Brigham Young University-Hawaii Top Questions

So far during my college experience, I have learned a lot of things. Some of the most important things I have learned is responsibility, leadership, discipline, and time management. Attending college has been valuable to me because I am meeting new people and learning new things every day that is making me into a more productive person in society. Attending college is helping me to achieve my long term goal of becoming a successful multi-business owner.

I have learned so much, and not just general things like high school, but learning in specific areas that truly interest me and I want to make a living of. It is so beneficial and so much more enjoyable than any past classes I have taken elsewhere. I have also grown far more independent and conquered some fears that have been a life-time weakness. Now that I am an adult and have to take care of myself and live on my own I have had to challenge my fears and I have triumphed over them. I've grown better at relating to others and improved my communication skills by making friends who are more different from me than anyone I have ever met before. I have also learned how much I always relied on my family and looked to them for support and I appreciate them so much more than I ever did.

I have always aspired to be a journalist, and being a student here has allowed me to excel on the staff of our student news magazine, Ke Alaka'i. I began as a staff writer and have worked my way up to become the head of multimedia and copy editor. In November I'll be attending a journalism conference in Kentucky, where I hope to get interviews with a number of newspapers across the nation. Being a student of the cultural studies program here helped a lot when I took 18 months off to volunteer as a service missionary in Lithuania. I used the knowledge I gained at BYU-Hawaii to better understand the culture, which helped greatly as I helped develop a free 3-level English class program there. I later incorporated the same program as a volunteer in Ireland working with immigrants who were non-native speakers. My experiences here also helped me to learn the Lithuanian language faster, as well as to have the people skills necessary to establish other service programs in the area. Our school's mission is to establish peace internationally, and my experiences here have helped mold my future goals around that mission.

Attending BYUH for several years now I have come to love the surrounding atmosphere that the campus has to offer. Not only is it a inexpensive school to attend tuition wise, but the spirit that the faculty and staff have that work here cannot be compared to any other 4 year school. They have been very supportive of my college career so far and have helped me a great deal so far. I can safely say that I can expect the same treatment that I have received thus far until I complete my education here and receive a degree in Business Management. Another wonderful experience that I have had here is that the lessons that I have learned from my fellow students will always stay with me. Being a church school, BYUH has great emphasis on forming study groups, setting appointments with teachers, offering tutor sessions, hands on experience, and also allowing most students real world experience through intership programs. I am thankful for the lessons that I have learned in college so far, and would like to thank everyone that makes it possible for me to do so.

I am the non-tradtional student, going back to school after raising my family, and thinking I am too "mature" to learn. I am learning that as I extend myself in each class, my knowledge base grows. I do bring wisdom and maturity to the classroom, and it is daunting at times to keep up with students that are more than half my age. But it is never too late to learn; if we stop learning, we die. The road is not easy, and I might have to study a little harder or a little longer for things to sink in, but each class brings new insights into the world and into myself. I am strengthening my body and my mind more than I ever thought possible.

Preparing me for life. That is what attending college is currently doing for me. With classes, majors, and degrees aside, I am earning skills that will allow me to navigate through the difficult maze we know as daily life. Understanding and overcoming the complexities of financial difficulties. Learning what the word "sacrifice" really means, as I fight the natural urge to satisfy personal desire in order to accomplish a higher goal...school, work, study, service. Sacrifices that prepare us to be able to balance life between school, family, religion, work, friends and personal desires. Developing relationships with others around you and then working together to accomplish a common goal. Its not always "what" you know that will help you progress in life but more often "who" you know. Asking the right questions and negotiating within a study group when a difference of opinion emerges. It's not just the degree or the amount of class material you retain. These "secondary" skills are often key elements in the success of our future. They often allow us to appy the degree and class material in the real world. And such preparation for life, to me, is invaluable.

Coming from a small town in Idaho filled of Caucasians, to an even smaller town on the island of Oahu full of students from over 77 different countries has presented me with a unique kind of education. Not only have I learned an abundance of my studied field in Biology, but I have been exposed to a myriad of different cultures and traditions. I have had the opportunity to interact with people in many countries and create friendships that will affect future generations. Small seeds have been planted in my heart that continually grow and will set up a foundation for peace. My eyes have been opened and the world has been brought into view from many new perspectives. If others see in the souls of the world what I can see, the world would be a brighter place. I could have taken English 101 at any university, but I never could have cultivated a love in my heart for so many people around the world, without the years spent at Brigham Young University Hawaii, in the small town of Laie.

Coming to college is something important for me because I know it'll take me to a level of excitement in the end of my journey which is well payed job. Sometimes I face the pain of struggle while in college but as I try my best everytime I feel comfortable and know that I can do it. Counselor, Professors are always available for you anytime when stuck in something which I don't know and I can always ask them. This helps me to never be scared to ask questions or raise comments while in college. Coming to college is fun because it's not only about doing homework and studying for an exam but it's also about meeting new people and making friends with them. These aren't just people from the U.S but people from foreign countries and other areas. I value this here in college because I'm able to talk with them and ask them about there cultures and what they do. This can be something I can learn and apply to my life.

So far, I have learned how to take care of myself as an independant and strong woman. I learned the importance of keeping my room clean, eating healthy, exercising often, and making time for myself to relax. College life can be very stressful, but I have learned how to organize my time so that I can also make time to have fun. Because I ended up changing majors, I learned that life can present you with the completely unexpected. I thought for my entire life I was going to be a musician, and then one day, I decided I wanted to be a Cultural Anthropologist! I have never been happier. It has been so valuable to attend because I have walked away with life lessons on how to deal with people you don't like, difficult situations, and even how to trust myself to do what is best for me. I have to be happy with myself in order for me to have great experiences. I also value my family more than ever, especially since I am so far away from home. I have never loved my sister and my mom more than I do now.

I had gained a spiritual knowledge and better understand to be honest. I do value to be honest and truthful. I know as long as I keep up all I have learned I know I will get far way in life. I love how the teacher are friendly and will be strict on thier grades and attendance. It encourage the habit to be on time. I now make sure i get to any meeting or activity 10 minutes early. These are some values I have gained at BYU Hawaii