BYUH students from Papua New Guinea share their transition from PathwayConnect to BYUH
Students from Papua New Guinea said the partnership between BYU–Hawaii and BYU-Pathway paved the way for them to get accepted to BYUH through taking classes online from home, easily submitting their transcripts from PathwayConnect to BYUH and helping them overcome the obstacles they faced.
Avae Kairi, a junior from Papua New Guinea majoring in social work, said, “PathwayConnect is one of the best programs I have ever been in, and I experienced the outcomes and benefits from it.” He added the two main benefits he took from his PathwayConnect journey were building a mindset to learn and preparing for higher education.
Kairi said, “I think PathwayConnect allows everyone, old or young, to be part of the program. Hence, it boosts and broadens their minds and hearts to continue learning.” He said PathwayConnect gave him the opportunity to open his mind, to willingly learn and adopt skills needed for every aspect of life.
He said PathwayConnect allows everyone to further their education, especially returned missionaries. “As a returned missionary, it has been a struggle to find a school in Papua New Guinea due to the tuition, transportation and other fees. I couldn’t find any school that would suit my needs,” he said. In 2020, when PathwayConnect was introduced, Kairi said the program allowed him and other people to take courses online and it was an answer to his prayers.
Kairi was one of the first students to come to BYUH through the PathwayConnect program, he said. He said the skills he developed through PathwayConnect helped him further his education at BYUH. “The partnership made it possible for me to attend my dream school, BYUH,” he said, “where I met the love of my life and married her.”
Freshman Phillip Lari, a social work major from Papua New Guinea, said Pathway-Connect also helped him come to BYUH. He said the PathwayConnect program especially helps students in Oceania and the Asia Rim. He explained how the program helps people go through certificate programs and eventually earn a degree program online. Lari said online classes “can be hard sometimes for Papua New Guinea students who live in rural areas with poor internet coverage.”
Florence Bullock Evera, a freshman from Papua New Guinea majoring in social work, said she and her husband were also part of the PathwayConnect program. While she was taking community health classes through BYU-Idaho online, she said her husband studied business management at Ensign College.
Once they were accepted to BYUH, however, Evera said they changed their majors. She said her husband is now studying business management with an emphasis in supply chain, operations and analytics, and she is majoring in social work.
Michael Richard, a sophomore in business management from Papua New Guinea, said how PathwayConnect helped him get into BYUH. He said his Grade 12 national certificate from his home country went missing while he was on his mission in Tonga. According to Richard, the Grade 12 certificate was a requirement to apply to BYUH for Papua New Guinea students. However, he said he was able to be admitted to BYUH after taking classes online with PathwayConnect.
“I nearly thought that my dream of going to BYUH would not be possible, but PathwayConnect came in and rescued me. I am grateful,” he said. Richard said he will do all he can do “to succeed in life, as the Lord gave me a second chance in education through the BYU-Pathway and BYUH partnership.”