Despite the heartbreak of losing a loved one and missing home, two Western Samoan students shared they found courage through family and friends to keep moving forward and graduate.
Success through sacrifice
“If you have dreams and goals, go for them and trust your instincts,” said Asaua Tanuvasa, a senior majoring in math education. Students should dream big, do what makes them happy and be themselves, she remarked.
When she began her first semester, Tanuvasa said she felt overwhelmed. She explained, “I was very homesick. I missed home so much, but I had my parents and family encouraging me to stay strong.”
During Tanuvasa’s second semester, her mother fell ill and passed away, she shared. “I couldn’t focus on school or think about anything. All I wanted was to go back home and give up on school.” Every year, students go through similar experiences, shared Tanuvasa. Losing a parent is never easy, she said, but despite her mother’s passing, she gained courage to continue school and honor the sacrifices her mother made for her.
“When I called home when I first came to school, my mother would give me a speech of encouragement. She was my inspiration,” Tanuvasa said. These words of encouragement gave her a fighting spirit to never give up, she said.
Tanuvasa’s husband, Maulalo Jr. Fesolai, a student spouse also from Samoa, said, “I am proud of my wife.” Being away from her family for four years was not easy, he explained, but she has made it.
Tanuvasa said, “I left for my mission in 2014 until 2016, then again left home for BYU–Hawaii the beginning of 2017.” She added she returned home to be sealed in the Apia Samoa Temple on Dec. 22, 2017. After she was married, the couple flew back to Hawaii together to finish school. Fesolai said, “We have been happily married for three years and counting.” When times were rough, Fesolai said his wife never gave up and added he works to support and help her in any way he can.
Fesolai expressed he would take care of household chores and make dinner so his wife would have time to focus on her assignments. “She’s hardworking, a fighter and a devoted person. When she grieves for her mother, I am always there,” he shared.
Fesolai offered advice to married couples at BYUH. He said, “Help your spouse in any way you can. Give them the time to focus on their assignments. Lend a shoulder when they need it. In the end, it’ll all be worth it.”
As the first in her family to attend and graduate from college, Tanuvasa said, “I am glad I made the decision to attend BYU–Hawaii and to stay. I am satisfied with my achievements. They are dedicated to my parents for all the sacrifices they made for me.”
To be the first to graduate from her family with a degree is not only an achievement for her, but also for her family. Being the first in her family to attend college, Tanuvasa said she felt the pressure of expectations. Still, she said she was determined and prepared herself spiritually, academically and financially. She said, “My family has shed tears and has financially supported me in any way they can. They have sacrificed their time and money to help me get an education. I owe them my achievement.”
In addition, she advised students to stay in school no matter what happens and to remember the sacrifices their families have made for them.
“I want to thank my professors for their time and effort, my husband for being supportive in all I do,” Tanuvasa expressed.
“Thank you, BYU–Hawaii, for opening the door for me. Thank you for all the aloha.” When she graduates, she shared she plans to return home, find work, provide for her family and start a family of her own.
Overcoming anxiety
Ullu Leota, a senior from Western Samoa majoring in political science, said she learned about BYUH when she was in primary school. Professors, students or volunteers representing the school would visit Samoa and talk about the University, she said.
In high school, Leota said she made it her goal to attend BYUH after her mission.
When she began classes at BYUH, Leota said managing her time was difficult. She was anxious attending college for the first time and working, she said, but using a calendar helped her schedule time and prioritize. “On the calendar, I would mark important deadlines and input important reminders and dates so I wouldn’t forget anything and have my priorities straight,” she said.
There were times when she missed home and her family, she said, but the fact that they were always supporting her was reason enough to keep going. Leota shared a quote from Albert Einstein that motivated her, “Education is not the learning of fact but the training of the mind.”
For Leota, she said gaining an education helped her train her mind to prepare not only for the future but also the present. Her education at BYUH has helped her get a job to provide for her family, she said.
Leota is also the first in her family to attend and graduate from BYUH and now she said she has been accepted to graduate school. “I am grateful for all the achievements I have made so far and to be blessed with another opportunity to further my studies is beyond my expectations. But I am very satisfied with my achievements.”
She has been accepted to BYU in Provo to earn a master’s degree in public administration. She said she is determined to graduate within two years and acknowledged the people who helped her along the way.
Leota advised, despite COVID-19, students should keep their heads up and not give up. She said, “To future students, you have chosen the best school. BYU–Hawaii might not be the perfect school, but what you get out of it matters. Thank you, BYU–Hawaii. My future is bright and possible because of everyone at BYU–Hawaii and especially my friends and family here and back home.”