Know Fiji

Food & Culture
Higher Education in Fiji
Fiji & Australia

Flavours of Fiji

A Cultural Feast for Students from the Indian subcontinent

Fiji offers Indian students a rich, welcoming cultural experience where food, faith, and tradition seamlessly blend into everyday life. With a strong Indo-Fijian presence across the islands, Indian culture is deeply woven into the fabric of the nation — from the aroma of home-style cooking to religious places such as Hindu temples, gurudwaras, and mosques found in every city.

Indo-Fijian cuisine brings comforting familiarity with dishes like spicy curries, daal, roti, and biryani, often adapted with local ingredients such as taro, cassava, and island-grown vegetables. Street food stalls and local eateries serve everything from samosas and pakoras to sweets like barfi and gulab jamun — a testament to the community’s enduring heritage. Indeed, Indian dishes such as Dal & Rice are available at almost all restaurants including those serving other cuisines.

Fiji’s culinary landscape is further enriched by Indigenous Fijian specialties like lovo (earth-cooked meats and root vegetables) and kokoda (marinated raw fish in coconut milk), along with Chinese and Pacific Islander influences offering noodles, dumplings, and seafood-based dishes.

Bustling markets in Suva, Nadi, and other towns overflow with tropical fruits, spices, and fresh produce, encouraging students to explore, cook, and connect with local traditions. Whether you’re enjoying a festive meal during Diwali or visiting a Hanuman temple nestled in lush surroundings, Fiji allows Indian students to stay close to their roots while embracing new experiences.

Here, culture isn’t just observed — it’s lived, shared, and tasted in every dish and every community interaction.

Higher Education in Fiji

Fiji offers a vibrant and inclusive higher education environment that attracts students from across the Pacific and the wider international community. With its multicultural society, English-speaking campuses, and career-focused programs, Fiji is an increasingly popular study destination for students from the Indian subcontinent and beyond.

Fiji National University (FNU) is one of the country’s largest and most diverse institutions. Spread across multiple campuses, FNU offers a wide range of programs in medicine, engineering, agriculture, education, and hospitality. The university places a strong emphasis on vocational training and practical skills, ensuring students are workforce-ready.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a renowned regional university jointly owned by 12 Pacific Island nations. Its main campus in Suva is a hub for academic excellence, offering programs in law, marine studies, business, IT, and the arts. USP is particularly respected for its research and leadership in Pacific-focused education and sustainable development.

The University of Fiji (UniFiji) provides a personalised and community-oriented learning experience. Known for its strong programs in law, health sciences, and business, UniFiji emphasizes accessibility, social responsibility, and values-based education — making it ideal for students seeking quality learning with a sense of purpose.

Pasifik Community University (PCU) is Fiji’s emerging higher education provider focused on student-centred learning and real-world outcomes. PCU is dedicated to empowering students through modern curricula, affordable education, and industry-aligned programs. Its flexible approach and commitment to regional development make it a growing choice among local and international students alike.

Together, these four universities contribute to a strong and evolving education ecosystem in Fiji — where academic ambition meets cultural diversity, and students gain the skills to succeed locally and globally.

Fiji and Australia

Fiji and Australia share a strong and collaborative relationship in the field of education, which opens exciting opportunities for overseas students choosing Fiji as their study destination. The two countries are united by their geographical proximity and cultural ties, fostering initiatives that support academic exchanges, capacity building, and the development of education systems.

Australian universities and institutions actively collaborate with Fijian counterparts, offering joint programs, scholarships, and research opportunities. Initiatives such as the Australia Awards Scholarships provide Fijian students access to world-class education in Australia, while fostering reciprocal knowledge-sharing opportunities for Australian and international students studying in Fiji. These partnerships emphasize sustainable development, climate change, and regional leadership—fields of growing importance in the Pacific.

For overseas students in Fiji, the influence of these educational ties is apparent in the high quality of education, global perspectives integrated into local curricula, and the presence of Australian-accredited programs at Fijian institutions. Such collaborations ensure students gain a well-rounded education with international relevance.

Beyond academics, the close relationship enhances cultural exchange, with Fiji benefiting from Australian support in infrastructure, vocational training, and teacher development. For overseas students, studying in Fiji provides a chance to experience this unique fusion of regional cooperation and academic excellence.