Maymester trip led by Dr. Roy Campbell immerses group in culture and traditions
A Maymester trip to Fiji led by Presbyterian College history professor Dr. Roy Campbell left 20 PC students with an unforgettable experience and a new appreciation for the beauty and rich culture of the Pacific Island country.
For two and a half weeks, the group fully immersed itself in Fijian culture: getting to know the locals, participating in traditional cultural rituals, and learning about day-to-day life in Fiji.
Before embarking on the trip, students learned about the history and environmental psychology of Fiji, though nothing could compare to the real thing of experiencing it firsthand.
For Campbell, working with local Fijian businesses that help protect the environment while also preserving Fijian culture was at the forefront of planning the trip, which had an incredible impact on the students’ experience.
The trip included a three-day stay at Barefoot Manta Island Resort on Drawaqa Island, an experience that would unknowingly become a highlight of the trip for many of the students.
Here, the group became engrossed in Fijian life, learning about herbal medicine, how to open coconuts, how to play traditional songs, and even a spontaneous cooking class taught by the resort hosts, Mr. Tom and Mr. Eppie, who made the experience truly special for the students.
“They treated us like family and got to know us each on a personal level,” said Molly Mattas ‘26. “Leaving Manta was probably the hardest part of the entire trip.”
“They told our students, ‘We get a lot of university groups in here, but we’ve never had a group so interested in Fijian culture, or so interested in getting to know us personally and not just as staff running the resort,’” Campbell said. “I think that really was touching and moving to the people on the island, and it was very much reciprocated.”
The group also spent three days at Lawaki Beach House, where they visited a village on Beqa Island. During this visit, the students formed immediate bonds with the locals, laughing and playing games with the children in the village.
“The kids were asking them questions and wanted to joke around and play with them,” said Campbell. “And just to see the students light up like that, it shows that human connection is the most important part.”
“Most of us instantly clicked with the children there,” said Mattas. “Everyone was so welcoming and pure, which was such a blessing to experience, and it definitely made us rethink things we take for granted.”
“They told our students, ‘We get a lot of university groups in here, but we’ve never had a group so interested in Fijian culture, or so interested in getting to know us personally and not just as staff running the resort. I think that really was touching and moving to the people on the island, and it was very much reciprocated.”
Dr. Roy Campbell
“We clicked fast and created a bond that I still think about,” said Brooklyn Holik ‘27.
For the students, this trip gave them the chance to connect with their peers on a deeper level, creating bonds outside of the classroom that they’ll cherish forever.
“I had only known a couple of people being the only freshman on the trip, but I left being closer to them than I would’ve ever imagined,” said Isabella Melendez, ‘28. “Now they are girls I consider some of my closest friends, and that I share once-in-a-lifetime memories with.”
At times, there was no cell service where the group stayed, so they would swim, play games, or go on hikes together in their free time.
“Not everywhere in Fiji were you able to have your phone, so that gave us the time to bond and get to know each other on a different level,” said Holik.
For Campbell, this trip reaffirmed his love of traveling with PC students.
“For me, it’s a real honor and privilege when I get a chance to travel with PC students,” said Campbell. “These 20 students were such wonderful travelers who fully embraced the adventure, and really made the most of their time in Fiji.”