Travel To Make A Difference

Talei Cacau travelled to Vienna, Austria to attend the First Meeting of State Parties (1MSP) which was hosted by the United Nations at the Vienna International Center.

I recently traveled to Vienna, Austria to attend the First Meeting of State Parties (1MSP) which was hosted by the United Nations at the Vienna International Center. I had never been to Europe so it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. While in Vienna, I had the opportunity of speaking with university professors and recruiters from internationally successful organizations around the world. There were so many opportunities to learn about possible research projects, advocacy, and how to approach and lobby policymakers.

I traveled to Vienna on a fully-funded travel scholarship. Apart from all of the interesting discussions about nuclear devices and their history, I learned a few important lessons about traveling with international nonprofits. These recommendations may seem like common sense. However, a lot of Pacific Islanders that I spoke to, after returning from Europe, did not know much about traveling. This puts them at risk of being sent overseas without having enough funds for food and transportation during the course of their stay. I wanted to share these suggestions with Melanesian Women Today readers so that other Pacific Islanders can travel with nonprofits safely.

I should have confirmed, with my supervisors, the exact allowance I would receive upon arrival in Vienna. This would have helped me prepare an efficient budget for the trip.  Please confirm the amount in an email with your supervisors before leaving your home country. I have heard a lot of horror stories of Pacific Islanders who had to go without food for almost two days or skip meals because their sponsors didn’t give them enough funds to last the entire trip. 

I got my first visa card a few days before my trip to Europe. It helped me buy a lot of food and groceries while saving the funds I had on hand. Also, it helps to email your bank your travel itinerary so that you can easily use your card overseas. 

I did not know this at the time–I could have looked for my own accommodation on Airbnb and submitted the information to my supervisors so they could pay for it.You can easily find an affordable apartment in Europe on Airbnb. I only learned this after I arrived in Vienna. This would have made their jobs easier and my work trip safer. 

Your supervisors and team may also be overwhelmed with planning the trip for so many people from different countries. Please make it easier for them and safer for yourself by taking as much of your own money as you can. I would recommend taking a minimum of FJD 800. Before you leave your home country for Europe, please change your local currency to USD. Upon arrival at your destination, you can easily change the USD to the local currency. 

Attending international conferences at the United Nations is an amazing opportunity. You can approach these conferences like a networking event. At the 1MSP, there were so many people who were willing to offer advice about my university courses, career, and research projects. They were also willing to keep in touch so we can find a way to collaborate in the future. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I hope more Pacific Islanders have the chance to travel to these kinds of conferences in the future.

By Talei Caucau