Cultural Understanding is an all important mindset-growth element. International understanding begins with an appreciation of our own culture when we encounter and consider other cultures, other world views and other ways of looking at the world. The richness, yet little known culture of the South Pacific Polynesian islands, is the background cultural inquiry in our program, alongside a very diverse student body. The Polynesian culture is introduced to our guests though ateliers, presentations and hands-on participation in crafts, dances, music, traditions with our local youth and cultural ambassadors, lessons from our local elders.
History. Students work with the local community through service. Since 2017, through our programs, our organization has actively engaged to contribute to transform the remote village of Puohine, in the district of Taputapuatea. This community hosts the site of the Marae of Taputapuatea, a vast temple-grounds regarded as the center of Polynesian civilization, the nesting place of Polynesian culture and the original place from which the Polynesian people adventured, sailing north to Hawaii, west to New Zealand and east to the Easter Island, forming the famed Polynesian triangle. Students will help one of the local organizations preserve this future UNESCO World Heritage Site and its unspoiled environment.
French Language. Our genuine, full immersion programs allow our local students to learn English and our visitors to learn French and Tahitian. While the focus is typically at the conversation level, optional formal language classes and tutoring, from beginner to advanced levels, are also organized.
