Memories, photos, spouses, flowers and shells are things students say they will take with them from Hawaii after graduating
For college students, graduation and holidays are times for them to return home. Students shared about keepsakes they will bring with them to remember their time at the university such as seashells, letters, graduation caps and technology.
Remembering Hawaii
Rabbanah Campos, a senior from the Philippines majoring in accounting, said jokingly the most important thing she will take home with her is her husband because they met and got married in Laie while going to school. In seriousness, she said the lessons she had learned through her years and experiences at BYU–Hawaii were some of the most important things she would take with her. She said much of her perspective about life and family changed while studying on campus.
She continued, saying her journal, a place where her memorable experiences were engraved, was another important object she would take home. Campos said she would also bring a seashell and one of the fake flowers students place behind their ears to remember Hawaii after she leaves.
Similar to Campos, Seon Woong “Danny” Hwang, a sophomore from South Korea majoring in biology, said he would be bringing a fake flower home with him. Bringing Hawaiian shirts home to wear would also help him remember Hawaii, he added.
Ka Ho Au Yeung, a senior from Hong Kong majoring in biochemistry and biology, said, “I will bring flower seeds from here because the flowers in Hawaii have different meanings.” He added his desire to also bring a unique collection of seashells home with him “because the beach is nearby.”
A tribute to families and friends
Campos said she would make sure to take her diploma home with her, as it represents all the memories, learning and experiences she has gained at BYUH. She said she will also bring letters received from people she loves that she kept in a box with birthday cards, pictures and notes from the Hale moms, among other things.
Yeung shared his graduation cap will be a tribute to his parents, which he will taking home with him.
Hwang will bring photos with him to remember the good times and different activities he did with his friends, he explained, especially the most recent photos from when he went scuba diving.
Hwang said he will also bring technology that he will later use in inventions back home because one of his dreams is to develop technology that recycles plastic. He cited the university’s motto, “Enter to learn, go forth to serve,” as a call to use the education given to him to make the world a better place. Hwang feels he and other students have an “obligation to serve our home countries after we finish our studies,” he said.