Personal Narrative: My Family In Fiji

Since a young age, I have been exposed to the beliefs of trying to make a difference in the world through my mother's teachings. In 1989, my mother came from the Fiji Islands to America, seeking more opportunities. She took on low paying jobs to make ends meet, never giving up on her dreams of living in America. Since my childhood, she has always taught me the importance of being kind, generous, and playing an active role in the community. And after visiting my family in Fiji, I saw first hand what it meant to have those qualities—the kindness, generosity, and outgoing nature of the village. They also showed what it meant to be a part of a community by working together, farming the land, and cutting sugar cane to earn a living. Through my
experiences in life, I have learned to carry these values wherever I go. At the University of Washington, I can bring my sociability to campus by volunteering for community events, having an active voice and using my social skills to bring people together, as human interaction plays a vital role in a diverse community. Sharing experiences lets people express viewpoints in an inclusive way, making it a place everyone wants to be a part of. The world I came from made me realize the importance of inclusion and being sociable. Thus, I will use my skill set to be an active member of the community and similar to my family’s Fijian culture, I will embody someone who is outgoing and ready to make to an impact on the community by playing an active role in it.