Eager and bright-eyed, more than 200 students gathered at the start of the enrolment process for the National University of Samoa on Thursday to embark on their academic journey.

For many, it was their first trip to the NUS Campus.

Neta Ioane, a former student of Leififi College, stated she was unfamiliar with the campus. She said she had not imagined so many students would be at the enrolment.

“I studied TVET in college, and now I'm doing TVET as a course because I intend to attend the maritime school and eventually work as a sailor,” she said.

“In addition, I've noticed a lot of students on campus who I don't know, and I plan to make friends with them this year.”

Mary is enrolling in the Bachelor of Arts program, a more advanced course of study than secondary school.

“I majored in sociology intending to become a public development officer and create long-term strategies to oversee and maintain Samoan society,” she said.

“We all know that human activity can occasionally impact our environment, culture, and economic growth, which in turn affects our people's productivity.”

Fisita Toma, a 17-year-old from Mata'aevave College in Savaii said she is excited to meet new people on campus but is also afraid that she won't know all that is done at Upolu.

She now lives in Alafua and spends every weekend with her family in Savaii. Because she is accustomed to Savaii, she is likewise unfamiliar with all the customs here in Upolu.

“Today's enrolment process is quite difficult because there are so many stages to follow. In colleges, all we need to do is bring our birth certificate and other necessary paperwork, but at NUS, there is a lot of work to be done,” she said.

Former Mata'aevave College Savaii student Kris Meineta, 17, is eager to study science at the NUS.

“The first thing that impresses me when I go into the NUS is the size of the buildings and the fact that I have to study in such a large space. I am grateful that I was able to come here so that I could study with other new students and share the educational experience with them,” she said.

The enrolment process for the NUS continues this week.