Brigham Young University-Hawaii Top Questions

The college years have been everything that brought my world to a standstill and switched my perspective around. It was only some five to six years ago that I would say that I was the kind of individual who thought that the world had nothing to offer for me or others, but it was precisely the college opportunity that brought me to be able to visualize and become open-minded. Normally, people would say that college is a place for many pitfalls; from what I know, it depends on the individual, for I have realized that it is only when a person decides to look for something and refuses to give up on the process of understanding the self that they will find what they need to walk through life with dignity. Life is full of risk and opportunity alike, and the difficulty of the process is precisely what makes the painful process worth the while. It is precisely due to the college that I began to understand myself and my world in a more positive way and that I found what a valuable thing that education can be. For this, I wouldn't trade my college years for anything.

My college experience has helped me discover whom I am and what I want to contribute to the world. The classes I take continually challenge me. The most valuable thing that I have learned in college is my ability to overcome. My goal is to go to medical school to become a surgeon. Being a woman I am going against my ?role? in society. My experience has taught me that I can do anything that I set my mind to, and am willing to work and sacrifice for. Women can do anything, and that is what I?m trying to show the world, and my sisters. Stand up and be who you really dream of, the only thing stopping you is yourself.

I have found myself. My college experience has given me academic and moral fiber. I have tested my limits at balancing a part time job, full time school, and religious callings. I have learned to become a leader among my peers, so that they have someone to lean on. I have discovered the true meaning of learning and will beable to apply to all my future education. My work ethic has been molded to get the job done right the first time beacuse anything that is worth my time is worth doing good. I've learned to ask for help, and to be a better help. Most importantly Ive found my passion. My passion and motivation for everything that I do. My passion to learn; to help; to serve others; and to be a better person one day at a time, week by week, month by month. In hopes that one day I'll be able to make a difference in just one persons life. That is what I have learned. To be the best me.

My education has not followed traditional paths. I have attended public schools, private schools, and been home-schooled. I earned my GED in 1997 and worked for eleven years before deciding to attend college. My experience in working has given me a greater appreciation of my opportunities than I would have had if I had started college immediately after High School. I also have gained clarity for my life and career goals. I am a better student, excited to learn, and succeed. While at Clackamas Community College I re-discovered my love of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. Both are diverse and expressive. I am more expressive when I sign, more the person I want to be. This realization has given me the direction for my schooling and my career goals. My goal is to work in the Deaf Community as an advocate, counselor, or teacher. I have been accepted into Western Oregon University and will be starting in the fall, to major in Deaf Studies.

This particular institution is much like a refiner?s fire. Students enter as ordinary, yet as a result of love, high expectations, and desire the graduating students are precious and rare as diamonds. Being a student of Brigham Young University Hawaii is preparing students for a lifetime of learning and service. Not only has this University planted a desire in me to do better as well as excel in all avenues of life, but to take responsibility of the friends and fellow classmates that surround me. I?ve come to comprehend more about myself personally and with the accompaniment of caring staff and faculty I know that these outstanding experiences will properly arrange each student to make a difference for good in the world and help the generations to come. Our standards are some of the highest in the United States and only a select few are able to fully live to these expectations. Attending this school is a heaven on earth where we as a community focus on becoming better, while gaining an excellent academic experience.

When I entered college I really thought I already knew who I was and what I wanted out of life, but just like many other college students, I learned a lot about myself just within the first few months on my college campus. I made new friends and had to live on my own, and make my own decisions. BYU Hawaii is small, but it's full of amazing people. The way you are constantly surrounded by so many cultures expands your mind in so many ways. In November of 2009 my best friend commited suicide and I was in Hawaii, no where near home. But the way everyone from every culture, my teachers, my administration, the way they supported me and helped me through that hard time showed how amazing and powerful the joy in that school is. It's taught me to serve and live peacefully among those around me, even when we don't understand their culture or their background. I wouldn't trade the diversity and experiences I've had at BYUH for the world.

This school has given me an outstanding and professional experience. This is a school that is different from any other school. This is a school of high standard. We live by the honor code, which is a very similar standard of a christen living. For example, any sexual conduct with opposit sex will result in termination of school. Dress and grooming standard also restrict student from wearing non- modest clothing, but turn to professional wearing. Students here enjoy a place of peaceful and safty, which allow them forcus on study.

So far I have gotten many things out of my experince. I have an understanding of my education and my goal in life. I want to further my education to better my life and my childrens lives. My experince has been a good one and to be able to follow my dreams and get a degree will help me succeed in life and I will be able to support my self and others I love. My experince will help me use skills in my everyday life.

I have gotten a wonderful education by dedicated teachers interested in my success. I have enjoyed my internship I was able to be a part of with Disney, and love the school and the friendliness and warmth of the campus and the people (not to mention the weather). I have enjoyed the skills I have learnt from my on campus jobs and from the teachers in the Hospitaltiy Tourism, Arts, and Entrepreneurial courses taken. They also have a great variety of extracurricular activities. I have been wanting to go to school here since I was a child and lived in the area, before moving away and I am glad to be able to make that dream come true, as well as many more dreams because of my schooling here.

From my experience here at Brigham Young University Hawaii I have gained all the "standard" benefits of the college experience. I have received a good education, counsel for the future, friendship, networking, and even a wife. However, the most valuable thing that I have gained from my college experience, besides my wife, is a better perspective of what this world can be. Here at BYUH we have an extremely culturally diverse student body. I have made friends from literally all over the world. I have been able to overcome any and all stereotypes that I adopted growing up. I have seen firsthand the need for different cultures and different perspectives when finding a solution to a problem. I have learned how to accept the similarities in all people and to respect our differences. I am studying to become a high school biology teacher and although the lessons I have learned and will learn from textbooks and proffessors are important for my future career, the most helpful lesson that I have learned is that everybody, no matter their background, has the potential to be great. As a teacher and a human being I must always remember that lesson above all else.