A Mind Blowing First Week In The Maldives

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching & Swimming Coaching
WRITTEN BY: Jessica Leask & Kaitlin Foster, University of Sydney, Education

Our first day on the beautiful atoll of Hithadhoo was nothing short of magical. With a delayed flight due to severe weather conditions in Hong Kong, and a change of travel route that included a stop over in Singapore, we arrived safely at our guesthouse in the early hours of the morning. After a good sleep in, we all awoke and were excited to explore our new home for the next three weeks.

Our first activity of the day was to visit our schools. For the duration of our stay, the group has been divided between both the Hithadhoo School and Sharafuddin, which boasts the largest school population in the Maldives. At Hithadhoo School we were greeted with flowers and coconuts during our meeting with the Assistant Principal.

Our first days of teaching here have been invaluable. The schools have been very welcoming, with all of our teachers giving us opportunities to teach classes to the students on our very first day! The local teachers are eager to learn new practices, and as a whole we have learnt so many important lessons from the students already. We have also begun to teach the very eager students how to swim in an afternoon program that will be continued throughout the duration of our trip. In addition to swimming, beginning next week, there will be some lively competition between the students at both schools as we are all coaching netball teams that will be competing each other in the island interschool competition.

In addition to our lesson planning and organising the coming weeks ahead, we have been fortunate enough to be able to plan a few little excursions including snorkelling and fishing. Snorkelling was one of the most mind-blowing experiences for so many of the students on the trip. Firstly the colour of the water is exactly how you would imagine it, the brightest and clearest of blues. Meanwhile the wildlife below is breath taking. It is a whole other world down there with so many creatures to be seen. We were lucky enough to see at least 3 turtles in all different sizes, a few reef sharks and so many brightly coloured fish.

As a group we also celebrated two birthdays this week with a beautiful trip to an uninhabited island on Friday, with snorkelling, swimming and a boat ride. We are all now feeling refreshed and ready to conquer our second week!

Our Unbelievable UniBreak in Thinadhoo, Maldives

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching and swimming coaching
WRITTEN BY: Vivienne Zhu

I’m sad that this will be my last blog post for the trip. We’ve experienced so much, and it’s rapidly coming to an end in two days. It has been an extraordinary and memorable journey with five amazing girls and we were lucky enough to see some beautiful wildlife today; a pod of dolphins, some sharks, and a three-legged turtle!

For future Unibreakers, I want to give you a few tips.

Firstly, add your group on Facebook prior to the trip and don’t bring excessive quantities of items. There are plenty of local shops you can go to buy all your household needs: toothbrush/toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, Nutella, peanut butter, etc. Bringing these items will just weigh your suitcase down when you could bring books and games for the kids to play.

Secondly, don’t let bad weather spoil your fun! Our second trip to Havodigalaa Island began with overcast clouds and rain, but we were still able to chill in hammocks, and watch a beautiful sunset. We concluded the night with a glow stick party and karaoke - singing and dancing until we were tired. I also helped the locals light candles to use at night (a bit difficult given the heavy winds!)

Thirdly, immerse yourself in teaching – whether it is inside or outside the classroom. You get a grasp of how unique each child is and you come to recognise their strengths and weaknesses. I will certainly miss their persistent calls of “MISS” whenever they have problems or simply want my attention. Without a doubt, putting in the time and energy has been worthwhile.

Additionally, the progress the kids have made in swimming has been phenomenal. Some are able to swim freestyle without kickboards and through constant encouragement and praise, all the students were able to get in the water. (A tip for sports coaching – “hands on heads” will have the kids quieten down almost immediately!)

On our last day at school, we held an assembly where we presented a video Janelle made and gifted the school with our painting of Australia. Ajeeb invited us for a farewell dinner at school, where we dressed up in traditional Maldivian dresses. We captured many special moments with our teachers and were constantly praised on how beautiful and model-like we looked (#MissMaldives2015). Some of us even had veils tied to our hair, and it was like our own Maldivian wedding! We were treated to a great feast prepared by our teachers, and we said our final thank you to our in-country agent and the school.

Finally, treasure the memories you create with your new friends, your teachers and your students. We may come to a resort again in the future, but how often will we be able to live on a local island in Maldives? Getting to know the locals, saying “hi” to strangers, and going on snorkelling trips were certainly the highlights of the trip for me. Living as the locals do allowed us to truly understand the culture and lifestyle of Maldivians.

The Thinadhoo group would like to give our sincerest thanks to our in-country agents. Ibrahim, our local tour guide, thank you for purchasing our small household needs whether it be fruit or toilet paper! Whilst you appear shy, we have had so much fun with you, and are so grateful that you have been able to show us around the island.

Assad, you have been so amazing. Whenever we had a problem or wanted to go somewhere, you were quick to get it fixed or organised. Words cannot describe how efficient and kind-hearted you are, and we will surely miss your singing! We will certainly miss you in the weeks to come as we will no longer have snorkelling trips or see you on a near-daily basis.

We’ve taken so many photos and created countless memories, which will remain with us forever. This past month has been unbelievable and certainly unforgettable. We will definitely keep in touch with one another and we’ve already organised meet-ups in the coming weeks!

Thanks for sharing this journey with us! Love the Thinadhoo group.

Considering A UniBreak Trip to the Maldives? 'Just do it!'

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Nursing, Teaching & Swimming Coaching
WRITTEN BY: Brooke Salems

Our final week in Hithadhoo! We approached this week with mixed emotions, as it dawned on us that we would soon be saying our goodbyes. We were all eager to make the most of our last few days in our island paradise.

After a relaxing weekend, we were back into the swing of teaching and nursing. Our week was spent giving back to the community by finishing the school library renovations, running healthcare workshops for the local nurses, teachers and students, and donating medical supplies to the local clinics and hospital. Both the school and the hospital held a small party for the teaching and nursing students as a way of saying thank you and farewell. It is so lovely to know that our small amount of time has had such a large impact on their lives.


Reflecting on our time here, we realise all the amazing opportunities we have had. Snorkelling in the crystal clear water with fish and sea turtles, exploring uninhabited islands in the middle of the Addu Atoll, living the Maldivian lifestyle – tasting the different food and playing with the local children, redecorating the children’s library and turning it into a garden wonderland, witnessing natural births and caesarean sections at the hospital and walking out of our resort villas onto private beaches are all experiences that we would not have been able to do at home!

All of these amazing experiences would not have been possible without the kindness of the Maldivian locals and although there are so many people we would like to thank, these few are the ones who have made it the most memorable adventure for us all!

Thank you to the staff at the school and the hospital that we worked at for welcoming us into your workplace, sharing your knowledge with us and inviting us to be involved in your team over the past month. To Bonda and Captain, thank you for taking us on countless fishing trips to show us around your homeland. I don’t think any of us will ever forget the crystal clear water and the amazing sea life!

To our wonderful housekeeper, thanks for keeping us safe and making sure everything was always perfect at the guesthouse. And finally, our in-country partners… there are no words to say how truly grateful we are for all you have done for us. You have been our Maldivian parents, supporting and encouraging us, and helping us to immerse into your culture. You have provided us with so many wonderful opportunities which will always be remembered. We wish you all the best in life – you deserve it!

To anyone considering a UniBreak trip… just do it! It has been the most incredible experience for us, and we have all made memories and friends that will last a lifetime.

Barbecues, Snorkelling and Library Renovations in the Maldives

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Nursing, Teaching & Swimming Coaching
WRITTEN BY: Katina Sarantidis

Another week has passed and the reality that we are well and truly venturing to the near end of this trip has started to sink in. We continue to be in awe of the breathtaking location that has become our home over the last three weeks, and as friendships develop stronger, the harder it is to contemplate parting as a group and returning to our lives in Australia.

This week has been full of both surprises and adventure. It began with a picturesque sunset beach barbecue. We were escorted to a candlelit table where we were waited on like royalty and served the finest of foods on the island. Chicken, beef, seafood skewers, chargrilled vegetables, fresh salads and dessert – this was no ordinary sausage sizzle! Everyone was overwhelmed by the generous hospitality of the chef and serving staff and we truly could not express our gratitude for such a perfect evening. There was something quite tranquil about eating dinner under the stars, with sand beneath our toes and the faint sound of waves crashing against the nearby rocks.

Snorkelling and fishing continue to be two of the most favoured leisurely activities amongst us all, with groups going out on the boat almost daily. As spotting sea turtles when snorkelling becomes more common, it is nonetheless just as exciting as the very first time. It is near impossible to describe the clarity and turquoise blue colour of the water – it is truly remarkable. Each time we are convinced it appears bluer than the last.

Later in the week we were fortunate enough to be invited to a traditional Maldivian wedding. The bride was the daughter of a midwife the nursing students had been working alongside in the hospital. We took this opportunity to all dress up and immerse ourselves in the Maldivian culture – a unique and wonderful experience.

One of the main highlights of the week was the renovation of the local school library. The teaching students had met with the principal of the school to discuss the possibility of painting and refurnishing the primary section of the library. The plans were approved, the paint was purchased and it was all hands on deck for one full afternoon where we spent transforming the once dull, colourless library, into a bright, vibrant and inviting children’s reading corner. This project not only brought us closer together as a group, as we bonded over hours of painting and singing along to music, but also gave us a real sense of satisfaction and a reminder as to why we are all here. Seeing the smiles and lit up faces of students and staff made the hard work all worth the while. It is true what they say:

“Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give.” Ben Carson

Until next time.

A Night In Paradise - The Maldives

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching and swimming coaching
WRITTEN BY: Vivienne Zhu

Waking up early, we were very excited to go to the Robinson Club. It started raining as we were boarding the speedboat, and we hoped it would clear up later in the day. Unfortunately the rain kept coming but that didn’t stop us from enjoying our little getaway in paradise.

When we arrived, we were welcomed by the staff at the resort and greeted with champagne and small starters (mini sandwiches and fruit). After reception we were taken to our rooms, and they were beyond imaginable! The outdoor egg bed, soft sofas and hot garden showers were a treat from the cold showers and hot nights at the guesthouse!

With our bikinis on, we headed to the pool for a little swim under the spitting rain and grabbed drinks from the friendly bartender. The buffet lunch was gourmet and absolutely mouth watering: beef, pesto pasta, pizza, salad and grilled fish were some of options available to us.

Some of us booked massages at the spa, a bit pricey, but worth it because YOHO (you’re only here once). There were various massages including hot stone, Balinese, Thai, as well as manicures and pedicures and we were treated to ginger tea after our massage.

The next morning, we woke up early to watch the sunrise. We walked in the dark to the jetty and sat on the beach waiting patiently for the moment the sun peeks over the horizon. To say the least, the sunrise was breathtaking, and we saw a small baby shark swimming close to the shoreline. A breakfast fit for kings was available, including amazing omelettes cooked before us, muesli, yoghurt and waffles to name a few. We took a table by the ocean and enjoyed the sunny day ahead.

We went for a short stroll to the beach and laid out our towels for a nice morning sunbathe. We saw some honeymooners with wives wearing their wedding dress and the husband setting up timed cameras (it was not a rare sight). We had fun taking photos of ourselves lying in hammocks, climbing trees and jumping with the Maldivian blue ocean in the background.

Janelle and I went for a snorkel, however the coral reefs weren’t as vast as the other reefs we’d seen. The fish didn’t dart away from us, and a long eel-like fish with a barb-like tail caused us to abort mission.

At midday, it was time to checkout, and we met the Kolamaafushi group at reception. It was nice to see new faces, and we all headed to the pool for a final swim before lunch. Without a doubt, it was a great idea to go to the resort during the middle of our trip because we were able to relax, regroup and eat some delicious western food before our final two weeks!

Week Two In Our Tropical Maldivian Paradise

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Nursing, Teaching & Swimming Coaching
WRITTEN BY: Clare Sibthorpe

We began our second week of tropical paradise feeling refreshed, relaxed and revived from our overnight stay at an island resort. As we zoomed through the crystal-clear waters on our speedboat to and from the resort, we sat in disbelief at how blue the ocean was.

It happened to be Maldivian night at the resort, so we were lucky enough to experience the locals’ fabulous traditional dance and music. As a part of their tribal dance, the men bang on drums made from hollowed coconut wood. As the rhythm picks up throughout the song, women dance and spectators clap along.

Despite our enjoyable weekend, we arrived back at the guesthouse on Saturday afternoon glad to be back at our home away from home. We finished the night off with our first dinner outing as a whole group, eating at the local Italian restaurant. We were reminded that Hithadhoo is quite a bit smaller than many of our home cities, when our table took up the whole inside of the restaurant and the waiter was also the chef!

We are getting used to Hithadhoo life and slowly overcoming the culture shock of living in such a foreign environment. As we adjust to hearing Islamic prayer 5 times a day, some of us are even able to sleep through the 5am wake-up call! We’re becoming accustomed to bats flying past our balcony during sheer daylight, multiple people standing on the back of trucks as they drive by, and parents on motorbikes taking their children to school as early as 6.30am.

I’d like to say the locals are also becoming more accustomed to us Westerners as the days pass, but judging by the stares we all still get, I doubt this is the case. Finally, it’s safe to say we love the milo here! It comes in many forms – from cans, to poppers, to ice cream, to being ‘iced’ and served at restaurants. With such a vast variety, plus the fact that they are so cheap, and the corner store being just two doors down, milo-buying is becoming a daily habit for most of us.

The girls working at the school have had a great week getting to know their students better. The younger kids are learning about weather, seasons, and differences between living and non-living things. They have been giving the volunteers notes almost daily about how happy they are to have Australians with them. The older students are learning about opinion writing and debating. With the school’s anniversary this week, there was ‘plant a tree’, ‘decorate your classroom’ and ‘bring your pet to school’ day. Students from all grades wrote their targets and goals for the year, which were beautiful to read.

The nursing students also had a very eventful and exciting week, observing a total of three births – two natural and one caesarean. One student even assisted with the delivery of a natural birth! Several other procedures were observed, including a hernia repair. Students have also been attending different clinics to assist in health promotion and health assessment of the locals. Some of this week’s topics have included cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

For the kids at swimming lessons, eagerness is growing and skills are improving each lesson. Some beginners who at first refused to go above waist-height now accept and overcome new challenges without hesitation. The pride in their faces when they notice their own achievement is priceless. While it can be a mission to get them out of the water at the end of the lesson, we know it’s a good sign that they are no longer afraid to be in their beautiful ocean.

As Monday was Australia Day, our homesickness was soon overcome by the joy the kids felt when they spent the afternoon with us at the park. We had many activities, including face-painting, tattoo-applying, soccer, Australian beach balls, skipping ropes and boomerangs. Nothing demonstrates enjoying the small things in life more than the gigantic grin on a child’s face when they are told they can keep a gift we have brought.

We finished off our incredible week with some snorkelling trips. We were taken on a boat far into the ocean, away from any land! It was amazing to see breathtaking reefs and colourful fish. Some of us even touched a sea turtle! Our next chapter in our adventure is a trip to an uninhabited island this weekend… We can’t wait, as we’re eager to explore more of this picturesque utopia called the Maldives.

The vibrant colours, people and life of the Maldives

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Nursing, Teaching & Swimming Coaching
WRITTEN BY: Tom Squires

After a long couple of flights we finally arrived at Male airport, the capital of the Maldives. Our first challenge was explaining to the Maldivian customs officials why we were here, we were then greeted by a nice man who helped us check in for our internal flight to Gan Airport on Addu Atoll (our home for the next 4 weeks). The plane from Male to Gan was a small 34 seat propeller plane with us being the only Australians on it- this was the first realisation that we were a long way from home. After our 70 minute flight we touched down in Gan and were greeted by our in-country partner Suna; she was very happy to see us even when it was 1:30am. We arrived at the guesthouse and flopped into bed with anticipation of what we would see when daylight appears.

After only a few hours sleep we were woken up by the ‘call to pray’ at 5am, which is sung from different towers placed around the city. It's so great to be living within the village as we get to experience significant cultural events such as this. It was great to meet the other volunteers as we were all excited as each other about being here, about our placements in the hospital and school, and the exploring that will be done in our free time.

After breakfast we all set off on our bicycles to explore the streets, which was an experience in itself. Little cars and motorbikes were dashing out from side streets and swerving in and out of each other on the main road, very different to back home. The vibrant colours of the buildings were incredible. The locals seemed to be so fascinated in what we were up to; they don't see many foreigners here as it's not the most touristy of areas.

After lunch Suna arranged a truck to come pick us all up and take us to one of the coral reefs in the north part of the atoll. We all piled into the back and set off, and after being let through this big gate we continued through the jungle, having to duck for cover a few times. When the trees disappeared it opened up to a snorkelling oasis with crystal clear blue water. We couldn’t wait to get out there! One of the locals gave us a guided tour of the reef; the abundance of coral and fish was amazing, just like the photos we saw before coming here. After only being in the country for less than a day I could tell that this was going to be the most incredible trip.

After we all rested up it was time to visit where we will be volunteering for the next month. For me it was the hospital, where we were welcomed by the director and given a tour of the building. The way things are run is very different to back home, the resources available have to be utilised much more efficiently. It was quite overwhelming at first but as we settled in I knew this was going to be a once in a lifetime experience and seeing how this system differs from home was exciting. The teaching students also set off for their first day of placement, with everyone being put into a different year group and teaching level. Everybody’s first day had the culture shock and overwhelming feel that we expected, but as the days go on and we become more familiar with the staff, patients and students I think we will be able to fit right in and make the most out of it.

A typical day in the stunning Kolamaafushi

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching and Sports Coaching
WRITTEN BY: Emily Edwards and Katie Brown

To describe a typical week in this tropical paradise is a near impossible task, as every day brings something different from the last. For most of us, our day would begin at 8:20am with Emily or Sonia banging on our door telling us we had 10 minutes to be up and dressed to head to the cafe for breakfast. This usually was then followed by a solid 4 minutes of moaning and groaning about how tired we were, and then we would reluctantly drag ourselves from bed ready to start another amazing day.

Breakfast at the cafe consists of a wide selection of Aussie favourites. From toast (BYO vegemite), to sausages, cereal, porridge and rice pudding. To finish breakfast, without fail, a plate full of fruity goodness consisting of apples and oranges would come out. After breakfast, on a typical day, we usually come back to the house, and get ourselves organised to head to school.

The school day for the students begins at 7:30am with assembly, and ends around 12:30pm. Whilst we are not required to teach in those hours, we all enjoy heading to the staff room (conveniently air conditioned- win!) to chat with the teachers and plan our lessons for the day.

This week, we were lucky enough to have a snorkelling trip on Wednesday morning, where 'Mo Mo' our island dad took us to a beautiful uninhabited island, only a 20 minute boat ride from Kolamaafushi. We saw an abundance of different fish and coral, and those who were daring enough had a backflip or two off momo's little boat. At 1pm we all head back to the cafe for a lunch consisting typically of rice and curry, with a hefty serving of pappadums and a plate of vegetables, powering up to begin our teaching for the day at 2pm.

When 2pm hits, we take the 5 minute walk down to the school and begin our classes. Most of us are paired up for teaching, with the exception of Sonia who we labelled most capable and confident to take a class on her own. Each pair teaches for a total of one hour, with a different class each day. Katie and Anna teach grades 1-3, who are arguably the cutest kids in the school. Grades 4-7 who have a slightly cheekiness to them are split between Sonia and Emily & Sammy Lux. Then grades 8-10 are taught by Sam Beales and Phil.

After the hour of teaching we are usually all knackered and stagger back to the house to share our highlights from the lesson. We then have about an hour to relax before we head off to either swim coaching or sports coaching, which we tend to spend singing our lil' hearts out.

On Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday it is swim coaching where we meet around 40 eager kids from grades 1-7 to play games and practice swim techniques. On Mondays and Wednesdays we take the older kids (grades 8-10) to play netball or soccer, which they all love! After this is over, we go for a swim, do some fitness training (for the eager ones in the group) or go explore the island and chat with the local store owners, where we pick up some snickers or pringles for our stash.

At 7pm, we head over to the cafe and enjoy a delicious meal followed by a fruit platter, then either head home to relax, teach a parents' class or have another walk around the island. By far, the best way to end a good week at Kolamaafushi is with a trip to a resort island, which we are doing this weekend; it's just one of the many perks of a placement in the Maldives!

A day in the life of a Maldivian volunteer

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching and swimming coaching
WRITTEN BY: Vivienne Zhu

Our trip to Maldives was hindered with one delay, but that didn’t stop the excitement for the month ahead on the beautiful island of Thinadhoo. We were greeted by the Maldives’ immense heat, beautiful waters and a quick speedboat journey across the sea from Kaadedhdhoo to Thinadhoo. Half our group arrived on the earlier flight and enjoyed a motorbike ride to a sandbar for a quick swim and a delicious dinner of fried rice, tuna and vegetable curry at Delizio. The rest of us arrived at 11pm and enjoyed a magical boat ride under the stars.

After several days here, we are getting used to the heat and the Maldivian routine. Waking up extra early isn't always easy for us uni students, but with the eager kids ready to learn we're always excited to see their smiling faces. A breakfast of cereal and nutella toast reminds us of home before our big day ahead. Our early morning walks to school are pleasant, with the sea breezes through the laneways soothing our faces.

We arrive to school by 8am, tick off our attendance and head to our respective classes. Imogen, Maddie and myself teach Grade 2, whilst Janelle and Sarah teach Grade 3 and Dani teaches Science and Maths to Grades 6 and 7. There are a range of classes including English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, PE, Creative Arts, Dhivehi, Quran and Islam. Upon arriving, we are greeted by the children’s smiles and help our teachers with their class, whether that be writing on the whiteboard, answering persistent calls of ‘Miss!’, singing songs or playing games with them.

School ends around 12:30pm, and we return to Delizio’s for lunch. We are welcomed with passionfruit juice- a wonderful refreshment after a tiring morning- and wait for our lunch patiently. So far, our best lunch has been roti with dahl, spicy fish and tuna salad. It is an absolute treat to enjoy the local food!

After lunch, the UV soars and we retreat back to our guesthouse where we relax for the afternoon. We will often watch a movie, plan for swimming lessons, or play intense card games to fill the time before teaching swimming.

Around 4pm, the kids gather at the sandbar for swimming lessons. Currently, we are teaching the Grade 2’s who are learning the basics of kicking, blowing bubbles and floating in the water. Already, we are able to see the strong capabilities of some students, which is promising and rewarding.

Swimming ends at 6pm, and we are able to head back, shower and get ready for dinner. Again dinner is at Delizio’s, and we are greeted with orange juice and a hot meal to refuel our bodies after a long day. Typically, we’re able to get through dinner within half an hour (that’s how hungry we are!).

After dinner, we’ll head back to the guesthouse and relax for a bit before heading to bed at around 9pm. This is just a typical day in our lives, and we’ve found that weekdays are Sunday to Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday, and we can’t wait to see what the weekend has in store for us!

A thrilling and surprising farewell to the Maldives for team UTS

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Sport and health workshops
WRITTEN BY: Joshua Dipple, UTS Sport and Exercise Science / Management student

With our trip underway, the 11 representatives from UTS were in full swing of island mode. Island mode consisted of starting everything later than the confirmed time, slow service at cafés and scooters pulling out in front of you on the roads. Island mode also includes privileges such as stronger connections with students, in clinics and workshops and luxuries such as snorkelling, fishing, turtle catching, island getaways and eating a fantastic array of local food. With the locals so welcoming to us foreigners, the transition into Maldivian life was seamless.

It was not all smooth sailing though, as everyone knows ups and downs are experienced in all forms of life, especially when travelling. Sickness rocked the household for a few days and rain appeared in torrential measures for periods of time. But when given lemons, we make lemonade! Rain didn’t hold any team member back, with commitment still at full capacity; this was exemplified when we rode highly dysfunctional bicycles to soccer, netball, swimming and nutrition clinics in monsoonal rain. Although this became part of this UTS group's identity for the rest of this trip. Strong, determined, committed and passionate.

As all workshops and clinics began to finish up in the last week, it was a sad time for everyone: team UTS, the parents and all the students that have been on this journey with us over the three weeks. This was signified on Thursday, the climax to an amazing, life-changing experience. The workshops came to a close, gifts were exchanged and so many photos were taken and shirts autographed that we felt like celebrities, even if it was for only an hour or so. The swimming students even put on a picnic after their last lesson, with some students being lucky enough to receive individual gifts from appreciative students and their parents. The coaches also reflected the special connection shared by giving presents of their own to the kids.

It was all coming to a conclusion, with Friday being a day for cleaning, packing, reflecting, and making the most of our last day in the beautiful atoll of Addu in the Maldives. The day began with some cricket with the locals, some more goodbye photos, followed by a group lunch at a private island resort in the afternoon. Farewell dinner was consumed and present shopping for the most important people was undertaken directly post-dinner. On arrival at the guesthouse after a long, jam-packed day, the team were finalising packing and getting some much needed sleep.

But sleep was never on the agenda. Little did we know, but there was something much more exciting about to take place. It started with two swimming students offering to casually take us about 50 meters away where a couple of the cousins were dancing. We weren't too keen on the idea of it, but oh how wrong we proved to be. There would have been about 10-15 male dancers there, aged approximately 20+ working up a sweat that could nearly put the entire Maldives underwater, and the passion and enthusiasm which they exerted were sights to be seen. The locals soon caught onto us, offering us to dance, play drums and sing with them. It was absolutely amazing, and such a treat to experience an authentic local party on our last night. We headed home around midnight as we really did need some sleep. We later found out it was a circumcision party and I can say from being there, it was the best Maldivian party I’ll ever go to, and certainly not one I'll ever forget.

Ok, now it was time for sleep! Or was it? No, a soccer superstar that had deserted us for the last week due to a tournament he was attending, surprised us with a return to send us off. Night jumping off the peer, scooter riding and eternal chatting kept a few of the remaining students up until around 3am, with one student pulling an all-nighter just before the plane was about to leave! It was really special that Bonda paid for himself to come back and bid us farewell, so staying awake was the least we could do to repay his kindness.

Finally, team UTS would like to send out its biggest thank yous to Suna, Misbah, Bonda (Shamweel), Anif (Captain), Suni, Saif and Mika. There are many, many more people to thank, including students who attended clinics, food preparers and many more. To the UTS and Antipodeans staff behind the scenes who put in the hard work to make everything run smoothly for 11 happy-go-lucky uni students, our appreciation and thanks go out to you.

Anif (Captain), we appreciate the trips out to the big blue and to experience snorkelling, sea fishing, teaching us the ropes on how to jig and trolling. These opportunities will be cherished forever.

Suni, you were the person who we looked to when a smile was needed. Always smiling and happy, thank you for your translation skills and assisting with activities carried out. Saif, we are so appreciative of your hard-working attitude. Even though he only knew two English words ('yes' and 'no'), he was the most efficient and kind person we've even seen. Mika, at six year old, the world is your oyster. Everyone has had so much fun with you, thank you for taking us into your world. Bonda, the Maldivian international soccer superstar, thank you for sharing your experiences, wisdom and personality with us.

I have to leave one last special mention for Suna and Misbah. These wonderful humans are Antipodeans' in-country partners that made everything happen. Our initial perceptions of this trip were to work with kids, but Suna and Misbah’s efforts have enhanced the experience of this trip immensely, as if it wasn’t great enough! Activities such as snorkelling, fishing, dinners, transportation, private islands, resorts, and assisting with soccer, netball, swimming and nutrition clinics shows their dedication and commitment to this wonderful cause.

Mutually agreed by the entire team, these amazing souls weren’t just a part of our lives, but they WERE our lives. Words aren’t able to sum up the gratitude we as a team have towards these wonderful people and this trip, but memories and experiences last a lifetime, so nothing will be forgotten. To all future UniBreak volunteers, you're in unbelievably good hands!

Shukuriya (thank you)!

UniBreakers sink their feet into Maldives' golden sand

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching & Sports Coaching
WRITTEN BY: Emily Edwards and Katie Brown

After months of anticipation, our adventure finally began. We were warned of delays, but little did we expect it would be days before we would arrived at Kolamaafushi. Instead, we had our own little adventures at Male and Thinadhoo, meeting the locals, riding motorcycles, searching for coconuts and buying a not-touristy-at-all ‘I-Heart-Maldives’ tee.

The team assembled on the Blue Shark (a ferry) to Thinadhoo. Boarding the vessel proved to be an interesting experience, as it was connected to the land with a single plank. Our fear quickly dispersed with the sight of the gorgeous local kids grinning and staring intensely. This sensation continued when we arrived on the island, surrounded by local smiles and curiosity. Everyone on Thinadhoo was incredibly welcoming, providing us with canoes and hours of karaoke. Definitely a team bonding experience.

We were sad to depart from Thinadhoo, but extremely excited to see Kolamaafushi – an island we fell in love with almost instantly. It was definitely a red carpet experience, greeted by the teaching staff and families. We had an accommodating welcome at the local school where we were given fresh coconuts while we discussed our plans and intentions for the next month.

Our first day was full of adventures – Assad, our guide, showed us around the island. Kolamaafushi has two main roads, going vertically across and horizontally across the little island. On our second day we were taken out to an uninhabited island to go snorkelling. The huge underwater coral formations were breathtaking and we were lucky enough to see a shark. On the beach of the island we barbequed a dolphin fish, with a potato for Sonia and Emily.

We were renowned on the island for our enthusiastic singing, constantly chanting the lyrics to Katy Perry, Shakira, ABBA and Avril Lavigne. We became known as Phil and the Girls. We've loved our short time here so far and are very excited for the days ahead; we'll keep you posted.

UTS students dive in to the majestic Maldives

COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Sport and health workshops
WRITTEN BY: Melanie Boudib, UTS Sport and Exercise Science / Management student

Our travels began with three plane rides and a bus trip to our guesthouse, and after flying in at night, we were not at all prepared for what treasures lay before us on this island.

The 4.30am call to prayer wakes us from our air-conditioned slumbers, and marks the beginning of another day on an island full of colourful buildings and even more colourful locals, surrounded by impossibly blue waters. After months of anticipation, a week of frenzied packing, and a long 24 hours of travel, we are finally here.

Our first few days are full of exploring, and before we have even started teaching we've already toured the island with our gorgeous and hilarious in-country partner Suna and her husband Misbah, who is a never-ending fount of local knowledge and adventures. Then, of course, there is Bonda... Maldivian soccer star, fishing extraordinaire, and the one who has consistently cracked us up with his quiet jokes and constant "Aahaaa’s”. We've also played a soccer match in the local stadium, spent hours snorkelling the amazing reefs, visited the school we'll be running sports camps and health workshops in for the next three weeks, launched ourselves into the stretch of ocean we'll be teaching swimming in, and had numerous bike malfunctions which have just added to the adventure.

On our third day it feels like we've known each other forever, and it's time to start running the sports sessions. The kids are shy to start, but by the end of the three hours they're running around happily. Despite the heat that sees us Aussies sweating rivers before noon, the soccer and netball stars on the court don't want to stop, which is surely the sign of a morning well spent.

Our health workshops don't start until after the weekend, so we have a nice long break in the middle of the day until swimming coaching starts. These hours are generally wiled away riding bikes, climbing coconut trees, fishing with the 'Captain', or playing ball in our front yard. Then it's back to what I hesitate to call work, wading into the water to teach a younger group how to swim. It's surprising to see the varied skill levels of the kids, but by the end of the second day we've found our groove and everyone's having a lot of fun kicking, splashing, and laughing their way through the two hour lessons.

After what seems like only a day on the island, but in actuality has been a week, the weekend is here. We spend it much like we spend the other days, but it starts with more sleeping in and ends with an amazing beach barbecue for dinner, after a few wrong turns by our truck driver.

The next morning, those of us who haven't been out fishing with Bonda and the Captain venture across the choppy seas. After letting a HUGE fish get away with two hooks, leaving us only with a bent lure, the Captain tells us with a smile "there are three sizes of fish, small, medium, and 'the one that got away'". So we leave him to fish in peace and dive in to the water for a snorkel with Bonda, who catches us a big turtle to hold and get photos with, truly a once in a lifetime experience.

To see the weekend out in style, we boat over to a deserted island where the girls are allowed to ditch their rashies and boardies in favour of bikinis, and spend a blissful five hours snorkelling, playing beach soccer, and playing games in the water. We come home to a delicious buffet for a ridiculously low price by Australian standards, and then it's time to sleep.

The first week here has been a constant adventure. We've played countless sports (a Human Movement student's dream), ridden our bikes till the pedals fell off (literally), and we still have twice as long to go. Every night we exclaim how amazing this place is, and how long it feels like we've already known each other. We can't wait to see what other treasures this island holds, and we've definitely befriended the right people to help us find out.