"It was awesome" one UW student from our study abroad group answered when asked about the mornings' visit to the Universite de la Polynesie Francaise. "I really hope we will have the chance to come back, maybe even sit on a class or two."

"I appreciated hearing from new perspectives," another student commented as we walked back down from campus to our cars.

The Universite de la Polynesie Francaise sits high on the hillside above Faa'a, and hosts over 3,000 students, nearly 100 faculty, plus support teachers and staff. Students from all over French Polynesia and the world come to study a wide range of disciplines, as well as conduct research and participate in Tahitian culture.

This morning, we were fortunate to be able to meet with several facility members to hear their perspectives on Pacific oral traditions. It was the first time a group like ours from the UW was able to attend such a unique lecture by UPF faculty on campus. The topics of discussion were varied, but all engaging and informative for our studies. For example, we heard a little about similarities and connections between the mythologies of communities around the pacific. How is it that similar myths appear in Taiwan, Polynesia, and America? How do myths travel from one community to the next, and where did they originate?

Additionally, we had the opportunity to ask some questions about what we've been learning in our classes, as well as about our specific areas of interest. For example, one member of our group asked "What do you see as the role of oral traditions now, in modern Tahitian culture? Are oral traditions still evolving, like they have historically? Are any new traditions still being created?"

The morning concluded with a shared meal and some free time to ask more questions and get to know our guest speakers a little better. We all left with new insight, and the hope of returning to the UPF campus sometime soon.

Our deepest thanks to Professors Serge Dunis and Bruno Saura, as well as Lovaina, Leopold, Katya, and the UPF International Relations office for your time and generosity.