Why Samoa?
A new paradise
Our location sets us apart
Samoa is a paradise. It’s beautiful, tropical, serene and devoid of many of the stresses and distractions of modern western life. But Fa’asamoa, or the Samoan way, is what makes Samoa a true paradise and sets Coral Reef Academy apart from other programs.
the samoan way
What is Fa'asamoa?
Fa’asamoa is a culture of acceptance, stability, respectfulness, and tradition. By introducing students to the Fa’asamoa and weaving it into every aspect of our program, our team of licensed therapists, educators, and Samoan mentors is able to provide the ideal milieu for maturation and healing.
Fa’samoa contrasts with western culture in ways that are intrinsically therapeutic for young men who have lost their way in the maze of western culture. Some of these contrasts are noted below and, as you’ll see, represent a perfect antidote for our own frenetic and self-absorbed teen culture.
Differences between Western culture and Samoan culture
- The individual is central
- Family and community are central
- Respect is a right
- Respect is earned
- Speed and efficiency
- Relaxed and methodical
- Wealth = money and possessions
- Wealth = family, friends, food and shelter
- The squeaky wheel gets the grease
- Only respectful requests earn an audience
- Leadership is grasped through authority
- Leadership is earned through service to others
- Adulthood is a legal status granted based on age
- Adulthood is a social status earned through demonstrated contribution and responsibility
- Complexity and multitasking
- Simplicity
- Children and adults interact as peers
- Respect is given to elders and those with more experience
- Fast food restaurants
- Slow, homemade food
- Blood is thicker than water
- Everyone who comes here is embraced as family unconditionally
- Learning by experimentation
- Learning by tradition and custom
- A focus on material things
- A focus on people
- A youth-driven culture
- Love, respect and care for the elderly
- Independent or top-down decision making
- Consensus based decision making
- Objectification of women
- Respecting for mothers, sisters and women generally
Our approach
A unique journey
Our licensed clinicians, recreation staff and mentors have broadly structured Coral Reef Academy’s treatment program around the concept of a voyage—which is very much in keeping with current psychosocial research and ancient Samoan culture.
When a young man arrives at Coral Reef Academy his journey starts with traditional ceremony to welcome him to a new culture and a new family. Over the course of the next several days, he works with program staff and his family to map out specific milestones for his journey from arrival in Samoa to his departure. These milestones fall into six categories: Individual, Self-Care, Family, Academics, Cultural Immersion and Community.
The journey is symbolically charted on a wall map of Upolu Island so that he can chart his daily, weekly and monthly progress toward his ultimate goal—Faleolo Airport where he will depart for home after having progressed through the milestones he has helped construct.
