14 students from the Nu'uuli Vocational Technical High School spent this past Thanksgiving Holiday in neighboring Samoa, learning about that country’s Government. 

The US/AS Government Class students were escorted on their trip by their principal Tupa'i Rod Atafua, six teachers and one parent.  They visited the Ministry of Finance in the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese building, the Central Bank of Samoa and also the Parliament of Samoa. 

The students were very excited about meeting Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Meredith.

During their field trips through the different government agencies in Samoa, the local students learned a lot about the many differences and similarities of the Samoa Government and the US/AS Governments.

One of the most intriguing aspects the students found was the division in the Parliament, which consists of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet on one side and the Head of State on the "opposition side".   The students also learned that Samoa's Legislative branch is the most powerful of the three branches of government.

According to the students, "It was a great opportunity for us to ask questions about Samoa's government and to get away from our families, travel with friends and eat a lot of good food."