Last Wednesday’s graduation at the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Degree was a culmination of years of sacrifice for a Samoan woman.

Naomi Asi, who was among the graduates who were conferred with various qualifications last Wednesday, moved to New Zealand from Samoa in 2013 and hails from the villages of Sinamoga, Solosolo and Faiaai. 

She said being part of hundreds of graduands cheered on by thousands at the conferment ceremony was the best day of her life and an overwhelming experience. 

“To witness the hundreds of graduates and thousands of people cheering, singing and applauding throughout the ceremony filled me with so much joy,” Ms. Asi said.

“It was a proud moment to see thousands of people clapping and cheering for me as I walked across the stage and was capped.” 

The graduation was held at the Spark Arena, Auckland City and while her parents were not present to witness her graduation, some of her family members and friends were on hand to celebrate her big day.

“This was one day I wished my parents were there beside me so I can honour them but sadly my dad was in Tafuna Clinic, American Samoa and couldn’t make it.”

The dream to become a teacher was a lifelong one, according to Ms. Asi, who then recalled how it all started as members of her immediate family were also teachers. 

“I am where I am today because I had a dream to become a teacher when I was a young girl in the village of Sinamoga, Solosolo, Faiaai, Samoa.

“This was the dream my parents put into my head. I come from a family of teachers, my grandfather (Asi Leau Sulutumu Milo) was a school principal at Laulii primary school, including Moataa, Vailele, Falefitu, Letogo, Samoa.”

Ms. Asi’s mother was also a teacher at Levaula College in Samoa, her aunt taught at the Mt Roskill Intermediate in Auckland and her older brother taught at Avele College.

“I remember my grandfather’s advice to his children and grandchildren was to not choose teaching because of the commitment and sacrifices of planning and working long hours,” she said. 

“Despite all this, being a teacher is very rewarding and fun as you get to love and respect children and prepare them for their future.”

Looking back at her academic journey at the University of Auckland, Ms. Asi said there were a lot of people who helped her along the way, especially one of her lecturers who helped the Samoan student to change her mindset.

“She [lecturer] encouraged me not to give up and I was able to achieve that dream.”

Today Ms. Asi is reaping the benefits of those years of sacrifice and currently works as a teacher in South Auckland primary school in New Zealand.

“I am now working as a teacher at a primary school in South Auckland and interestingly one of their key values is ‘perseverance’.

“There is always a way forward, a solution to a problem, a helper on hand to guide and support you.”

The graduate said her next dream is to prepare her 2-year-old daughter to achieve her own dreams and give her the best opportunities available to be the best version of herself.

“I will walk alongside her and give her the encouragement that was given to me,” Ms. Asi added.