09/26/2026
Talofa lava!
My name is Taputailo Ufi, though most people call me Tapu or Tailo. I come from the beautiful islands of Samoa. I am a senior at BYU–Hawaii studying Biology, surprise! I came here with two goals: to earn a higher education and become self-reliant. Through the IWORK program, those goals became possible. But I never imagined I would live away from home for four long years. Now, I can proudly say, I did it! More than earning a degree, BYU–Hawaii taught me that I am capable of more than I imagined.
My BYUH journey has been full of surprises. A prayer to see my brother led to my first solo trip and opened the door to many more adventures. One of those adventures was going on a church history trip facilitated by BYU–Hawaii. This church history trip strengthened my faith by helping me see church history in a personal way and reminded me that Jesus Christ has always walked with His people and He walks with us today. I also came to BYU–Hawaii planning to study Hospitality and Tourism Management, but before classes began, I changed my major to Biology; the strangest thing I could have chosen to put myself through for four years! Through the challenges, I learned one of my greatest lessons: I can do hard things. Growing up in a hardworking Samoan family also prepared me to work and study, turning the skills I learned at home into lessons in resilience and self-reliance.
Somehow, I became more than a student, I became a temple worker, a traveler, a hiker, and someone willing to step beyond what I thought was possible. My journey from Samoa to BYU–Hawaii has not always been easy, but it has been full of purpose. I did not let where I came from decide where I could go. I trusted God, accepted the opportunities He placed before me, and kept moving forward. If I had to tell you what carried me through this journey, it would be the knowledge that God believes in me. Because He trusts me, I choose to trust Him in all things.
byuhsamoaclub
