By Dwayne Mahimkar*
Apia, Samoa – 20 November 2024 – The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Samoa Campus, Alafua is currently hosting the delegation of 80+ staff and students of the Monash University from Melbourne, Australia.
The delegation was welcomed with the traditional Ava Ceremony on Monday 18 November organized and performed by the Samoa Student’s Association.
USP Student Learning Specialist Luatimuleulua’ipouomalo Niseta Buatava had to break protocol during the ceremony to elaborate on the significance and the procedures occurring in the ceremony.
After the Ava ceremony, a Samoan female student adorned in the headdress and tapa performed a taualuga which saw the Monash delegation joining the fun.
Performing the taualuga for the visitors.
The delegation is visiting Samoa as part of the Monash University Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) programme. This is a two-week initiative aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of humanity’s impact on the environment while exploring innovative sustainable solutions.
USP student counsel Galumalemana Ronna Lee then introduced the ‘Buddies’ (mentors), which consists of 10 students from USP Samoa, plus two senior students assigned as leaders of the group.
Monash students with their USP Buddy.
Each buddy had to introduce themselves to the delegation and had the opportunity to explain their programme of study and showcase their personality.
Buddy leaders Sateki Fangupo and Kerinina Semalamailagi Leaupepe were then tasked to assign the 76 Monash students to the 10 buddies who will be assisting them during the two-week visit.
Dr Brian Alofaituli of the National University of Samoa (NUS) gave a brief lecture on Samoa’s history.
He elaborated on the voyage across the Pacific, the age of discovery by explorers, the foundation of Christianity, and the administration of colonial powers.
He also touched upon concepts of traditional governance and leadership through the ‘matai’ (chiefly) system, along with the concept of ‘aiga’ (family).
Students attentively listen to the Samoan History lecture.
After the lecture, there were questions from some of the visiting students, ranging from understanding the colonial history to the traditional concepts in Fa’a Samoa.
After a short morning tea break, it was then time for the staff of Monash to conduct group sessions with the buddies and students from the delegation.
Assigned with a range of activities, the students asked a range of questions on personal experiences, while the buddies shared their experiences related to life in Samoa, food security, the impact of climate change and their own personal experiences.
The final, brief lecture of the day was on Samoan Language presented by the English and Applied Linguistics Professor at NUS, Dr Emma Kruse Va’ai.
She mainly focused on common phrases, characteristics, elements, and origins of the Samoan language.
Dr Va’ai got to showcase some of her literature, which comprises children’s books, such as ‘Palolo Time’, ‘Ready for School: A Story from Samoa’ and ‘Black Sock Swamp’.
Students visiting the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Apia, during the Amazing Race (Photo by Sara Tofilau).
Away from the lecture room, the students of Monash and the USP Buddies then took the road to Beach Road, Downtown Apia, described as a diluted version of the Amazing Race.
All 10 groups had to venture around Apia and visit the different sites while completing a range of activities.
The adventure came to an end at the Lava Hotel in Sogi, where the delegation is currently residing for the next two weeks.
- Dwayne Mahimkar is a Communications and Media student at the USP Samoa Campus.
