BYUH students of various faith backgrounds share their experiences figuring out life at a Latter-day Saint university
Students who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but are attending BYU–Hawaii said they have focused on adjusting to the religious environment, which poses challenges and opportunities. Despite initial discomfort, nonmember students said they often find the supportive and diverse community at BYUH helps them grow personally, spiritually and academically.
Adapting to a religious environment
Hikaru Ichikawa, an accounting junior from Japan who practices Shintoism and Buddhism, said he was surprised to learn about the beliefs of his classmates. “I didn’t know about the existence of another world or the role of Jesus. I was surprised that many Church members encouraged me to become a member.” He added, “A positive thing is that I’ve become more diligent because of the other students here.” He shared he is inspired by how his friends who are members do the best they can while living away from home, train to be more independent and live the Word of Wisdom. In addition, he said they have influenced him to be tidy at all times by cleaning his room more frequently.
Luaupu Ta’a’au, a junior from Samoa double majoring in biology and anthropology, said BYUH quickly became a place of social and spiritual growth. She said most of her friends at home are Church members, so attending a Church university felt pretty normal. “Every day, I meet people from different places and learn something new.” Ta’a’au said her time at the university has pushed her out of her comfort zone. “I wasn’t very social before I came here,” she said. Since coming to BYUH, she said she has started interacting with more people, becoming more active and feeling the Savior’s love through the community.
Cultural and personal growth
Ichikawa shared he is the only child in his family. “I was looking for a reasonably priced college because my family wasn’t rich. Japanese universities are much cheaper, but I wanted to go to a United States’ school to improve my English and get a job here after graduation,” Ichikawa added.
Ichikawa explained he initially felt awkward about applying to a church-affiliated school but decided to proceed after hearing about the kindness and diversity of the student body. One of the requirements to be accepted to BYUH was to meet a bishop in his home area. “I was scared during the interview with my bishop knowing he is the leader of a different faith,” he said. Ichikawa said BYUH was the only school in the United States he applied to due to the manageable tuition. He said, “I just accepted and decided to go.”
Coming from a large family, Ta’a’au said “I have two brothers and seven cousins who I now call my siblings.” Growing up with two brothers and a lot of cousins helped build resilience and a sense of responsibility, she said. “I admired each of their strengths, and they were great examples for me growing up,” she added they still had petty fights, but she feels no one will support and love her like them. Now that they are miles away from each other, she said they are always in contact through social media, checking up on each other and getting life updates. “I am hoping one day we will all reunite in the home where we were raised,” she added.
Reflecting on her connections with the university here in Laie, she said, “I only heard a little about BYUH when I was in high school.” She said she wasn’t really interested because she thought it was exclusive for members. Ta’a’au said she attended Church College Vaiola in Samoa and was fortunate to receive the PAIS scholarship, now renamed as the David O. McKay scholarship. With that opportunity, she said she applied in early 2022 and was accepted for the Fall 2022 Semester.
Exploring a new faith
Terangahau Teihoarii, a sophomore from French Polynesia studying hospitality and tourism management and Pacific Islands Studies, said, “I grew up and was baptized in the Catholic Church. My relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was non-existent before coming here.”
Ta’a’au said the opportunity to experience life on her own was a driving factor behind her decision to attend BYUH. “The difference in religion wasn’t a challenge for me, since my parents come from different religious backgrounds and are very understanding of this choice,” she said.
Teihoarii said she first heard about the university from family members. “I came here because I heard of it when I was little, especially from my mother who wanted to attend this university but financially couldn’t,” she said. Teihoarii added she has always wanted to study abroad in an English-speaking country and BYUH was perfect for her.
Grappling with challenges
Ichikawa said his friends’ norms are very different from his, like the habit of daily prayers. “They usually pray before meals and the start of every class in school, but I didn’t know what to say because I am not used to it.” Ichikawa said he felt some social pressure when meeting other students, especially if they discussed religion or missionary service. “When they asked if I served a mission, I had to say no [because] I’m not a member,” he said.
Moreover, Ichikawa said taking religion classes has been a significant challenge. He said these classes are stressful because he doesn’t not have an understanding of the principles and doctrines being discussed and tested upon. “Having religion as one of the core requirements for graduating college concerns me, especially to maintain a great academic profile,” he added.
Socially, Ichikawa said he has to be mindful of what he says. “I have to consider what I should or shouldn’t say because they don’t drink, and they avoid coffee and certain substances. If I speak freely, they might frown at me.”
Teihoarii shared some cultural differences that stood out during her freshman year. She said the clothing restrictions and the way students address the professors by “Brother” and “Sister” were a culture shock for her. Back in Tahiti, Teihoarii said she attended public schools where clothing restrictions were not as strict, and where professors are always addressed as “Mr.,” “Ms.” or “Madam.”
She said attending BYUH has impacted her life back home. “It gave me independence and a new perspective on myself, others, my culture and God. It emotionally affected my family because I came here alone, without knowing anyone. Over time, things got better,” she added.
Overcoming obstacles
Ichikawa said so far, he has signed up for religion classes with professors who are convenient for him to participate in their classes. “So far, my strategy is to take the easier classes with easier professors based on my friend’s experiences as well as the reviews about each professor.” He said also finds balance by spending time with non-members. “Spending weekends with non-members helps me stay unbiased, he explained.
Teihoarii said participating in lessons with missionaries led to some pressure. “There were times when I felt challenged, not because of my faith, but because I’m a non- member,” she said. “I wanted to learn more about the Church and how it works, but even after sharing that I’d remain true to my faith, I was often asked if I wanted to get baptized,” Teihoarii said. She said though she knows it is not their intention, she still feels pressured.
Ta’a’au shared, “Sometimes I get really discouraged and homesick, but my family has always been my source of inspiration. I believe that with God and my loved ones’ support, anything is possible.” Even in those difficult moments, she said her faith remains strong. She said, “I know that the Lord is always there for us. It may feel like He’s far away, but in those times, He’s actually the closest. We just need to kneel down and pray.”
Teihoarii said she has found comfort through friends. She said,“I shared my feelings and questions with some of my friends here and found support in their words. Being here has drawn me closer to God.” Teihoarii added she has become more humble and obtained more wisdom from those around her. “I want to apply these values to my future endeavors,” she said.
Going into the future
Ichikawa said one of the benefits of his BYUH experience is learning what it is like to be part of a minority group. “When you’re in the majority, you can’t notice the characteristics of your community. But by being in the minority, you can understand your community’s and others’ different aspects.” It offers a new perspective, he said, allowing him to understand the differences in both their own culture and others. “This experience has helped me strategize my life through shaping my personal growth.”
Looking ahead, Ta’a’au said she is determined to carry forward lessons she’s learned from her time at BYUH. “One thing I’ve gained from this ohana is to always be kind and look for ways to improve. Don’t ever limit your worth,” she said.