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by prc1333

Why Consider a Study Abroad Program in Australia, New Zealand or the South Pacific?

The experience of studying overseas is rife with opportunities for academic and personal development. To garner the greatest results from the experience, though, it’s important to select a university with strong academic credentials and a competitive course of study.

Whether your preference is to study in Australia, New Zealand or Fiji, the university systems of this region more than meet these requirements. Additionally, there are many study abroad programs from which to choose. Students may decide to study in New Zealand or other locations for a shorter-term summer program, a semester, a year or even for the duration of a full degree program. For those seeking to round their academic qualifications even more, there are even internship programs from which to choose. The wide selection of programs makes it easy to meet almost any academic or scheduling goals.

What Are the Benefits of Studying in Australia, New Zealand or Fiji?

Most study abroad programs share basic benefits. These programs are a distinctive addition to college applications and resumes. Electing to study in New Zealand, Australia or Fiji carries these additional benefits for students:

•Exposure to a rich and diverse culture – Classroom experience as well as downtime in a study abroad program provides numerous opportunities to experience diverse cultures, traditions and social norms. In addition, the cultures and history of these nations share similarities with that found in North America. As a result, students gain the cultural insight afforded by international travel while enjoying the commonalities of our shared heritage. Students studying in Australia or throughout the South Pacific obtain a broadened perspective on the world as well as a more grounded perspective of their place in it.

•Outstanding educational opportunities—The region boasts internationally recognized degree programs and a world class university system. Students enrolling in study abroad program in Australia, New Zealand or Fiji are privy to some of the finest courses of study in an established, respected academic setting.

•No language obstacles — Since English is the predominant language in the region, extensive language study is not a prerequisite of study in Australia, New Zealand or Fiji. Classes are taught in English, and coursework and testing is done in English. Students are free to focus on soaking up the experience rather than worry about the accuracy of translating it.

•Breathtaking surroundings – One of the more striking benefits of choosing to study in New Zealand, Australia or Fiji is exposure to some of the most unique surroundings on the planet. Whether you are drawn to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, volcanoes in New Zealand or the pristine landscapes of Fiji, the region offers students the finest of educations in an unforgettable setting.

Some cool south pacific images:

South Pacific Sept-Oct 1991 Thailand 0233

Image by osseous

South Pacific Sept-Oct 1991 Thailand 085

Image by osseous

South Pacific Sept-Oct 1991 Penang, Malaysia 0044

Image by osseous

by osseous

Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill Tour in the Village of Pangaimotu

When the Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill tour moved their operation to the island of Vava’u last month, residents of the village of Pangaimotu heard about their work through radio and TV broadcasts and invited the volunteers to come to their island to deliver a workshop.

Pangaimotu is the name of a village and an island a half hour by boat from the capital of the Vava’u district of Tonga.  The Town Officer welcomed the Scientologists to the village and found them a hall in a local church where they could deliver their workshop. Then he brought them to visit each of the 185 houses in the village to invite every family to attend.

While walking through the village, one of the couples they met thanked the Scientologists for helping them through a very rough period in their lives. The volunteers were surprised and the couple explained that a short while earlier, they had picked up some of the Volunteer Minister booklets when the Goodwill Tour was in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga. Then, when trouble struck, the couple had the solutions they needed, to pull them through the crises they experienced.

Just as the Scientologists were about to begin presenting the workshop, a baby in the audience began to cry.  The Scientology Volunteer Ministers showed those attending a simple technique anyone can use to help someone calm down.  L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Scientology religion, developed a body of technology called Scientology “Assists.” An assist is a Scientology process that alleviates present time discomforts or difficulties. The particular assist the Scientology Volunteer Ministers demonstrated is called a “Locational Assist.”  Easy to learn and do, a locational is done by directing a person’s attention off the painful area of his body or his difficulties and out onto the environment. When the parents used it, the child immediately stopped crying and became cheerful again.

Carrying on with the agenda they had planned, the Scientologists then covered techniques to improve the ability to learn, communicate and resolve conflicts.

Having attended the workshop, the people of the village of Pangaimotu understand why the motto of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers is “Something CAN be done about it”, and they now have tools they can use to improve their lives.

South Pacific- This epic musical romance centers on a group of American sailors and Navy nurses stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. Arkansas native Nellie Forbush befriends and quickly falls for Emile de Becque, a French expatriate and plantation owner. As the war against Japan escalates, reality sets in for both Forbush and Cable, who struggle to reconcile their unconventional love affairs with their long-held prejudices and insecurities.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

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by osseous

Samoa: A South Pacific Heaven

Have you ever thought about what life could be like on an island? Do you dream of a South Pacific island paradise experience? Read on and discover the beauty and charm of Samoa.

Located in the heart of the pacific – Samoa is a group of four main islands. The islands are situated about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. It’s a tropical climate with an average temperature of about 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This area is warm all year round but often rains between November and April.

One of the main attractions in Samoa is the crystal blue warm water. It’s so beautiful and teeming with all kinds of exotic fish life. If you are a nature lover then this is the ideal holiday destination for you. There are many kinds of exotic wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Samoa has a history rich with folklore and myth. The people speak one of the oldest forms of Polynesian and many speak English.

There are four main islands – but due to their closeness it’s pretty easy to get around. Ta’u, Ofu, Olesseg, and Tutuila. The islands also have good roads and you should consider renting a bike and cycling around the islands. It a great way to get around and the islands aren’t too big.

Divers, snorkelers, nature lovers, hikers, and surfers will find Samoa a paradise for their needs. There are some world class spots here. You might even catch Kelly Slater catching a quiet wave in this modest little surfing Mecca.

There are well over 800 species of exotic fish and 200 species of coral. The ocean is teeming with beauty and if you are an avid snorkeler you will want to visit Ofu. The beach sand is unique and super-fine coral sand.

The islands also have a national Park which is on Tau. You will need a guide to go into some of the more remote areas. Its relatively simple to find a guide, just ask at the National Park offices and be sure to bring good shoes because you are in for a walk! There are beautiful volcanic areas you can explore with your guide so be sure to ask.

Saua is considered to be the birthplace of Polynesian people and is well worth a visit. You can drive to Saua with a rented car.
Ok so you are convinced – a Samoan holiday is where you are headed – what kinds of things do you need to know about the people before you go?

They are a modest people and have a different attitude towards dress. It is respectful; to cover most of your body while you are there; dress modestly rather than risking offending the locals.

If you are lucky enough to be invited into a traditional home you need to sit down on the floor before you eat or talk. Cover your legs – it’s considered rude to leave your legs exposed.

Polynesians are typically very welcoming people. They know how to treat tourists. A large part of their economy relies on tourism and you are treated hospitably wherever you go. As with any destination it’s good to know a bit about what might be considered rude in different cultures.

Don’t take pictures without asking it’s considered a sign of respect to ask before taking pictures.  Sunday in Samoa is considered to be a day of rest and this is strictly observed. Some activities, such as swimming, might not be allowed. Try to be sensitive to their beliefs and ask if in doubt. Villagers pray and if you are lucky you might even be invited to join in. If you enter a village during this prayer time, its called sa it is important to stop what you are doing and be quiet until it is finished.

If you are looking for a picturesque holiday with plenty to see and do; then this Samoan paradise is for you. It makes for a great holiday!

by Kim Smith

Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill Tour Welcomed to the Island of Vava’u

Traditional ceremony and ritual opened the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Tour on the Island of Vava’u in the kingdom of Tonga.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill Tour is continuing its work in the Kingdom of Tonga, with a grand opening on the island of Vava’u.  Tonga is an archipelago of 169 islands one-third of the way between New Zealand and Hawaii.

Local performers welcomed the Scientology Volunteer Ministers with a prayer and songs and the chief magistrate of the island, on behalf of the people of Vava’u, thanked the Scientology Volunteer Ministers for coming to their island.

A dancer performed the ‘Tulou kihe niu vakai’—a traditional greeting for honored guests and friends—before cutting the ribbon in front of the big yellow tent where the volunteers will provide courses, seminars and one-on-one help.

Having opened the tent in the capital city of Vava’u, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers are offering their services on a grassroots level by visiting the local villages.  The first place they went to was Talihau, a fitting first stop as its name means “to welcome the Chief,” coming from the days when any boat arriving from other islands would land and be welcomed by this village first.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers began their visit to Tonga on the island of Tongatapu, where they found that drug and alcohol abuse were a major concern of the local officials and community leaders.  They provided drug-education lectures, using information in the Scientology Handbook which is based on the research of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

Tonga is the third South Pacific nation of this goodwill tour, which began in Fiji and moved next to Samoa. On completing their work in Tonga, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers will move on to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

About the programme: www.bbc.co.uk HD super slow motion video of big wave surfer Dylan Longbottom in a 12 foot monster barrel – the first shots of their kind ever recorded.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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by osseous

Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill Tour Welcomed to the Island of Vava?u

Traditional ceremony and ritual opened the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Tour on the Island of Vava’u in the kingdom of Tonga.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill Tour is continuing its work in the Kingdom of Tonga, with a grand opening on the island of Vava’u.  Tonga is an archipelago of 169 islands one-third of the way between New Zealand and Hawaii.

Local performers welcomed the Scientology Volunteer Ministers with a prayer and songs and the chief magistrate of the island, on behalf of the people of Vava’u, thanked the Scientology Volunteer Ministers for coming to their island.

A dancer performed the ‘Tulou kihe niu vakai’—a traditional greeting for honored guests and friends—before cutting the ribbon in front of the big yellow tent where the volunteers will provide courses, seminars and one-on-one help.

Having opened the tent in the capital city of Vava’u, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers are offering their services on a grassroots level by visiting the local villages.  The first place they went to was Talihau, a fitting first stop as its name means “to welcome the Chief,” coming from the days when any boat arriving from other islands would land and be welcomed by this village first.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers began their visit to Tonga on the island of Tongatapu, where they found that drug and alcohol abuse were a major concern of the local officials and community leaders.  They provided drug-education lectures, using information in the Scientology Handbook which is based on the research of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

Tonga is the third South Pacific nation of this goodwill tour, which began in Fiji and moved next to Samoa. On completing their work in Tonga, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers will move on to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Find More South Pacific Articles

by osseous

Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill Tour in the Village of Pangaimotu

Scientology Volunteer Ministers delivered a workshop to the village of Pangaimotu in the Kingdom of Tonga.

When the Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill tour moved their operation to the island of Vava’u last month, residents of the village of Pangaimotu heard about their work through radio and TV broadcasts and invited the volunteers to come to their island to deliver a workshop.

Pangaimotu is the name of a village and an island a half hour by boat from the capital of the Vava’u district of Tonga.  The Town Officer welcomed the Scientologists to the village and found them a hall in a local church where they could deliver their workshop. Then he brought them to visit each of the 185 houses in the village to invite every family to attend.

While walking through the village, one of the couples they met thanked the Scientologists for helping them through a very rough period in their lives. The volunteers were surprised and the couple explained that a short while earlier, they had picked up some of the Volunteer Minister booklets when the Goodwill Tour was in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga. Then, when trouble struck, the couple had the solutions they needed, to pull them through the crises they experienced.

Just as the Scientologists were about to begin presenting the workshop, a baby in the audience began to cry.  The Scientology Volunteer Ministers showed those attending a simple technique anyone can use to help someone calm down.  L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Scientology religion, developed a body of technology called Scientology “Assists.” An assist is a Scientology process that alleviates present time discomforts or difficulties. The particular assist the Scientology Volunteer Ministers demonstrated is called a “Locational Assist.”  Easy to learn and do, a locational is done by directing a person’s attention off the painful area of his body or his difficulties and out onto the environment. When the parents used it, the child immediately stopped crying and became cheerful again.

Carrying on with the agenda they had planned, the Scientologists then covered techniques to improve the ability to learn, communicate and resolve conflicts.

Having attended the workshop, the people of the village of Pangaimotu understand why the motto of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers is “Something CAN be done about it”, and they now have tools they can use to improve their lives.

Tonga is the third South Pacific nation of this goodwill tour, which began in Fiji and moved next to Samoa. On completing their work in Tonga, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers will move on to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Scientology volunteer ministers provide seminars and workshops on practical tools and skills developed by L. Ron Hubbard, as covered in the Scientology Handbook. These include communication skills, conflict resolution and the basics of organization.  Any group wishing to arrange a seminar can request one online through the Scientology Volunteer Ministers web site.

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A few nice south pacific images I found:

South Pacific Sept-Oct 1991 Thailand 080

Image by osseous

South Pacific Sept-Oct 1991 Thailand 0833

Image by osseous

South Pacific Sept-Oct 1991 Thailand 0044

Image by osseous

by Kim Smith

Fiji Islands – An Idyllic South Pacific Escape

Occupying a land area of about 18,350 square kilometers, Fiji is an archipelago nation, situated in the center of the South Pacific Ocean, west of Tonga, east of Vanuatu, and south of Tuvalu. Fiji is about 2000 miles north-east of Australia, and has the Hawaiian Islands to the north and New Zealand to the south. Officially known as the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the archipelago of Fiji consists of 322 islands and more than 500 islets. Of which only about 100 islands are inhabited.

Formerly known as the Cannibal Isles, Fiji Islands were first inhabited by the Polynesians. In 1874, Fiji became a colony of the British. Nearly after a century of British rule, Fiji gained independence in 1970. But, Fiji has now become a major hub of the trade and tourism in the South Pacific and one of the significant stopovers for flights between New Zealand and the USA.

With its sheer beauty, thousands of magnificent beaches, beautiful volcanic islands, coral reefs, pristine lagoons, palm fringed shorelines, lush green forest areas, and volcanic peaks rising up to 3000 ft, Fiji has now become the most enchanting tourist destination in the South Pacific.

No matter you have come here for celebrating your anniversary, honeymoon, or just to enjoy sport activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling, Fiji has superb options for all. The Fiji Islands has been categorized into three groups such as the central islands comprising Viti Levu and Vanua Levu; the Lau Islands; and the Ra Islands, containing the Mamanucas and the Yasawas.

The largest as well as the prominent among the islands in Fiji is the Viti Levu, which is home to Suva – the capital city. Viti Levu boasts of all that is required to make your vacation at Fiji truly enjoyable as well as unforgettable, including well maintained cities, tropical mountains, lush green areas, scintillating waterfalls, upscale hotels and resorts, and stupendous beaches coupled with diving facilities.

For nature enthusiasts and travelers seeking solitude, one of the great destinations in the country is Taveuni, often referred to as the Garden Island, because of its abundance of beautiful as well as colorful flowers. Almost all plants and animals that are indigenous to the country can be seen here. Attractions, among many others of this island, are Lake Tagimaucia with a volcanic crater and Bouma Falls, which is one of the most scenic in the world. Additionally, Taveuni is home to some of the best diving sites in the country, such as, the Rainbow Reef and the Vuna Reef.

Another popular island among the Fiji Islands is Vanua Levu, which is located about 65 kilometers north of the Viti Levu. This is also the second largest island in the country. Labasa and Savusavu are the main towns in the island. Taking a tour to Vanua Levu is a great way to experience to the indigenous life of the country.

Also, prominent among the islands in Fiji is the Kadavu, located south of Viti Levu. About 75 percent of the island is occupied by rainforest, and also included in the landscape of the region is several soaring mountains, beautiful waterfalls, and incredible beaches. A rich variety of bird species can also be seen here. In addition, Kadavu also boasts of Great Astrolabe Reef, one of the premier scuba diving resorts in the country.

Apart from these, things to see in Fiji are endless, ranging from museums and cultural centers to beautiful shrines and monuments. Perhaps most prominent among the attractions in the country is the Fiji Museum in Suva, with an amazing selection of artifacts that throw light on the interesting past of the region. A gallery housing prehistory-related items can also be found within the museum. Aside this, the museum provides opportunities for the visitors to take a ride in Vitian drua, a traditional type double hulled canoe.

No visit to Fiji would be complete without taking a tour to Sri Siva-Subramaniya Temple in Nadi, which is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Dedicated to the Lord Muruga, the temple is much famed for its exquisite architectural styles. Attractions in Fiji also include Orchid Island Fijian Cultural Centre in Suva and Suva Municipal Market, the South Pacific’s largest as well as liveliest market.

Above all, Fiji is a paradise for water sport lovers, and in fact, provides superb options to enjoy an array of water sport activities such as scuba diving, water skiing, snorkeling, swimming, coral viewing, wind surfing, fishing, sailing, and kayaking. Even some high-end resorts and hotels in the area render facilities for activities such as boat trips and para-gliding, apart from excellent accommodation and dining facilities.

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by osseous

Analysis on Aspects of the 2009 South Pacific Telecoms Industry

Penetration rates of telecom services in the South Pacific Island region are still comparatively low, with large differences between urban and

rural areas where coverage is usually poor. Access to basic telecom services remains relatively expensive. Less than half of all Pacific Islanders have

a phone and generally there was only one supplier for any particular fixed, mobile or Internet service.
However, a lack of reliable fixed infrastructure combined with cheaper installation costs has enabled mobile services to begin to make significant

inroads into the market, and Digicel Pacific is leading the market here, as it sets up networks across a number of islands. As well improving the

penetration of telco services and lowering prices, more competition in the mobile market is in fact benefiting the entire economy, including the

creation of more jobs. Mobile telephony is expected to continue outpace growth in fixed-line connections as the market moves into 2009.

2009 South Pacific Islands – Telecoms, Mobile andBroadband
(http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/2009-South-Pacific-Islands-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband.html)  discusses industrial

forecasts number of islands including Fiji, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Niue and Tonga.

For those needing detailed overviews and statistics as well as objective analysis on all aspects of the South Pacific telecoms industry, this report

provides essential reading and gives in-depth information on:

1) An overall market overview and statistics.
2) Mobile and broadband markets.
3) Key players in the market.
4) Telecommunications infrastructure.
5) Regulatory developments.
6) Fixed network voice and VoIP markets.

For more information please visit:http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research/Mobile-Telecoms.html

Or

Contact us at:
Bharat Book Bureau 
Tel: +91 22 27578668
Fax: +91 22 27579131
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bharatbook.com

Full, letterbox, perfection. Learn the hand motions and amaze your friends, or even amaze total strangers!

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