Sierra Mayer, the Grizzlies Abroad marketing intern, writes:

Aloha everyone! My name is Sierra Mayer, and I am the Grizzlies Abroad Marketing Intern for this upcoming 2013-2014 school year. I am from Hawaii on the island of Kauai. I am excited to get the school year started as the new marketing intern, so I can share with people my study abroad program experience and get the word out there for more Griz students to have this opportunity.

Sierra with her Fijian homestay family

I studied in Fiji this past summer. Although I was going from one island to another island and similarities existed, there was also a lot to learn. Fiji is so rich in their culture, plus the locals are extremely friendly and the scenery is breathtaking.

My favorite aspect of the whole program was the homestay. By spending two days with a family, I truly saw how the household ran. Although the household I stayed in had the bare minimum, it was refreshing to see the family’s strong bond and lack of concern for material items. The kids didn’t have computers or video games; they simply wanted to play outside and throw a ball around, which my classmates and I thoroughly enjoyed doing with them. In the evenings, my homestay family and I would sit on the ground and share stories. I learned such a great deal by emerging myself into their daily lives and just talking to them. Not to mention, all the food they prepared was incredibly delicious.

My experience was amazing, and I can’t wait to share it with other students at the University of Montana. I am certain that I will be visiting the Fijian Islands again in the future. And now that my program is done, I can say it was the best way to earn three upper division credits and a great excuse to go out of the country.