not your typical site visit at all
For professionals who answer the challenge for the love of the work.
Twelve advisors.
One week in Fiji.
A cohort built, not invited.
Advisor Island is not a familiarization tour. It is a working experience designed for Education Abroad professionals who shape opportunity on their campuses and are ready to step inside how this one is built.
You will move through three connected environments.
First, the academic foundation. At the University of the South Pacific in Suva, you will engage with a regional university serving twelve Pacific nations. You will see the academic structure, meet the faculty, understand the pathways, and leave knowing exactly how U.S. students can study there with rigor and relevance.
Then, the cultural and policy context. Indigenous governance, land systems, sustainability frameworks, Pacific pedagogy. Not as abstract ideas, but as lived systems shaping classrooms, research, and student life.
Finally, the experience itself. On Mana Island, you will step into a live version of Scholar Island. Not as an observer. As a participant. You will move through team dynamics, cross cultural collaboration, reflection circles, and leadership design alongside students who are doing the same.
This is where theory meets application.
Where academic intent meets lived experience.
Where advising becomes personal again.
Advisor Island is built for those who step into the work, not around it.
And this is Hop.
Different is the destination.
The University of the South Pacific (USP), established in 1968, is a beacon of higher education in the Pacific, embodying the spirit of regional cooperation and academic excellence. It's one of the only two regional universities in the world, making it a unique institution that serves a consortium of twelve member countries, including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, among others.
the rundown
Arrival: Monday, July 13, 2026
Academic Partner Visit: Tuesday, July 14 –Wednesday, July 15 (Suva)
Experiential Program Visit: Thursday, July 16 –Sunday, July 19 (Mana Island)
Monday, July 13, 2026
Arrival & Orientation
Location: Suva
Afternoon
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Arrival in Suva and hotel check-in
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Welcome lunch hosted by Hop Education Abroad
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Informal orientation session: Week overview, objectives, and context for the USP and Scholar Island experiences
Evening
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Free evening to rest, explore the waterfront, or dine locally
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Academic Foundations & Institutional Context
Location: University of the South Pacific (USP), Suva
Morning
Traditional Welcome & Official Opening
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Sevusevu (traditional welcome ceremony)
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Official welcome by USP leadership
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Cultural framing of entering Indigenous academic and community spaces
USP Institutional Overview
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History of USP as a regional university serving multiple Pacific nations
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Academic structure, schools, and programs
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International partnerships, mobility pathways, and student support systems
Campus Tour
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Academic buildings and teaching spaces
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Student services and cultural centers
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International student support and community areas
Lunch
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Hosted networking lunch with USP staff and academics
Afternoon
Panel Session: History, Identity & Development in the Pacific
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History of the Pacific: cultural traditions and evolving narratives
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Pacific Worlds: regional diversity and cross-cultural learning frameworks
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Development Issues in the Pacific: economic, social, and political perspectives
Advisor Reflection Session (Hop-facilitated)
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Student fit and academic pathways
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Opportunities for faculty engagement and program development
Evening
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Fijian dance and cultural activity at USP venue
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Group dinner in Suva
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Indigenous Knowledge, Sustainability & Student Experience
Location: University of the South Pacific (USP), Suva
Morning
Panel Session: Land, Leadership & Sustainability
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Role of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources
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Indigenous land systems and ownership frameworks
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Sustainable land and ocean-based livelihoods
Talanoa Session: Indigenous Research & Conservation
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Traditional research frameworks
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Communicating sustainability through education and media
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Integrating Indigenous knowledge into modern conservation practice
Lunch
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Hosted meal with USP student ambassadors
Afternoon
Speaker Session: Indigenous Psychology & Wellbeing
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Cultural models of mental health and resilience in iTaukei communities
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Community-based leadership and belonging frameworks
Partner Presentation: Think Pacific
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Village engagement models and ethical community partnerships
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Student preparation, safeguarding, and reciprocity practices
Closing Session: From Campus to Island
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Academic themes students carry into Scholar Island
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Leadership, sustainability, and reflection in experiential learning design
Evening
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Farewell dinner with USP partners and staff
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Transition to Scholar Island
Route: Suva → Nadi → Mana Island
Morning
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Overland transfer across Viti Levu
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Lunch stop in Nadi
Afternoon
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Boat transfer to Mana Island
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Arrival and orientation at Scholar Island
Evening
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Welcome circle and Opening Ceremony observation/participation
Friday, July 17, 2026
Scholar Island Mini-Experience
Location: Mana Island
Morning
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Attend “Pacific Worlds” class with Scholar Island students
Afternoon
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Team-based “Advisor Island” cultural challenges
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Free time to explore island
Evening
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Shared dinner and informal discussion with participants
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Buka Circle with students. Scholar Island’s version of a tribal council.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Reflection & Program Integration
Location: Mana Island
Morning
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Attend “Pacific Worlds” class with Scholar Island students
Afternoon
-
Team-based “Advisor Island” cultural challenges
-
Free time to explore island
Evening
-
Shared dinner and informal discussion with participants
-
Buka Circle with students. Scholar Island’s version of a tribal council.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Departure
Morning
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Final “Advisor Island” cultural challenge
Afternoon
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Celebration Farewell lunch - Winner of Advisor Island crowned.
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Boat transfer to Nadi
Evening
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Flights home to the United States (arrival same day due to int’l dateline)
visit outcomes
You will leave with:
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Clear academic pathways for your students.
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Confidence in the institutional partnership.
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Firsthand experience of Pacific teaching approaches, including talanoa dialogue and shared learning between U.S. and local students.
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An understanding of how experiential design extends classroom learning into leadership and social dynamics.
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A renewed sense of why this work matters.
see the program in action
audition timeline
FRIDAY
April 17, 2026
Application Deadline
Submit your audition video to be considered.
FRIDAY
May 1, 2026
Cast Selection
Selected advisors are notified.
MONDAY
May 18, 2026
Commitment Day
Selected advisors must commit to the site visit by this day.
TUESDAY
May 26, 2026
Public Announcement
The cast of Advisor Island is announced.
SATURDAY
July 11, 2026
Departure
Our advisors depart for a once-in-a-lifetime site visit.
do you have what it takes?
audition video guidelines
Video Length
3 minutes maximum
Recording Format
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Recorded on phone, laptop, or webcam
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Landscape orientation required
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No professional editing required
What We’re Looking For
We’re not evaluating production quality. We’re evaluating perspective, purpose, and presence.
the concept
Advisor Island is a selective, experiential site visit designed for twelve university partners to explore academic engagement at the University of the South Pacific and participate in a live, student-facing version of Scholar Island in Fiji.
Participants are chosen through a short video submission process that highlights professional vision, institutional impact, and readiness to engage in immersive, cross-cultural programming.
This process is designed to be creative, reflective, and accessible while maintaining clear, fair, and transparent selection criteria.
your world
30-45 seconds
Give us one snapshot of your campus that tells us who your students are.
It could be a moment, a pattern you see every semester, or a conversation you have often. What does that moment say about what your students are really looking for when they go abroad?
the gap
45-60 seconds
Look at your current study abroad options and point to one space where something different could live.
What kind of academic, cultural, or personal experience isn’t there yet and how would Fiji, USP, and Scholar Island change that?
your edge
30-45 seconds
Every great education abroad professional has a quiet advantage.
Maybe you build bridges with faculty. Maybe you unlock access for students who never thought this was for them. Maybe you turn complicated systems into open doors. What’s yours?
claim the title
20-30 seconds
If this were your moment to stand up for your campus and your students, what would you say?
In one final push, tell us why you should carry the name: Advisor Island — Sole Champion
audition video prompts
Address the following four prompts in 3 minutes. Your voice. Your story.
Optional “Wildcard” Prompt (Completely Optional, But Fun)
Show us something from your day that reminds you why you do this work. Is it a note from a student, a campus view, a whiteboard full of plans, or a quiet corner of your office.
No explanation needed. Just a moment.
how Advisor Island participants are chosen
selection approach
Advisor Island is designed as a curated professional cohort open to anyone rather than an invite only experience. Participants are selected through a short video submission process that helps us understand how each applicant works with students, positions programs on their campus, and engages in collaborative academic environments.
Video will be scored in the following four areas:
We look for advisors who demonstrate a clear, grounded understanding of the students they serve. This includes:
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Awareness of student motivations, access needs, and advising realities
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Thoughtful consideration of barriers to participation and support structures
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A student-centered approach to program decision-making
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We assess how applicants see this program fitting into their institution’s broader academic and global engagement goals. This includes:
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Connection to relevant academic disciplines or learning outcomes
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Alignment with faculty priorities, curriculum pathways, or institutional initiatives
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Ability to position the program as part of a longer-term campus strategy
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We value advisors who actively shape programs and systems, not just maintain them. This includes:
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Experience moving ideas through institutional processes or committees
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Advocacy for access, innovation, or program development
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Evidence of leadership within their advising or global education environment
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We value advisors who actively shape programs and systems, not just maintain them. This includes:
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Experience moving ideas through institutional processes or committees
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Advocacy for access, innovation, or program development
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Evidence of leadership within their advising or global education environment
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Cohort Balance
In the event of a scoring tie, the final selection considers the overall composition of the group to ensure a diverse mix of institutions, regions, and program models, creating a cohort that can learn from one another and share varied campus perspectives.
Transparency Note
Production quality, editing, and technical polish of the video submission are not part of the evaluation. Selections are based on the content of the responses and the overall balance of the cohort.
How to Make This Yours
(because the provider in us, wants everyone to succeed….)
There’s no “right” way to record this. We’re not looking for polish but we’re looking for perspective.
A few things that tend to help:
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Pick one clear idea per prompt. A single, specific story or example usually says more than a list.
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Speak like you would to a colleague. This isn’t a presentation, it’s a conversation.
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Let your setting be simple. Your office, campus, or a quiet corner is more than enough.
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If you go over a little, that’s okay. We care more about what you say than how precisely you time it.
Most of all, talk about your students and your campus in a way that sounds like it actually comes from you. That’s what we’re listening for.
See you in Fiji.
making it happen
Suva, Fiji
Mana Island, Fiji
July 13 - 19, 2026
inclusions
Selected participants receive:
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Twin-share accommodation in Fiji (Suva and Mana Island)
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Most meals from Monday welcome lunch through Sunday lunch
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Internal ground and boat transfers within Fiji
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Program activities at USP and Scholar Island
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Travel and health insurance for the duration of the program
Not included:
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International airfare to/from Fiji
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Personal expenses, souvenirs, or independent travel
terms & conditions
Eligibility
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Open to current university partners and prospective affiliate institutions
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Applicants must be actively employed in a study abroad, global education, or international programs role at a recognized higher education institution
Selection Process
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Twelve participants will be selected by Hop Education Abroad panel of experts
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Selection is based on the published criteria and aims to ensure institutional, geographic, and programmatic diversity
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Submission of a video does not guarantee selection
Program Commitment
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Selected participants must confirm attendance by Monday, May 18th, 2026
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Participants are expected to attend all scheduled program activities from Monday through Sunday
Costs & Coverage
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Hop Education Abroad covers accommodations, meals, internal transfers, program activities, and travel/health insurance during the official program dates
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Participants are responsible for securing and funding their own international flights and valid travel documents
Health & Safety
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Participants must comply with all local laws, university policies, and program safety protocols
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Travel insurance is provided, but participants are responsible for any pre-existing medical conditions or additional coverage needs
Media & Use of Likeness
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By participating, advisors grant permission for photos and video taken during the program to be used for professional, educational, and marketing purposes by Hop Education Abroad
Professional Conduct
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Participants are expected to engage respectfully with local communities, students, staff, and fellow advisors
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Hop Education Abroad reserves the right to remove any participant whose conduct undermines program integrity or community standards
Changes & Cancellation
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Program schedule may shift due to weather, safety, or institutional needs
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Hop Education Abroad reserves the right to modify or cancel the program if necessary
