Samoan student Colin Chan Chui crossed the stage to receive a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) and a Bachelor of Medical Science with honours on 10 December at the University of Auckland.

He had the full blessing of his family and the patients he met while completing his studies in Samoa.

The 27-year-old University of Auckland graduate said a highlight of his studies was the experience of clinical placement.

“I got the chance to see the applicability and value of the theory I had learnt,” he said.

"The moments I shared with patients were important, especially translating consultations for elderly Samoan patients. These conversations would often conclude with their blessings and prayers for my studies, for which I am grateful.”

Chan Chui is from Afega, Fagali’i and Sataoa. He was born and raised in New Zealand. He moved with his family to Samoa where he spent his earlier years before returning as a 10-year-old in 2007, to complete his education. He also had to learn English at the same time but proved to be a quick study, going on to become head prefect at Onehunga High School.

“I had the privilege of carrying the trust and respect of my peers, and teachers as a head prefect in my final year.”

It was during this period he developed a keen interest in sciences and became aware of how inequitable health outcomes adversely affected Pacific communities.

“This was important to me as these are some of the key factors that drive my passion for serving people in health care, particularly our Māori and Pacific communities.”   

Completing his studies took longer than the usual six years because he took a gap year. There was also an extra year for an honours degree.

The competing demands of study, clinical placement and responsibilities of family life in a Samoan community meant he had to learn how to manage his time and find a balance.

“I often felt like I was making sacrifices at the cost of my family and health.”

However, the experiences will help prepare him for his new role at Middlemore Hospital as a junior doctor in 2025. Looking back, he’s grateful to his faith and family, for supporting him toward becoming a medical doctor.

“Jeremiah 29: 11 says for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future," said Chan Chui.

“There have been countless times in my studies where I have lost sight of this scripture but never once has God fallen short of fulfilling his promises.”

He is especially thankful to his mother Pulemagafa Sina, his aunty So’oa’emalelagi and sister Fauali’i Desiree as his role models.

“They instilled in me the values of resilience, service and grace. They carried me throughout my studies and reaching this milestone would not be possible without them.

“Alongside them, my father Patrick and brothers Conrad, Cordon and TJ, built the foundation that allowed me to pursue my goals of tertiary study and medicine.”  

Chan Chui said he was always confident of his decision to become a doctor but occasionally would doubt himself when imposter syndrome kicked in.

“There were moments where I had to overcome, and will likely continue to overcome, the challenges of imposter syndrome. I often doubted where I was and what I was doing.

“Going through this with friends from similar backgrounds, that can relate to this challenge, assured me I was not alone.”

Visiting Samoa every year to see his father has helped him to maintain strong connections with his villages and stay involved in the community.

“There is a Samoan proverb that says, ‘o le tagata ma lona aiga, o le tagata ma lona fa’asinomaga’.

“This reflects the essence of community as a Samoan. It translates to ‘I am my family and my family is me’ and one of the great things about being Samoan is that I had a whole village backing me throughout my studies, and because of this I knew that I would always reach my goal, regardless of its challenges.”