes here.
Who are Think Pacific?
UniSA is working together with an organisation called Think Pacific to run the study tour. Think Pacific is a social organisation based in Fiji who deliver placements and volunteer programs for students. They are an existing partner of UniSA and many UniSA students have participated in their programs in the past with very positive feedback.
Is the study tour for credit? What recognition do I get for participating?
The study tour is not a UniSA course and it’s not for credit. It’s designed to be an extra-curricular experience, but all students will receive a formal certificate of completion. After the study tour, there will also be an awards ceremony, as well as workshops to help you translate the skills you developed on the tour into a professional environment.
In some cases, individual Program Directors may agree for you to get credit for the study tour in place of an elective. This isn’t guaranteed and depends on many factors. However, we will help you explore this option during the application process.
In some cases, individual Program Directors may agree for you to get credit for the study tour in place of an elective. This isn’t guaranteed and depends on many factors. However, we will help you explore this option during the application process.
Can I add extra time in Fiji before or after the study tour?
All students must travel as a group, departing and returning from Adelaide airport. Unfortunately, no personal travel in Fiji can be added before or after the study tour.
Can I join the tour if I have a disability or medical condition?
If you have a disability or medical condition please let us know. The more you tell us, the more we can support you. We can discuss the suitability of the study tour activities for your personal circumstances and explore what reasonable adjustments could be made. Pre-existing conditions will also need to be disclosed to UniSA Insurance team to ensure you’re appropriately covered.
When will I find out if I’m successful?
We'll contact all applicants within two weeks of application close date (which is Sunday 25th May). If you're successful - Congratulations! You'll be invited to attend the Acceptance Workshop of ...................... (time TBC), where we'll get the group together and talk about the next steps in the process!
If you're not selected this time, you may go onto a waitlist, or be invited to apply for a future study tour.
If you're not selected this time, you may go onto a waitlist, or be invited to apply for a future study tour.
More information on visas, passports, weather, dress code, food, Fijian customs, health and safety, packing lists, travel details etc. will be provided during the Acceptance and Pre-departure workshops.
Please also contact UniSA Global Opportunities team or an Aboriginal Student Engagement Officer with any questions or to discuss in more detail.
UniSA respectfully acknowledge the Kaurna, Boandik and Barngarla First Nations Peoples and their Elders past and present, who are the First Nations’ traditional owners of the land that are now home to the University of South Australia’s campuses in Adelaide, Mount Gambier and Whyalla. We also acknowledge the other First Nations of lands across Australia with which we conduct business, their Elders, ancestors, cultures and heritage.
CRICOS Provider Number 00121B
Australian University Provider No. PRV12107