Basics - Rough Guide to Fiji - page 67

an hour at the backpacker hostels and around F$2 to F$4 an hour at private Internet cafés .
Internet cafés can be found in most town centres - especially in Nadi, Lautoka and Suva -
where competition is fierce and prices sometimes fall below F$2 an hour, usually charged
by the minute. “Directory” sections in the Guide contain addresses for local internet access
points.
Laundry
Most hotels and resorts provide a laundry service for guests, although self-service machines
are seldom available. Independent laundries, which tend to be better value, can be found in
the larger towns, or at several of the larger marinas.
Living in Fiji
Due to high levels of unemployment, it is difficult to obtain a work permit for Fiji. Many
expatriates work in the hospitality industry and if you have relevant work experience or spe-
cific skills such as languages or scuba diving qualifications, you may find resort work. A
prospective employer in any field must demonstrate that they have conducted an exhaustive
but unsuccessful search for a qualified Fijian candidate and must post a bond to cover the
costs of shipping you home if you become incapacitated. Few are willing to go through this
process unless your skills are particularly desirable.
International students may apply for enrolment at the University of the South Pacific (
www.usp.com.fj , 323 1000) on either a cross-credit semester or a full-time course, provid-
ing you have attained a High School certificate pass or similar from your home country.
There's no age limit for enrolment and a student visa is granted to all successful applicants
providing a clean police record and clear medical including a negative HIV test.
Alternatively, a variety of marine conservation organizations offer unpaid or even you-pay
internships for periods lasting a week to several months.
Otherwise, if you have a large chunk of money you're willing to invest and you can find a
local partner who must hold at least a fifty-percent shareholding, you can set up or purchase
a business . Specific questions should be addressed to Investment Fiji ( 331 5988; invest-
mentfiji.org.fj ) , headquartered at Civic Tower on Victoria Parade in Suva, with another office
on Naviti Street in Lautoka.
Mail
Post Fiji operates all post offices (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 8am-noon). All post offices have
telephones and sell phone cards for calling internationally and locally; larger branches sell
stationery and postcards.
Post can be slow, especially posting items to Fiji and it's not uncommon for letters to take
three weeks from North America or Europe, with delivery to the outer islands often taking