Samoan island girl says she came to America to gain an education, learn about other cultures
As the oldest child in a close-knit Samoan family, senior Lesi Mate Time said the decision to leave home and come to BYU-Hawaii was difficult, but during the time she has been studying in Laie, she said she has learned more about herself, her own culture and the cultures of her fellow students from more than 70 countries.
"I can never imagine myself being blessed with unique opportunities while attending BYU-Hawaii,” said Time.
Time also shared as an island girl, her encounter with American culture is an emotional conversation for her. Time, who is a student from Samoa and studying tourism and hospitality management, said she has come a long way to be where she is now. She said she is grateful for her friends and family, and more importantly, for her Father in Heaven, for helping her conquer the hardships she has had leaving come and coming to college.
Before coming to BYUH, Time said she was working, helping her parents at home, and running errands for the family. She said during a talanoa session, or talk-story time, when she was home, she helped others as well as her family. She is passionate about sharing her culture with others, and she added making herself available for any learning opportunities, especially with the culture, because this generation tends to forget their culture. Time said she also thrives being around elderly people learning her culture and preparing herself for the real world.
Being able to come to BYUH
When Time was in Samoa, she did not know about BYUH because she was a convert to the Church. She found out about the university when she went on the mission. Her mission companions were talking about it, so she decided to ask about it, and that is how she came to know there were institutions like BYUH.
According to Time, preparing for college abroad was not easy because she was the oldest in her family, and her parents relied on her. She was the backbone of the family, and she was always there for the family, especially her parents. So, letting her go was not easy for her mother, said Time, because she knew her daughter would be going somewhere far where it would take time for her daughter to get home and help her out with chores at home.
Time said preparing to apply to BYUH was hard because she did not have enough resources to complete everything on time. But she said she relied on the Lord and trusted in Him to give her the confidence to do everything in her power to submit the application on time.
The most exciting moment for Time was when she got an email from the school. “When I received my email from the school, the only line I read was the first line that said, ‘Congratulations, Lesi Mate Time, for your admission to BYU-Hawaii.’" She described this as the most rewarding day of her life and reaped the benefits of all her hard work to fill out the application. She said at that very instant, she knew that the Lord does work in miraculous ways to answer the prayers of His children who are worthy and stand in need of things.
Adjusting to life in multicultural Laie
BYUH is a unique institution located on the beautiful island of Oahu, she said. It is an educational hub that attracts students from all over the world, including many island students seeking a higher education.
For many island students, Time said, attending BYUH can be both exciting and daunting because it can be a hard transition from their small island communities to a larger, more diverse environment. However, with the university's supportive community, Time said she was able to thrive and find success. She provided a few of the examples of how the university showed support for her:
- Hub nights were something she likes to do
- School dances
- Halloween activities
- Culture Nights
- Food Fests
- Study groups and
- Coworkers
The most difficult challenge Time said she faced was adjusting to cultural differences. Since the university has a diverse student body with students from all over the world, Time said she has to navigate cultural differences in order to connect with her classmates and build relationships. However, many island students are able to find common ground with their peers through shared experiences, such as a love of the ocean or a passion for traditional island culture.
Another challenge Time said she faces is adjusting to the academic rigor of college life. Because BYUH is known for its difficult coursework, she said she sometimes struggles to keep up with the demands of her classes. However, the university offers a variety of resources to help her succeed, including tutoring services, study groups, and academic advisors. Also, Time said she is able to seek support from her peers, who understand the unique challenges of attending college as an island girl.
Despite these challenges, BYUH provides opportunities for students to excel. The university offers a wide range of majors and extracurricular activities, she said, allowing island girls to pursue their passions and explore new interests. "I find that the university's location on the island of Oahu provides unique opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as surfing and hiking."
Time said she was able to develop leadership skills while attending BYUH that will help her in her future. Because the university encourages students to take on leadership roles in clubs and organizations, island students like Time she said have the chance to develop their communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Because of its diversity, Time said she believes attending BYUH is a rewarding experience. Although there may be challenges to overcome, the supportive community and diverse range of opportunities has helped Time thrive and achieve her goals. Whether students are pursuing a career in business, education, or the arts, she said, "I am fortunate enough to be at Brigham Young University-Hawaii to find success and fulfillment in my chosen path." Explain again what her major is and how her university is currently helping her along her chosen path.
Working at PCC and learning about Samoan culture
Time said she was a bright-eyed college freshman at BYUH studying tourism and hospitality management, and she has always been fascinated by different cultures. So, when she heard about a job opening at the Polynesian Cultural Center's Samoan village, she jumped at the opportunity.
The PCC is a popular tourist attraction on the North Shore of Oahu that features six different island villages, each showcasing the unique culture of its people. Time said she was thrilled to be working at the Samoan village, which was known for its lively dance performances and traditional village setting.
Time’s job is to greet visitors and provide tours of the village. She also helped with the daily chores, such as cooking, cleaning and tending to the garden. At first, she said she found the work challenging, as it was physically demanding and required her to interact with people from all over the world. However, as time went on, Time said she began to appreciate the experience more and more. For example, Time takes the guests to the huts and gives brief lectures about each of the huts in the Samoan village and what they each mean. Also, with English as her second language, she is hesitant at times, but because she is passionate about working with people, she puts aside her fears and teaches people that come to the Samoan village.
Working at the Samoan village gave Time a deep appreciation for Samoan culture, she said. She learned more about the traditions, customs, and way of life like how to treat women with respect. She added protecting people’s families are important because families will always be there during good and bad times, and in in the Samoan society, families are close. She also developed a deep respect for the people of Samoa, who were warm, welcoming, and deeply committed to their community.
She said she has always been interested in tourism and hospitality, but now she had a deeper understanding of what it meant to be a good host. She said she realized hospitality was not just about providing excellent service, but it was about building relationships and creating a sense of community.
Time also said her experience in the Samoan Village gave her a unique perspective on the tourism industry. She understood the importance of preserving cultural traditions and showcasing the authenticity of a place rather than just catering to tourists' expectations.
Overall, Time’s experience at the Samoan Village has been a transformative experience. She said she has gained a deep appreciation for Samoan culture, developed valuable skills in hospitality, and gained a unique perspective on the tourism industry. She is grateful for the opportunity to work at the Polynesian Cultural Center and looked forward to sharing her newfound knowledge and understanding with others.
Encouraging Samoans to come to BYUH
With all the experience Time has gained while being at BYUH, she has extended an invitation to all her brothers and sisters from Samoa to come and attend this institution. She said if Samoan children come here, they will learn to become more independent and not always rely on their family. Because in Samoa everyone stays with their parents, she said, including the extended families, so having children who are Samoans will help them become self-reliant.
She stated it is difficult to persuade Samoan children to come to BYUH because their close ties to family and extended family. It will take time to persuade them, she added, but she is confident that "parents will let their children go for the betterment of their future."
She added being in Hawaii for almost four years has been a great experience because she has learned a lot from the people she is affiliated with at school and work. She is enjoying herself because she has friends from all over the world and makes new friends who can help her find opportunities in the future, especially a career.