Sweet Samoa

taken by Anela

About a week ago we returned from a two week trip to the beautiful country of Samoa! This incredible opportunity gave students and staff a chance to engage with immensly hospitable people and their rich Samoan culture. The first week we stayed at the Safua Hotel where we were serenaded each night by "the band"; where we were shown how food is traditionally cooked in the "umu", and where we were lucky enough to get to hang out with new Samoan friends. We also had the pleasure of following around Warren (an ornery old Australian expat who has lived in Samoa for 25 years). He showed us lava flows, volcanoes, flying foxes, and blowholes. During this time the nursing majors on the trip had a bittersweet experience of missing out on some of the fieldtrips yet getting to see firsthand, Samoa-style healthcare. They were surprised by the comparatively low levels of access to quality treatment but were touched by the immense role that families played in the care of each patient.

For the second week everyone moved to Faga village and got to experience Samoan life a little more personally via homestays. The families treated us like kings and queens by serving us their best food, letting us sleep in the coolest, most beautiful "fales" (beach huts), and even giving us traditional outfits to take home. On the last night we enjoyed exchanging songs with the Samoan young people during the "fiafia", which literally means "happy happy". So full of happiness, new experiences, and coconut milk we returned to the land of kiwis and cooler temperatures never to forget our two weeks in sweet Samoa.

taken by Ashley

taken by Heidi

taken by Heidi

taken by Leah

taken by Amanda