The National University of Samoa top journalism student within the Faculty of Arts is Talaia Mika.

Talaia was awarded the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) trophy during the Technical and Vocational Training Programme graduation ceremony at the NUS gymnasium recently.

“I am simply overwhelmed with joy and thankful that I have accomplished something like this, in all honesty I faced so many challenges like there was a time I slacked off my studies.”

“I became lazy and did not use my time wisely instead peer pressure played a role but along my two years journey I felt inspiration when I heard a testimony from one of the judges that used to be a journalist.”

“He gave me motivation to become someone better, to be the best version of myself, and it gave me ideas like wanting to travel the world,” she said.

Talaia said her passion that led to her training to become a journalist is to make a difference with her writing. 

“I aim to pursue my journalist career at Samoa Observer because I believe that writing can make a difference.”

“I have great faith that my writing can make a great difference to change lives for the better.”

“But I owe everything to God and my families, without them I would not be the person I am today,” she added.

The 20-year-old from Magiagi is the child of Mika and Apiseta Samuelu. 

“I look up to all the journalists, not many people recognize the hard work that journalists undergo.”

“So many people have different perceptions and that is fine but to me, all the journalists are my role models only we understand what we go through to inform the public.”

“To be a journalist is my passion and calling in life, I intend on upholding all the codes and ethics in journalism as I become a journalist,” she added.

Talaia studied her Diploma in Journalism for two years at NUS.