BYUH graduate, Julia Sio, says she dedicates her final project to her Pacific Island family and ancestors
Pacific Island senior students who participated in the Pacific Island clubs of BYU–Hawaii shared stories about their journeys as students, for a final project conducted by Julia Sio, a senior majoring in communications from Siusega, Samoa. Participants shared their insights about their experiences and some words of encouragement for the benefit of undergraduate students of BYUH.
“This is a remembrance of our journey here at BYU–Hawaii, dedicated to our Pacific Island families and ancestors who have paved the way for us to walk and to become successful,” said Sio. "As a graduate student this semester, I wanted to share these last moments with my Pacific Island brothers and sisters knowingly. College is so much more than just getting a degree,” she added.
Jason Katonivere, a senior from Suva, Fiji, majoring in biology and human resources management, who was part of this project, talked about his time at BYUH. “I love my journey here! The individuals that I chose to surround myself with have greatly motivated me to become successful,” he said.
He shared about the significance of balancing his time as one of the male resident assistants, helping people from all around the world and being introduced to many students' life experiences, concerns and perspectives for almost four years. “I believe having the appropriate mindset and the right objective to plan ahead is the best way to keep up with your studies and work at the same time,” Katonivere stated.
He then advised the students of BYUH and said, “Making friends with the professors is one of the most important ways of succeeding in college life. Because when we communicate well with our professors, the more we will engage and understand the assignment,” he said.
Some of the Pacific Island senior students who participated in this project said they were able overcome the challenge of having online courses during the pandemic. “My friends were probably the biggest factor in how I was able to pull through all online courses during COVID-19, especially when seeing, visiting, and going outdoors were limited,” said Melemoala Fifita, a senior from Liahona, Tonga, majoring in TESOL and social work. Fifita continued, “I guess it's just finishing what I started and to actually try and make the most of my experience to take advantage of the sacrifices that my loved ones have made to help me pull through my journey is what motivated me the most.”
Teenah Naumanga, a senior from Matareva, Cook Islands, studying hospitality and tourism management, said, “Pulling through my college years just depended on how much I wanted it. “As a COVID-19 survivor student, it was not easy for me to motivate myself to keep up with my assignments, especially when I had to finish it from my bedroom instead of in-person class instructions,” she added.
Naumanga explained how much effort she needed to complete the things she was required to do regardless of the discouragement she faced from the pandemic. She continued, “There was a time when I got to the point where I felt that I really wanted to give up. But then I was reminded by the spirit of God about my family, friends and loved ones who believed and trusted this path that I've been taking.”
Klaus Marurai Ayee, a senior majoring in human resources from Mahina, Tahiti, stated, “Students should enjoy every single minute of their lives here at BYU–Hawaii because time goes by so fast, and we won't realize what’s coming after this journey.”
He continued, “BYU-Hawaii is a sacred place for it helps students become great leaders of tomorrow, mainly because of the opportunity to work in teams with the help of students and professors." Ayee concluded, this can help students remember who they are, especially when they all come from different countries with different backgrounds.