BYUH students and an alumnus say working at PCC has shaped them into who they are today, despite challenges and trials
Blessed with the opportunity to work in the Polynesian Cultural Center, BYU–Hawaii international students and an alumnus said they have developed self confidence in public speaking, strengthened positive relationships and gained Christlike attributes like kindness and humility working at the Center. Although they said they encountered challenges while juggling work and school, they expressed gratitude for the IWORK scholarship and its support in paying for their education, building their families and achieving their goals.
Timotious Timmy Mocodompis, PCC’s Guest Services manager and an alumnus who majored in hospitality and tourism management from Indonesia, said, “While working here, I was taught that all visitors at the PCC are the ones who pay for my school.” He said it was a privilege and an honor for him to assist those who came to the PCC because it allowed him to have wonderful experiences that helped him grow. “Without them, I would not be here,” he said
The university’s IWORK or International Work Opportunity Returnability Kuleana, scholarship allows international students to graduate with no debt and receive help in covering their tuition, fees and housing, according to financialaid.byuh.edu. In return, students agree to work at the PCC or BYUH and put a certain amount of their paycheck aside to pay for portions of their costs the scholarship does not cover.
Lika Smith, a freshman from Samoa studying hospitality and tourism management, said the beginning of her IWORK journey working at PCC’s Hale Aloha was lonely because she didn’t know anyone. But once she got to know her workers, Smith said, “We developed strong bonds and a spirit of support in the Center, building friendships and relationships that made a significant impact on my experience. Leaders and workers are united, always there for each other, which is one reason why I have zero thoughts of leaving this workplace.”
Mocodompis said a language barrier and self-doubt were challenges he experienced when he started working at the PCC. As a second-language English learner, he said, he frequently shied away from speaking in front of others for fear of making mistakes, but he eventually developed the confidence to address audiences of all sizes. He said his newfound skill in public speaking is evidence of PCC’s supportive environment.
Gracelyn Fotu’aika, a sophomore from Tonga studying Pacific Island Studies and an employee at the PCC’s Tongan Village, said in anything people do, there will always be trials and challenges that will help them become better. “One of the main challenges as a village worker in the Tongan Village is disagreements with coworkers. However, to overcome this challenge, I have learned that being humble and receptive to the guidance and advice from our work leaders is beneficial,” she added.
Fotu’aika said regardless of the challenges, the love, support and the bond she shares with her fellow workers motivate her to go to work each day. “My village sisters have been a huge support and motivation to me, physically, academically, spiritually and mentally, to continue with my responsibilities at work and love it,” she said. In addition, she explained she has gained kindness, productivity, punctuality and humility from her experience working at the PCC, which she believes she will need in the future for her dream job.
Balancing work and school
Although juggling work and studies was always challenging, Smith said she made the effort to keep up with her nightly schedules to help her manage academically and prepare to handle work tasks for the next day. “Working at Luau Hale Aloha has been a highlight of my time at BYUH. Despite stress, I focused on my coworkers’ well-being, often putting their feelings ahead of mine. I coped by smiling, staying positive and doing the best I can to help others,” Smith expressed with a smile on her face.
Fotu’aika said, “Working and dealing with school at the same time is not easy at all. I usually structure my time by working four hours a day, and spend the rest on classes and school work assignments, expected to be completed at the library.” Maintaining a balance between school and work helped her prioritize the things she needed to complete on time, she said.
Mocodompis said he has great respect for students who work outdoor despite the challenging working conditions. “It is difficult and it is physically and mentally exhausting,” he said. When he was a student, he said he remembered sleeping in his uniform after work because he was so worn out. He said he would then wake up at 11 p.m. to finish his homework before repeating the process the following day.
Working with a diverse team
Mocodompis said he started his journey at the PCC in 2018. He shared during his time as a student and after graduating, he worked in the Guest Services Department. He said he was required to work and study as a condition of his IWORK scholarship, and he shared his job at the PCC not only helped him pay for his education but also provided for any other expenses he had while attending BYUH.
Having previously worked as a tour guide and now as a manager for the tour guides and canoe pushers, Mocodompis said he enjoys working with his diverse team. “You do not have to be Polynesian to be a tour guide or canoe pusher,” he said. He added there are about 25 canoe pushers and about 105 tour guides, all coming from different countries. He continued, “I meet a lot of young people, and they are all so crazy and energetic.” He expressed his confidence that they will become future leaders of their respective countries, businesses and other endeavors.
One difficulty he encountered while working and going to school was the recent death of his father. He said his coworkers, who did not know anything about his father, banded together and helped him through this time of trial. “I learned that where you come from does not really matter, regardless of where you are. We are all one big family. I believe that has affected me both personally and as a leader,” said Mocodompis.
Gratitude for IWORK
Balancing work and school can be hard, but Mocodompis expressed appreciation to the PCC for all the blessings he received as an IWORK student. He said while attending BYUH, with the help of the IWORK scholarship and his work at the PCC, he met the love of his life. “This is a special place, and there is no other place like this,” he said. Mocodompis explained the PCC was a pivotal point in his journey toward building a family and pursuing higher education.
“Future students should adopt a grateful attitude,” he said, as there are not many institutions like the PCC and BYUH that can provide opportunities to work and study concurrently while also relieving students of tuition-related worries. “If you give your all to the PCC, you will never feel like this is a job,” he continued. He said the Spirit of Aloha is alive in the PCC and BYUH, and said being thankful is important on the path to success.
Smith also said, “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity … to work at the Center, for it is a significant help in covering my school bills and enhancing my career skills.” She advised all international students who are working at the PCC to keep working, because life is not always easy and stress and challenges are part of the journey.
She said, “As a lead student, I always advise my coworkers that if they’re dealing with personal problems, it’s better to leave those at home rather than bringing them to the workplace because it can become an influence on others and the guests.” She added, “My top tip is that no matter how tough life gets, we don’t need to show strength through muscles or toughness. In fact, a genuine smile can brighten our days and those of others.”
Fotu’aika advised international students on the IWORK program, “Do not take advantage of the blessing you are given to work in the PCC. It is a beautiful and awesome place to work at.You just need to train your mind to work hard and love yourself and those around you each day.”
Impacting other people's lives
Smith shared an experience when she first arrived at BYUH looking for a job. “While sitting at orientation, I prayed for guidance. I was then directed to the group [of food service workers at the PCC Hale Aloha] that was set up behind me. I found the perfect job that matched my major and dream career, which was the luau at Hale Aloha,” Smith said.
She continued, “As an international student, I have been motivated to pay for my tuition and expenses on my own, without relying on my family’s support, for I know there is not much at home to depend on.” Smith said, even though it’s tough being far from home, she is driven to work hard and achieve her goals.
According to Smith, she started as a smoothie maker at the Hale Aloha luau for about six months, then later she briefly worked as a lineman to explore the opportunity. In fact, she said she was admired because of her hard work and customer service and has been working permanently as a lineman for about two months.
“I am a team lead responsible for supervising linemen and keeping the buffet’s cold and hot lines clean and clear at all times,” she said.
Smith said, “One special memory was when I helped a young girl named Lyanna at the buffet. She wanted to try my favorite food, and I could tell she was thrilled,” Smith said. The girl ended up trying one of Smith’s favorite foods, and Smith said this short experience impacted the way she feels every employee should treat each customer, young or old.
She shared, “At the end of the show, the young girl ran up to me and gave me $20 saying it was from her dad. … The small and simple things we might think are too small to make a difference. I would honestly say they will make a great impact on the lives of those you are surrounded with,” said Smith.
Sharing culture and love
Fotu’aika explained her responsibilities as a village worker consist of taking guests for a tour of the Tongan Village, showcasing things such as weaving, spear tossing, canoe paddling and to play a royal Tongan game called the Lafo. “Aside from all these different responsibilities, I am blessed to have the chance to host the main presentations that involve the master of the drums performances,” she added.
Fotu’aika expressed she often shares jokes while teaching guests and finds it is a great technique to engage with the tourists. She recalled a memorable experience when she received a message from a girl who once visited with her family and remembered Fotu’aika from the Center. She said, “The girl mentioned being familiar with me, and expressed appreciation for the time I spent to help her and her family enjoy their time at the Center.” Fotu’aika said that simple message motivated her to continue doing good each day.
She said, “As an international student on the IWORK program, working here at the PCC was obligatory, but beyond that, I have cherished the chance to meet new people, get engaged with tourists daily and collaborate with fellow Tongans.” Being part of the Tongan Village is a privilege as it allows her to get a glimpse of home, said Fotu’aika.