THREE St Joseph's students first set foot in Naiyala Boarding School with a bundle of nerves and no idea what to expect.

Two weeks later they left with life-long friends and a whole new perspective.

Upon observing the school's facilities - which did not include plumbing - Eloise Biggin, Linsy Armbruster and Katlin Mascadri weren't sure how they were going to adapt to their new home for the next fortnight.

"The first time seeing the school was overwhelming," Eloise recalled.

Linsy agreed: "It was all a bit baffling - we really realised how lucky we are."

But the girls were quick to let themselves go, slipping into the village mentality and quickly forging bonds with their fellow students.

Katlin said a highlight of the trip was presenting students with items collected by St Joseph's School.

"It was like Christmas for them," she said.

"I didn't think a pair of second-hand shoes could make someone so happy - she picked me up and spun me around."

The trio travelled to Fiji with the Rotary Australia World Community Service team, comprised of volunteers who spent the two weeks improving the village education and health systems.