Imagine a beach of ivory sand, stretching as far as the eye can see. As the crimson sun sets over a vast horizon, tropical birds dip and soar through the sky, skimming the tranquil waters of the crystal clear Pacific Ocean.
The tiny and remote Cook Islands are scattered across the heart of the South Pacific, a place of intriguing and mystical heritage where the people live totally in harmony with the fertile landscape that surrounds them. You will see a multitude of unforgettable sights, including intricately sculpted natural caves where tiny multicoloured birds nest and roost.
The fifteen Cook Islands really are paradise on Earth. Joining this project, you will not only be able to immerse yourself in the staggering natural beauty of this astonishing location, you will also be able to make a significant difference to the lives of youngsters that live amongst the communities of these far flung islands.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
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Develop lifelong friendships
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Visit this tropical paradise
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Immerse yourself in the local community
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Location |
Cook Islands |
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Activities |
Teaching English
Play sports & games
Rejuvenation & rebuilding work
Community environmental programmes
Soak up your surroundings! |
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Transport |
Pick-up from the airport
Transport to the project site |
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Accommodation |
Hostel or homestay |
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Before you go |
Pre-departure support & documentation
Travel & medical advice & documentation
Advice on visas & equipment
Discounted medical kit
FREE Frontier TEFL Certificate
Free Frontier t-shirt |
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In-country |
Accommodation
Project orientation and training
Airport pick-up & drop-off
In-country emergency support
24-hour international HQ backup |
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
Students will be interested in life where you come from. You may be able to get involved with teaching other activities such as sports, music or science, if you are interested and have the relevant skills. Rather than just seeing teaching as a way of transferring knowledge, you are inspiring and shaping young minds. By investing your time and skills with the children of the Cook Islands, you are creating a lifelong legacy that will create and open up opportunities in their futures. This is an incredible experience that will hugely benefit the local communities, whilst building your skill base and giving you an absolutely unforgettable Frontier gap year, year out or career break!
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
Your teaching or community work will bring you into your host community as a welcome new member. You'll teach children basic English and other subjects of your choosing, and you'll have ample opportunity to play sports and games with them, and a range of other fun activities; the only limit is your own imagination and creativity. Whilst being some of the most flawlessly beautiful places in existence, the Cook Islands are economically limited and largely dependent on tourism for growth and income, which is a precarious and unevenly dispersed source of financial security. Outside of the central larger islands, many of the smaller atolls suffer and education is under-funded and very poorly resourced.
As well as teaching, you may be carrying out vital rejuvenation and rebuilding work, getting involved in community environmental projects and other community activities depending on your skills, interests and what you would like to organise! As this project is not strictly structured it gives volunteers a great opportunity to really make a difference in their own way. You will need to be aware that school holidays, which do not always follow a clear structure, can sometimes coincide with volunteer placements. In these situations you will be able to lend your hand to important community development work in general, broadening your experience and contributing in a different way that is just as worthwhile.
At the end of the day you are free to explore the islands, try a range of activities, or simply relax in the heavenly surroundings!
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?
You will fly into Rarotonga, the main island in the Cook Islands group, from where you will take a short internal flight to the island of Aitutaki where you will be met by friendly local staff.
WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?
You will be lucky enough to stay in a local house right in the heart of the community, where you will be provided with mosquito nets and electric fans and where you will have access to all the basic facilities that you could need. Although basic, the house will be warm and welcoming, and you will soon feel fully immersed into local life.
WHAT WILL I BE EATING?
This is a self-catered project, and you will be able to buy local food from the nearby grocery store. The house has kitchen facilities for you to use. This gives you a great opportunity to experiment with local food such as fresh fish, fruit and vegetables and 'kumara' (sweet potato), as well as chicken and other familiar foods such as rice, eggs, cereal and bread.
What Next? Apply Now!
The Sounds of Silence
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8 Nov 2011
I hear the roar of motorcycles. It is a fine house I’m staying in, all alone, on this beaut...
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Over too quickly
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22 May 2010
I can’t believe it is all over so quickly! Even though the lifestyle on the Cook Islands is...
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1 to 2
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The striking natural beauty of the islands provides a myriad of opportunities and possibilities for your spare time. Explore the many beaches where you can enjoy a picnic in the lovely surroundings next to luminous waters that are perfect for snorkelling. See shoals of multi-hued and tiny tropical fish by diving or snorkelling one of the spots on the reef that are recommended for their great biodiversity. Other activities you might like to try are Aitutaki nature tours, where you can discover the plethora of birds, insects and much more that thrive in abundance. In the evenings visit one of the "island nights", where you will enjoy the sight of some of the traditional dancing that is very popular here.
