A teacher, a women’s rugby development officer, and a planning and development officer for the Samoa Tourism Authority, all say BYU–Hawaii helped them succeed in their careers. From developing relationships with their professors, to attending club activities, these three women expressed gratitude for the University and the experiences they had as students that led them to where they are today.
Avi’i Faalupega Magele, an alumna from Samoa who majored in art education, began her studies at BYUH in the summer of 2013 and graduated in November 2015. She said, “I wanted to set an example for my siblings, and my mother was my greatest supporter and encouraged me to apply.”
Magele said she first heard about BYUH from her bishop, Aleni Fuatimau, when she was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “I graduated from the National University of Samoa and then I taught at a high school in Savai’i for five years. At the time, I was also a rugby referee when I met Bishop Fuatimau,” she said.
Magele stated she had never heard of BYUH and did not know what to expect. “The biggest challenge I faced was deciding to come or not because I had never attended a church school before. I was not strong in the Church, but when I came to BYUH I changed for the better.”
Before she became a member of the Church, Magele said she fell into many temptations and struggled to keep the Word of Wisdom. However, when she decided to come to BYUH, she said she decided to change. “Prayer was my weapon that I carried with me during my time at BYUH and it really helped me. BYUH helped me become independent and helped me develop a strong testimony in the Church.”
Magele said she is grateful for the knowledge she gained at BYUH because it has helped her in so many ways. “I am the woman development officer for rugby in Samoa, working under the Samoa Rugby Union. I go out to the communities and teach, inspire, coach, referee rugby” to women.
Faamasani Pao, a BYUH alumna from Samoa who majored in TESOL said, “I had always looked forward to attending BYU–Hawaii because I had heard a lot of good things about the school from my parents and a lot of my relatives who attended BYUH.” Pao said she started at BYUH in 2015 and graduated in 2017.
“I have encountered a lot of challenges academically, mentally and socially in school.” But because of what she learned in religion classes, church, professors, leaders and friends, “I was able to overcome these obstacles and challenges and graduated with a degree,” Pao said.
Currently, Pao teaches at Pesega Middle School in Samoa where each year, she teaches up to 105-110 students, she explained. “I have always wanted to be a teacher. So, when I attended BYUH, I had to make sure that I studied and took the right courses.”
Pao said the TESOL courses were difficult, especially her linguistic classes. She said, “I studied hard so I could achieve what I had been dreaming of in life, which was to become a teacher.” She shared her favorite place on campus was the library because she spent most of her time studying there and attending group studies.
Lovine Leauanae, an alumna from Samoa who majored in political science, said she first started her studies at BYUH online. “After high school, I took online classes for BYUH. At that time, I wasn’t even serious about what I was doing,” she said.
Leauanae said she was motivated to follow her older brother’s footsteps and decided to attend BYUH. She starting in Winter 2016 and graduated in Winter 2019. Today, Leauanae explained she works as a planning and development officer for the Samoa Tourism Authority.
“Before I went to BYUH, it was my plan B. My plan A was to look after my grandmother in Australia.”
Leauanae stated she applied to BYUH before heading to her grandmother in Australia. “[My grandmother] passed away the day before I got to Brisbane. So, I guess what my grandma wanted for me was to go to school.”
Magele said even though she did not get the job she wanted with her qualifications from BYUH, she is still able to use her education in another way teaching rugby. “I did my internship for six months at Leififi College. During my internship, the principal asked me if I could referee one of the games, and I had no idea what would happen that day would change my next phase in life.”
Magele said she was selected in the development of referees in Samoa because of the opportunities she took. “I want to encourage students to come to BYUH and to make sure you take ownership of your learning. When you return to your country, make sure you use what you learned from BYUH.”
Pao said, “My favorite thing to do on campus was attending social activities on Fridays. Whether it was in the Aloha Center Ballroom, the Little Circle or at the Hub. I loved signing in to different clubs and being able to attend their yearly activities.”
After graduating in 2017, Pao said she did her student internship at Freedom Prep Academy in Provo, Utah. After her three-month internship, Pao said she flew home to Samoa to look for a job. “It only took me one month to find a job and then I got hired one month later to teach English at Middle School Pesega.”
Leauanae stated her favorite things to do at BYUH include playing volleyball, attending club activities and going to the beach with friends. “I have missed my friends and people who I’ve met at the University. I miss Laie and the Polynesian Cultural Center where I first got my job while being a student at BYUH.”
Magele highlighted the importance of leaning as many skills and gaining as much knowledge as students can while at BYUH. If students do, she said they will be able to work in different fields. “I am grateful for BYUH. I am where I am thanks to the choice I made to come to BYUH,” Magele said. “Thank you BYUH!”
Pao said the connections she made with professors at school helped her find a place to do her student internships. “All the things that I have been taught in my classes at BYUH have helped shape me to be the teacher that I am today. For that, I am forever grateful that I have chosen the right school to be educated at and have crossed paths with great friends, leaders and professors in school who have supported and contributed so much in my educational life. Thank you BYUH.”
Leauanae said, “After graduating in Winter 2019, I did my internship [in Hawaii] before coming back to Samoa. The three years of working and going to school at the same time gave me a hint of what the real world is. The skills and knowledge that I gained from my different jobs, while in Hawaii, helped me so much with my job right now.
“It was a blessing for me to attend BYUH and I am grateful for those before me for being great role models for us who came after.”